“I believe fervently in town halls.”
That is how Rosilicie Senator Ochoa Bogh opened the town hall she held at the San Moritz Lodge on Oct. 28 – her 90th one.
Senator Ochoa Bogh began by explaining she had been asked to change her unusual name to run for office, but she refused. She explained her family story of being the daughter of immigrants and some of her previous life experiences that brought her to this position in life.
Numerous local organizations and nonprofits had representatives in the audience and many mountain residents filled the room to hear her non-political comments on the state of this district. She gave updates on legislation that affects the area and her district.
Ochoa Bogh’s comments on insurance problems the mountain is facing were very interesting. She has encouraged residents over the past year to attend the various zoom meetings on insurance, and she encouraged everyone to do their research and be an informed voter as the insurance commissioner was up for election. She explained how the insurance cap prompted many insurance companies to leave the state, resulting in higher rates. The delay the government has in approving rate increases has encouraged others to leave. She did not tell anyone how to vote, just to read the materials and be informed on the candidates’ differences and philosophy. She did not comment on any of the numerous propositions on the ballot.
She explained the legislative process for getting a bill passed. Since she is just one of 10 Republicans out of the 40 California state senators, she must work collaboratively with all the other senators to get any bills introduced or passed. Each senator is limited in the number of bills that they may introduce each session, so she chooses non-partisan issues which benefit all her constituents and she is proud to be identified as one of the most effective senators in California. She urged all to send their comments to her on pending legislation – to not be apathetic, but to be actively involved in your government. She said each person has power, so let your opinion be heard.
Getting a law passed in very complicated. She had flow charts at the sign-in desk that explained the 27-step process, from taking an idea to the policy and fiscal committees, passing the Senate then going to the Assembly, where it can get amended or changed and then to the conference committee that negotiate the changes. It then it goes back to both chambers for a final vote on the amended measure before it goes to the governor who has 12 days to sign it into law or veto it.
Local issues from the audience that she addressed included the new signs that were recently installed by Caltrans on Highway 138 at the steep juncture of Lake Drive at Crest Forest Drive. These signs themselves create huge blind spots where the drivers need to yield to the other street but now drivers cannot see the other street, because of the large signs. Ocha Bogh suggested contacting Caltrans by submitting a “customer service complaint.”
She listened to the problems of lack of cell service in several areas of the mountains and the lack of call boxes on the highways, and how the phone companies are eliminating hard copper wired phones in our area. She learned more about the problems with the electrical grid locally, and how solar is not working well for the benefit of the consumer.
The lack of responses during disasters at this remote location have been documented. She encouraged each resident to be aware and self-prepared for isolation during the disasters, because it not likely the county will able to respond to all individuals immediately. The concern about climate change and the seeding of the clouds with toxic chemicals to change the weather was addressed; she said she would research it, but that was more probably an issue the federal level should address.
The ALPR cameras were brought up and Captain Craig Harris was asked to respond to this issue. He noted the cameras only capture the license plate, not the driver’s face. “These cameras aren’t for spy purposes,” he said. “They are a tool for us to solve crimes.” He added law enforcement has to meet certain parameters to look at the footage.
Prior to the 6:30 p.m. public meeting, the senator held several private meetings with local public and community leaders to get a feel for the community and hear their concerns and needs. She explained what she could do to help. She plans another Town Hall meeting next year in the mountains.
After the meeting, Senator Ochoa Bogh stayed and spoke with each person who had a question. She encouraged everyone to go online and sign up for her weekly newsletter to stay informed and to comment on her actions and give her guidance in the area’s concerns and needs.
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