Looming GV Crisis? - “…not much meat here.” says professional journalist

George Rebane

Last night Russ Steele of NC Media Watch posted a heads-up piece – ‘Developing story: Grass Valley is struggling’ - about the financial crisis looming over Grass Valley.   Yesterday saw a flurry of emails advising members of the BTA that GV may have a several million dollar budget shortfall that will require it to cut back city staff and services.  If last week’s news about Vallejo was the first shoe, then this portends the dropping of at least the other sock right here in Nevada County.  GV’s growing fiscal problems have made news before, but if true, this development seems to be a big step up or down, if you will, in its ongoing struggles.  Since we heard no one from the city confirm these reports, Russ emailed the Council members for confirmation and offered source confidentiality if it was needed to get information relevant to the developing story. 

So far, there has been no confirmation, so the story’s status must remain as a plausible rumor – or as Drudge would report, as “developing”.  Keep an eye on NC Media Watch for timely updates.  Of course, the next City Council meeting this Thursday at 7pm should be a lot of fun for those who enjoy studying the political class in action.

And all this did not evade the ever watchful Blog Bomber who promptly dropped a load of his wisdom on Russ’ piece to make sure that all unwary readers knew what was what.  As a substitute for wearing a garland of garlic around my neck to ward off similar sorties, I promptly declare that we have recently again contributed to the campaigns of Sue Horne and Nate Beason.  We did this in exchange for their promises to provide Jo Ann and me with more of the same favors and benefits that they faithfully delivered during their past terms as our elected leaders.  Keep a careful eye out for how all this continues to affect the uneven commentary on Ruminations.

Comments

[Touey's Mom]

You are right on, George. Our granddaughter's boyfriend recently applied at Grass Valley City Police Dept. He was told the city would be filing for bankruptcy and so they are not hiring as they will be laying off police officers. Then a few days ago a neighbor who works at GV City Hall, told me they were told the city would be filing for bankruptcy and there would soon be lay offs and they are all waiting to find out who it will be. The neighbor said they are all surprised that the newspaper hasn't printed anything on this. Also heard that GV hasn't been able to completely pay the original attorneys hired to fight the Mining Company that contaminated the water. One more thing, it has been told that the newly hired GV City Administrator was about to be fired from his position in Douglas County, NV and GV City Council knew about this and hired him anyways.

[George Rebane]

This from a correspondent and many-year Nevada County resident who recently left for greener pastures after developing one of the landmark neighborhoods of the community.

"I suspect that ALL communities will have problems in their immediate future. Feds run short, push unfunded mandates on State. State runs short, push unfunded mandates on communities. Communities face lower property tax and sales revenues and escalating fixed costs. GV's (and Nevada County in general) anti-business attitutes in the form of green, save-the-planet platitudes will have only set a weak foundation for dealing with the problems ahead. As a one time builder in the community I would warn off any business attempting to operate in Nevada County. Why beat your head against the wall when you can be welcomed in other venues? Local business takes the rap for higher prices, driving consumers out of town. What isn't discussed is that the attitudes toward business make it expensive to operate and generate the higher prices, driving buyers away and resulting in store closings. Grow or die."