What does the United Way Do?

Invest In What Matters. Results Are Measured In Changed Lives.

Today’s United Way focuses on addressing the underlying causes of community issues—why problems exist. United Way supports programs that are not just “stop gap” measures, but ultimately preventative ones that create real and lasting change by improving peoples’ lives. Social issues are not limited to any one particular city or to one kind of family—they are everywhere. That’s why United Way works throughout Northern California to help build stronger communities.

You can be part of this effort by calling us in Redding at 530-241-7521 or e-mailing me at ronlargent@norcalunitedway.com

Golden Umbrella in Redding, CA

As part of the United Way of Northern California, Golden Umbrella addresses needs in the community, and they are focused on the needs of our Senior Community. They are doing a great job…and the following is an excerpt from their web page www.goldenumbrella.org

Health, Nutrition, and Our Daily Meals
The health of the Shasta County Senior was of prime concern to us. It was one of the problems to which the advocates gave their close attention.

We had retired registered nurses who volunteered to take blood pressures. In the Fiscal Year 77/78 they took 900 blood pressures. When the first flu shots were first available the Shasta County Health Nurses came to the Golden Umbrella and 297 shots were given.

The Golden Umbrella helped the Nutrition Program get started in Shasta County and also helped it expand. The Nutrition Program under Title VII of the Older American Act is a state funded program under the California Department on Aging. The Golden Umbrella participated in the Nutrition Program from March 1974 to January 1975 until Mercy Hospital became the grantee and sponsor.

I guess you can say Our Daily Meals started on May 17, 1970 when we had the Center Grand Opening. It expanded after the years of the Nutrition Program and had served 9,938 meals in 1978.

This was from their “history page”, and kind of gives us an idea of how they started. Today, Golden Umbrella is a major player in the north state as we address the fact that the senior population is growing each day. The United Way is proud to be associated with this fine organization serving the needs of our community.

www.norcalunitedway.org

www.liveunited.org

ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

530-241-7521

iGoogle

The Youth Violence Prevention Council of Shasta County (YVPC) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to prevent youth violence and promote a safe and healthy community. Our Youth Violence Prevention Council Executive Board is comprised of top-flight leaders from a broad cross-section of the business, law enforcement, government, faith, and education sectors of Shasta County.
History
The problem of gang and youth violence rose to national prominence in the 1980’s and found its way to Redding in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. According to the Redding Police Department, Redding had 20 violent youth gang-related felonies in 1994. This spurred a county-wide effort to rid our communities of youth gangs. Lead by aggressive law enforcement, cooperation from the schools and community-based organizations and agencies, Redding and Shasta County were able to gain the upper hand.
In response to the youth gang issues in our county, the Youth Violence Prevention Council was created in 1996 and became an integral part of the effort to rid our communities of youth gangs. The thrust of the Youth Violence Prevention Council involves the coordination of primary education on youth issues and youth advocacy, all aimed at keeping our county youth gang free and safe for all citizens, young and older alike.
More information can be obtained on their website www.yvpc.org
The YVPC is one of the 33 agencies served by the United Way of Northern California, and one of the 58 programs funded through United Way in the 8 northern counties of California. Information on the United Way can be seen at www.norcalunitedway.org or at www.liveunited.org

For local information call 530-241-7521 or e-mail ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

iGoogle

We are so fortunate to have so many good programs addressing the basic needs of food and housing in Redding, Shasta County, and Northern California. One of these organizations is People of Progress, under the able direction of Melinda Brown. Here is some background on this agency….one of 33 in the United Way of Northern California.

Mission Statement

To strengthen individuals, families and our community with special emphasis on issues that affect low income people.

People of Progress began in 1974 as a food co-op. The first social service program we offered was child care soon followed by a small grant for an education program to increase understanding of and usage of food stamps in three northern counties. One early program was a community farm in French Gulch which led to our two community gardens now in Redding. Our programs have evolved and expanded as we are now one of the major foodbanks and emergency assistance programs in our area. In addition to our own programs, P.O.P. has always been very active in a variety of community issues and opportunities always advocating for healthy thriving inclusive communities for everyone — not just those with comfortable incomes. We have formed collaboratives and committees that specifically and successfully addressed a number of issues resulting in successful programs or program modifications in local government and in other agencies.

OUR GOAL is to serve our community by helping to build individual and community stability and responsibility. Annually, we help over 10% of the entire population of Redding alone who need immediate emergency assistance.

For 30 years we have been devoted to providing food, clothing, shelter, transportation, prescriptions, etc. to people in need. We will serve over 14,000 people this year with over 170,000 meals, 4,000 motel shelter nights, and help over 150 households retain/obtain housing or keep their utilities on. We work closely with other organizations and agencies to link clients with additional programs and services.

We generate much of our funding from our two Thrift Stores. Two state and two federal grants provide funds to purchase food, motel vouchers and rent assistance. A Shasta County CSBG grant and a City of Redding CDBG grant provide partial operation funding for this program. We pick up food donations daily from Food 4 Less. Generous donations from individuals, businesses and churches help support our program and we’re a United Way member agency.

For additional information, you can visit their website at www.peopleofprogress.org

www.ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org


You can learn more about the United Way at www.norcalunitedway.org or www.liveunited.org or call us at 530-241-7521, or e-mail me at ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

="http://www.google.com/ig?brand=ACGW&bmod=GWUS">iGoogle

Anderson Cottonwood Christian Assistance Program

Today I had the opportunity to visit the Anderson Cottonwood Christian Assistance program, a cooperative effort to address the needs of the Anderson and Cottonwood communities. Filled with volunteers working on food boxes, and a whole list of other projects including a "Dress and be cool" clothing program for students. Very impressive in this United Way funded agency. Thanks for the great job.

www.norcalunitedway.org

ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

What is the United Way? I'm asked?

In my new role as President of the United Way of Northern California, I have been asked on several occasions...what is the United Way. Well, the local agency is part of the much larger United Way Worldwide...and here is their statement, which reflects what we do at the local community:

United Way Worldwide is the leadership and support organization for the network of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 45 countries and territories. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all, by focusing on education, income and health. The United Way movement mobilizes millions to action—to give, advocate and volunteer—to improve the conditions in which they live.

Kind of says it all....as we work with 33 agencies in the North State in over 50 programs, from services to youth to services for the homeless. We are an action organization, and really rely on volunteers to carry out our work and the work of our agencies. If you are interested, check us out at wwwnorcalunitedway.org or e-mail me at ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org or call 530-241-7521.

Shasta Community Symphony and Chorus to Perform Tonight at Shasta College

For those of you that enjoy Classical Music, tonight at Shasta College, the Shasta College Community Orchestra, the Shasta Symphony, and Shasta Chorale join together under Dr. Liz Waterbury to perform the Schubert Mass This is a magnificent work, and very well performed. With noted soloists, this is a wonderful presentation. Starts tonight at 7:30 PM; tickets at the door or on the Shasta College website. Enjoy!

People of Progress in Redding...part of the United Way

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Wednesday, December 1, 2010
People of Progress in Redding...part of the United Way

People of Progress…addressing community needs and part of the United WayEdit
By ronlargent Leave a Comment
Categories: Uncategorized
We are so fortunate to have so many good programs addressing the basic needs of food and housing in Redding, Shasta County, and Northern California. One of these organizations is People of Progress, under the able direction of Melinda Brown. Here is some background on this agency….one of 33 in the United Way of Northern California.

Mission Statement

To strengthen individuals, families and our community with special emphasis on issues that affect low income people.

People of Progress began in 1974 as a food co-op. The first social service program we offered was child care soon followed by a small grant for an education program to increase understanding of and usage of food stamps in three northern counties. One early program was a community farm in French Gulch which led to our two community gardens now in Redding. Our programs have evolved and expanded as we are now one of the major foodbanks and emergency assistance programs in our area. In addition to our own programs, P.O.P. has always been very active in a variety of community issues and opportunities always advocating for healthy thriving inclusive communities for everyone — not just those with comfortable incomes. We have formed collaboratives and committees that specifically and successfully addressed a number of issues resulting in successful programs or program modifications in local government and in other agencies.

OUR GOAL is to serve our community by helping to build individual and community stability and responsibility. Annually, we help over 10% of the entire population of Redding alone who need immediate emergency assistance.

