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Baides:GusBaides,81, of Red Bluff, died Tuesday, July 15, at his residence. Arrangements are under the direction of Blair's Crema- tion & Burial. Published Thursday, July 17, 2014in the Daily News, Red Bluff, California. Deathnoticesmustbepro- vided by mortuaries to the news department, are published at no charge, and feature only specific basic information about the deceased. Paid obitu- aries are placed through the Classified advertising department. Paid obituar- ies may be placed by mor- tuaries or by families of the deceased and include online publication linked to the newspaper's website. Paid obituaries may be of any length, may run mul- tiple days and offer wide latitude of content, includ- ing photos. DEATHNOTICES on the California Depart- ment of Food and Agri- culture's Fairs' watch list, which comprises fairs that are struggling financially. "I was very disturbed by what we found in the au- dit. I was extremely disap- pointed by what we found in the audit," Meredith said. "I feel disappointed on behalf of some of the other boards that have sat up here in the past over the years because I don't think they had an understanding of exactly what was going on." Meredith noted that overtime payments were allowed despite a directive about seven years ago that banned overtime work. He also questioned the fact that no vacation time was taken by employees under audit's scope. Meredith said vacation time accrued from year to year to year and resulted in large payouts after employ- ees retired. "We don't have any way to prove whether or not in- dividuals actually took va- cation days, but it seems highly impractical that over the course of a year not a single employee in this office took a vacation day," he said. "That was something that I was com- pletely blown away by in the audit." Meredith said the num- bers reflect a culture of the Tehama District Fair- ground living beyond its means, and that needs to stop. Cutscoming There was a fear, Mer- edith said, that there wouldn't be enough money to keep the fairgrounds open past October after the Fair board first re- ceived the auditor's re- port, which was presented to a packed conference room at the fairgrounds Tuesday. He added that the board believes it can carry on through the end of the year, but that cuts may have to be made to get there. "There has to be cuts," Fair board President Linda Durrer said."We have no choice but to make fur- ther, even more drastic cuts than have been made." Durrer said the fair- grounds may need to close on certain days of the week, employees may need to be furloughed, and the fair- grounds' budget may need to be forensically dissected to identify further cuts. Interim Fair CEO Steve Kimbrough, who was hired in February, when the Fair board and past Fair CEO Mark Eidman went through a messy break up that resulted in Eidman's retirement, said that through the half-way point of the fairgrounds' budget year, the Fair Dis- trict has spent 55 percent of its budget. Through June, accord- ing to Kimbrough's finan- cial report, the fairgrounds "earned $209,848 and spent $356,821." He noted that the months of July, August and September produce the largest portion of the fair- grounds' income as exhib- itor payments for the an- nual Tehama District Fair begin to come in. Directors also have noted that the fair is a big money maker for the fair- grounds. Some cuts already in place, Kimbrough noted, include about a $9,420 re- duction in employee costs per month compared to last year, which saw em- ployee costs total about $25,620. A white knight During the Fair board's two-hour meeting, Mer- edith said state officials still supported a proposed partnership between the 30th District Agricul- tural Association and Te- hama County to form a joint powers authority. He said, however, that he be- lieved the state of the fair- grounds' finances has de- layed the proposed change of governance — perhaps indefinitely. "It has to make sense for the county," Meredith said. "It would be foolish for the county to just absolve all of this debt." Bill Goodwin, Tehama County's chief adminis- trator, told the board that the county is still commit- ted to the idea of a JPA, but that the county would need at least an equal amount of board members as the state if the plan was ap- proved. "The idea of the state having more board mem- bers than the county when the county would be the white knight coming in here to try to fix this thing — it's just not going to be acceptable," Goodwin said. A change in governance of the fairgrounds would need to be approved by Gov. Jerry Brown. Goodwin noted that