Amador's "Game of Thrones"

My “day job” as Music Director at Trinity Episcopal Church in Sutter Creek brings me up to Amador County several times during the week. Last week was Holy Week, so it has been a crazy few months as a “Court Musician”. It’s also an election year, and as Editor of Amador Community News, it’s been a bit crazy as a “troubadour” of local community news and events. Granted, I don’t sing the news. I could, but due to the amount of things going on in “The County”, I wouldn’t have any vocal cords left. I’ve been quite busy as the “Hear Ye, Hear Ye…” of Amador County!

When I drove up from Sacramento to attend last Wednesday’s “Forum ‘14”, I couldn’t help but notice a significant affair going on across Jackson Creek at The National Hotel. It was, for all intents and purposes, the celebration of a re-election candidate that has shown his longevity in Amador County: Mr. Ted Novelli. The festivities were loud enough that I (and pretty much everyone within the radius of Jackson proper) got the message. I wish I could have joined them with a nice cold brewskie or two—but up the steps I went to the Jackson Civic Center. What I witnessed there was a trickle to a stream of people filling the place to standing room only—a packed room of people who not only wanted to hear what would be said by the candidates who were present, but a room filled with people who would note the candidates not present.

Who was there? Kim Burke, Lynn Morgan, Mike Spence and Daniel D'Agostini. Tacy Oneto Rouen was there for a short time. 

There are several “powers that be” existing in this little kingdom called “Amador County”. There are kings, queens, knights, religious and organizational leaders, jesters and jokers, pawns, troubadours, upper and lower class, and well…those who just simply exist in the middle to perhaps cause enough trouble to stir the mire, or the town drunks that schmooze and kiss asses between the classes. None, however, are to be underestimated…the power of the American vote never should be taken lightly.

I actually consider myself fortunate to live in Sacramento. I have this “luxury” of neutrality—sitting back with my popcorn and “Big Gulp” (literally), and watch the candidates’ shows unfold. For what I’ve known about both living and working in Amador County for well over 14 years, and what I know now about what is transpiring amongst Amador’s communities is almost beyond my comprehension. This little slice of one of California's smallest kingdoms has some serious issues, and I’ve learned that it is not enough to know or even speculate about what goes on in public places—or over fence posts. I’ve received heat from left and right, but I’m actually quite good with very few knowing how I really feel about Amador County’s politics…until they ask me. Have coffee with me sometime! I'm open.

I heard so many complaints about candidates who were not present at Forum ’14. However, I have to say, in defense of all of District 3’s candidates: Where were you—the people, the public—at Upcountry Community Council meetings, where all three candidates…Lynn Morgan, Mike Spence AND Ted Novelli were present and accounted for, all these years? Where were you at city/county meetings, county board meetings and public hearings? Where were you when committees and subcommittees were being formed to guide and help our leaders? Why are there so many armchair politicians who sit back and point fingers, mud-sling, complain and rely on hearsay and gossip through their own party lines, yet do nothing to actively involve themselves in their own neighborhoods and communities...oh wait, except when alcohol and food are involved...(and may I add)...for free? Think about that when you sober up.

Now, that said—why do the voices of the people often fall on deaf ears of those who now occupy the “Five Thrones” of Amador County? Where is the public service? Is Amador County doomed to rely upon generations of pedigree and privilege to make its important decisions? And why do these throne-dwelling patriarchs (as there are no women on the Board of Supervisors) ignore those who are brave enough to challenge and air their grievances, make them look like jesters and jokers to be dismissed from their presence by mere consensus or the stroke of a pen? Is that true representation “of the people, by the people and for the people”? Sounds more like “off with their heads” to me. Dismiss the Foothill Conservancy; they’re crazy tree-huggers. Dismiss non-partisans and Moderates; they’re indecisive and fence-dwellers. Dismiss the homeless and poverty-level…they probably won’t vote, anyway. I don't have to actually read these documents. I can cut them up with a single sword, and look awesome doing it.

There are candidates who are liked and disliked (for whatever reasons), but when it comes down to brass tacks, the bottom line is: United We Stand, Divided We Fall. America is so divided on so many levels—politically, socially, economically, locally, regionally, nationally—it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to hypothesize, nor Medieval troubadours to sing and play the lute (or drums, bass and guitar at that) about American’s well-foreseen epic fail. I personally view the US Constitution much like the Bible: a brilliantly-written document and collection that states and symbolizes many common beliefs. But when you have any one or few self-righteous, opportunistic, hypocritical powers that shove themselves into some ambiguous "right" to dominate and control the masses, our history lessons show that such hierarchies have only primed themselves for revolution and change. Off with their heads? Ask France.

For those who don’t know…Amador’s county leaders have been working off of an outdated, archaic, typewritten General Plan (for young folks who don’t know what a typewriter is, think of it as using a dial telephone versus the Smart phone that’s in your hand. Yeah, there’s that…good luck texting and InstaGram-ing that). The current “General Plan” is a document our Supervisors might think “good enough” to run the kingdom of Amador the way it’s always been run. Yeah…right into the ground. I’m not discounting, nor questioning the good that Amador’s current Supervisors have done “behind the scenes”. But I think that’s the problem: behind the scenes, behind closed doors. “I did this for you, you do this for me”…”I shovel your driveway, I get your vote”…”I give money to your cause, you vote for me.”

Yet, there are still government agencies that think it’s “good enough” to post a photocopy of their agendas on the front door of city hall to inform the community of their meetings. There are those in office who still think that throwing their private monies at problems will make them all go away. There are candidates who think that all they have to do is let their last name do the talking, paste a pretty smile on their faces, give a well-versed speech, kiss some babies, or throw a party in order to win votes.

“Good enough.”

Good enough for you? Me? I’m kind of a grassroots gal. I’m not a tree-hugger; no, I’m not a Tea Partier. But I do have more respect for a candidate who says they don’t know the answers, but will collaborate with the people—than a candidate who pretends to know the answers (and really doesn’t) and makes campaign promises they cannot keep. I have more respect for the voter who has done the research and fact-finding to make an educated vote, than the armchair voter who relies on biased, one-sided media and political advertisements, simply because that candidate shoveled their driveway or gave money to their beloved causes. I’ve never really been one who is easily distracted by bells and whistles. A good cup of coffee with friends, on the other hand…that I get behind!

As we go through this election year, I hope that we can sit down with a nice cup of coffee at a forum, or at a local meeting, or gather together as friends and neighbors to discuss the issues civilly and intelligently, because the true power of the American people is not in the White House, in Congress, in our State Capitols, nor in city and county government Chambers. The true power is in your vote…and only you sit upon that Throne.

Carol Harper