For 30 years we have been devoted to providing food, clothing, shelter, transportation, prescriptions, etc. to people in need. We will serve over 14,000 people this year with over 170,000 meals, 4,000 motel shelter nights, and help over 150 households retain/obtain housing or keep their utilities on. We work closely with other organizations and agencies to link clients with additional programs and services.

We generate much of our funding from our two Thrift Stores. Two state and two federal grants provide funds to purchase food, motel vouchers and rent assistance. A Shasta County CSBG grant and a City of Redding CDBG grant provide partial operation funding for this program. We pick up food donations daily from Food 4 Less. Generous donations from individuals, businesses and churches help support our program and we’re a United Way member agency.

For additional information, you can visit their website at www.peopleofprogress.org

You can learn more about the United Way at www.norcalunitedway.org or www.liveunited.org or call us at 530-241-7521, or e-mail me at ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org
Posted by Ron Largent at 8:44 PM 0 comments
Labels: CA, People of Progress in Redding
Youth Violence Prevention Council and the United Way

Tuesday, at the United Way hosting of the Redding Chamber of Commerce, many of the agencies that are supported by the United Way of Northern California were present to talk about their programs. One of the agencies deals with youth issues in our community, and here is some information on that agency:

Youth Violence Prevention Council
of Shasta County
The Youth Violence Prevention Council of Shasta County (YVPC) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to prevent youth violence and promote a safe and healthy community. Our Youth Violence Prevention Council Executive Board is comprised of top-flight leaders from a broad cross-section of the business, law enforcement, government, faith, and education sectors of Shasta County.
History
The problem of gang and youth violence rose to national prominence in the 1980’s and found its way to Redding in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. According to the Redding Police Department, Redding had 20 violent youth gang-related felonies in 1994. This spurred a county-wide effort to rid our communities of youth gangs. Lead by aggressive law enforcement, cooperation from the schools and community-based organizations and agencies, Redding and Shasta County were able to gain the upper hand.
In response to the youth gang issues in our county, the Youth Violence Prevention Council was created in 1996 and became an integral part of the effort to rid our communities of youth gangs. The thrust of the Youth Violence Prevention Council involves the coordination of primary education on youth issues and youth advocacy, all aimed at keeping our county youth gang free and safe for all citizens, young and older alike.
More information can be obtained on their website www.yvpc.org
The YVPC is one of the 33 agencies served by the United Way of Northern California, and one of the 58 programs funded through United Way in the 8 northern counties of California. Information on the United Way can be seen at www.norcalunitedway.org or at www.liveunited.org

For local information call 530-241-7521 or e-mail ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org
Posted by Ron Largent at 6:51 AM 0 comments
Labels: Youth Violence Prevention Council of Shasta County
Youth Violence Prevention Council and the United Way

Cal Bears...what happened in Reno?

Last night, the Cal Bears traveled to Reno to play the Universit of Nevada…and they lost big. After the game last week when the Bears beat the Colorado team, the postgame interviews centered around what they would be facing in Reno…and all of the predictions came true….Nevada had a great QB that could do damage to the Bears defense, and he did.

Here is the complete report on www.calbears.com and it kind of tells it all…..

Colin Kaepernick ran for 148 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 181 yards and two more scores in Nevada’s 52-31 victory over California on Friday night.

Shane Vereen ran for a career-high 198 yards and three touchdowns for the Bears (2-1), who had a 22-1-1 record against Nevada entering the game and had won their only previous contest in Reno 81-6 in 1915.

Marlon Johnson scored on a 65-yard interception return, and Vai Taua added 151 yards rushing – including a 54-yard run that made it 45-24 with 7:43 left – to help the Western Athletic Conference school improve to 3-0.

Kaepernick moved into a tie for seventh with Missouri’s Brad Smith in career rushing touchdowns with 45. In three games this year, the 6-foot-6 senior has thrown for six touchdowns and run for seven.

It was the ninth time in their career that Kaepernick and Taua have each surpassed 100 yards rushing in the same game.

The Bears were without linebacker Mike Mohamed, the Pac-10′s leading tackler a year ago who was out with a sprained toe. They entered the game leading the nation in fewest yards allowed averaging 161,9 per game. But Nevada had 297 by the half while holding Cal to only 136 as the Wolf Pack scored on four of their six possessions for a 24-14 lead.

On the first series of the second half, Vereen ran 50 yards for a touchdown to pull Cal to 24-21. Nevada went three and out on the next series, but six plays later Marlon Johnson stepped in front of Cal quarterback Kevin Riley’s quick out intended for Alex Lagemann and raced 65 yards down the sideline for a 31-21 lead.

Vereen ran for 35 yards and Riley passed 32 yards to Miller to set up Giorgio Tavecchio’s 22-yard field goal that made it 31-24 with 5:14 in the third quarter.

Nevada went up 38-24 four minutes after when Rishard Mathews caught a 28-yard pass from Kaepernick near the goal line, had it stripped by Cal’s Marc Anthony but was determined by the officials’ review of the videotape to have recovered the fumble with the nose in the end zone for a score.

An interference call on Nevada’s Isiah Frey on third-and-8 kept a drive alive for the Bears, who moved inside the Wolf Pack 10. But Riley overthrew an open Keenan Allen in the end zone on third down, was called for delay of game while trying to go for the score on fourth-and-goal from the 6 then had his pass tipped away by James-Michael Johnson with 10 minutes left in the game.

Taua put the game away with his 54-yard TD run up the middle for a 45-24 lead with 7:43 remaining before a sellout crowd of 28,809 at Mackay Stadium, many flooding the field to celebrate after the final gun.

Nevada ate up nearly half the first quarter on the opening drive, going 80 yards in 12 plays for a 7-0 lead on Kaepernick’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Tray Session.

Cal’s first series ended with Riley’s first interception of the year when the ball went through Allen’s hands to cornerback Doyle Miller at Nevada’s 17.

After the Wolf Pack went three and out, Vereen found a hole up the middle then dodged three would-be tacklers en route to a 59-yard score to make it 7-7 at 3:06 in the first quarter.

But Kaepernick capped another 12-play, 85-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 14-7 early in the second quarter.

Nevada’s James-Michael Johnson and Dontay Moch sacked Riley on consecutive plays to push the Bears back to their own 10 on the next Cal drive and the Wolf Pack got the ball back at the Cal 47. They scored five plays later when Kaepernick ran left on an option then cut back inside for an 8-yard TD run and a 21-7 lead 8:22 before the half.

Cal managed only one first down before punting again, but linebacker Keith Browner stripped Kaepernick of the ball on the next play and Deandre Coleman recovered the fumble at Nevada’s 21 to set up Vereen’s 1-yard touchdown run that cut it to 21-14 at 3:19.

But Kaepernick got another Nevada drive going with a 33-yard pass to Matthews and – after Cal tried to freeze him with three consecutive time outs – Martinez capped a 10-play, 61-yard drive with a 30-yard field goal with 2 seconds left in the first half to make it 24-14 at the break.

Foothill High School gets the attention of www.rivals.com

The following appeared on Tuesday in Rivals.com Sectionsports.com section…on Northern California high school football:

Forget everything you know about Northern Section football.

Didn’t take long, did it?

Teams from way up north in California like

//



Zach Ray is the brother former 49er Ricky Ray.

Palo Cedro’s Foothill don’t get the attention from colleges and fans that they sometimes deserve due to relative location, but Cougars’ coach Bryon Hamilton is trying to change that perception.

“Part of the problem with recruiters is they can come up here and see four or five kids, or they can spend the same amount of time in the Bay Area and look at 40 or 50 kids,” Hamilton said. “People forget we’re here sometimes. We’re trying to change that mindset.”

After being snubbed for a state bowl game invitation after a perfect 12-0 season in 2007, Hamilton started scheduling tougher games outside of the Northern Section, and California for that matter. In 2008, the Cougars defeated Oregon’s South Medford, ranked No. 1 in the state of Oregon in some polls. A year later, Foothill beat Washington’s Union High School, a team that was ranked as high as No. 2 in Washington in 2009. Both victories came on the road in hostile environments.

“We tried to upgrade our schedule as much as possible, and we’re doing a better job of going out there and competing with other teams outside of our section,” Hamilton said

One team the Cougars were able to impress was Sacramento’s Grant High School, a perennial powerhouse that won the 2008 open division California state title. The Pacers travelled with Foothill up to Washington in 2009 to play Bellevue.

