February 3, 1971 (12 pages)

a —— I re 10 The Nevada County Nugget, Wednesday, February 3, 1971 Water complaint gets quick NID rebuttal Julius C, Marx complained to the Nevada Irrigation District directors. Thursday that his water was discolored, but an NID staffer brought a botiie of slear water to show the directors, taken that morning from Marx's pipeline. Marx told the directors their water bills are "too darn high for this time of year. I used to pay $8.75," he said, "and now my bill is 10.65." He was told he is now getting fully treated water from the Elizabeth George treatment plant and all customers served from that new plant were billed an additional $1.90 per month as of Jan, 1, 1971. "The raise is to pay for the plant," he was told by President James McAdams. Marx then showed the bottle of discolored water to the directors, taken he said, from inside his house, Manager Frank Clendenen showed Marx and the directors two small bottles of clear water taken Thursday morning from the homes of two neighbors of Marx, all three residents of Carey Drive. Marx still contended his water was not clear but agreed to go with Bob Hopkins, an NID. employe, "right now" and get a sample of water from his home. The two returned within 10 minutes with a bottle of clear water. Hopkins told the directors the water had come from a faucet outside Marx's home, and Marx Medi-Cal agreed that it was the main pipeline to his home. Hopkins said the’ water was slightly discolored for a ‘few seconds but ran clear within 60 seconds. Clendenen reminded Marx that he had been, told a few months * ago that his own line, within his © own property, was old and needed replacing. Marx said "you are driving people out of the county (because of the high water rates) and you already have. I am stopping friends from coming here as water is too high,” he added. "I make a plea for the people of the county, go back to your former water bills; it will help a lot. If bills are as high asa kite people won't come here," Marx said. He added that "water is the same quality as it was five years ago." "T dare you to tell the Department of -public _ health that. They'll give you facts and figures to refute your statement," C. Bruce McDonald, director, told Marx. The problem of Marx's water was turned over to Clendenen for investigation. Clendenen reported on his meetings with Economic Development Administration and Davis Grunsky Act officials concerning the North Auburn water project, "Our schedules are fine and all is going well," Clendenen told the directors. cutback effect described The effect of the state's MediCal cutbacks on convalescent hospitals was described today by officials of Spring Hill Manor. There was a brief flurry Wednesday when county officials were told by the state to move Spring Hill's 26 Medi-Cal patients on the premise that the convalescent hospital would not care for them after Feb, 1. However, that situation was quickly alleviated as Spring Hill officials informed the state and county it does not intend to accept additional Medi-Cal patients because of the cutback but will keep those it has now. Dr. C. E. Vixie, president of Spring Hill Manor, discussed that situation in his statement as well as the way the cutbacks affect that institution. Dr. Vixie "Spring Hill Manor did not tell the State Department of . Health that we were withdrawing from the Medi-Cal program. E per’ cent cutback of the $14 per day reimbursement for our Medi-Cal extended and chronic long term care patients. When you compare $14 per day to the $54.92 and $32.24 per day (costs listed) for the same type at Nevada General, you can see that the state and the taxpayers were getting a bargain, "We reminded Dr. Brian of this grossly unfair situation, this discrimination against private enterprise. I forgot to bring to his attention that while our legislators now get $30 per diem expense money, we are expected to give room, board and 24hour nursing care for $12.60 per day, which will be cut to $12.42 per day on Feb. 1. "We did tell him that as of. Feb. 1 we would not take any more Medi-Cal patients. This is an attempt by the California Association of Nursing Homes to force Dr. Brian to treat us in an equitable way. A number © of nursing homes have gone broke and many more will follow if this 10 per cent cutback is continued. "Incidentally, if our costs are less than $14 per day, we only get the actual cost, not $14. Since Dec. 15, it is 10 per cent less. This cut is out of costs, not profit. We are not allowed a profit.” Other portions of Dr. Vixie's statement relate partially to Nevada General Hospital as well as Spring Hill Manor and will be carried separately later as a letter to the editor. FREEDO SHARES os SB ax ; = : i By Fay M. Dunbar The 4-H Program is one of the best methods I have ever come in contact