Hear Angels Camp Candidates, Measure C Details

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Angels Camp, CA — With vote by mail ballots about to hit mailboxes, Angels Camp business leaders are hoping to draw voters to a meet the candidate’s night.

Scheduled for tomorrow from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. in the Bret Harte High School Multipurpose Room behind the theater (323 S. Main Street), the forum-style event will begin with a half-hour-long meet and greet session.

Sponsored by the Angels Camp Business Association, the forum will be moderated by Tim Oskey of the local Edward Jones – Financial Advisor office. He adds that the intent is for voters to get to know about the candidates on more of a personal level ahead of making a decision and have an opportunity to discuss local issues.

Measure C, placed on the ballot by a city council vote, will also be discussed. If passed by voters, it would impose a one-half percent sales tax, raising an estimated $400,000 annually, to fund essential city facilities and general services, such as streets and sidewalk maintenance, fire and police services, and parks and museums. It would also increase the city’s appropriations limit for fiscal years 2019-2023 by the amount of tax proceeds received by the increase.

Forum Will Feature All Five Candidates

Oskey confirms that all five candidates who are running for the two open slots have indicated they are planning to attend. They are Mayor Amanda Folendorf, who is running to retain her council seat, and four challengers: Caroline Schirato, a school administrator; Alvin Broglio, a purchasing agent; Sarah Lunsford, a writer/journalist; and Mike Darby, a business owner and humorist.

Along with having its share of fiscal woes, last year, as reported here, the 2016-17 Calaveras County Grand Jury investigated claims of administrative mismanagement in City of Angels Camp government and came up with several critical findings that were heavily disputed by the city council. Among the recommendations was for the council to reinforcement the need for more public involvement. 

Oskey remarks that the number of candidates on the ballot reflects that more citizens seem to be stepping up to do just that. “It has been a long time coming to really have this many people interested in really, such a trying time for our community,” he states. Too, he adds, “I think it is really important for people to actually come and learn about these candidates — who they are and know why they are voting for them.”

Also attending tomorrow night’s forum is Angels Camp’s newly appointed Police Chief Scott Ellis, who, as reported here, was officially sworn in at the council’s Oct. 2 meeting.