Category Archives: Uncategorized

This week we had a structural fire that threatened to spread through an area in Rancho Calaveras that has many larger lots, some of which are undeveloped. Luckily between Calaveras Consolidated firefighters and other fire units providing back up they … Continue reading →

Very few Sacramento Politicians seem to care about the law when it comes to imposing new taxes and fees on citizens of the state.                       In the month of December … Continue reading →

October is officially “Breast Cancer Awareness” month and marked by the wearing of pink either in ribbon form or other pink clothing as seen at many sporting events and other public venues showing support for breast cancer awareness. Locally our … Continue reading →

Heather Hanson of Valley Springs, “National Cover Miss” 2011 is about to pass her crown to the 2012 winner of the crown in November,  just over a month from now, at a ceremony in Los Angeles before a national audience. During … Continue reading →

How Meth-driven Crime is Eating at the Heart of Rural America   Author Scott Thomas Anderson visited the Rancho Calaveras club house on Thursday September 20th to talk about his book “Shadow People” and answer questions from local Rancho residents … Continue reading →

For many reasons some financial and some ethical related issues, I believe it is in the best interest of our district to change the open seats on the school board this election. The current board members that are seeking reelection … Continue reading →

There’s nothing like a road trip once in a while, to get out of town and experience new things.               Today’s trip was to Silicon Valley in search of partners who may be willing … Continue reading →

Yet again.  Russ Thomas and his band of lackeys are so predictable it would be funny, if it weren’t such a mental drag and an annoyance to the rest of the general public. Upon finding out today that I had been “served” … Continue reading →

In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act – George Orwell The truth is that we all know many things are desperately wrong with our government at every level, Federal, State and even Local. The problem … Continue reading →

Saturday November 5th “Stuff the Bus” holiday food drive to benefit citizens of our county who may not other wise have a holiday dinner meal took place in Valley Springs. This event was graciously co-sponsored by the Resource Connection food … Continue reading →

For the love of all that is good, our prayers have been heard! The Calaveras County Economic Development Company is a non profit 501c-4 that has a mission to bring greater prosperity to our county by marketing all that we … Continue reading →

Did the Calaveras Enterprise make a horrible mistake or were they, by their incompetent performance, seeking to disqualify a county citizens group from legal redress? A West Point citizens group sued a county fire district over newly imposed illegal taxes. … Continue reading →

It’s almost time for fair and the frogs are jumpin! I was chosen to represent the Board of Supervisors this year for the annual “pre-fair” frog jump competition. For the first time, in the history of the government center frog … Continue reading →

Copperopolis: Thursday April 28th, Black Creek HOA facility, 7-9 p.m. Rancho Calaveras: Friday April 29th, Rancho clubhouse, 7-9 p.m. I look forward to our time together discussing our local issues.  Hope to see you at the Town Hall.

Earth Day and  Tea Party 2011 Any Middle Ground? Update; Both the “Green Party” and “Tea Party” openly called for  “SMALLER GOVERNMENT”. This may sound funny, but it is true nonetheless, I heard it with my own ears. Of course … Continue reading →

The “Tour of California” will be coming through Jenny Lind on May 17th. Three time “Tour of California” winner and 2007 3rd place finisher in the international “Tour de France” Santa Rosa California  resident and Radio Shack team rider Levi … Continue reading →

In an attempt to pay for unsustainable and illogical government policies for flood mismanagement it appears that the answer is to create bogus flood maps that require more than twice as many people to purchase flood insurance, which by the … Continue reading →

Calaveras County Sheriff Gary Kuntz made the announcement in Copperopolis Thursday 3/24/2011 Deputy P. Newnam was named Thursday morning as the “Resident Deputy”  for the community of Copperopolis. His beat covers other areas, but Deputy Newnam has lived in Copperopolis … Continue reading →

03/15/2011 San Andreas, Ca. By a 4-1 vote $124,640 was approved for marketing food stamps in Calaveras County Tuesday. “Calaveras Works and Human Services will receive $124,640 for their performance in the contract.” Apparently our government believes less fortunate people … Continue reading →

Thanks to all who came out last night to the meeting in Copperopolis. This meeting was called by the Poker Flat HOA to address some ongoing questions regarding safety on the water at Tulloch and feedback on the left turn … Continue reading →

K.W. Emerson Inc. of San Andreas The first major contract was awarded today for the new jail project. The “Phase 1” work involved grading, excavating, and trenching among other things and is a major undertaking to prepare for construction of … Continue reading →

Our weekly meetings are going well and I enjoy keeping in touch with community members. Your concerns as well as your stories are a highlight of my week. For those of you who may not have heard of the weekly … Continue reading →

Special Thanks to everyone who helped get these horses rescued including; RE Horse Rescue of Tuolumne County, Calaveras County Sheriffs Department Animal Services, various news media including the PineTree.net, Union Democrat, Copper Gazette and Channel 10 News reporter Will Frampton. … Continue reading →

This is an extremely unfortunate situation and I am appalled by the conditions these animals are living in and very concerned for their safety. After many phone calls and e-mails today I made a brief statement to update people on … Continue reading →