with for effective community cooperation, It is especially good for helping to bridge the gap between young and old, The Rough and Ready 4-H Club quite frequently works with the community on some project or other, The last and most original project that I can remember was the 4-H calendar put together either in 1967 or 1968, Wish they did one every year, But I guess it was an awful lot of work. This time, in cooperation with the chamber, they are going to make new Rough and Ready signs. ft's about time too, that one at the top of the hill above town is literally falling apart. The chamber committee met Monday night to work out wording and suggested materials and sizes, One suggestion was a "Business District" directional sign near Rough and Ready Road so that people don't follow the road back into the boondocks hunting the town. It's especially discofcerting to community ego when someone who has just driven through town turns down Rough and Ready Road to look for us. The 4-H woodworking project leaders who will cooperate on this project are Stanley Baer, junior leader and Everette Burkard, their adult leader. Allan Brown of the Chamber Committee helped engineer the project. Stan Eby is chairman of the group. Mrs. Lisetta Scheave and I have lots of ideas about words and sizes, etc. Chamber President Orin Brown has already indicated, after one of my 273-2934 outbursts, that I will have to remember these words are to be carved in wood and not whippedout on a typewriter. Did you know that the 4H's are Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. One for ‘each leaf of the four leaf clover. Their pledge dedicates their "Hands to larger service.” ee KKK AKER BR KK EEE EHF : Mrs. Scheave came home from the hospital last weekend. She had two weddings at the chapel on Saturday. She has promised everyone, herself included, that she is not going to work so hard in the future. It's good to have her home. Her enthusiasm is contagious, She says "she is winging it again" and that's a good description of the way she lives, One of her favorite expressions is "keep a song in your heart" and she does. Let's hope that she keeps her resolution and takes life a little easier. Her daughter, Mrs. Jackie Kelly of Sacramento, came up out of the fog to help with the last weddings. The voice that so often greets you on the telephone these days, and makes you wonder how you managed to dial that number wrong, is Mrs, Violet Kavka who has also been lending a hand at the Chapel. KEKEEHKERARER BREESE The chamber board will meet at the Rough and Ready Cafe on Thursday Feb, 11 for their regular meeting. Speaker for the evening will be Arlie Hansen who will talk on the perpetuation of old landmarks for Nevada county's future generations, He will explain for the group the part the historical society can play in assuring this. The chamber's interest is due to a desire to be sure the Fippin Blacksmith Shop, once it is completely restored, will be with us for all time to come. A brief business meeting will preceed Hansen's talk which is scheduled for 8 or so. Everyone who has invested time or money in the project is encouraged to attend. HKKKEKEKEFR BREE EEEE SEF I am getting old and forgetful. No, let's rationalize that statement and say my brain is concerned with so many important details that there is no room left for new facts, Even that puts me on the spot and since I am getting older I find I am a bit touchy about that, This is all leading up to the fact that I have forgotten the name of the Nevada City lady who asked me for the name of the President of. the Taxpayers Association, She said she always reads my column, so Mr. R, W. Downing is the man, Just after I got this information I read in the Nugget that the Taxpayers is one of the ones representing District Iv. Well, anyway, Downing will surely be able to answer questions for awhile. . HEKEHREKEER BR KKK ESE Speaking of forgetfulness I surely thought Ruby Nobles had forgotten about me on her trip. Then last Saturday, just after eading in her column the Italian who had been commissioned to swim her messages over, I received my report from her. It said she would be home in about 10 days, Those Italians are smart. They don't, or at least didn't on my card, date their cancellations, Roma looked thrilling. Sure does give my "itchie foot" the desire to take off for somewhere. Ruby says you can get along even if you only know a few words of the language. From my postcard I have learned Roma so I'm ready anytime. HeEKKEEEEEP . RK EEE EE HE The early mornings are so quiet. It's 5.a.m. now and I just heard the first car go by. At 5 a.m. it's a brave new world and I feel brave right along with it. Since 3 a.m. there has been only the clanking of my typewriter, the crackling of the fire and the hooting of the owls. Our neighbors Jack and