Welcome to my April 2022 newsletter! 

The 2020 census redistricting process resulted in several changes in the boundaries of Placer County Supervisorial Districts. The communities of Newcastle and Ophir, formerly in District 3, are partially represented by me (20.87%),  by District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson (73.40%), and by District 4 Supervisor Suzanne Jones (5.73%). The community of North Auburn is entirely in District 5 which now includes my home. The Horseshoe Bar area east of Loomis is now entirely in District 4 represented by Supervisor Suzanne Jones (60.49%), with the west area of Horseshoe Bar & Penryn area represented by me (39.51%).

While this is the result of the remarkable population growth in the South Placer cities of Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln it also affects the make-up of the 13 Municipal Advisory Councils (MACs) throughout the rural areas of unincorporated Placer Counties.

Municipal Advisory Councils are an important means to provide two-way communication between rural communities and their elected representatives and county staff regarding land use within their boundaries. MACs also receive reports from law enforcement including the Placer County Sheriffs Office and the California Highway Patrol as well as Cal Fire and local fire protection districts. Please see the attachment that shows the changes in MAC representation from Placer County Supervisors. You will notice that District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson now is responsible for 8 MACs and I, a founder of the North Auburn MAC, will not be their representative.

With the growth of Placer County Parks during the last several years the Board of Supervisors has authorized the creation of a Parks and Open Space Department and has hired Steve Gayfield as the new Director of the department. Mr. Gayfield has extensive parks experience throughout the United States, and we look forward to him joining us in April.

I am pleased to report on two important projects in Newcastle that are moving forward. One, the Newcastle Elementary School District, under the amazing leadership of Superintendent Denny Rush has been awarded a $150,000 grant from Placer County Parks fees and will be working with Placer County Parks to restore the long dormant soccer field at their Kentucky Greens site. 

As an important side note, Superintendent Denny Rush was named the 2022 Superintendent of the Year by Placer County ACSA:

Newcastle's Rush named Superintendent of the year by PC ACSA

Two, the long-awaited Newcastle Fire Protection District’s new fire station has begun construction and will have a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday April 12. For more than 30 years the community of Newcastle has been working for a new station and is excited about the new fire station.

Looks like good things are happening in Newcastle that are a benefit to the surrounding communities as well.

Warm Regards,

Supervisor Jim Holmes

The Placer County Board of Supervisors office has part-time secretary openings for both the Meadow Vista Municipal Advisory Council (MV MAC) and the Weimar/Applegate/Colfax (WAC MAC). Both positions can be filled by one person. Learn more...