Tryon: Libertarian or Republican?

   Tom Tryon, who is running for a record 32 years as Supervisor in Calaveras County, for years touted loudly, his Libertarian stance on property rights. Even clear-cutting the forests was okay with Tryon, who defended SPI when they began the clear cutting of large swaths of land in the Stanislaus National Forest above Arnold.

   He would say something to the effect that "It's their land and they can do what they want with it." His views changed over the last few years, and although he voted for a 40 acres minimum recommendation for others, to build a house without public water and sewer, he made sure that the City of Angels Camp revised their entire Sphere of Influence to add one of his  large pieces of  land.

This means that he will have better access to and much less expensive sewer and water hookups for the future development of that parcel. In fact, we have spoken to City council members who told us that they have big plans when Hwy 49 is moved, to make a whole new commercial development on Tryon land.

   Now we consider this more than a conflict of interest. Although he was forced to step down from the Local Agency Formation Commission during deliberations, he only did so after making the initial presentation to the LAFCO board, of which he was the Chair. Then the Sierra Sentinel began loudly reporting about him making money again off of another land deal. He had just recently made a large sum on the Hwy 4 bypass project. How much Mr. Tryon?

   LAFCO is the organization who must give approval when City's want to completely change their Sphere of Influence. And a big change it was, moving the future commercial district over to Tryons land from where it was on Hwy 49 in Altaville. To say that there were a few angry people who tried to sway the LAFCO and the City of Angels, stating that this is Tryon land and why are you moving the SOI over to bump up against our ag land?

   No one at the City Council would listen, except perhaps Stuart Raggio, who removed himself from the LAFCO position he had been sitting on, so he would not have to vote for it. The Sentinel brought out many questionable dealings regarding the change from the General Plan, and many less than honorable  deals that had been made with Tryon. Tryon denies anything being on paper.

Tryon is no longer for other people's property rights, in our opinion. (except for his own). Is the reason he is running again to try and influence the Hwy 4 Wagon Trail project? Does any of his family have land in the path of the new Hwy? So many questions, and so many doubts. Anti-job Republican or clear-cutting Libertarian, has he been in office for way too long? Should he have retired?

   Are the voters actually going to give him what he wants? 32 years in office. WHOA! Maybe we better think about this.