“The coaches (at Grant) couldn’t believe the level of football we were playing,” Hamilton said. “They really hadn’t seen us play, and there’s the misconception that Northern Section football isn’t very good football.”

Aaron Rodgers, current quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, played at Pleasant Valley in Chico and started to change that mindset. This season, a host of Cougars are trying to continue the notion that quality talent does indeed come out of some of California’s more remote locations.

Ray on the Rise
One current Foothill player who has NFL bloodlines is senior quarterback Zack Ray, whose brother Ricky played for the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets before starring in the Canadian Football League. Through three games this season, Ray has passed for 538 yards and seven touchdowns in Hamilton’s shotgun zone-fly offense.

“He reminds me a lot of Kellen Moore,” Hamilton said, comparing his senior signal-caller to Boise State’s star quarterback. “He’s got that great poise in the pocket, and I think he’s going to grow to 6-foot-4, so he’s only going to get better.”

Two-headed Monster
The Cougars have a punishing running game,

//



Slaton is averaging close to 10 yards per carry for Foothill.

which can be a quarterback’s best friend. Junior tailbacks Tevin Slaton and Addison Gillam form a powerful rushing attack. Slaton, a 170-pound speedster, gashes defenses after the 210-pound Gillam softens them up.

“I think Gillam is a (Division I) prospect,” Hamilton said. “He’s a 6-foot-3, 210-pound kid with legitimate 4.7 speed. He’s got great redirection skills that you don’t see from a lot of 6-foot-3 football players.”

Slaton has been the more productive of the two thus far, having rushed for 467 yards and five touchdowns, including a huge Week Two performance against Stockton’s Edison, where the junior ran for 233 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.

Perfecting the 3-3-5
Part of the reason Slaton has been slightly more productive has been Gillam’s commitment to playing defense. The Cougars have one of the best linebacker units in California, with Gillam leading a group that also includes seniors Mitchell McCarthy, Garrett Miller, Josh Latham and Rocco Taylor.

“We’re blessed with those five guys. We feel really, really good there [at the linebacker position],” Hamilton said.
All five players get significant minutes in

//



Gillam stars at both running back and linebacker for the Cougars.

Hamilton’s 3-5-3 defensive scheme, and each full-time defensive player is averaging over six tackles per game for Foothill. Hamilton continues to be impressed with McCarthy, who earned the top linebacker award at the Boise State camp this summer and is fast approaching the Foothill school record for career tackles.

“He’s our strong safety/linebacker this year, and he’s the kid that gets the most attention,” Hamilton said of McCarthy. “He’s got a chance to be a D1 player, and he can definitely play a lot of places with his (3.6) GPA. Between him and Latham we’ve got two legit linebacker prospects.”

Led by the strong group of linebackers, Foothill’s defense got off to a strong start to the season, holding Dixon and Edison to six points each. The Cougars’ defense, a question mark coming into the season, answered all doubts by picking off six passes against the Vikings, as Trent Knight, Tucker Wilson and Ryan Smith each intercepted a pair of passes in the victory.

“At least they weren’t being selfish,” Hamilton joked.

Hamilton: “I want to get my kids signed”
But the head coach knows that his remote position in the state is no laughing matter, and that the team needs to continue to work to change the perception on Northern Section football. Hamilton isn’t just doing it for the sake of the program, however.

“Slowly but surely we’re changing people’s attitudes for the state games, because that’s obviously what’s on everybody’s mind,” Hamilton said. “But I want to get my kids signed. I’ve legitimately had 10 or 12 Division I players (in my eight years here), and I’ve only signed one.”

“This year I’ve got at least two or three of those type of kids, and if they don’t get looked at or signed it’s going to be a shame.”

Cal Bears Football Off to a Good Start

Saturday I was part of the crowd at the 2nd game of the season for the Cal Bears at Berkeley…and the team really did well as they beat Colorado decidely, 52-7. It was a great game with a lot of excitement and the huge almost capacity crowd enjoyed the opening tribute to America with a C-5 Flyover from Travis AFB. www.calbears.com reported today that they are back in the national rankings, and here is the complete article that was on their website this afternoon:

BERKELEY – Cal has returned to the national rankings for the first time in 2010 at No. 24 with the release of the week three USA Today Coaches’ Poll on Sunday. The last time the Golden Bears were nationally ranked was heading into their 2009 season finale at Washington (No. 19 AP, No. 19 BCS, No. 22 USA Today). The Bears have now been ranked among the nation’s top 25 teams at one point in each of the last seven seasons and eight times in nine campaigns since head coach Jeff Tedford’s arrival in 2002.

The Bears, who were among teams receiving votes (10) in the week two USA Today Coaches’ Poll released last Tuesday, received 131 votes in Sunday’s week three poll. Cal is also the fourth team listed among those receiving votes outside the AP Top 25, picking up 45 to mark the first time this season the Bears been among those receiving votes according AP.

The Bears are also in the ESPNU Fan Rankings for the first time in 2010 at No. 25. Cal has jumped off to a 2-0 start in its first contests with blowout 52-3 and 52-7 home victories over UC Davis and Colorado, respectively.

The Bears will be on the road for five of their next seven games including a nationally televised ESPN2 game at Nevada this Friday, Sept. 17 (7:00 p.m. PT), but season tickets for Cal’s final year in the current configuration of Memorial Stadium are still on sale with all five of the team’s exciting Pac-10 home games still on the docket against UCLA (Oct. 9), Arizona State (Oct. 23), Oregon (Nov. 13), Stanford (Nov. 20) and Washington (Nov. 27).

Season tickets in the Gold Zone and Blue Zone begin at $115 for Youth and Seniors, while season tickets also still remain in the Donor section comprising the best seats in the house.

Fans with 2010 season tickets are guaranteed the opportunity to purchase 2011 season tickets for Cal football home games at San Francisco’s AT&T Park, which will go on sale at a later date. To guarantee your seats in AT&T Park you must purchase 2010 season tickets. Cal fans that purchase 2010 season tickets and maintain their donation levels will also have access to the best possible season-ticket seat locations when Cal football returns to a renovated Memorial Stadium in 2012.

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Cal has enjoyed an extremely successful and popular run at Memorial Stadium in recent years, boasting a 35-6 home mark over its last 41 contests in Berkeley and playing in front of at least 50,000 spectators for each of its last 39 home outings.

The Golden Bears have recorded the second-most victories by a Pac-10 team since Tedford became the team’s head coach in 2002 with 69 victories during that span. Cal’s current streaks of eight consecutive winning seasons and seven straight bowl appearances have equaled and tied school records, respectively. Tedford is also one of only eight current Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) coaches to have a current string of at least eight winning campaigns in a row, with only six of those coaches accomplishing the feat at the same school.

It is fun to be part of the season this year, and for me it is especially enjoyable as I enjoy the band and the pageantry very much. I put my videos on Youtube.com/ronlargent1 if you want to view the band and cheerleaders and part of the game pageantry.

Apartments for sale in Redding, CA

Did you know? There are 96 residential income- multi family properties on the market in Shasta County…from smaller duplex and triplex units to complexes with 40 and more units. You take your pick. Here is the great news…financing is available at some of the lowest rates we have ever known…here is the good news….plenty of units are available, and it is a buyers market.

For details, financials, photos, etc…. ronlargent@kw.com www.ronlargent.com

Friday Night Football on Fox Sports Radio in Redding CA

Tomorrow night we do our 2nd game of the year on Friday Night Game of the Week on AM 1670, Fox Sports Radio…and this week will be a good one with Foothill High School of Palo Cedro hosting River Valley High School of Yuba City. Foothill, a perennial football powerhouse, features a fast moving pro-style offensive system with emphasis on fast receivers and quick delivery from the quarterback. The Foothill line is small but quick, and the entire linebacking team are returnees from the winning team last year.

River Valley features the run from more traditional formations, and is also 2-0 for the young season.

All the action begins at 7 PM on Fox Sports Radio, AM 1670 in Redding….join us for the “Game of the Week”.

