Tuolumne County Supervisor Pland Reflects On 2008

Sonora, CA — In an exclusive interview with KVML News outgoing Tuolumne County Board Chair Dick Pland (Fifth District) reflected on 2008.

Pland thought the Board worked well together despite its obvious diversity. He added that goals were established at the outset of the year and most of them have been realized

Pland identified the Mountain Springs Community and Jamestown Landfill issues as probably the toughest the Board had to deal with in 2008.

Added Pland, “Relatively speaking we had a very good year. We (the supervisors) have to thank the staff for making things happen after objectives had been set by the Board.”

As for 2009 challenges Pland stated, “I´m sure everybody is tired hearing about budgets but what happens at the state level will have a direct effect on what programs we can offer on the local level so our budget is our main concern.”

Pland was extremely outspoken in praising CAO Craig Pedro in forseeing the state´s financial crisis and making recommendations to the Board that were placed into action. One such example; the Holiday furlough for county administrative employees was approved by the Board on June 17. Pland added that because of Pedro´s foresight Tuolumne County, from a financial perspective, is in much better shape than many of the state´s other 57 counties.

When the Board meets for the first time in 2009 on January 6, Third District Supervisor Teri Murrison is scheduled to be named the new Board Chair.

Written by Bill Johnson