By Mardie Caldwell

Saturday afternoon, one of the hottest day of the year, my husband and I, along with our 13-year-old daughter and a large group of the most dedicated citizens of Nevada County and their children, attended the Nevada County Republican Party Annual BBQ.

Speakers included many of the candidates who will be on the November 2006 ballot—Assembly member Rick Keene; Ray Shine, candidate for Superior Court Judge; George Foster, Treasurer of Nevada City; and featured speaker Congressman John Doolittle. Through the sweltering heat, Doolittle didn’t miss a beat, as he spoke passionately about his personal commitment to public service and his responsibilities as congressional representative to the Nevada County Community. He addressed the importance of border safety, health care and wise use of taxpayer’s money. Doolittle authored the landmark Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2000, which authorized a commitment over 10 years to make environmental enhancements in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

After speaking, candidates switched hats. Rolling up their sleeves and donning red aprons, many of the Republican candidates served their community tri-tip, barbecue chicken and salad. While serving the guests, they answered questions about the importance of voting, supporting community youth, responsible spending and retaining our community values.

Nancy Palmer, candidate for Trustee of Sierra Community College District Area 6, provided much-needed hand fans to all attendees and shared optimistic future plans. Sierra College Trustee, Aaron Klein, talked about his vision and the importance of education in our community saying, “Education delivers hope and opportunity in a way that the largest welfare check in the world never could. Sierra College is absolutely essential to the economic growth and prosperity of this region, and we must ensure that it continues to be so.”

Music by Ragged But Right rang through the fairground pines throughout the afternoon. The Nevada County Republican Women Federated provided homemade pies and other desserts, along with information about how women’s participation in government processes will assure equal rights and opportunities for all . Conversations among attendees covered hot topics ranging from goals of replacing welfare checks with paychecks to reforming the failing Medicare system as the baby-boom generation retires.

Nevada County voters include residents in Truckee, Nevada City, Grass Valley and unincorporated areas. Voting records show that Nevada County has 63,575 voters registered as 44% Republican, 32% Democrats, and the remainder affiliated with various parties or no indication of party. Many more people residing in Nevada country are unregistered or did not vote in the primary election in June.

Tina and Dick Marshall, editors of The Republic monthly magazine, coordinated the event and stressed the importance of voting and getting involved . For more information, visit http://www.ncrparty.com or call 530-478-1467.

You may register to vote if you meet the following criteria:

• You are a United States citizen
• You are a resident of California
• You are at least 18 years of age (or will be by the date of the next election)
• You are not in prison or on parole for conviction of a felony
• You have not been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent to register and vote.

Complete a voter registration form and submit it by the deadline—post postmarked or delivered in person, no later than 29 days before an election. You will receive a Sample Ballot booklet and other important voter registration information. Visit http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/votereg1.html to find forms and more details.