Shasta Wins at West Valley in High School Football

This photo from the Record Searchlight kind of says it all…Shasta ran wild over West Valley in the North State Game of the Weeks on Fox Sports Radio. With Clay Cavender leading the attack, the Wolves kept the larger West Valley Eagles on alert all evening as Clay led the Shasta High School offense to a 33-14 victory over the smaller Division II Cottonwood high school. Clay passed and ran with a sense of authority most of the evening, supported by strong running from both Trey Green and Cody Lunsford, pictured above. It was a good way for Shasta to bounce back after the season opening loss to Lassen High School in Susanville, and the Wolves showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the North State football battles this year. Stay tuned for the Friday night Game of the Week on Fox Sports Radio, AM 1670…as we will continue to bring an exciting game every Friday night for the entire season. A great way to begin football as the premier sport for the fall. I’m off to see the Cal Bears take on UC Davis at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. An exciting time.

Pac 10 Football Forecast for 2010

Being the sports fan that I am, especially at the high school and college level, and being a grad of the University of California system (Cal, UCLA, UCSB), and a long time fan of USC…I am partial towards the Pac 10. This year, not a lot of national excitement about the Pac 10 teams, but, being the optimist that I am, I think the Conference will ”hold its own”. However, pre season pundits are not giving much credit, but a reporter for the Orange County Register, Marcia Smith, has done one of the best brief comments on the Pac 10 teams and what we can expect. Next week I will see Cal and can see how her evaluation of the Golden Bears holds up…but here is her well done analysis:

The Pac-10 has entered a new era, adopted a more modern-looking logo reflecting the West’s mountains and ocean and taken a more aggressive national stance thanks to second-year Commissioner Larry Scott’s bold steps to get coast-to-coast exposure and erode the not-so-mythical East Coast Bias.
Scott says 2010 is going to be a special season for the “Conference of Champions.”


USC quarterback Matt Barkley and UCLA defensive back Rahim Moore will help lead their respective teams into the 2010 college football season. Click on the PHOTO to see the predicted Pac-10 finish.
•The state of Oregon boasts both league programs with the best chances of making national runs. The loaded Oregon Ducks (No. 11 in both the AP and the USA Today Coaches’ Poll) and the Oregon State Beavers (No. 24 AP), powered by brothers Jacquizz and James Rodgers, look to turn heads to the Pacific Northwest.•The Pac-10′s spectacle team, USC, enters without the charismatic, win-forever coach Pete Carroll, without a top six in the preseason ranking for the first time in six seasons and without being the favorite to win the conference title. Instead, the Trojans have a generous No. 14 AP ranking, a new coach in Lane Kiffin, NCAA sanctions to work within and all the turmoil that comes with being in the NCAA doghouse. They have the talent but might lack the numbers to get through a season that could go either way if key players don’t stay healthy.
•Potential 2010 No. 1 NFL overall draft selection Jake Locker returns for a senior season at Washington for unfinished business. The talented quarterback has yet to guide the Huskies to a bowl game or a winning record.
•Arizona State’s Dennis Erickson and Washington State’s Paul Wulff open the season on the coaching hotseat while Cal’s Jeff Tedford needs to figure out how to guide the Golden Bears closer to meet their expectations.
•Talented quarterbacks Nick Foles at Arizona and Andrew Luck at Stanford hope to lead their teams back into the national conversation with creative offense.
•And UCLA, despite coming off a victory in a minor bowl, will continue Rick Neuheisel’s rebuilding project, with Westwood eager to see the Bruins finally get over the hump.

So, it all starts next week. In the meantime I have to live with my good friends from Oregon…..and see the Green and Gold from Oregon one day and the black and orange from Oregon State the next. But, I stay true…Go Bears!

My Letter to the Editor

In the Editorial earlier this week, the Editor made some comments about City Councilman and current Mayor, Patrick Jones…and this is my reply:

As I read your editorial “Million Dollar Lanterns” a couple of points became clear to me. At the risk of not endorsing one candidate or another, the fact the Patrick Jones is asking the “hard questions” as a current city council member is admirable. And, even though the circumstances for the funding of the Lanterns may not be exactly as was stated by Mr. Jones, the fact of the matter is the City has had been involved in some rather extensive funding of similar projects over the past few years, and these expenditures are seldom questioned by Council. If the staff wants to spend it, it is approved, has been the impression, right or wrong. From man hole covers to Hilltop palm trees, as income from fees and taxes flowed in, it was spent. Like the federal government, if you do not spend what is given to you in a fiscal year, next year that agency will get less to spend.

Things are going to have to change, if we are going to survive in tough economic times, and we have a few years left. Property taxes will be going down, thanks to Prop 13 and follow on Prop 8. Fact. Income to the county will be less, and the flow down income to the City will be less. Fact. If income is not there, expenses will have to be cut. Fact. And, the City Council, whomever it is, is going to be facing this reduction in expenses head on. Some things will have to go…and hopefully it will not be jobs. But streets need to be fixed; the Redding infrastructure is getting old and repairs will have to be made; and the increasing pensions already approved will have to be paid…so how can we even spend a relatively little on “Lanterns” when these hard decisions on funding for the basics of our city government responsibilities must be made.

So, I commend Mr. Jones for making his opinion heard, and I challenge the incoming City Council to heed the warning…the revenue that we have had for a number of years will not be there in the next few years, so look long and hard at the “future lanterns” that will proposed for our beautiful city. Can we afford it…the never ending question?

www.ronlargent.com ronlargent@kw.com

Mobile Home Parks for sale in California

We now have 6 mobile home parks for sale in Northern California…and are looking for buyers. What do we do that is different than others? 1. We are very big on the internet…2. We know what we are talking about, having sold many parks over the years…and 3. We know buyers and what they are looking for….no spin to what we are presenting.

The Largent Commercial Group (www.ronlargent.com) specializes in the listing and sale of mobile home parks, RV parks, manufactured home communities, and old fashioned trailer parks (yes, they still exist)

Selling a Manufactured Housing Community (Mobile Home Park) is decidedly different than selling apartments or commercial centers and the best Buyers are almost always investors who currently own other parks…or at least this is my impression after dealing with this subject for many years. As a seller, and one of the most important factors in the sale of your property is the immediate exposure we can provide to an unprecedented data base that has been developed through internet affeiliations and associations over the years, plus the social media exposure.

So, if you have been thinking about a stable investment, e-mail us for info on any of the six parks, or go to our web page… www.ronlargent.com or e-mail ronlargent@kw.com

Salvation Army Golf Tournament at Tierra Oaks

Wow…what a day….enjoyed by over 20 teams from Redding and the North State…and what a day as the temperatures remained mild and Tierra Oaks was at its shimmering beauty. This course is certainly one of the finest and most difficult in the north state as it winds through the magnificent golf course facing homes and estates. The tourney was benefiting the Redding Salvation Army Corps, allowing children from all over the area to go to a summer camp conducted by the Salvation Army Del Oro Division.

The 18 hole course was a challenge for all…then all gathered for a splendid mexican food buffet…and then the auction and drawing, with over 200 gifts and give-a-ways donated by individual and businesses from all over the North State.

Thanks to the Redding Elks for their sponsorship; to Tierra Oaks Golf Club for the facility and the hospitality; and to the more than 30 volunteers who made this happen. A great event, and thanks to all….you are making dreams come true for hundreds of deserving children that would not have a camping experience if it were not for you.

Football Season "a-comin' "

In the local paper today, a nice article on the just played Lions All-Star Football game; the outstanding players and outstanding plays; and a good game synopsis. I am looking forward to the high school football season. It is always good. Then, last night I went to the Youth Peewee Football practice where my grandson plays for the Foothill team. These kids are 13 and 14 years of age, and they really work at learning the fundamentals of football to equip them for high school. A good program for a lot of kids, and very well coached.

Personally, I really “get into” college football. Having been part of USC, UCLA, Stanford, and Cal…one way or the other, every weekend I watch some college football. With season tickets to Cal games, I get to see most of the Pac 10 teams in action, and having lived in the football crazed states of Ohio and Texas…it is good to see the Pac 10 teams hold their own nationally. However, very little college football coverage locally, so I decided to give folks an update in my blogs on what is going on in the Pac 10…from my point of view. Stay tuned for my thoughts on your particular Pac 10 team. Suffice it to say in this writing that both Oregon and Oregon State are in the Top 25 pre-season picks nationally. The Trojans of USC, even with the damaging NCAA penalties, are still figured to be a “team to beat”, and Stanford returns a star studded field with a great QB. So, where is Cal? All bets are off on Cal, but the football “guru’s” see them as a spoiler in many games. As last season, which Cal team will show up, is the question.