Esther Bixler tell me this hooting means a change in the weather. Jack calls Osceola Ravine, which follows up Squirrel Creek across the highway from us, Owl Holler. There must be a whole colony of them there. I must say I often notice a weather change after I hear them. Or do I just remember hearing them after the weather changes? Anyway we're sure to have some bad weather as the new lambs are due to arrive any day now. In fact I expect that is why I awoke so early this morning. I half expected Josephine to have hers last night. KKRKHKEKKEER ZRH EE EH Sunday was a busy day for me. After we got the astronauts safely launched on their trip to the moon I attended a preview of the old Searles Law Office in Nevada City. Carroll Searls early resident who died recently, has indicated he wants the Hisotircal Society to maintain this as a Pioneer Law Library and as a Historical Library. It's a typical building of the early mining era located just across from the county court house, It has been well kept until just _recently and is full of wonderful old records, most of which are in good condition, It's a real treasure: of Nevada county history. Afterwards the historical society budget committee worked out. their 1971-72 bud I am new in historical society activities and this was a real education to me. I had no idea the Historical Society was so active. They really don't get enough publicity. I see by the papers that the Landmarks Commission is going to erect two historical markers. You hear about the Clampers erecting one once in a while or dedicating a plaque. The Native Daughters do quite a bit of this but you never hear about the historical society. They work quietly and continuously and have erected somewhere between 30 and 40, I was told only after pointed questioning. They don't seem too proud of even that, Their conversation was more about the ones they. would like to erect than the ones they have already erected.Our board of supervisors gave the historical society $500 to carry on this work last year. They gave the landmarks commission $600, It seems they felt they wanted an organization directly responsible to them, Sad commentary on proper credit for work done. I'm sure the historical society will not be deterred. They will continue to work forthe preservation of Nevada county landmarks because it is a labor of love not done for credit. But miracles can't be accomplished without money. — ae

a —— I re 10 The Nevada County Nugget, Wednesday, February 3, 1971 Water complaint gets quick NID rebuttal Julius C, Marx complained to the Nevada Irrigation District directors. Thursday that his water was discolored, but an NID staffer brought a botiie of slear water to show the directors, taken that morning from Marx's pipeline. Marx told the directors their water bills are "too darn high for this time of year. I used to pay $8.75," he said, "and now my bill is 10.65." He was told he is now getting fully treated water from the Elizabeth George treatment plant and all customers served from that new plant were billed an additional $1.90 per month as of Jan, 1, 1971. "The raise is to pay for the plant," he was told by President James McAdams. Marx then showed the bottle of discolored water to the directors, taken he said, from inside his house, Manager Frank Clendenen showed Marx and the directors two small bottles of clear water taken Thursday morning from the homes of two neighbors of Marx, all three residents of Carey Drive. Marx still contended his water was not clear but agreed to go with Bob Hopkins, an NID. employe, "right now" and get a sample of water from his home. The two returned within 10 minutes with a bottle of clear water. Hopkins told the directors the water had come from a faucet outside Marx's home, and Marx Medi-Cal agreed that it was the main pipeline to his home. Hopkins said the’ water was slightly discolored for a ‘few seconds but ran clear within 60 seconds. Clendenen reminded Marx that he had been, told a few months * ago that his own line, within his © own property, was old and needed replacing. Marx said "you are driving people out of the county (because of the high water rates) and you already have. I am stopping friends from coming here as water is too high,” he added. "I make a plea for the people of the county, go back to your former water bills; it will help a lot. If bills are as high asa kite people won't come here," Marx said. He added that "water is the same quality as it was five years ago." "T dare you to tell the Department of -public _ health that. They'll give you facts and figures to refute your statement," C. Bruce McDonald, director, told Marx. The problem of Marx's water was turned over to Clendenen for investigation. Clendenen reported on his meetings with Economic Development Administration and Davis Grunsky Act officials