Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report

Editor’s note: Here is an excerpt of a letter from Cal Organics owner Chris Keysar to Kim Pruett, McClintock’s local rep. It comes as the government rejected a loan that Cal Organics needed to move to downtown Nevada City, as first reported here:

“As I mentioned this project has taken 2 years and 3 months, with the county becoming involved in October of 2008. To date all my energies and monies have been expended to getting by the ‘pre-application’ not the application.

“Apparently the Sacramento HUD/CDBG office looks at the pre-application process as a way to find reasons to reject CDBG request. In my humble perspective this government office might reevaluate and redesign to perform as a review and an assist process to help bring worthy projects to fruition and then create the much needed economic stimulation and job creation.
 
“I have committed heavily in time, energy and money to this project including a $10,000 market study to verify the business viability, another nearly $10,000 in floor plan development to verify functionality of the operation, paid for nearly a year’s rent on the ‘new’ building (free rent was given by the future landlord’s for the first year, reduced rent has been paid/accumulated since then), hired consultants, advisors, experts and preformed additional research to developing a comprehensive third party validation of the viability of this project.

“All told I have invested over $175,000 of precious dollars pursuing the governmental assistance. Had I known this process would have been this costly in time, energy and money, I never would have gone down this path.
 
“This project is very important to me and the community. The proposed building is Nevada City’s anchor building, the most important building on the downtown main street. Within our business we have projected the creation of at least 35 new jobs. What I have not been able to measure is the undoubted impact on all the local business and the potential revenue and job creation that will come with our ‘anchoring’ down town as a local’s destination again.

“You may remember that Nevada County had the distinction of having California’s highest unemployment rate (Jan 2010 17% unemployment). This project could be the beginning of re-energizing Nevada City and beyond.”

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The government turned down a pre-loan application for $1.1 million for California Organics that would have cleared the way for the organic grocery store to relocate to Broad Street in downtown Nevada City, owner Chris Kysar told me on Tuesday.

Cal Organics will pursue other options, however, including other loans and private investments, Chris said. Though he said the project was on “life support,” he wasn’t throwing in the towel. It has been a long and frustrating experience.

The long-awaited plan is expected to help revitalize the downtown. The organic grocery store is going to be an anchor building in the historic district that once was the site of a furniture and a hardware store.

We depend on our elected officials, such as our Congressmen Tom McClintock and the Rood Center, to help get the ball across the goal line in instances like this. A letter from Cal Organics to McClintock is here.

We are dependent on economic-development loans and grants to help stimulate business in our rural area.

I’m continuing to root for Chris. We just bought a fresh hunk of halibut at his store for dinner last week.

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I’ve been enjoying the dialogue between Congressional candidates Clint Curtis and Ben Emery and the readers on this blog during the past weekend — some “community” journalism.

The “threads” are here and here. Though not always in agreement, the candidates and readers are straightforward and respectful.

It is intimate, in real time and addresses the issues at hand. It also shows how the candidates understand the “new world order” of communication. The Union and KNCO aren’t providing this kind of forum. At The Union, people sign their name “dirt mover” instead of with their real names. It’s an LOL.

Compare this impromptu “coffee house” dialogue to the style of incumbent Tom McClintock — more often stilted, canned and controlling. Tom needs some more experienced advisers to reach out to a wider range of constituents beyond the retirees who agree with him.

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Jerry Brown’s first TV ad is here. I remember the times well when he was California’s governor. He had a reputation for austerity, frugality and unpredictability. Jerry’s signature is on my diploma from UC Berkeley.

Here’s the text:

Voiceover: As governor, he cut waste – got rid of the mansion and the limo. Budgets were balanced. Four billion in tax cuts. World-class schools and universities. Clean energy promoted. One-point nine million new jobs created. California was working.

Jerry Brown: I’m Jerry Brown. California needs major changes. We have to live within our means, we have to return power and decision-making to the local level, closer to the people, and no new taxes without voter approval.

Voiceover: Jerry Brown. The knowledge and know-how to get California working again.

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