Bad public policy is like the proverbial ghost; haunting elected officials — and the public they represent — long after its ill-conceived implementation. The lure of easy money in the form of so-called “free” tax…
Posts published by “Jim Shields”
Yes, as many of you have let me know, this column — actually a version of it — now appears every Friday in the Ukiah Daily Journal. Counting this rag, plus the Anderson Valley Advertiser,…
Smooth sailing. Piece of cake. Easy money. Compared to the not too distant past, last week’s wrap-up of the 1999-2000 budget was a pain-free experience. Well, almost painless, as county unionized employees are still wondering…
For years it seems I’ve written about the shadow government which as time goes by is exercising more and more power in our governing process. I’m speaking, of course, of government by consultancy. The consultant…
As reported here recently, plans by MSWMA (Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority) to build a $4 million mega-garbage station on North State Street in Ukiah are down the tubes. Last Wednesday (10/1) the City of…
For the second week in a row grand jury representatives paid a call on the Board of Supervisors (June 17). They were present to recount various activities revolving around the GJ's annual report which is…
With 3rd District Supervisor John Pinches walking point and clearing the political minefield, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors approved an expanded venue for the annual Labor Day weekend PigNic concert campout held near Laytonville.…