Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report

The GOP Central Committee, led by Chairman Bill Neuharth, is continuing some negative campaigning and fundraising on behalf of lawyer Barry Pruett, who is challenging incumbent Greg Diaz for the supposedly nonpartisan post of county clerk-recorder.

In his latest email, Bill writes that Barry needs money for radio spots this week — $10, $20, $25 or any amount:

“The main reason for this memo is $$$$$, help! You may have seen the article in the newspaper today indicating that Greg Diaz has raised much more money than Barry for their respective campaigns. Most of you recall the letter Diaz wrote to potential donors soliciting campaign funds which asserted that out of county interests, the tea party, and other radical, highly political and partisan organizations (us?) are supporting Barry and are raising $50,000 for him.

“This attack raises the stakes for us. If we are to positively influence Republicans at large we need to respond to charges of this type, and get people like Barry elected regardless. Barry needs more funds for radio spots next week. If you can donate $10, $20, $25, or any other amount it will help stop Diaz from succeeding with his partisan and polarizing tactics.”

Filed under: Uncategorized | 25 Comments »

As longtime residents of San Francisco’s North Beach and the grandson of Swiss Italian immigrants, I’ve been looking forward to the first Italian Festival here.

The Festival to celebrate the area’s Italian heritage on Sept. 18 and 19 is going to be at the fairgrounds — not Memorial Park as originally planned, an organizer told me this past weekend.

The group’s plans to hold the event at Memorial Park, including the Drew Reynolds softball field, had raised some objections from people there.

I found that very unfortunate but am glad the fairgrounds was accommodating. The event — the first of its kind here — is expected to feature a sanctioned bocce ball tournament, food booths, and exhibitions of Italian families in our county.

Italian immigrants were lured to the Gold Country with the promise of striking it rich. They accounted for many of the early miners.

My grandfather came Northern California from the Ticino region of Switzerland on the Italian border, among the immigrants who helped establish the Italian Swiss Colony winery.

We look forward to attending and supporting the Italian Festival, a reminder of our area’s rich heritage.

More than 1,000 marigolds were just planted at the Fairgrounds by Nevada Union High’s FFA, an annual tradition.

Filed under: Uncategorized | 4 Comments »