The City of Grass Valley has an ideal opportunity to embrace the future and wipe out perceptions of its “old guard” politics, but is it dropping the ball?
I have learned that Apple Center executive director and Nevada City Farmer’s market manager Mali Dyck, among others, has applied for the vacant planning commission post. Grass Valley Council member Yolanda Cookson, among others, encouraged Mali to apply.
Instead of jumping at the opportunity, the council is seeking more applicants before it makes a final decision.
Mali would help diversify the commission, whose members such as Patti Ingram and Daniel Swartzendgruber are more closely identified with the “old guard,” including the leadership of the Nevada County Contractor’s Association.
I didn’t contact Mali for this blog item, because I want to be clear this is nothing more than my own commentary (though many others would agree with me and be equally skeptical at drawing out the decision).
“Think globally act locally, is the message that twenty-nine year old Mali Dyck, Executive Director of the APPLE Center for Sustainable Living, wants community members and tourists to take away from a visit to the newly opened resource center in downtown Nevada City, CA,” as SeeJaneDo wrote last year. The rest of the profile is here.
“At just 800-sq ft this little building is poised to have a big impact in the community. Not only is it a model for energy-efficient workspace, but a hub and an incubator for ideas on how to live green.”
Mali has pragmatic, needed skills too that others don’t: She wrote the application that landed a $40,000 grant from the Butte County Private Industry Council to open the center, a highly competitive process. (As we all know, some efforts fail, including the county-wide broadband grant application).
Our family has gotten to know Mali from our sponsorship of the Nevada City Farmer’s Market, one of the most successful ventures in our community. She is professional, energetic and an innovative thinker.
Mali is the kind of person that Grass Valley needs to help think about diversifying its own economy. She will compliment, not replace, the current mindset.
I’m worried, however, that some “powers that be” are concerned because of APPLE’s advocacy that includes some member’s opposition to reopening the Idaho-Maryland Mine, as well as public opposition to Prop. 23 (in contrast to the old guard view).
Mali is professional enough to be just as objective than any other standing members of the commission, who have their own obvious biases.
The counter perspective seems to represent the majority who sit on the planning commission and council anyway. (Longtimer Dan Miller was named vice charman instead of Yolanda Cookson, the youngest female elected to the council, by a 4-1 vote).
In the New Year, I’m waiting to see if Grass Valley will shed its past – or merely cling to it.
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Wondering if appropriate for the same leader at County level?
I’m willing to bet the “good old boys/girls” are now working to bring back a “good old boy/girl” from the past to rig into the planning commission slot.
I”m willing to bet one or two “good old boys/girls” from the past will be rounded up and will now apply to the planning commission… at the request of the “good old boys/girls” that can’t share and feel they must control everything.
I bet we will see some names from the past… stay tuned!
In this case, my recommendation is that you try to reserve judgement until the whole process has run its course, hard as that may be.
Well we have already seen a few things… like how Swarthout and Miller worked behind the scene in advance of the City Council meeting to set up making Miller Vice Mayor and screwing over Yolanda Cookson.
Also at the same meeting we saw what some of the CC members said and did regarding the selection of a new planning commissioner.
And we also have some of their actions from the past, history that can help indicate the future. Notice that Swathout has Patty Ingram as her Planning Commissioner?
Steve,
Though it’s an emotional issue of which you’ve had first-hand experience, let’s go easy on the allegations. Just getting a discussion going is a first step.
Thanks and Happy New Year!
No “allegations”…. just facts.
What some have done in the past are facts, what some have said are facts and some are in fact out recruiting retread “good old boys/girls” for the Planning Commission spot right now in order to maintain their control.
All are facts, no allegations, some folks can’t seem to share and will do anything to gain and hold all the power.
Don,
I had a similar experience with Dan Miller when I applied for a vacant school board post years ago, and he was President of the Board. I applied, and as far as I could no one else did. The deadline was extended, and suddenly there was a candidate from the local Real Estate community who was given the seat. I suspect that something similar is being pulled this time. I also believe that the only way to keep this from happening again is for bloggers like Jeff to shine a little sunlight on what is going on.
Tony
I understand that each planning commissioner is appointed by the city council as a whole, but it was my understanding that when a council member was sworn in they had someone ready to represent them on the planning commission.
I also want to point out Jeff that it is good to have multiple people to choose from. I know that Ms. Dyck will bring a fresh perspective to the commission, but just taking someone and putting them in the position is definitely something the “Old-Guard” would do….
James,
I stated that Mali was one of the candidates, “among others.” There are four candidates so far.
Tony,
Thanks for your first-hand account that helps shine a light on this issue. BTW, your resume (multiple college degrees including UC Davis, budget and teaching experience at CSU, as well as having a child in a top-notch college) makes you highly qualified compared to a real estate agent with local social and political connections. It’s exactly what I’m talking about.
Go Mali,
She would be a great addition to the commission. Bringing a different view of business and planning to the circle. We should start a phone campaign.
I wish it was so that The Union staff would feel safe to follow a lead like this after it appeared here.
City Council member Yolanda Cookson posted some of her thoughts on this issue on her blog… very telling.
Let’s hope Jason and Yolanda stick to their guns and represent those that get shoved aside and discounted by the “good old boys”.
Them “Good old Boys” ain’t so good for anyone, it would appear, but themselves.
Nepotism next?
Generally, the way things have been done in G V for some years now is that by mutual agreement, each member of City Counsel will simply appoint his or her choice for the Planning Commission, and others will go along. When that council member leaves, the P C appointee goes too. That was after years of wrangling when P C spots were open (but not really that much) and political influence and disagreements resulted in many fights and P C members being fired (both Poston and Lamphier were once in that positiion). Unless that “arrangement” has been changed, and that is up to G V C C members, the new Commissioner will actually be the appointee of Jason Fournier, the only new member, who served on the P C himself under that system. Glad to hear Mali applied, but don’t hold your breath on it, Jeff or Mali. But who knows? Perhaps if Yolanda’s present Commissioner is leaving, or she wants to go against the system, maybe. Surely worth a try.
An added thought: Fournier might go for Mali, but she may be too high profile due to APPLE connection for consideration. Could be why more applicants were encouraged. Whatever, some creative thinking in Grass Valley is very much in order, except not from some like a past candidate who thought picketing St. Patrick’s because of masses said in Spanish was the thing to do.