Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report

Over on his blog, hard right political activist Russ Steele is busy insulting candidates for the vacant Grass Valley Planning Commission post.

Russ, if you recall, served as a county Transportation Commissioner for years.

One day several years ago, I asked one of the Grass Valley “powers that be,” innocently enough, what qualified him for that post.

The matter-of-fact response: Well, he wasn’t the ideal candidate, but they were afraid somebody like “Grant Cattaneo” would wind up on the commission instead.

Cattaneo was a longtime “anti-growth” advocate in our county who gave the “old guard” fits.

It was an educational discussion about how small-town politics influences appointments, that’s for sure.

“What we need is someone who is actually in the private sector and who has been through the processes of government regulation and zoning,” states Russ’ political ally, Todd Juvinall.

How much experience do other planning commission members, past and present, have in this field? Hint: Not much.

Here’s what the City of Grass Valley website states about Planning Commission applicants: “Most Planning Commissioners are lay people without any previous land use experience.”

The application is here.

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Aaron Klein was elected to become a College Trustee (at Sierra College) without a college degree.

Sue Horne was elected to become county Assessor without experience in the Assessor’s Office. She also does not have a four-year college degree.

Both government positions require some unique experience and skills, where a formal education would be helpful, just as in the private sector.

To Sue’s credit, she has been training for the post, which she assumes next week. Still, someone from the Rood Center had to spend time training her. A more experienced assessor would not require that.

Both Aaron and Sue happen to be highly active and visible in the GOP in our neck of the woods, a connection that helped get them elected to nonpartisan posts. Aaron is outspoken about his politics, while Sue keeps it more to herself (at least nowadays).

A more qualified person, without the local political connections, would find it tough to win the race. To outsiders, this creates perceptions of a “old boys/girls network” that might not attract the best candidate.

Though a former county supervisor, Sue is humble about her lack of experience as Assessor; Aaron, not so much about his.

In cases like this, it’s time for citizens to demand more and tighten the job descriptions so we get the most qualified candidates.

I can’t think of a better way to get the best “bang for the buck” from our government in tough economic times. It’s sort of a “no brainer.”

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