[TERRY L GHERARDI]
The El Dorado County Republican Central Committee (RCC), continues to speak up and take positions on critical local and state issues, as they gear up for the 2018 election year. All are invited to attend their next meeting, when former RCC chairman, Ken Steers will offer his perspective on a range of topics from local politics to the trials and tribulations of doing business in California and America. The meeting is Monday, July 10, at 6:30 pm, at Park Community Church, 3901 Wild Chapparal Dr., Shingle Springs. RCC meetings are held the first Monday of each month. Next Meeting, July 10th.
Mr. Steers is President of KLS Air Express, specializing in complex solutions in the transportation industry. A Cameron Park resident, Steers, has a long history as a business leader and involved citizen in the local and state political scene.
Since taking their seats in January the new RCC leadership has been very active and vocal about county and state issues. Recently, the RCC offered an alternative, to the County CAO's proposal for the budget cut of senior legal services. In their letter to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) and CAO Don Ashton, the RCC noted that Senior Legal Services cost the county $250,000 a year, while at the same time, the taxpayer's have also been footing the bill for 11 privately funded attorneys for the indigent population, at a cost of approximately $90 per attorney, per year. County taxpayers have also been paying for 14 public defenders. The RCC stated: “From the RCC's perspective, indigent, and public defender services should be adjusted so that Senior Legal Services can continue.”
At their June 20th meeting , the BOS voted to fund Senior Legal Services for the 2017-18 budget year. Earlier in the year the RCC was also instrumental in the BOS decision to rethink their previous action in their vote to send letters of support to the authors of SB 1 and AB 1, increasing gas taxes and vehicle registration fees. The BOS agreed to take a “watch” position, as the two bills moved through the legislative process.
To the RCC's dismay, oth chambers of the State Legislature passed the Bills, without a vote of the people. The RCC will assist in circulating petitions for Assemblyman Travis Allen's, Repeal the Gas Tax Initiative that will be available later this month. Currently the RCC is soliciting signatures on petitions for the Neighborhood Legislation initiative by candidate for Governor, John Cox. Both Travis Allen and John Cox, Republicans, have announced they are running for Governor.
The RCC is also pleased to announce that due to the support and generosity by county business & civic leaders and county Republicans at the RCC's recent dinner honoring local veterans, the RCC was able to donate $1,000 to the Military Family Support Group and with shared proceeds by the Cameron Park, El Dorado West Republican Women Federated Club, another $1,000 was donated to their Club's Veterans Christmas Program.
RCC members have also voted to oppose SB 54, Sanctuary Jurisdiction of the State and as well that for the County and City of Placerville. but to their disappointment, no action has been taken by either body. The RCC overwhelmingly supports our County Sheriff D'Agostini, who has publicly announced; “he will comply with federal immigration law even if the sanctuary state bill passes.”
