From the blog of Sierra FoodWineArt magazine:
We regularly shuttle between Nevada City/Grass Valley and North Tahoe/Truckee, so it’s a pleasure to welcome Richard Anderson as our incoming Nevada County supervisor, starting next week. Richard will be introduced at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisor’s meeting.
It’s an extra special pleasure, because we are fellow magazine publishers and editors: Richard publishes California Fly Fisher magazine, and our magazine features outdoor recreation and “destination travel,” along with food, wine and art. We regularly promote Truckee (including skiing, mountain lodging and backcountry adventures in our upcoming issue). And on a personal level, we like to fish in the streams and lakes of the Sierra and Sierra Foothills — and have since childhood.
Our magazine shares a similar relationship with Tom Dalldorf, publisher of Celebrator Beer News in Nevada City. We have interviewed Tom as a craft-brewing expert and socialized (most recently at Matteo’s Public).
I met Richard this summer at Coffeebar on Jibboom St. in Truckee for a lengthly, wide-ranging discussion that included his publication, which he brought along to show me. (In fact, I already read it — it’s one of the most authoritative fly-fishing publications and dedicated to the Golden State).
“California Fly Fisher is the only magazine dedicated to providing you with thoughtful, informative articles that cover the breadth of the fly-fishing experience in California, whether angling for trout or for the myriad other species — warm water and saltwater included — found in our waters. Articles discuss, in detail, where to fish, how to fish, which flies and tactics to use — everything, in essence, that you’ll need to take full advantage of the fly-fishing options available in our state.
“Three beliefs lie behind California Fly Fisher magazine. First, that our state offers an impressive variety of places to fish and species to fish for. Second, that we need to protect these places and their fish if we are to continue experiencing good sport. And third, that California has long had its own fly-fishing culture, one that deserves to be celebrated. The stories we publish, the editorial stances we take, reflect these three core beliefs.”
The current issue of the subscription magazine (@$16.95 a year) has an article titled “The Creeks of Tioga Pass.” I found it interesting because I’ve been fishing those creeks since childhood. Another is titled “Trout town: Bishop,” another city I’ve visited regularly for its fishing.
Born in Oakland and raised largely in Tuolumne County, then the East Bay, Richard came to Nevada County as an adult, bringing along his business, California Fly Fisher magazine.
Elected three times to Truckee’s Town Council, he has served as mayor twice, most recently in 2011.
In his election campaign for supervisor, Richard said one of his goals was to “protect the recreational, scenic, natural, and historical assets that are the foundation of our economic well-being.”
In our conversation, I found Richard to be analytical and thoughtful. I’m looking forward to his tenure. All of the County Supervisors seem to be working well together.
(photo credit, top: Craig Nielsen; ShastaTrout)
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Since I am an avid fly-fisher and craft brew drinker, I applaud you for being associated with such fine company…your all right in my book Jeff.
What a delight to have Richard on the Board of Sups. I’ve known him for many years as we both had our publications printed at the same shop in San Jose. His voice and values will be most welcome in our county. Next we’ll combine our magazines and publish Drink like a Fish. Oh, wait…
Cheers, Tom
Yup, Tom and Richard both migrated to our headwaters with their well-regarded publications in tow!
Jeff, thank you for the good words. As I’m a private citizen for several more days, I’m going to post a reply — something I won’t do after I’m sworn in on Monday.
First, I was delighted when I learned several years ago that Tom Dalldorf had moved to Nevada County. His Celebrator has long served as a wonderful example of a passion-driven publication; it not only inspired the way I approach creating a magazine, it got me interested in home brewing. I hope to raise a pint with him sometime during the next four years.
Second, the image above from Craig Nielsen was taken at the International Sportsmen’s Exposition, held yearly at Cal Expo in Sacramento. This year, the show runs from January 10th through the 13th, and I invite anyone attending to drop by the California Fly Fisher booth and say hello.
Third, I’d like to note that three west-county residents, Ralph and Lisa Cutter and Trent Pridemore, are regular contributors to the magazine and bring to it considerable angling expertise. We’re lucky to live in a region that offers numerous interesting and even challenging places to fish, and not just for resident trout, but for migratory steelhead and salmon, plus two species of bass, panfish, etcetera.
Finally, anyone interested in picking up a copy of Cal Fly Fisher can find it at a new fly shop in Grass Valley, Reel Anglers Fly Shop, at 760 South Auburn Street. The Jan/Feb issue will be shipping to them shortly after the sports show ends. (In Truckee, it’s available at Mountain Hardware.) Subscribers’ copies will be going in the mail this coming week.
Thanks Richard. We get the magazine at Mountain Hardware. Just FYI, you soon-to-be colleagues Nate Beason and Terry Lamphier come here to comment from time to time. The internet is changing how we communicate!
Jeff, you’re absolutely right, and your site and others provide an important way for electeds like myself to listen and learn. As for commenting, however, it’s easy to inadvertently create Brown Act issues, so my personal preference is to remain merely a reader.
