The Union’s weekly columnist George Boardman’s headline in this week’s column reads: “Will Dahle lead Assembly Republicans to even greater irrelevance?”
He concludes this week’s turgid, wandering column with: “It’s a truism that ideological purists have greater influence as a group shrinks in size, and Dahle was likely made the caucus leader because he reflects those values. Most observers believe that stance will just make California Republicans even more irrelevant than they already are.”
And with that “Bored Georgeman” is off base — again.
To be sure, Brian Dahle is a staunch conservative, including on the social issues, gun rights, right to life, and so on. He once signed the “Grover Norquist” pledge. And he voted against the recent bipartisan bill to extend cap-and-trade funding — an unpopular idea in his rural district. Although Dahle’s vote might not have pleased some progressives, it helped clear the way for his election to lead the Republican Assembly over his predecessor — a savvy move.
But Dahle also is a pragmatic legislator. He has worked constructively with all stakeholders.
—Two years ago, Dahle (R-Bieber) and Assemblyman Rudy Salas’ (D-Bakersfield) Assembly Bill 590 passed the Assembly unanimously with bipartisan support. AB 590 added incentives for biomass utilization of agriculture waste and forest waste, as the bill noted.The legislation aimed at diverting biomass from landfills and creating renewable energy along with jobs and benefits to wildlife, air quality and water supply.
—Dahle also has been part of a bipartisan effort to speak out on the need for more statewide county fair funding, joining with Assembly member Susan Eggman (D-San Joaquin).
—Dahle was part of a coastal-rural legislative collaboration to secure funding for solar power at Malakoff Diggins. Boardman got that wrong, however, as SYRCL executive director Caleb Dardick pointed out in a letter to The Union.
Dahle also has been a supporter of the Sierra Nature Conservancy. His supporters have included Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery. He has attended the Sierra Business Council’s “Peak Innovation” conference.
I first met Dahle at a fundraiser in Grass Valley. The hosts included none other than former liberal County supervisors Peter Van Zant and Izzy Martin.
Dahle is not a “bomb thrower” like so many of our staunch conservative politicians (or wanna-be politicians); he will listen.
Why isn’t any of this in Boardman’s column? Because his “MO” is to sit behind a computer in his gated community, relying largely on Google searches for his research, rather than going out and interviewing people — all for a small stipend. Memo to The Union Publisher Don Rogers: You get what you pay for.
Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report 
In this column, “Bored” also takes a swipe at Dan Miller’s commentary on high school football games on the local radio station ahead of the supervisor’s race. And he got it WRONG. A reader pointed out: “And let’s get your facts straight: this will actually be Dan’s 18th season of broadcasting these games….not 12 years as you claim. ” Memo to The Union publisher Don Rogers: Find another columnist!
“Bored” is dumber than I thought. I never said Dahle was a “moderate.” I said he was pragmatic, which has won him some support among progressives for certain issues.
Worse, is the parade or errors. Here’s what SYRCL’s Caleb Dardick wrote about Boardman:
“The Union’s columnist George Boardman got it wrong (Dec. 12). For the record, Assembly member Brian Dahle worked hard to get solar power for Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park. In fact, a quick archival search shows Dahle on the front page of The Union under the headline “Rescuing Malakoff” (Oct. 13, 2013).
Advocating for our state parks has been a long-term, team effort with our allies in the State Legislator (Dahle, Gordon and Nielsen have proven that preserving our State Parks is a bipartisan effort), with the County (tirelessly spearheaded by Supervisor Hank Weston with full board and staff support), and with the community (SYRCL, SYRPA and so many others).
Nevada County’s three state parks and their exceptional staff are part of what makes living here so special — so let’s celebrate our team’s dedication and accomplishments to keep them open now and forever.
Caleb Dardick
South Yuba River Citizens League”
George Boardman is a total hack
Twice I have asked Boardman to correct his post, reminding him I never used the word “moderate” to describe Brian Dahle. Not once. All I said is that the works with progressive stakeholders on some issues, and I cited them. Boardman refuses to post the correction. No integrity.
He reminds me of tRump and a few local yokels here. They will never apologize for being wrong. It’s someone else’s fault, like Obama’s
Boardman is becoming unhinged. Let’s hope Mimi has some warm milk to go with his Metamucil before beddybie tonight.