The County’s budget totals $388 million, with 45.8%—or $167 million—sourced from federal and state intergovernmental funds. This revenue supports 908 full-time equivalent positions delivering essential services, but recent federal actions threaten this pipeline, prompting urgent advocacy by the Board. Nevada County’s complete reliance on federal funding for these services amplifies the stakes. Discretionary revenues offer little buffer against cuts to the $167 million in federal and state aid while losing tax-exempt municipal bonds could cripple infrastructure funding tied to salaries.

Reliance on the state as the primary mechanism for helping the needy not only undermines the potential of individual goodwill but also betrays a skepticism about the very people he claims to champion. True compassion, particularly from a Christian perspective, should rest on trust in mankind’s capacity for generosity and mutual aid and not on the coercive arm of bureaucracy.

On March 10, 2025, over 400 people packed the Eric Rood Administrative Center in Nevada City, California, for Congressman Kevin Kiley’s community office hours, an event touted by The Union as a platform for constituent concerns in California’s Third District. What could have been a rallying point for real change devolved into a showcase of the “woke mind virus” and a gathering of virtue signalers more intent on preaching than solving problems.

On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the Grass Valley City Council held its regular meeting for which the agenda included a proposed resolution regarding an international conflict, specifically between Palestine and Israel. 

In a move that has left taxpayers clutching their wallets and laughing through the tears, Nevada County Executive Alison Lehman and her trusty Board of Supervisors have greenlit a $75,000 contract with Bryce Consulting, Inc., to “survey” their compensation. Because apparently, the only thing more critical than affordable housing or higher wages for lower-level county staff is figuring out if Lehman’s nearly half million-dollar annual compensation package comes with enough gold stars.

There is no “internal audit position” within Nevada County despite its critical importance to a well-functioning decentralized governance system. The Board of Supervisors rejected the re-creation of an internal audit position during post-COVID budget cuts. Recent Grand Jury reports highlighted significant fraud risks, leaving taxpayer money vulnerable.

A 42% payroll expense in one year with big percentage raises each year is unsustainable, especially in light of the downturn in state funding. Given the outrageously high salaries of senior executive staff and elected officials, the tax-paying public is questioning the rationale of the Nevada County CEO Alison Lehman.

On January 16, 2025, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) recently released a list of child predators that it had arrested thanks to the work of its detectives who had conducted a “large-scale crime sweep”  over the holiday season.

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an ordinance (4-1) allowing tiny homes on wheels to be used as permanent residences.

“Gina Will should return the public’s money of $50,000 and resign.'“

The swearing-in ceremony for the Nevada County Board of Supervisors was held on January 6, 2025, formally initiating the start of their new term.

In 2024, Nevada County, California, experienced several significant events that shaped the community and garnered attention.

The Fire Safe Council has been investigated for fraud (or at least gross mismanagement of taxpayer dollars) for years. District Attorney Jesse Wilson has started looking into how bad things are.

The CDC, unlike other major agencies, has never received full Congressional authorization. There is no single enabling statute that defines the agency’s overall mission and structure. The lack of authorization has blurred the lines on the agency’s responsibilities to lead on issues related to communicable disease, resulted in rampant mission creep, and has led many to question whether the CDC is able to execute on its intended and primary mission of detecting and combatting public health threats, as evidenced by the CDC’s botched handling of the COVID-19 response.

Nevada County Health and Human Services still uses the CDC recommendation of COVID vaccines for children despite overwhelming evidence showing children are low-risk. I have asked our county health department and Dr. Sherilyn Cooke to update current data regarding the necessity of boosters on the website. There has been zero response.

In Nevada County we experienced these failed policies in the messaging of our local Health Department, and newly hired Public Health Officer, Dr. Sherilyn Cooke, who unquestionably supported CDC’s faulty science and wouldn’t budge when updated science was presented to them. Instead, there was strict adherence to “science” that turned out to be deeply flawed. The CDC’s failures to update recommendations and guidance, given new information was repeated locally, the messaging being only, “get vaccinated, keep boosting.”

Apparently my grocery store would be better at running elections

Local resident places fence around Democrat campaign signs in Lake Wildwood, California.

I was astonished to learn that our CEO, Alison Lehman, and County Counsel, Kit Elliot, took it upon themselves to transfer $50,000 of public resources to Gina Will’s Campaign Committee, thus circumventing public Board of Supervisor approval and public comment. Since I believe the transfer of funds was potentially illegal, I penned the following letter to our District Attorney’s office.

A policy should be created by which all contracts, no matter how small, are submitted to the Board of Supervisors. Furthermore, post all contracts on the County website in a location where the public has easy access. Lastly, when any contract exceeds the agreed-upon price, the Supervisors are notified immediately so it doesn’t get out of hand. Contract management is essential.