July 30, 1975 (8 pages)

gy 3 The Nevada County Nugget Wed., July 30, 1975 THE HENNESS PASS Road covers scenic spots from Camptonville to Meadow Lake. vehicles in the rear will get more than their share. 22nd ann (Continued from page 1) Lake officials are elected from among the highway association membership when the campfire is lit. The once flourishing little town also will be the site for an early morning breakfast Sunday. The “rough and tumble’’ venture s FOUR WHEEL drive vehicles ' ness Pass Jeep trip. The trip this Mosco Smart will lead the parade. Sunday will be to Coburn Lake. The Buckhorn e in Sierra City will offer a ‘‘buffet blast.” ‘Don’t forget sleeping bags, suntan lotion, swimming suits, jackets, extra gas and liquid refreshments: you might line up in Nevada City for the start of the annual Henyear will take place August 2-3 and as usual During the summer the roads are dusty and this year will be no exception. The ual jeep trek wish,” is the advice of association officials to this year’s travellers. Further information on the expedition may beobtained from John Be 175 Lucas Lane, Grass Valley, 95945. Earl G. Waters ‘Riders in “A frightening spectre of “riders in the night” envisions with the revelations that citizens in Northern California and Oregon are banding together in self-appointed ‘‘law = enforcement” groups. It becomes more frightening when it is learned that the duly elected sheriffs, in whose jurisidictions these groups have publicly declared themselves, are viewing the developments with ent unconcern. The citizen organizations, styling themselves ‘‘Posse Comitatus”, have declared their — purpose is that of upholding the_ law and indicated their intent to do just that, in accordance with their own beliefs, whether such help is sought by the sheriffs or not. That the groups, inspired by a band .in Oregon which is issuing charters to the California formations, appears well meaning is beside the point. -As impressive as their rules may be for membership, (none with even so much as a drunk driving record is accepted), and as worthy as their training programs are, (classes in the Constitution, the laws, use of firearms, and first aid), the “posses” remain without authority. : Lacking that they, and their leaders, are beyond the control of the public. And just as laws can only .be made: with the, public’s consent, either by ballot or duly elected representatives, so must the enforcement’ of public consent. Any other method is in itself a violation of laws and those who participate become outlaws. This country has seen enough of such groups which, though they may band together for noble. purposes, have a disastrous. way of rapidly becomiing ignoble. So it was with the early ‘‘vigilante’’ committees, used more often by ruffians and demogogues to achieve their sinister purposes in “the name of the law”. So, too, was it with the KKK whose members, too craven to show their faces, hid behind white sheets to carry out their dastardly deeds under the cover of darkness again in the name of the law and “decency.” Those .connected. with these new “posse” groups are quick to deny and bitterly resent any suggestion of resemblance to the vigilantes or similar selfdesignated bands of enforcers. But their words place them there despite their denials. Foralthough they claim to have ' studied it, their refusal to admit anyone they consider “radicals or nuts’ implies a code judgment not accorded by the Constitution. So, too, does their statement that none are accepted who are agnostic in their religious views as evidenced by arefusal to take an oath ending in “So help me God.” And their stand against Communists would be more impressive were it not for their attitude against taxes, especially income taxes. To the the night’ latter taxes they exhibit a bellicose stance, declaring an antipathy towards IRS agents that borders on un-Americanism in their implied threats of what will happen to such agents if they ‘‘try anything around here.” So far the sheriffs in the counties in which these outlaw groups have sprung up have apparently adopted a hands off attitude. Their view is that people may organize for whatever purpose as long as no laws are violated. As far as it goes that is certainly the proper view for one sworn to uphold the law to take. Any attempt to — interfere through the force of arrest would violate the Constitutional freedoms, and any prolonged efforts would amount to harassment. bs : But it seems a shame that the sheriffs would not make some effort to bring those who sincerely want to assist law enforcement agencies, in maintaining law and order, under the established blanket for such aide. Sheriffs have the power to appoint reserve deputies and form their own posses. In this manner such reserves are subjected to proper screening, provided with appropriate tarp and placed under ofon. Perhaps, the sheriffs involved are suspicious of the sincerity of those in these self appointed ‘“Pposses”’. If so their “wait and see’”’ stance is understandable. If they have any reason to take direct action to interfere, they might resort to Section 538 d of the Penal Code. This makes it an offense to wear a_ badge resembling that of a peace officer by one not authorized. The self-styled posses may have exposed themselves to a charge on this ground by equipping themselves with peace officer type badges labelled ‘‘Sheriff’s Posse Comitatus.’’ Service pins for employes Five supervisors Tuesday presented five, 10 and 15 year service pins to 15 county employes. Hazel Gray of social services and Wenzel Hellgran of the department of public works received 15 year emblems. Ten year pins went to Georgia Barnes of the. treasurer-tax collector’s of. fice, Georgia Scobie, county counsel’s office, Arthur James, assessor’s office, Lewis Dillberg and Richard Mooers, of the sheriff’s nt. Five year pins went to Betty Mahaffey, clerk-recorder’s office, Elaine Nencini, social services department, Roman’ Rozynski, purchasing department, Wayne Benso, building and grounds nt, Le Roy Brombacker and Robert Hammill of the sheriff’s department, Thomas Berry and Vern Stober of the department of public works.