concerning the North Auburn water project, "Our schedules are fine and all is going well," Clendenen told the directors. cutback effect described The effect of the state's MediCal cutbacks on convalescent hospitals was described today by officials of Spring Hill Manor. There was a brief flurry Wednesday when county officials were told by the state to move Spring Hill's 26 Medi-Cal patients on the premise that the convalescent hospital would not care for them after Feb, 1. However, that situation was quickly alleviated as Spring Hill officials informed the state and county it does not intend to accept additional Medi-Cal patients because of the cutback but will keep those it has now. Dr. C. E. Vixie, president of Spring Hill Manor, discussed that situation in his statement as well as the way the cutbacks affect that institution. Dr. Vixie "Spring Hill Manor did not tell the State Department of . Health that we were withdrawing from the Medi-Cal program. E per’ cent cutback of the $14 per day reimbursement for our Medi-Cal extended and chronic long term care patients. When you compare $14 per day to the $54.92 and $32.24 per day (costs listed) for the same type at Nevada General, you can see that the state and the taxpayers

were getting a bargain, "We reminded Dr. Brian of this grossly unfair situation, this discrimination against private enterprise. I forgot to bring to his attention that while our legislators now get $30 per diem expense money, we are expected to give room, board and 24hour nursing care for $12.60 per day, which will be cut to $12.42 per day on Feb. 1. "We did tell him that as of. Feb. 1 we would not take any more Medi-Cal patients. This is an attempt by the California Association of Nursing Homes to force Dr. Brian to treat us in an equitable way. A number © of nursing homes have gone broke and many more will follow if this 10 per cent cutback is continued. "Incidentally, if our costs are less than $14 per day, we only get the actual cost, not $14. Since Dec. 15, it is 10 per cent less. This cut is out of costs, not profit. We are not allowed a profit.” Other portions of Dr. Vixie's statement relate partially to Nevada General Hospital as well as Spring Hill Manor and will be carried separately later as a letter to the editor. FREEDO SHARES os SB ax ; = : i By Fay M. Dunbar The 4-H Program is one of the best methods I have ever come in contact with for effective community cooperation, It is especially good for helping to bridge the gap between young and old, The Rough and Ready 4-H Club quite frequently works with the community on some project or other, The last and most original project that I can remember was the 4-H calendar put together either in 1967 or 1968, Wish they did one every year, But I guess it was an awful lot of work. This time, in cooperation with the chamber, they are going to make new Rough and Ready signs. ft's about time too, that one at the top of the hill above town is literally falling apart. The chamber committee met Monday night to work out wording and suggested materials and sizes, One suggestion was a "Business District" directional sign near Rough and Ready Road so that people don't follow the road back into the boondocks hunting the town. It's especially discofcerting to community ego when someone who has just driven through town turns down Rough and Ready Road to look for us. The 4-H woodworking project leaders who will cooperate on this project are Stanley Baer, junior leader and Everette Burkard, their adult leader. Allan Brown of the Chamber Committee helped engineer the project. Stan Eby is chairman of the group. Mrs. Lisetta Scheave and I have lots of ideas about words and sizes, etc. Chamber President Orin Brown has already indicated, after one of my 273-2934 outbursts, that I will have to remember these words are to be carved in wood and not whippedout on a typewriter. Did you know that the 4H's are Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. One for ‘each leaf of the four leaf clover. Their pledge dedicates their "Hands to larger service.” ee KKK AKER BR KK EEE EHF : Mrs. Scheave came home from the hospital last weekend. She had two weddings at the chapel on Saturday. She has promised everyone, herself included, that she is not going to work so hard in the future. It's good to have her home. Her enthusiasm is contagious, She says "she is winging it again" and that's a good description of the way she lives, One of her favorite expressions is "keep a song in your heart" and she does. Let's hope that she keeps her resolution and takes life a little easier. Her daughter, Mrs. Jackie Kelly of Sacramento, came up out of the fog to help with the last weddings. The voice that so often greets you on the telephone these days, and makes you wonder how you managed to dial that number wrong, is