Should be an interesting and exciting year for College football…and I am ready. More to come.

ronlargent@kw.com www.ronlargent.com

The New Consumer Protection Bureau...Good or Band?

The following appeared in the Los Angeles Times ( of which I was a “paper boy” for 6 years when I lived in Compton, CA), and then was passed on to agents by the California Association of Realtors (CAR)…and I thought it might be of interest to you.

What the new consumer protection bureau will do for home buyers


Part of the financial reform bill signed into law by President Obama includes the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which will write new rules and monitor problems and abuses in areas such as residential real estate settlements, credit scores, “truth in lending,” and equal credit opportunity.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS

•Before the Bureau can begin implementing new laws to assist consumers, the president must nominate a director for the Bureau and the Senate must confirm the nominee. While this may take time, mortgage industry leaders say some of the core changes promised by the legislation either already are in effect or should be soon.
•Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner has until Sept. 19 to designate a transfer date when key legal and regulator authorities shift from agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission and the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to the new consumer bureau. Once that takes place, the Bureau will begin implementing the new laws.
•One of the earliest and most widely anticipated changes expected to take effect impact home appraisals. By law, the agency must create new interim rules on appraisal accuracy and independence to replace the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) rules imposed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2009. Many in the real estate industry, as well as home buyers and sellers, report HVCC standards led to low home valuations that, in some instances, derailed home sales transactions.
•A national hotline system also will be developed that will allow aggrieved mortgage borrowers and others to issue complaints and alert the Bureau to unfair and deceptive practices.
•Rules requiring mortgage loan officers to verify mortgage applicants possess the ability to repay the loans they’re seeking also is high on the list.
Bottom line…more bureaucracy…more processes…more delays. You have been forewarned.

www.ronlargent.com ronlargent@kw.com

Stillwater Business Park...Open or Not?

Last week I was invited to join others in the Redding Chamber of Commerce for a morning briefing…and then a noon-time business and community briefing. Both meetings were very informative. So, today I had the opportunity to take a business owner that is considering a move to the North State out to see Stillwater. His observations

and comments were most enlightening, and not surprising.

First, as we approached the Business Park from Airport Road, he looked puzzled and said, “we are out in the country…where are we?” I explained that we were near the airport, and that we are really pretty close to everything, etc….

Then, as we approached Old Oregon Trail, he commented “this place looks deserted”. Sure enough, no signs or much indication that we are approaching the touted Stillwater Business Park. As we drove into “the Park”, we stopped at the Gate and walked around a bit, for it was still cooler in the morning, and he commented, “this looks like a vacant failed commercial subdivision”. And, it does look pretty “ignored”, with weeds grown up along the road; with no signs of any kind of building site, etc. Now, granted, everything looks dry now, but the Park looks as if it has been deserted. The gate was closed, but not locked, so we drove in. Some very pretty sections and views as we drove along the wide streets, but nothing indicated to us that anything was planned or going on. We did get to see a plane take off, and that was encouraging, but that was the extent of civilization as we drove on.

Well, he asked the hard questions….who is responsible for the Park? who is marketing the Park? who is maintaining the park? are there any prospects for the first tenant?…and on to a few more. I answered as best I could, but, quite frankly, he had some very good points. And, as supportive as I am of the concept of a Business Park, Stillwater does not give one the impression that it is the “Business Park of the Future” for Redding and Shasta County, and as with my guest, perception becomes reality…and the perception of the Park is not too exciting to the outsider.

Being a solution type guy, and I mentioned this to some of our leaders last week, we need to objectively look at the Park as others are seeing it. Most new residential subdivisions are very well signed….from the Open House to the lots and homes that are sold, etc. And, the subdivisions look inviting, with cut grass and watered plants. Maybe this is how we might approach Stillwater…is it an inviting looking place and what are we doing to make it look as attractive as it can be. A huge amount of money has been spent on the Park, and much of the work was done by local contractors that gave us great prices…but let’s look at where we can go from now. Are there any extra hours that City or County work crews could “cut the weeds”? The answer to that question will be “they are too busy now and we cannot afford overtime”, but this is hard to believe when I see numerous workers standing around a work project doing nothing. What about volunteer groups? Have they been asked to help?…and so it goes.

In summary, Stillwater Business Park is a great idea…but now it has to become a reality….and that reality may rest in an aggressive promotion program, starting with signs and making the Park attractive. Not too much to ask, in my opinion.

Pio Loco Restaurant in Redding For Sale

Just listed the Pio Loco Restaurant at the historic Pine Street School in downtown Redding. Chef Jeff is finally retiring, and is selling now as business is really good for the new owner to take over. Let me know if there is any interest, or if you know of others that might like to be in "the restaurant business.

www.ronlargent.com ronlargent@kw.com

The Local Paper or the Wall Street Journal...Who do you believe?

This morning I got up to read in the local Record Searchlight that the housing market was on an upswing in Redding. I had just read the Wall Street Journal saying just the opposite on a national scale. You be the judge, as here is the article from WSJ.com

The housing market, whose collapse pulled the economy into recession in late 2007, is stalling again.

In major markets across the country, home sales are deteriorating, inventories of unsold homes are piling up and builders are scaling back construction plans. The expiration of a federal home-buyers tax credit at the end of April is weighing on the market.

The Wall Street Journals’ quarterly survey of 28 major metro areas shows it’s a buyer’s market in much of the country. See full graphic.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Census Bureau said single-family housing starts in June fell by 0.7%, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 454,000. The U.S. started 1.47 million homes in 2006, before the housing bubble popped.

Future construction looks even weaker. Permits for single-family starts fell 3% in June, following big declines in both May and April. “We’re hovering at post-World War II lows,” said Ivy Zelman, president of Zelman & Associates, a research firm.

•Economists aren’t singling out one reason for the stalling housing market. A variety of factors have led to flagging confidence, they say, including sluggish labor markets, global economic turmoil and falling stock prices.
While the housing downturn dragged the economy into a recession nearly three years ago, now it is the economy that is pulling down housing, says economist Patrick Newport at IHS Global Insight. Without sustained job growth, the housing market likely won’t improve. That in turn will ricochet across manufacturing, retail and other trades heavily dependent on home building and consumer spending.

The Wall Street Journal’s quarterly survey of housing-market conditions in 28 major metropolitan areas shows that inventory levels have grown in many markets. But inventory fell in some of the weakest ones, including several Florida markets, Atlanta, and Charlotte, N.C.

At the end of June, inventory was up 33% from year-ago levels in San Diego, and by 19% and 15% in Los Angeles and Orange County, Calif., respectively, according to data compiled by John Burns Real Estate Consulting. Rising inventory can lead to price declines later.

So, now you can see why I like the WSJ….they are coming at it from a national basis, and their writers get the background.

I would enjoy talking about this with you….

www.ronlargent.com ronlargent@kw.com

Expanding to Meet the Needs of Clients

Today we expanded my commercial real estate business to include a residential specialist to serve our many friends and clients that need assistance with residential real estate, as well as lots and land. Now, both the Largent Team and the Largent Group can serve all real estate needs, from bank owned to "unusual property" listings. Exciting times...even in the downturn.

www.ronlargent.com ronlargent@kw.com

Shasta County Veterans Affiliated Council (SCVAC)

Earlier today I attended the quarterly meeting of the SCVAC and it was most interesting. A lot of good things are happening for the veterans in Shasta County and I am proud to be serving in this group as first VP. My task will be to work on membership, which means helping vets to become involed in the various veterans organizations here in the County that exist to serve vets needs. Members of the Council include the American Legion, the Military Officers Association, and a number of other groups representing both the past conflicts and specific military branches.

The council is concerned with all veteran matters, including the under construction Vets Home on Knighton Road, the Vets Cemetary in Igo, and even the new location of the Veterans Service Office on Shasta Street in Redding.

Reports today were given by Veterans Service Officer for the County, retired Chief Master Sergeant Bob Dunlap; retired Colonel Pete Stiglich; American Legion rep Glen Mayer; and chairperson and President of the Council, Charlee Thompson.

Upcoming events include the Awards Banquet on October 23rd and the Veterans Parade in Shasta Lake City onVeterans Day in November. This traditional parade is sponsored by the Shasta Lake Lions Club and Elmer Ellsworth, the parade chairman announced that this year, again, we would have a flyover by the Airlift Command at Travis Air Force Base.

