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Some items from The Rio Linda Elverta News, March 10, 2005:
Water District hires additional attorneys
Open letter to community residents concerning incorporation study
Published in Rio Linda Elverta News March 10, 2005 - Scroll for other articles
Water District hires additional attorneys

Rio Linda Elverta News March 10, 2005$6000 to review health benefits

By Jay O'Brien

With short notice, the Rio Linda/Elverta Community Water District (RLECWD) Board of Directors called a special meeting on March 3rd and hired new attorneys for health and benefits issues. The ad hoc Board committee consisting of Directors Mary Harris and Jim Strutton selected Richard Chiurazzi and his associate Peter J. Stubbs to provide legal counsel for all matters relating to health and benefits, replacing the present RLECWD General Counsel legal firm, McDonough, Holland and Allen. The Chiurazzi firm charges $195/hour, and the contract is limited to a total of $6000 in cost or six months in tenure.

The ad hoc committee was authorized by a 3 to 1 vote at the Board's February 14, 2005 meeting to contact outside counsel, with Director Doug Cater voting no and Director Hal Morris abstaining. President Darrell Nelson joined Harris and Strutton approving the action. At the February meeting, Strutton said they would talk to at least one or two different attorneys, and said that he also had no objections to interviewing attorneys from the District's present General Counsel. Apparently the present General Counsel firm was not among those interviewed by Harris and Strutton.

Board President Darrell Nelson, seconding the authorizing motion in February, stated "the committee and the new attorney has to be in sync with our existing attorney". Strutton responded, "I have no objection to keeping legal counsel informed about what we are doing."

Things appeared to change a bit by the March meeting, however. At the March 3 special meeting, Nelson said "It's important that once we hire these fellows, that Stacey (the RLECWD General Counsel) would no longer be the attorney for the health care benefits. Until further notice."

Strutton moved to sign the contract, and Nelson seconded, with the addition that the current General Counsel, Stacey Sheston, not be involved. Harris also voted in favor.

Cater, who voted no, objected, "It's a waste, a misappropriation of funds, as far as I'm concerned."

Morris, who abstained again from voting on the issue, said he thought the committee would come back with results from interviews from several attorneys; "I wasn't really prepared to be able to vote on selecting an attorney this evening."

There was no discussion of the reaction to be expected from Sheston, who was not present at the March 3 special meeting, or from her firm.

An audience member reminded the Board that each board member is entitled to receive $100 for the one-item meeting that lasted a half-hour. Thus the total expense related to hiring the new law firm is $6500 and counting.
Published in Rio Linda Elverta News March 10, 2005 - Scroll for other articles
Open letter to community residents concerning incorporation study
Rio Linda Elverta News March 10, 2005
Dear Friend,

The Rio Linda/Elverta Incorporation Committee is a group of concerned citizens of Rio Linda-Elverta who want 'local control over local issues'. Our committee is on a fast track towards incorporation in order to best serve our residents. We are composed of members who are elected, appointed and volunteer members of all our major local community organizations: the Chamber of Commerce; the School Board, the Water Board; the Recreation and Park District; the Lions Club; the Historical Society; and the Community Planning Advisory Council. Individuals on this committee are not, however, representing any opinions or positions currently taken by any of the above-mentioned groups on the issue of incorporation.

It is our intent to spearhead the financial feasibility study of incorporation of Rio Linda and Elverta so that we may continue to enhance, promote and protect our community's quality of life. Towards that end, we are soliciting pledges and donations to enable us to finance our initial efforts. If, as we fully expect, the work product of this study proves positive, it is our intent to advance incorporation rapidly through the full LAFCo process. All manner of assistance will eventually be needed throughout; financial, experience and advice, research and data, and simple moral support. A full effort towards incorporation will be started ONLY if our initial feasibility study indicates that the new city makes financial sense for its residents. At that time, the group will solicit additional members to assist in completing this process. Residents will get to vote on the final decison to incorporate!

As Rio Linda/Elverta faces imminent threats from all its' surrounding areas, time is of the essence. We are today appealing to you for financial help for our feasibility study. For fund raising, we have filed a Fictitious Name Statement and bank account (EIN 05-0614194) under the name RLE Incorporation Committee. The initial cost of this study is approximately $30,000. Checks may be made out to RLE Incorporation Committee and mailed to:

RLE Incorporation
PO Box 697
Elverta, CA 95626

If you would prefer to donate online with a credit card, go to http://www.rlecity.com and click "Contribute".

Thank you for your donation to the feasibility study. Our community is precious and the members of this committee are fully committed to shepherding it through this annexation crisis intact and even better than before. For more information and to find out exactly how you can help, please contact any listed member or email us.

For further information please contact:

Doug Cater, Chairperson - Email or Phone: 916-992-6811
Hal Morris, Vice Chair- Email or Phone: 916-991-2416
Charlea Moore, Treasurer - Email or Phone: 916-991-0338
Armand Nadeau, Secretary - Email or Phone: 530-666-8426
Bob Bastian, Spokesperson - Email or Phone: 916-991-2484
Paula Parker, DVM, Member - Email or Phone: 916-991-7870
Gene Moore, Member - Email or Phone: 916-991-0338
Judy Garcia, Member - Email or Phone: 916-247-4779

Click here to read previous articles on this effort in the February 24, 2005 Rio Linda Elverta News

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