community support that could produce new ideas to improve the fairgrounds could influence the county in a positive way. A new direction The fairgrounds, Durrer said, needs to move for- ward and find ways to be- come a viable business op- portunity. "The past is the past. Even God can't change that," she said, adding, "It's not a question of if we can close this fairgrounds, be- cause we cannot." She noted community members who have dedi- cated their time to the fair- grounds, and the Tehama District Junior Livestock Auction that raises hun- dreds of thousands of dol- lars for students. Work toward develop- ing both short- and long- term strategies for the fairgrounds already has begun. A facilitated planning session for the fairgrounds' stakeholders is scheduled to be held 1-5 p.m. Wednes- day at the fairgrounds' caf- eteria. The public will not be turned away, directors have said. Additionally, a commit- tee composed of commu- nity leaders and past Fair directors on Tuesday pre- sented ideas to increase revenue in the near future. Some of those ideas in- cluded events that could be added to the Tehama District Fair in September, such as a "Dancing with the Stars" event, a car show, and a beer and wine gar- den, said Tonya Redamonti Williams, a former Fair di- rector. Another included distributing free fair tick- ets to elementary school students. "These are all things that you can do and have at the fair and it's not go- ing to cost you a dime to do it," she said. Durrer thanked the com- mittee for its work. "It really does take a whole community to come together to make (the fair- grounds) successful," Dur- rer said. Fair FROM PAGE 1 neged promises, that I cur- rently believe the pending tax measure to increase sales tax will fail in No- vember. "'Something positive or returned to the Chamber, reversing past take-aways, could yet convince the Chamber Board to support the measure," the email concludes. Stevens said he sent the email from his personal ac- count and was not speak- ing on behalf of the cham- ber or the Daily News. Jackson replied to the email and copied the orig- inal email and her reply to City Manager Richard Crabtree and Chamber CEO Dave Gowan. "I don't know if it is be- cause it is in writing or what, but I am offended by this email and see it as a bride (sic) or threat. Nei- ther of which encourages me in the slightest," Jack- son replied. Last month the chamber surveyed its members ask- ing if the entity should pub- licly support the city's pur- suit of a quarter-cent sales tax to raise extra revenue. Fifty-eight of the 100 re- spondents said the cham- ber should not support the sales tax publicly. Many cited the city and cham- ber's strained relationship over continued cuts to funding, specifically Tran- sient Occupancy Tax reve- nue. Jackson stated in her reply to Stevens that she was not happy with the re- cently signed chamber con- tract and wanted to see the same words removed that Councilman Rob Schmid wanted removed. Schmid has previously asked for references to the TOT be removed as they continue to keep old wounds open. Since 2011 the City Coun- cil has moved to cap the city's contribution to the chamber and this past year reduced that fund- ing amount even further to $35,000 per year. The TOT was raised by voters in 1988 with ballot language promising the in- crease would be used "for the purpose of providing funds for the continued promotion of Red Bluff tourism." On May 8 the Daily News editorial board, on which Stevens sits, published an editorial linking the cut- ting of the TOT contribu- tion to the chamber to this year's sales tax measure and the promise the funds would be used to support public safety. "Even with the support of the local business com- munity, a sales tax increase is a tough sell. We don't like the chances of the tax hike now that the city has slapped the business com- munity in the face," the ed- itorial read. In his email to Jack- son, Stevens said the city should see the chamber as the equivalent of a city de- partment with the job of supporting increased tour- ism and assisting generate sales tax revenue. "City relations with the chamber have too long been shaped and driven by personal agendas of a pow- erful and persuasive few, detracting Chamber volun- teer leaders and staff from performance of their mis- sion," Stevens wrote. Email FROM PAGE 1 ton's patience. The McNamees pitched the idea of the elephant preserve in December. It quickly gained interest and the Daily News article about the presentation to the county set records for the amount of times it was shared electronically by readers. But the process from proposal to an elephant ever