All interested vets are encouraged to become involved, and can e-mail me for upcoming meetings and functions.

ronlargent@kw.com www.ronlargent.com

Who Saved Who Money...What is wrong with this picture?

Today, at the Mall where I was talking with “folks on the street”, one taxpayer started in about the incumbent’s claim that “she saved the taxpayers $16.5 million” over the last few years by applying Prop 8. “Total non-sense” is what he called it, and asked my opinion. I agree. After taxpayers had paid more money than was required of them under Prop 8 for a period of 2 to 3, or more years, the incumbent Assessor decided to reduce their assessment, as required by law on January 1 of each year due to the downturn in the housing market, and then reduced their property tax to where it should have been for the 2 to 3 years previously….and called this “saving the taxpayer money”. Any way you look at this, this is merely reducing what they will be paying in the future….and not refunding to the taxpayer what they have already over paid….no way is this “saving the taxpayer money”. This is government “gobbledegook” if I have ever heard it…and this has been stated publicly in my presence on numerous occasions, as well as on Public Radio. Since when is it saved after taxpayers have paid it, and then reducing the tax amount that they should have never paid? A significant refund to each taxpayer that had overpaid would be more like it, and that never happened.

I have stated in my public appearances as well as in my printed material and on the website that upon taking office I will institute a plan to bring all that are eligible for Proposition 8 enrollment into Prop 8. This will take a different kind of leadership than has been exhbited the past 3 years, and we will have outstanding results. Our goal will be to make property assessment and the property taxes consistent with market value, which is the goal of Prop 8.

To state “I have saved taxpayers money” that they have already paid to the County, is not my concept of a good savings program. The County is not my “bank for saving money”. I will see that taxpayers are paying only as much as the Prop 8 reassessment calls for, which in essence will be reducing their property taxes. And, as appropriate, some may be entitled to recover part of what they have already paid. I, for one, would not mind if my taxes were reduced three or four hundred dollars, or more, a year. How about you, the taxpayers? Not such a bad idea.
www.largent2010.com

Facts are Facts About Shasta Housing Market

Earlier today I was challenged by a citizen that is obviously supporting my opponent. I was accused of using “scare tactics” early in my campaign by saying the housing market was going to continue to go down and that the resulting loss of value would reduce the tax revenue to Shasta County. He said I had “lied to the public” to get their attention. This was the “straw”, and I referred back a few weeks to the Record Searchlight article that follows, but he would not hear it. I am the guilty one. Well, here is the article, and you can be the judge. Did the market continue to fall in 2010, or is it static, as is claimed by my opponent, and the critic today?

“Year-over-year home values in the greater Redding area fell for the 13th straight quarter, according to federal figures released Tuesday.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency all-transaction house price index showed that values in the region that includes Redding, Anderson and Shasta Lake dropped 12.82 percent in the first quarter of 2010 compared with the same three-month period a year ago.

Values in Redding in the first quarter fell 4.1 percent compared with the previous quarter, and have plunged 16.17 percent over the last five years.

Nationally, home values fell 6.8 percent in the first quarter over the same quarter in 2009, and 1.6 percent compared with the previous quarter, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said.

The index gives estimates for 301 housing markets, tracking data from mortgages used for both home purchases and refinances. Because the source data is different, it provides a similar but distinct picture compared to that offered in the figures from MDA DataQuick.”

So, critics beware. My numbers are nationally published numbers. Every seminar that I have attended in the past two years has been saying this…so nothing is new here. The reality is fact in Shasta County, and home values will continue to go down as the bank owned properties continue to come on the market. Again, my critics are saying I do not know the market, and if the Assessor is to determine assessed values based on market values, as is required by Proposition 8 as a follow on to Proposition 13, then I think I have a sense of the market and where it is going. If the above is “static market”, as is claimed by the incumbent, then maybe this is why we need a change. Is there such a thing as “reality” in government thinking? Your call, as the voter on June 8th in Shasta County.

www.largent2010.com

Pros and Cons of a Local Campaign

As my campaign for Shasta County Assessor Recorder comes to an end with the election on June 8th....I have been asked on various occasions, "what are my impressions of the campaign and would I do it again?" Yes, I would do it again, as it has been a very interesting and worthwhile time and well worth the effort.

"What have been the good parts?" is usually the next question, along with the "not so good".

First, I have met thousands of very nice, respectful, courteous citizens from the mountains and valleys of Eastern Shasta County to the farmers and ranchers of the south county. They are very concerned about many issues, ranging from the national economy to the local Shasta County economy. They are very concerned about the changing moral and ethical concerns and values of our elected officials, and they are very concerned about the continuing challenges to our "quality of life" that we are able to experience here in the North State.

Secondly, the average person is very appreciative of the fact that I have made myself available to meet and visit with them. Some have complained that I am the first "politician" they have seen since the last election, and they are happy that I am meeting with them. The group meetings, such as the Candidate Nights have been worthwhile and informative, and pretty well attended by the citizenry in general, and, again, appreciated by the people in attendance.

The aspect of the campaign that I did not expect, due to the fact that I am not a "politician" but a businessman, is the constant "being watched by the media and the opponent". Rather than concentrating on the issues, it is as if they are looking at everything personal and are ready to attack. I have been able to stay on the issues, but this has not been the case in all of the races here locally. I have been disappointed with the lack of respect for personal property, in that many of my campaign signs have been stolen or destroyed, for this is a right that comes with running for a public office. Another "weird" part of the campaign is my being video-taped by the opposition as I talk to folks "on the street". I am told by counsel that this video tape cannot be put into a public media without permission, and furthermore what about how I talk to people is worth watching. Weird, for sure, and I don't think it is my "movie star looks", bald head and all.

In summary, we are very fortunate to live here in Shasta County. We have folks that, for the most part, are here by choice, and they want to keep things as good as they are now, and even better. They are very concerned about the future of education in California, as they are about the environment, and about immigration...but these are also national concerns. These are folks that do not want to see "bigger government", or a government that gets too restrictive or demanding or too much involved with private property rights. These are folks that question "why are we doing what we are doing?", and this is a healthy question for a society such as ours. These are folks that also question the issue of my campaign, "why are we taxed more for our property when the real estate market is going down?". Over assessment is over taxation...call it what you want.

Thanks for reading, and let's get out the vote on June 8th....it is our right, and privilege.

www.largent2010.com

Flags in Palo Cedro, CA

Palo Cedro Flags....I am proud to be part of the Palo Cedro Post of the American Legion for their flags on display along Deschutes Road. All credit goes to Bob Wagner and the committee for a great job on this. Very impressive in our rural community. Thanks to all of the volunteers that made this happen, and check it out in beautiful Palo Cedro, as you cannot miss the flags.

Flags in Redding, CA

Last Tuesday our campaign team started putting small American flags on each of our larger signs in the Redding area as our tribute to Memorial Day….being a little creative to call attention to the fact that many have died for our country over the years to keep us a free nation.

Today, my opponent for the position of Shasta County Assessor Recorder in the June 8th election, “followed the leader” and started putting out their flags on their signs….and we appreciate their efforts to also call attention to this great national holiday.

Hopefully, all that see the flags will remember those that went before us…as this is our effort to recognize not only those that are gone, but also to recognize all of the veterans and active duty military that are in various locations throughout the world serving their country. And, from one veteran to another, thanks for your great service.

Happy Memorial Day weekend to all….and don’t forget to vote on June 8th.

www.largent2010.com

“Proven leadership in business and management…the right choice for voters for Shasta County Assessor Recorder”

This Sunday at Anselmo Vineyards in Inwood

Please join us this Sunday, May 23rd, at the Anselmo Vineyards in Inwood near Shingletown, CA in the foothills of Lassen National Park. Please check out this gorgeous 2200 ranch at www.bar7h.com and you will see what I mean.

This is a fund raising activity for my campaign for Shasta County Assessor Recorder, and a per cent of the proceeds for food and drink and the drawing will go to the campaign.

Doors open at 11 AM and we will go until 4 PM…with music and a full schedule….and still plenty of time to eat whether it is brunch or dinner…or wine and cheese.

This is one of the most beautiful destinations in Northern California, as the web page shows…so join us for the day and see why we all love living in Northern California.

See you at Anselmo.