It has been a delight fishing and working with Richard over the past couple of decades. His history as a collaborative and forward thinking member of Truckee’s City Council and as its Mayor point to a positive future as a Sup. I love the idea of a magazine titled, Fish like a drunk. Or something like that.
RE: Richard’s comment about elected officials commenting via social media and the Brown Act:
- it is good to be cautious
- the County is risk averse
however…
- I’m a strong believer that elected officials do not give up the right to be an active part of community issues and debates (their citizenship)
- but the Brown Act is to be respected regarding issues to be voted on
- that said, the electorate needs to know who they vote for. In my opinion I am not serving the public if the only awareness they have of my views is via the very limited scope of Supervisor meetings
The Brown Act is aimed at preventing collusion but if too broadly applied means I can’t say I like the Peace Center or don’t like folks who see conspiracies in everything government does…well, I can’t go there.
Terry:
I certainly agree that you have a right to tell your constituents where you stand on certain issues, but a word of caution: In 2005 or so, the State Supreme Court ruled that every applicant appearing before a local government body has the right to an unbiased hearing and decision.
In other words, if you say publicly that you support painting the Rood Center purple with yellow polka dots, then later someone comes to the board with a request to paint the Rood Center as described, your right to participate in the debate and vote could be challenged because you have already expressed your opinion on the merits of the idea.
I used to pen some pretty opinionated columns for Other Voices in The Union, because the City attorney always told us that we did not lose our First Amendment rights when we took office. But once the decision was rendered by the State Supreme Court, he quickly cautioned me (and the rest of the council) about writing opinion pieces and about responding to questions from reporters.
Regrettably, I had to put a muzzle on expressing frank opinions on matters that might appear on a council agenda. And that was very frustrating for me.
I don’t remember the title of the decision, but county counsel will know. It’s something that especially needs to be kept in mind in this blog-wild world in which we now live.
I find this interpretation of the Brown Act troubling. Having informed opinions is part of being a good elected Supervisor. Indeed, I vote for a county supervisor because I expect them to have such opinions. Pretending that those informed opinions are abandoned after election day seems to be undemocratic at best.
Tony:
Public officials are certainly entitled to their opinions, and they (usually, at least) offer strong, informed opinions, but the court ruling merely said that such opinions need to wait until both sides in a matter have had a chance to make their arguments, pro or con, at a public meeting.
As I recall, the decision arose out of a planning commission vote in Southern California a few years ago when a commissioner voiced his opinion on a pending matter in advance of the meeting. (I think he had written an editorial for his home owners’ association newsletter).
His participation in the commission public debate and his vote were challenged on the basis of being biased and predetermined –– and the court agreed.
Maybe John V. or some other attorney who follows this blog has better insight into the details of the case, but when it was handed down it caused a quite a stir in local government circles. I know that it sure crimped my style (although it doubtless brought great relief to some of my colleagues who often bristled at my frankness).
Steve,
Voicing a public opinion on a public matter before the Board is one thing. Offering frank general opinions about general principles is another, and I think important for a public official to do so publicly. A number of Nevada County officials come here to Jeff’s blog to do the latter, which i have always really appreciated, and I think contributes to open government and transparency.
I do find it ironic that this court ruling is being used to shut down discussion of public issues in an open fora like this blog, though. Like I wrote above, participating in fora like this is good for democracy, and refraining from them is well, not-so-democratic. After all, the supervisors can still meet with their campaign donors, and the local building and/or environmental interests down at Maria’s for lunch, and not be in violation of the Brown Act. Providing some context for such meetings on this blog (or others) helps me be a little less cynical!
As Jeff writes the internet has changed how people communicate (or not). I hope that interpretations of the Brown Act can mature with that basic fact. 2005 or so was a long time ago in the nature of the on-line blogging world!
I hope Richard Anderson as he gets used to his new position comes to appreciate where and how he can use this blog to contribute to a transparent way of doing his job, as Nate Beason, Terry Lamphier, and others have done.
Tony
Tony:
I too hope that the communication realities of 2013 and beyond can serve to modify the current legal requirement for public officials to avoid expressing opinions on specific issues that have not yet worked their way to a hearing before the BOS, city councils or planning commissions.
That would be nice –– and it would be helpful for citizens. On that point, I agree with your position on this issue. But it’s also true that applicants deserve an open-minded, unbiased board or council (if such an animal actually exists in the real world to begin with).
Perhaps attorney Stephen Greenberg, who closely follows laws affecting public officials, has some insight he can share here?
Wow, the speech issue sure set off an excellent debate! Thanks to Steve and Tony both for your comments.
I will still likely “err” on the side of transparency with constituents. Too often voters really don’t have much of an idea of what they are getting.
I’m cognizant of being sensitive to possible pending County issues…and I’m unlikely to stop voicing opinions on other issues because someday, in some form, it might come before the Board.