setting foot in Tehama County will be lengthy. The Environmental Im- pact Report, which the Mc- Namees are funding to the tune of $236,000, will take 43 weeks to complete. The McNamees have pledged funding for at least the first 30 years of the pre- serve. By then it would be nearing its peak capacity of around 30 elephants. If the county does move forward with allowing the preserve, the next phase of constructing an elephant- proof fence around the pe- rimeter of the 2- by 4-mile Diamond Ranch could be just as lengthy. The plans call for a steel fence eight feet high above ground that extends eight feet below ground as well with a concrete foundation. Patty Wexler, who works with the McNamees, said it will take between three to four years before an el- ephant will ever come to preserve. "We have to make sure everyone in Tehama is happy with how we're do- ing it," she said during the library presentation. Wexler's informational presentation to the chil- dren was much the same as the pitch given to the coun- ty's supervisors and plan- ning commission one that in exchange for the space the elephants need to roam to mimic their natural hab- itat offers jobs, educational opportunities and recogni- tion. "Everyone in the world is going to be looking to it and it's right here in Te- hama County," Wexler said. For now Tehama County is just watching the Tembo organization. Supervisor Steve Chamb- lin was on hand at Wednes- day's presentation. Similar presentations were pre- sented at the Corning and Los Molinos libraries ear- lier in the week. "It's certainly a begin- ning to what the commu- nity would like and how they can be a part of the community," Chamblin said. Wexler said the McNa- mees want the commu- nity to embrace elephants, much like he did as a child. Originally the Tembo Preserve was set to just to donate some books about elephants to the Tehama County Library, but acting Librarian Sally Ainsworth asked whether a full pre- sentation could be given. Besides the story, Giezen- tanner showed the children a video, a collection of ele- phant bones and presented them with a craft. The group raffled off T- shirts, mugs and tickets to the Oakland Zoo, the orga- nization that would oversee the elephants' well-being at the preserve. Tembo also promised to match a fun- draiser the children have been working on through- out the summer for animal shelters. Without any guarantee the Tembo Preserve will be- come a reality, Wexler said the Tembo will do commu- nity events on an ad hoc basis. "We'd love to as the occa- sion arises help begin get- ting people engaged in the topic," she said. The children Wednes- day left the library with el- ephants trampling through their mind as well as a bag of peanuts. Elephant FROM PAGE 1 tree stump fenced off and turned into an interpretive panel showing pictures of the tree in its glory days. Other ideas include tak- ing a slice of the tree and having it marked with the park's history, dating back to at least the date of the house's construction in 1852. Several local wood- workers, including former staff and volunteers, have stepped forward with offers to assist in creating items from the wood to be sold in the Ide Mercantile in the visitor center to help pre- serve the tree for the com- munity and raise funds for the interpretive association. The limbs on the roof of the adobe structure are ex- pected to be removed some- time this week. Additional resources are needed to re- move the branch still rest- ing on top of the adobe building in order to mini- mize damage. It is unclear at this time what caused the tree failure and what it will take to re- pair the damaged buildings. Park staff is in the process of evaluating the situation and will determine what it will take to make the build- ing serviceable again. The state made several efforts through the years toward keeping the tree as part of the park's history, including regular inspec- tions, cabling of limbs and trimming as needed. The community is en- couraged to submit ideas for the remaining stump by email to Debbie.Cha- karun@parks.ca.gov or by phone at 529-8599. Stump FROM PAGE 1 PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER. Thank you! The Associated Press REDDING Cooler temper- atures and higher humid- ity are helping firefight- ers battling a wildfire that is threatening dozens of homes in rural Northern California, a fire official said Wednesday. The Bully Fire in Shasta County, which authorities blame on marijuana-grow- ing activity, had burned through more than 13 square miles, or 8,700 acres, as of Wednesday morning. But crews increased con- tainment to 35 percent, up from 20 percent the previ- ous