Mrs, Violet Kavka who has also been lending a hand at the Chapel. KEKEEHKERARER BREESE The chamber board will meet at the Rough and Ready Cafe on Thursday Feb, 11 for their regular meeting. Speaker for the evening will be Arlie Hansen who will talk on the perpetuation of old landmarks for Nevada county's future generations, He will explain for the group the part the historical society can play in assuring this. The chamber's interest is due to a desire to be sure the Fippin Blacksmith Shop, once it is completely restored, will be with us for all time to come. A brief business meeting will preceed Hansen's talk which is scheduled for 8 or so. Everyone who has invested time or money in the project is encouraged to attend. HKKKEKEKEFR BREE EEEE SEF I am getting old and forgetful. No, let's rationalize that statement and say my brain is concerned with so many important details that there is no room left for new facts, Even that puts me on the spot and since I am getting older I find I am a bit touchy about that, This is all leading up to the fact that I have forgotten the name of the Nevada City lady who asked me for the name of the President of. the Taxpayers Association, She said she always reads my column, so Mr. R, W. Downing is the man, Just after I got this information I read in the Nugget that the Taxpayers is one of the ones representing District Iv. Well, anyway, Downing will surely be able to answer questions for awhile. . HEKEHREKEER BR KKK ESE Speaking of forgetfulness I surely thought Ruby Nobles had forgotten about me on her trip. Then last Saturday, just after eading in her column the Italian who had been commissioned to swim her messages over, I received my report from her. It said she would be home in about 10 days, Those Italians are smart. They don't, or at least didn't on my card, date their cancellations, Roma looked thrilling. Sure does give my "itchie foot" the desire to take off for somewhere. Ruby says you can get along even if you only know a few words of the language. From my postcard I have learned Roma so I'm ready anytime. HeEKKEEEEEP . RK EEE EE HE The early mornings are so quiet. It's 5.a.m. now and I just heard the first car go by. At 5 a.m. it's a brave new world and I feel brave right along with it. Since 3 a.m. there has been only the clanking of my typewriter, the crackling of the fire and the hooting of the owls. Our neighbors Jack and Esther Bixler tell me this hooting means a change in the weather. Jack calls Osceola Ravine, which follows up Squirrel Creek across the highway from us, Owl Holler. There must be a whole colony of them there. I must say I often notice a weather change after I hear them. Or do I just remember hearing them after the weather changes? Anyway we're sure to have some bad weather as the new lambs are due to arrive any day now. In fact I expect that is why I awoke so early this morning. I half expected Josephine to have hers last night. KKRKHKEKKEER ZRH EE EH Sunday was a busy day for me. After we got the astronauts safely launched on their trip to the moon I attended a preview of the old Searles Law Office in Nevada City. Carroll Searls early resident who died recently, has indicated he wants the Hisotircal Society to maintain this as a Pioneer Law Library and as a Historical Library. It's a typical building of the early mining era located just across from the county court house, It has been well kept until just _recently and is full of wonderful old records, most of which are in good condition, It's a real treasure: of Nevada county history. Afterwards the historical society budget committee worked out. their 1971-72 bud I am new in historical society activities and this was a real education to me. I had no idea the Historical Society was so active. They really don't get enough publicity. I see by the papers that the Landmarks Commission is going to erect two historical markers. You hear about the Clampers erecting one once in a while or dedicating a plaque. The Native Daughters do quite a bit of this but you never hear about the historical society. They work quietly and continuously and have erected somewhere between 30 and 40, I was told only after pointed questioning. They don't seem too proud of even that, Their conversation was more about the ones they. would like to erect than the ones they have already erected.Our board of supervisors gave the historical society $500 to carry on this work last year. They gave the landmarks commission $600, It seems they felt they wanted an organization directly responsible to them, Sad commentary on proper credit for work done. I'm sure the historical society will not be deterred. They will continue to work forthe preservation of Nevada county landmarks because it is a labor of love not done for credit. But miracles can't be accomplished without money. — ae