Ron Largent for Shasta County Assessor Recorder on June 8th.

www.largent2010.com

Senior Exemptions and California Property Taxes

Earlier tonight, at a Candidates Night, I was asked the question “what are you telling the taxpayers about Senior exemptions”. My answer was “call the Assessors Office…. that the office can only do what is allowed by law, but some of the exemptions might apply to you”. And, the following is the law in California:

1.What are Propositions 58 and 193? Proposition 58 provides for an exclusion from reassessment real property transfers between parents and children. Proposition 193 expands this tax relief to include certain transfers from grandparents to their grandchildren (transfers from grandchildren to grandparents are not eligible). Specific requirements must be met.
Reference: Section 2(h) of Article XIII A of the California Constitution and section 63.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

1.What are Propositions 60 and 90?Propositions 60 and 90 allow senior citizens to transfer the adjusted base year value from their current home to a replacement dwelling. Certain requirements must be met.
In general, if you or your spouse is age 55 or older, you or your spouse may buy or construct a new home of equal or lesser value than your existing home and transfer the adjusted base year value of your existing home to your new home if certain requirements are met. This is a one-time-only benefit. Thus, once you have filed and received this tax relief, neither you nor your spouse (if your spouse is a record owner of the replacement dwelling) can ever be granted this benefit again. The only exception is if you or your spouse becomes disabled after receiving this tax relief for age. If this happens, you or your spouse may transfer the base year value a second time based upon the disability. The relief for disability involves a different claim form.

Reference: Section 2(a) of Article XIII A of the California Constitution and section 69.5 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.


2.What is the difference between Proposition 60 and Proposition 90?Proposition 60 relates to transfers of base year values between properties located within the same county. Proposition 90 relates to transfers of base year values from an original property in one county to a replacement property in another county within California. For a transfer to be eligible under Proposition 90, the county in which the replacement property is located must have adopted an ordinance that allows such transfers. Currently, the following seven counties have passed ordinances authorizing these intercounty transfers:
Alameda Orange San Mateo Ventura
Los Angeles San Diego Santa Clara

This list may change at any given time. Please call your county assessor’s office to check if your county has passed such an ordinance.

3.What is Proposition 110?Proposition 110 extends the benefits of Propositions 60/90 to qualified disabled homeowners of any age. Other than the age factor, the same requirements under Propositions 60/90 must be met. Effective September 25, 1996, qualified persons who had prior claims based on age may file a second claim based on disability. However, once a person qualifies due to disability, he or she may not receive the base year value transfer benefit due to age.
Reference: Section 2(a) of Article XIII A of the California Constitution and section 69.5 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

Our obligation, as the Assessor Recorder, is to explain fully these Propositions, which is one of my goals.

Ron Largent for Shasta County Assessor Recorder on June 8th.

www.largent2010.com

Letter to the Editor on Numbers and Philosophy

Letter to the Editor
May 10, 2010


In your editorial of April 4, 2010, you challenged me to “prove” the statistical facts pertaining to property assessments in Shasta County since the incumbent Assessor-Recorder took office in January of 2007. The factual information and official data from the Assessor-Recorder’s Office and from the California State Board of Equalization indicates the following:
• January 1, 2009: Of the 96,000 properties in Shasta County, 16,400 were re-assessed to a lower value because of the real estate value down turn under the provisions of Proposition 8, representing only 17% of all properties on the secured roll.
• Shasta County, with only 17% of all secured roll properties enrolled with a Prop 8 assessment is significantly lower than the California State Wide Average of Proposition 8 reassessments, which was estimated to be 30%.
• California Law requires the Assessor to annually enroll either a property’s adjusted base year value (Prop 13 value) or its current market value (Prop 8 value), whichever is less.
• On January 1st, 2007 (the tax lien date), even with the market dropping in the last half of 2006, the actual number of Prop 8 assessments dropped from 1,318 for 1-1-2006 to 1,205 for 1-1-2007.
• For 1-1-2008, the actual Prop 8 assessments rose to only 5,496 when property transfers with Prop 13 values set during 2005 and 2006 exceeded 15,000 properties that may have been eligible for Prop 8 reductions.
These are the numbers. My job as a candidate for Assessor-Recorder is to identify and clarify for the public the reasons I am running for this office. The numbers clearly show that more properties in Shasta County should have had a Prop 8 reassessment sooner than they did. My immediate goal, when elected, is to enroll 100% of eligible properties for reassessment and to correct any prior year reassessments that were missed to the extent allowed by law.

Leadership in an office is critical, and this is where I am clearly different than my opposition. I come to the campaign with a significant difference in philosophy of the office and the job. I believe in small government versus large. I believe a public servant job exists for the benefit of the taxpayer, not the other way around. I believe that when we see a market value decline of 40% over the past two years, we have an obligation to the entire population to recognize this decline as quickly as possible. We must reassess their property according to State law. An elected official must be proactive, not waiting for the public to react. Many taxpayers just “do not know the process”, which in itself is somewhat difficult at times. The Assessor-Recorder’s job is to help the voter understand this provision of the law that can actually save them tax dollars. Over assessment is over taxation. Call it what you want, this is not right, not fair and should be addressed aggressively and immediately. The question for the voters is, do they want the status quo or do they want to be part of a new approach that will aggressively address property tax reassessments in this on-going real estate market downturn.

This is not a personality contest. This is a contest of differing philosophies on the role of the government servant. I am coming as a small business taxpaying citizen without government background or experience. This is clearly different than the incumbent. The voter will decide which they prefer on June 8th.

www.largent2010.com

Too Little Too Late for Shasta County Taxpayers

Interesting conversation today with a voter....$163,000,000 paid in property taxes in Shasta County last year....claim made by the incumbent that $16.5 million was saved the taxpayers. Quite a difference, and a small percent of the total....and many should have been on Prop 8 to bring assessed value to market value, but were not. Not fair, and not right. Change is "a comin'".

Ron Largent for Shasta County Assessor Recorder on June 8, 2010.

www.largent2010.com

Campaign Signs Stolen in Redding

OK…finally reported to both the Redding Police and the Shasta County Sheriff’s office….I have had a number of campaign signs removed….especially along Old Oregon Trail near Highway 44 and the Big League Dreams park. I was called first by a motorist who saw two people get out of a white pickup and take down my 4 x 4 sign…which was adjacent to my oppositions sign. The motorist could not get the license #, in that they were in traffic…but then in checking back with the gas station-convenience store they apparently got it on video, but could not get the license number also.

I reported this to both the Redding Police and the Shasta County Sheriff’s office, for sign theft is treated as a minor property crime. Altogether, I have lost 4 big signs at this location….which is at the corner of Old Oregon Trail and Old 44, and along Old Oregon Trail. And along Old Oregon Trail, 8 yard signs were removed, including two that were attached to fences. For all locations, I had received permission to post the signs.

Should anyone see someone taking signs down, please take a moment and try and get the identification of the car or pickup, and let me know and it will be reported to both police and Sheriff. Shascom is at 530-225-4564

Many thanks for your cooperation on this…..this kind of behavior in political campaigns cannot be tolerated.

Ron Largent for Shasta County Assessor Recorder

www.largent2010.c0m ronlargent@shasta.com

Redding and Google...a Winning Combination

Tonight the Redding City Council voted to send a letter to Google inviting Google to bring ultra high speed fiber to Redding and Shasta County. If you go to Google.com and enter the site, you can help the cause by completing their survey. The more the better, for they are looking for numbers.

thanks,

Ron Largent www.largent2010.com

California Real Estate Prop 8...Are you in?

Did you know?

Proposition 8 requires the county assessor to annually enroll either a property’s adjusted base year value (Proposition 13 value) or its current market value, whichever is less. When the current market value replaces the higher Proposition 13 value on the assessor’s roll, that lower value is commonly referred to as a “Prop 8″ value.

Although the annual increase for a Prop 13 value is limited to no more than two percent, the same restriction does not apply to values adjusted under Prop 8. The market value of a Prop 8 property is reviewed annually as of January 1; the current market value must be enrolled as long as the Prop 8 value still falls below the Prop 13 value. Thus, any subsequent increase or decrease in market value is enrolled regardless of any percentage increase or decrease. When the current market value of a Prop 8 property exceeds its Prop 13 value (adjusted for inflation), the county assessor reinstates the Prop 13 value.