day. The fire was threaten- ing 55 homes around the community of Igo, some of which remained under mandatory evacuation or- ders, state fire spokesman Dennis Mathisen said. Eight homes have been destroyed since the fire began Friday. Mathisen said the weather began changing Tuesday after days of hot, dry conditions. Firefighters have also been hampered by steep terrain. "We're certainly capi- talizing on the change in weather," he said. Eleven firefighters have suffered minor to moderate injuries while battling the blaze, including heat ex- haustion. A 27-year-old Sacramento man was arrested Saturday and accused of recklessly causing the fire when the exhaust from his truck ig- nited dry grass while he was delivering material to a pot site. HOMES THREATENED Weather helps fight against California wildfire "It's certainly a beginning to what the community would like and how they cane be a part of the community." — Supervisor Steve Chamblin JOHNEUGENE"GENE"LACY John Eugene "Gene" Lacy passed to a "greater hunting ground" July 13, 2014. He was born January 24, 1941 in Arkansas and moved to this area as a teenager, graduat- ing from Red Bluff High School. He worked at Safeway for 31 years. Gene, who never met a stranger, lived life to the fullest. He was an avid sportsman - hunting, fishing, archery, horse shoes, golfing, or any other game involving a ball. He is survived by his wife, Shari, his mother, Hester, sons John (Leslie), and Mark (Martina), three step-sons, five grandsons, three great-grandsons, and sisters Kay Far- ley, Donna Rosen, and Gail King. Gene was preceded in death by his father Norman and his first wife Mary. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, July 20, 2014 at 1:00 PM at the home of Dick and Gail King, 6091 Ala- meda Road, Corning, CA (Richfield) CATHI REYNOLDS Cathi Elaine Reynolds, beloved wife, mother, sister and daugh- ter, left this earth suddenly and unexpectedly to be with the Lord on July 3, 2014. Cathi was born on March 31, 1961 to Ri- chard Alfred Smith and Nancy Ann (Williamson) Smith in San Mateo, CA., and spent her childhood in Burlingame, CA.. She was a graduate of Reno High School in Reno, NV. She began her working career at Founders Title Company in Redwood City and worked at a number of other title companies in the Bay Area. Cathi married Charles Fred Reynolds on August 18, 1984, at St. Catherine of Ciena Catholic Church in Burlingame, CA., with the promise to love each other "Forever and A Day." That promise is still in effect. Next month would have been their 30th wedding anniversary. The couple made their home in Fremont, CA., where they were blessed with a son, Charles Fred Reynolds Jr. in 1986. It was during this time in Fremont, Cathi decided to turn her horticulture hobby into a successful business and became the owner and operator of the Busy B Plant Serv- ice, selling and servicing office plants in many Bay Area companies. Cathi was also active in her son's school and served a term as PTSG President at St. Leonard's Catholic School in Fremont, CA. She also enjoyed singing in a rock n' roll band called "The Boomers" with her husband and friends. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. It was not only permitted to burst into song at the dinner table, it was highly encouraged. The family moved to Red Bluff in 2004. Cathi worked as a care giver at Sail House. She became an active member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, including membership in the Altar Guild and currently serving as Hospitality minis- ter on the church Vestry, the lay leadership council. Small children and animals gravitated to her. As Antsy McClain said of Cathi "A beautiful soul has left us, moved on, but lingering in our hearts. She inspired me, and any- one who knew her, to face life and its adversity with a brave smile and a positive attitude." She was the great grand daughter of baseball Hall Of Fame outfielder Harry Hooper of the Boston Red Sox. Cathi is survived by her husband Charles Fred Reynolds and son Charles Fred Reynolds Jr. of Red Bluff and sister Deborah Jean Vilotti of Escalon, CA. She was preceded in death by her mother, Nancy Williamson Liest, her father, Richard Alfred Smith, older sister Shelley Marie Smith and beloved grandmother Marie Hooper Strain. A funeral service will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church on Saturday, July 26, 2014, at 11:00AM . In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Cathi Reynolds Me- morial Trust at St. Peter's Episcopal Church or to Safe Ha- ven Horse Rescue in Cottonwood, CA. Obituaries THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |NEWS | 7 A