The simplest solution it seems would be to divide the $160,290 the county has allocated for the branch libraries by the number of branches, which is 8 and each branch would receive approximately $20,000 to do what they see fit … Continue reading →

Your Help is Needed During the last 12 months of campaigning, before I took office, it was very obvious that there are numerous inequities in this county, including how and where the money gets spent. This first piece is dealing … Continue reading →

Holy Moses!! Apparently there are those who feel they need a copy of the local paper more than the county library, which prompted the staff to quote the Old Testament decree from God to the prophet Moses in an attempt … Continue reading →

Hip Waders worn here. Growing up in a small agricultural town in San Joaquin County brings back memories that  often apply to life. On the outskirts of town there were many dairy farms. When the weather gets wet, large areas … Continue reading →

“It’s going to be a long 4 years” Is the expression we have already heard from many of the internet bloggers. Well, yes it will be, so lets get to work and not waste any time. This is going to … Continue reading →

Special thanks to all who have a firm grasp on the reality of our great American traditions! Your supportive letters and e-mails have been very uplifting. Apparently to some residents of our county, swearing in on a Bible is an … Continue reading →

12/14/2010     San Andreas Tuesday at 3 p.m. the swearing in ceremony took place in the Board of Supervisor’s chambers of the government center at San Andreas. I was honored to pledge my allegiance to the Constitution of the United States … Continue reading →

12/13/2010 San Andreas Today I was welcomed as a guest speaker at the Calaveras Planning Coalition monthly “brown bag” lunch and meeting. I was asked to give a brief introduction followed by about an hour of questions from community members … Continue reading →

12/07/2010 San Andreas In Tuesday’s  meeting of the Board of Supervisors there were many items on the agenda for the day, many of which were discussed passionately by voters from around the county, but the one item that stuck out … Continue reading →

There has been some monkey business regarding (CSA1) funds lately which prompted a call for clarification and if needed, calling in the cavalry. In the last 6 months of the campaign, before the election, there was an inordinate amount of … Continue reading →

12/03/2010 Rancho Calaveras Meeting with public works on Friday went well. We clarified the $1.5 Million didn’t have to be spent. Apparently any money that is not declared “in the budget” can’t be used, or is more difficult to use … Continue reading →

11/29/2010 Rancho Calaveras All I want for Christmas is $1.5 Million, says county public works director Tom Garcia. In a last minute, end of the year apparent attempt at a very large money grab we see the county looking to … Continue reading →

Tuesday’s election was very exciting for many of us who voted with great hope for a better future. Though inevitably some were pleased and some were disappointed, at least locally here in District 5 of Calaveras County our campaign to … Continue reading →

Check out the new video clips filmed by Mike Dausend for our campaign. Click here to see the latest. Spellman Campaign Channel We have heard from the beginning that people want more information and easier access to it. We now … Continue reading →

Sheriff”s Deputy jobs being cut are inevitable perhaps, but my commitment is to make saving these critical jobs, one of my highest priorities, if elected supervisor. This latest press release is very telling  about one of the many differences that … Continue reading →

Saturday October 9th we had our best meet and greet fundraiser yet. Over 150 people came through the Rancho Calaveras clubhouse doors sharing good food and conversation, between 4:30 and 8:00 p.m. I really enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting … Continue reading →

An invitation was sent to Russ Thomas this afternoon with a “reply by” date of 10/11/2010. In today’s Valley Springs News, Thomas was quoted as saying he was willing to debate and take questions openly from the audience, at any … Continue reading →

  At tonight’s debate in Copper a promise was kept, to let the people speak. From the beginning of our campaign we have promised to listen and to take action and tonight was about keeping that promise to the people. … Continue reading →

New information went public about large donations to the Thomas campaign that include; PG&E, George Reed Construction, Oak Canyon Ranch L.L.C., and Sierra Pacific Lumber company to name a few. Thomas unconvincingly defended one of his large donations. At the … Continue reading →

Watchdog vs. Lapdog With only 29 days until the November 2nd election local business organizations are providing an opportunity for the public to meet the candidates and have their questions answered. I encourage you to attend and invite your neighbors … Continue reading →

Thanks to those of you who tuned in to the “live” debate broadcast by the internet news service “Pinetree.net” which took place in Valley Springs. If you didn’t get a chance to watch it live, you can watch it “on … Continue reading →

(September 3rd, 2010,…reported by: M.Neale) Today, over 100+ people attended the “Spellman for Supervisor” campaign Pancake Breakfast at the Rancho Calaveras Property Owners Assoc. Community Club House in the Valley Springs area. Attendees got the opportunity to “meet and greet” with … Continue reading →

LUNCH * WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010 * 11AM – 2PM.  How can you help?  Donate soups or breads!  Donate raffle items!  Donate Gift Certificates!  Donate your time!  Donate money!  Become a sponsor!  Buy tickets for family, friends, colleagues! Choose your … Continue reading →

I had the pleasure of attending the annual CCLTOA meeting on Saturday August 21st at the Black Creek Park clubhouse in Copperopolis. There were many different issues at hand, some of which were just “house keeping” items and others that … Continue reading →

Welcome to Calaveras West Blog. This is a place to stay informed and to share your thoughts regarding the beautiful county we call home.