Proposition 8 will be followed to the extent allowed by law when I am elected Shasta County Assessor Recorder. Guaranteed.

Ron Largent

www.largent2010.com

Homeowners Exemption in California

As I travel about talking to folks about my candidacy for the position of Shasta County Assessor-Recorder, I am often asked, "what is the homeowners exemption?"

Here is some info on the exemption:

HOMEOWNERS' EXEMPTION: A property owner may claim a Homeowners' exemption on a residence they own and occupy as their primary residence at 12:01 a.m. on January 1; or qualifies within 30 days of change in ownership or new construction for which a Supplemental Assessment is levied. The exemption reduces your assessed value by $7,000 and reduces the tax bill by approximately $70 if filed timely. It is the homeowner's responsibility to apply for the exemption. To receive the full exemption, you must file with the Assessor's Office on or before February 15, or within 30 days of a Notice of Supplemental Assessment. A late filing is accepted from February 16 to December 10 for 80% of the exemption. The exemption continues each year as long as the property is owned and occupied as the primary residence. It is the homeowner's responsibility to terminate the exemption when no longer eligible.

This is the kind of information that will go out to all taxpayers upon my election to the office, and this notice will be published on January 1, 2011.

Ron Largent www.largent2010.com

Veterans Exemptions

This is an example of what I am going to make known and understood by each taxpayer as it applies.

TOTALLY DISABLED VETERANS’ EXEMPTION: If you are a veteran who is rated 100% disabled, blind, or a paraplegic due to a service connected disability while in the armed forces (or if you are the unmarried widow of such a veteran), you may be eligible for an exemption of up to $100,000 or $150,000 (adjusted annually for inflation since January 1, 2006) of the assessed value of your home.


The filing period for Veterans’ and Disabled Veterans’ Exemptions is on or before February 15 for full exemption. A partial exemption may be available for a claim filed after February 15. An annual filing is needed for the higher exemption amount which is based on the claimant’s annual income. The lower exemption amount generally only requires a one time filing. The filing period for supplemental assessment due to change in ownership, is within 30 days from the date of the Supplemental Notice for full exemption amount.


NOTE: A property owner may NOT have more than one exemption, such as the Homeowners’, Veterans’, or a Disabled Veterans’ exemption on the same property. Applications and additional information may be obtained at the Assessor’s Office.


Ron Largent for Shasta County Assessor-Recorder www.largent2010.com

Are you paying too much in property tax?

It’s almost impossible today to avoid a news article or story referencing how much property values have declined. If you are a property owner in California then you probably are well aware that property values have been affected here more so then almost anywhere else in the United States. With property values decreasing, in some areas, as much as 30% in one year, there is a very good chance that you may be over paying on your property taxes.

Ron Largent for Shasta County Assessor - Recorder www.largent2010.com

Decline In Value- Prop 8 (Prop 13)

Important factors to remember related to a Decline in Value review on your property:

This type of property tax relief generally applies to more recently purchased property.
Property acquired after January 1, 2010 are not eligible for Proposition 8 review for the 2010-11 tax year.
The Assessor will be valuing the property as of the most recent January 1st.
Certified Appraisers will analyze sales and other information for comparable properties.
Property tax payments are due as indicated on your property tax bill. If a reduction in assessed value is warranted, a notice of correction and revised tax bill or refund will be processed by the County Tax Collector and County Auditor.

Daniel Rodriguez Sings in Redding

Tonight was the Daniel Rodriguez concert at the Shasta Community Concerts Night at the Convention Center, and what an outstanding night it was. Rodriguez, the “singing NYPD cop”…is a wonderful classical tenor that belongs on the Broadway stage. An inspiring program, if you ever have a chance to hear him, take it. Great program.

Ron Largent www.largent2010.com

Proposition 13 and Prop 8 in California

As I travel about talking to folks in Shasta County in my bid for the County Assessor-Recorder, I am frequently asked "what is Prop 8?". It is not the marriage prop recently passed in California, but rather the follow on to Proposition 13 passed by in 1978....and Prop 8 came shortly thereafter.

Proposition 8 - Temporary Decline in Value

Proposition 8 was passed in 1979 and requires the Assessor to temporarily lower the assessed value of property. Under Proposition 8, the Assessor will review the market value as of January 1st, and enroll the lower value for the following tax year.

Reductions in assessed value under Proposition 8 are temporary and are reviewed annually until the factored base year value is again lower than market value and is reinstated.

Your assessed value can increase more than 2% in a single year if you have new construction (e.g. adding a room or swimming pool), had a temporary reduction due to Prop. 8, or had a qualifying change in ownership. Some property owners whose properties were in the Decline in Value Program may see an increase in their assessed value more than two percent (2%) when restoring to the factored base-year value.

Ron Largent www.largent2010.com

Hard Times for Shasta County Ahead

Over the past few months as I have talked with citizens of Shasta County in my quest for County Assessor-Recorder, I have heard great concerns about County spending, with folks asking “what am I going to do about it?” My platform, as reflected at www.largent2010.com clearly explains my views. Today, though, in the Record Searchlight, the following appeared and is very much in line with what I am hearing, and think. This is worth reading and thinking about:

If righteous outrage could refill Shasta County’s depleted treasury, the sheriff’s deputies wouldn’t need to take a pay cut.

The union representing deputies, jail guards and other county officers has lambasted the Board of Supervisors and County Administrative Officer Larry Lees. It’s cried foul that other unions aren’t facing concessions as severe as the Deupty Sheriff’s Association. It’s taken out radio ads blasting – what else? – palm trees.

The anger is no surprise. The county is on track to declare contract talks a failure and unilaterally impose wage and benefit cuts that, depending on who’s counting, add up to between 9 percent and 18 percent of officers’ pay.

None of the indignation, however, deals with the heart of the issue: the collapse of local tax revenues. The supervisors have to cut spending and cut it severely.

Even after the county drafted a pessimistic budget for the current fiscal year – which forced deputy layoffs, the dismantling of Crystal Creek Boys Camp, the closure of one floor of the jail and a drastic reduction in the sheriff’s work-release program, just to name prominent cuts – the economy has exceeded even those grim expectations. Lees has said the county faces a further $7.5 million deficit over the next year and a half, and that’s not even counting the fallout from budget cuts by an equally strapped state.

One major culprit is falling sales taxes. They’re on track to drop 18 percent this year from last, and a total of nearly 30 percent since the 2006 peak. They’re a critical source of financing for the county’s public safety operations, and they’re drying up like a month-old Christmas tree.

To cope, the county is paving the way to impose pay cuts at its Jan. 12 meeting.

The biggest ticket is having employees pick up the 9 percent share of their wages that goes toward funding their pensions. Though officially known as the “member contribution,” the employees’ share has been picked up by the county for decades. Quite frankly, handing public employees part of the burden for the generous pensions they’ll eventually enjoy is a good idea, but for the average deputy it’s just a pay cut.

Separately, the county is imposing new retirement formulas so newly hired deputies and correctional officers couldn’t retire with a full pension until 55, instead of the current 50. Steve Allen, negotiator for the deputies union, complains that this change won’t save the county any money in the short run, and he’s right. It is, however, a step toward taming the long-term disaster of unaffordable pension promises, and there’s no time to start like today.

Imposing a contract, bypassing the usual negotiations, is a tough move – and one that could well have political fallout, with Supervisors Les Baugh and David Kehoe up for re-election this year. But the county does not have the luxury of endless negotiations, especially when unions facing cuts have every incentive to stall.

Let’s be clear: The deputies shouldn’t be asked to take pay cuts that their bosses, including the supervisors, aren’t willing to share. Other unions, when their contracts are up for renewal, should get the same deal.

And in the long run, the county’s leaders need to remember that, with law enforcement as with anything, you get what you pay for. Shasta County’s officers get mediocre pay by law enforcement standards. Deputies earn about 20 percent less than Redding police, before the looming cut, and the jail’s correctional officers even less. Sheriff Tom Bosenko ran for office in 2006 in part on a promise to staff up a department that had endured chronic trouble recruiting deputies. Pay increases since have helped. This move won’t.

But to survive the long run without a detour through U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the county will first have to make it through 2010. And if this unilateral pay cut is part of the means to do that, the supervisors really have no choice.

Part of my reason for becoming involved in local government is to make a differenc,and there will be many opportunities to do just this, as above, and I am ready.