Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger established the commission in December 2006 to “identify the extent of unfunded liabilities” in public sector pension and retiree health care obligations, review and analyze options for addressing them and recommend a plan to the Legislature and governor.

The 12-member commission, chaired by former University of California Board of Regents President Gerald Parsky, released its 212-page report on Jan. 7. The report contained a comprehensive, eight-point plan containing 34 specific recommendations.

The bills introduced Monday by Sen. Wiggins, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Employment and Retirement, and Assemblyman Hernandez, chair of the Assembly Committee on Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security, are designed to implement commission recommendations requiring legislation.

The Hernandez bill, AB 1844, will help increase transparency with regard to public employee benefits through enhanced reporting requirements and will also help to curb fraud in the various retirement systems by providing those systems with the tools they need to detect and prosecute fraudulent actions.

The Wiggins bill, SB 1123, is focused on increasing transparency and oversight of public employee benefits.

The two lawmakers will serve as principal co-authors of each other’s bills.

“The commission report reflects the fact that this diverse group was able to come together around some very important issues,” Wiggins said. “I am optimistic that implementation of these key recommendations will help stabilize employers’ costs with regard to worker pensions and retiree health care – and do so without negatively impacting retirees.”

Hernandez agreed, saying he thinks it is “imperative that we move forward quickly this year to implement these recommendations as this will help to stabilize the costs of pensions and retiree health care for employers while making sure we keep the promises we have made to our teachers, police officers, firefighters and other hard working public employees.”

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Those being honored include:

Jeff Schueller (Ukiah High) from the 1988 football team.

Matt Belfanti (Ukiah High) from the 1998-99 baseball program.

Dale Fischer (Lodi High School) from the 1977-79 football and baseball teams.

Yancy Clark (Venice High School) from the 1979-81 basketball team.

Desiree Schroeder-Linder (Covelo High School) from the 2002-03 softball program.

Retired instructor/coach/interim athletic director Skip Hunter will be honored in the Special Recognition category.

The event will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by a catered dinner at 7 p.m. The induction ceremony will begin at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $35 each and may be purchased at the college athletic office by calling Anna Daugherty at 468-3225 or by sending a check to Athletic Department, Mendocino College, Hall of Fame tickets, 1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah CA. 95482. This event has limited seating.

Mendocino College and the Hall of Fame committee would like to thank the following sponsors: Charlie and Martha Barra, owners of Barra of Mendocino; Les Schwab Tires; Applebee's Restaurant; and Roto-Rooter for their support of this event.

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The Middletown Rancheria, owners of Twin Pine Casino, reported that almost 4,000 boxes, cans and packages of nonperishable food items were collected and delivered to the Middletown Catholic Charities food bank in the past few weeks.

“This food drive by Twin Pine Casino customers and employees is something we are proud to do, because it benefits so many deserving people and families,” said Middletown Rancheria Tribal Chairman Jose Simon III. “We expect to continue to serve the community in this way as long as it is so desperately needed.”

Simon stated that community service is an important component of the tribe’s business operations. “We strive to contribute in many ways to many organizations and charitable events throughout the year. We are fortunate to live and work in a community of such generous people.”

Twin Pine Casino is a principal enterprise of the Middletown Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians. The casino has operated a Las Vegas-style gaming facility of state-of-the-art slot machines and table games for the past 13 years.

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Mendocino College President Kathy Lehner receives a check from Kevin Erich, president of Howard Memorial Hospital. Courtesy photo.

UKIAH – Last week Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital in Willits continued to be a strong supporter of the Mendocino College nursing program by donating $10,000.

Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital has been donating to the nursing program since 2003, with the last donation of $3,500 coming in February 2007.

The donations have traditionally been used for student scholarships, but the recent donation will be used for faculty support in 2008-09.

“We currently have one full-time faculty member who is solely funded by grants and donations and we want to keep her on,” said Mendocino College Nursing Program Director Barbara French.

“We can’t keep the number of students up if we don’t have the qualified faculty to teach them,” French said.

Whereas the hospital has helped out the nursing program, the nursing program has contributed back to the hospital.

“They were in need of nurses and they have hired many of our graduates over the years. They hired seven graduates last year and have been happy with the nurses they get from our program,” French added.

Currently, there are 41 students in the nursing program and 22 students are scheduled to graduate this May.

Applications for the Fall 2008 Registered Nurse program will begin Feb. 4.

For additional information on the Mendocino College Nursing Program, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-468-3099.

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Anyone interested in serving on this volunteer board may send a letter expressing their interest, stating any relevant qualifications and experience, to Ed Robey, 255 N. Forbes St. Lakeport CA 95453 or, you may email your letter to Joyce Overton at the following email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Letters of interest will be considered at the next PEG Board meeting on Feb. 6.

If you have any questions you may call Joyce Overton at 350-3898.

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HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE – Scott Ullman, regional training coordinator for The Foundation Center will present "Grantseeking Basics," Monday, March 3, at 7 p.m. in the dining room of the Greenview Restaurant, 19210 Hartmann Road.

What exactly does The Foundation Center do? It collects, organizes and communicates information on U.S. philanthropy. This includes conducting and facilitating research on trends in the field of philanthropy.

This foundation ensures public access to information and services through various vehicles. The Foundation Center also provides education and training in the grantseeking process.

During a slide show presentation you will learn what it takes to build a credible nonprofit organization, who supports nonprofits, how you find funding partners and valuable grantseeking resources.

All grant-writers and economic development administrators in Lake County are encouraged to attend this very special presentation. Although The Foundation Center has been around for 52 years, this is their first presentation to Lake County.

Representatives of Lake County nonprofit organizations are not only asked to attend, but bring brochures of their specific nonprofit organization to display. A table will be set up for that purpose.

Why bring the brochures? Because this event is designed to be "win/win." It is just as important for The Foundation Center to learn what Lake County has to offer as it is for the local folks to learn about The Foundation Center. No doubt, members of the audience The Foundation Center attracts would like a brochure as well.

While the Greenview Restaurant will not be open for business, the dining room will be set up exclusively for The Foundation Center's 90-minute presentation. Mulligan's Lounge, which is adjacent to the restaurant, will be open before, during and after The Foundation Center presentation.

Scott Ullman has been the regional training coordinator for The Foundation Center since January of 2001. Previously, Ullman had been involved in the nonprofit sector since 1974 as a fundraiser, technical assistance provider, nonprofit executive and foundation director. Shifting careers in 1990, Ullman received his master's degree in library science and worked as a public reference librarian in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Foundation Center trainer's position offers a unique blending of Ullman's work as an information specialist and trainer. Ullman is currently on the Board of Directors of the Agape Foundation.

If you are interested in attending this free educational event, please send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and request an Evite invitation.

When you receive the Evite invitation, be sure to register your intention to attend the presentation and check out the online card. You just might see someone else you know who also plans to attend.

If you have any questions, please call 707-709-8605.

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