Impact of Senate Reconciliation Bill on Western States Trail

The History Expeditions webpage has important news regarding threats to the preservation efforts of the Western States Trail at https://historyexp.org/western-states-trail/. History Expeditions has also created the following link with the latest news on the impact of the recent U.S. Senate Reconciliation Bill and how it might impact this and future generations of Western States Trail users at https://historyexp.org/impact-senate-reconciliation-bill/. There is an online petition the public is welcome to complete that will tell Congress the Western States Trail is not for sale and that ongoing efforts to protect and preserve this American West gem through a National Recreation Trail designation is an important step toward achieving the protection of the only existing trans-Sierra route that the recreating public can access and enjoy year-round. Hal Hall Auburn Thanks from FAM Fest FAM Fest 2025 wishes to thank the many business, volunteers, performers and art vendors for contributing to FAM Fest 2025: City of Auburn, ARD, Auburn Chamber of Commerce, KAHI, Auburn Journal (Gold Country Media), Sunset of Auburn Rotary, State Theatre of Auburn, Bag End Loudspeakers, Miktek Mics, Drum Workshop. Remo INC, Sabian INC, Vic Firth, Kurzweil Keyboards, Horizon Rapco Pro Co, Gator Cases, Silver Screens/Auburn Community TV, Music and More, Music Lab, Zach Ingwaldson First Community Bank. Roper's Jewelers, The Station, Healthy Habit, Advantage Printing, Winchester Country Club, Auburn Racquet and Fitness Club, Sunshine Flyers, Sandalwood House, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Placer Artists Tour, Monsters of Massage, Ramona Brockman Cristaldi Wines. Duarte Family Vineyards, Ciotti Cellars Wines, IFC Peter and Garett Conrad, FAM artist vendors, Auburn Total Health, Auburn Senior Center Ukuleles, Kathie Rollins and the Kukuleles, Fam Jazz Jam Band, Melanie Radler, Dilpreet Shergill, Chris Kohls, Rylan Barone audio and media crew. Eric Chun Owner, Creative Music Services/media, FAM Fest director Articles reveal trend with PUHSD board Dear Editor, Regarding "PUHSD trustee Jeffreys turns controversy to purpose," published in the June 14-15 issue of the Auburn Journal concerns Mr. Jeremy Jeffreys, who reached out to the AJ to "tell his side of the story." In the 2024 election, Mr. Jeffreys was running to serve as a board trustee with the Placer Union High School District (PUHSD) but dropped out of the race before the election out of an abundance of caution for his new teaching position (with the United Auburn Indian Community School. Mr. Jeffreys' last day of employment with UAIC was Jan. 17, 2025). After dropping out of the race, Mr. Jeffreys says the campaign continued without him. Mr. Jeffreys said, "Somebody else was campaigning under my name. I didn't know who that was. Weeks go by and they had put big yard signs and small yard signs. It's crazy." In the meantime, Mr. Jeffreys had notified his opponent that he was dropping out of the race, leaving her as the lone candidate. On election night, Mr. Jeffreys, whose name had remained on the ballot, was declared the winner in the race that he had resolved not to pursue. Mr. Jeffreys says he decided on election night to accept the win. Dropping out of the race while claiming ignorance about the shadow campaign (and apparently exerting no effort to find out who was operating the shadow campaign) is dubious. Accepting the win displayed a lack of integrity. Mr. Jeffreys' PUHSD reputation is tied to more than the November 2024 election. Mr. Jeffreys was previously a teacher with PUHSD. A report from the Office of Admin Hearings said that cause existed to terminate Jeffreys' employment for "Immoral conduct," etc. In October 2023, Mr. Jeffreys resigned his position before being terminated or submitting an appeal. Mr. Jeffreys' actions during the election, and as a teacher, raise multiple questions about his integrity. The AJ and Sacramento Bee articles also reveal a partisan political trend relating to the PUHSD board. I urge parents and the community to read "Why One Trustee Resigned", within this article at https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/education/article297254314.html The students, parents and teachers of PUHSD deserve a board of trustees with unquestionable integrity and non-partisanship. The AJ article and associated SacBee articles reflect the opposite. Sincerely, Emily Gaber Auburn Folsom needs a Citizens Budget Commission The City of Folsom passed its fiscal year 2025-26 budget on June 24. This budget is significant in that it was both the first city budget after the defeat of the Measure G sales tax measure in 2024's general election, and the first with new City Manager Bryan Whitemyer. Amidst the presentation of the proposed budget, the city manager stated something that could be the beginning of a significant change in the way Folsom develops its budget: He said, "Another thing that we'll have to consider is would it be appropriate to form (a) kind of a citizen advisory body to look at this. I value the community's input." I agree - and this is exactly the kind of thing that both supporters of Measure G and those that voted against it should be able to agree on. Should it have passed, Measure G would have instituted a "Citizens Oversight Committee" for exactly this purpose. Meanwhile, the "No" campaign argued that Folsom wasn't doing enough to include the average citizen in budgetary decisions. Facing looming cuts in the next budget, the City of Folsom is experiencing the perfect opportunity to meaningfully include the everyday resident in these decisions and build upon the momentum of the last election - in the form of a permanent Budget Commission. While I had published a couple of alternatives on how it could structure such a commission earlier in the year at citizens.network, the key to its success will be that the city of Folsom acts quickly. The city's budgeting process is an all year-round affair. So, too, should be the public engagement. Justin Hurst Folsom Sweet retirement When I retired at age 63, I was so ready to experience the golden years ... golf whenever I wanted, world travel, hobbies, new clubs to join and joy without end. A new Porsche and a vacation getaway home, and some fantastic trips were payback for 40 years of working hard. All was golden! After just a few years of cruising along, the fantasy life started melting. From out of nowhere, the spouse began losing balance and falling. New surprises like hypertension, high blood sugar and cardiac issues began lurking. Trips to Switzerland and Italy were replaced by trips to the doctor. The last fall for my spouse was the worst, with broken bones, a concussion and a lengthy stay in the hospital, requiring a hospital bed at home due to full immobility. In-home care giving with quality caregivers has now become a way of life with costs exceeding $150k per year. Sorry for the violin, but most of you do not see this coming, or see it as a remote possibility. 87.6 percent of you over 65 do not have a Long Term Care (LTC) insurance policy. And surprise – 50 percent of you over 65 will need LTC at some point. YES ... 50 percent! The average LTC for women is 3.7 years, and for men is 2.2 years. Let's face it ... most of you are NOT PREPARED for what's ahead. If you are young, middle age or any age for that matter, you need to read the tea leaves. Good health into the golden years requires discipline, exercise and a good diet. If you have assets, Medicare will not save you when LTC crashes your party, and yes, YOU pay for it. You must depend on you and others will depend on you as well. Start planning, start saving, and start exerting discipline. Do not wait. Start now. Arnie Knipp Lincoln