gy 3 The Nevada County Nugget Wed., July 30, 1975 THE HENNESS PASS Road covers scenic spots from Camptonville to Meadow Lake. vehicles in the rear will get more than their share. 22nd ann (Continued from page 1) Lake officials are elected from among the highway association membership when the campfire is lit. The once flourishing little town also will be the site for an early morning breakfast Sunday. The “rough and tumble’’ venture s FOUR WHEEL drive vehicles ' ness Pass Jeep trip. The trip this Mosco Smart will lead the parade. Sunday will be to Coburn Lake. The Buckhorn e in Sierra City will offer a ‘‘buffet blast.” ‘Don’t forget sleeping bags, suntan lotion, swimming suits, jackets, extra gas and liquid refreshments: you might line up in Nevada City for the start of the annual Henyear will take place August 2-3 and as usual During the summer the roads are dusty and this year will be no exception. The ual jeep trek wish,” is the advice of association officials to this year’s travellers. Further information on the expedition may beobtained from John Be 175 Lucas Lane, Grass Valley, 95945. Earl G. Waters ‘Riders in “A frightening spectre of “riders in the night” envisions with the revelations that citizens in Northern California and Oregon are banding together in self-appointed ‘‘law = enforcement” groups. It becomes more frightening when it is learned that the duly elected sheriffs, in whose jurisidictions these groups have publicly declared themselves, are viewing the developments with ent unconcern. The citizen organizations, styling themselves ‘‘Posse Comitatus”, have declared their — purpose is that of upholding the_ law and indicated their intent to do just that, in accordance with their own beliefs, whether such help is sought by the sheriffs or not. That the groups, inspired by a band .in Oregon which is issuing charters to the California formations, appears well meaning is beside the point. -As impressive as their rules may be for membership, (none with even so much as a drunk driving record is accepted), and as worthy as their training programs are, (classes in the Constitution, the laws, use of firearms, and first aid), the “posses” remain without authority. : Lacking that they, and their leaders, are beyond the control of the public. And just as laws can only .be made: with the, public’s consent, either by ballot or duly elected representatives, so must the enforcement’ of public consent. Any other method is in itself a violation of laws and those who participate become outlaws. This country has seen enough of such groups which, though they may band together for noble.. purposes, have a disastrous. way of rapidly becomiing ignoble. So it was with the early ‘‘vigilante’’ committees, used more often by ruffians and demogogues to achieve their sinister purposes in “the name of the law”. So, too, was it with the KKK whose members, too craven to show their faces, hid behind white sheets to carry out their dastardly deeds under the cover of darkness again in the name of the law and “decency.” Those .connected. with these new “posse” groups are quick to

deny and bitterly resent any suggestion of resemblance to the vigilantes or similar selfdesignated bands of enforcers. But their words place them there despite their denials. Foralthough they claim to have ' studied it, their refusal to admit anyone they consider “radicals or nuts’ implies a code judgment not accorded by the Constitution. So, too, does their statement that none are accepted who are agnostic in their religious views as evidenced by arefusal to take an oath ending in “So help me God.” And their stand against Communists would be more impressive were it not for their attitude against taxes, especially income taxes. To the the night’ latter taxes they exhibit a bellicose stance, declaring an antipathy towards IRS agents that borders on un-Americanism in their implied threats of what will happen to such agents if they ‘‘try anything around here.” So far the sheriffs in the counties in which these outlaw groups have sprung up have apparently adopted a hands off attitude. Their view is that people may organize for whatever purpose as long as no laws are violated. As far as it goes that is certainly the proper view for one sworn to uphold the law to take. Any attempt to — interfere through the force of arrest would violate the Constitutional freedoms, and any prolonged efforts would amount to harassment. bs : But it seems a shame that the sheriffs would not make some effort to bring those who sincerely want to assist law enforcement agencies, in maintaining law and order, under the established blanket for such aide. Sheriffs have the power to appoint reserve deputies and form their own posses. In this manner such reserves are subjected to proper screening, provided with appropriate tarp and placed under ofon. Perhaps, the sheriffs involved are suspicious of the sincerity of those in these self appointed ‘“Pposses”’. If so their “wait and see’”’ stance is understandable. If they have any reason to take direct action to interfere, they might resort to Section 538 d of the Penal Code. This makes it an offense to wear a_ badge resembling that of a peace officer by one not authorized. The self-styled posses may have exposed themselves to a charge on this ground by equipping themselves with peace officer type badges labelled ‘‘Sheriff’s Posse Comitatus.’’ Service pins for employes Five supervisors Tuesday presented five, 10 and 15 year service pins to 15 county employes. Hazel Gray of social services and Wenzel Hellgran of the department of public works received 15 year emblems. Ten year pins went to Georgia Barnes of the. treasurer-tax collector’s of. fice, Georgia Scobie, county counsel’s office, Arthur James, assessor’s office, Lewis Dillberg and Richard Mooers, of the sheriff’s nt. Five year pins went to Betty Mahaffey, clerk-recorder’s office, Elaine Nencini, social services department, Roman’ Rozynski, purchasing department, Wayne Benso, building and grounds nt, Le Roy Brombacker and Robert Hammill of the sheriff’s department, Thomas Berry and Vern Stober of the department of public works.