Section 8: Statements on Calaveras County Public Corruption

"My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com. 

On June 24, 2025, the date this Board of Supervisors voted to allocate $350,000 in transient occupancy tax funding to the Calaveras Visitors Bureau for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, I explicitly cautioned all of you that your ill-advised action would prompt me to seek an IRS investigation of the Calaveras Visitors Bureau, with the express purpose of the IRS revoking the deceitful CVB’s 501(c)(6) tax-exempt status.

On July 22, 2025, I filed a formal complaint with the IRS against the CVB, presenting a valid challenge to the deceitful business bureau’s 501(c)(6) tax-exempt status prompted by two years of the Calaveras County government’s dismissiveness and collusion with the CVB in refusing to correct what is now obviously an intentional and persistent misrepresentation of the CVB’s nonprofit’s legal designation as a public benefit nonprofit corporation.

On September 4, 2025, I received the confirmation letter of receipt of my complaint from the U.S. Department of the Treasury Tax Exempt and Entities Division.

The IRS letter to me stated, in part, “...We appreciate you bringing this to our attention. If you obtain more information you think is relevant to this matter, please send it to the address shown above with a copy of this letter.”

Four non-recused members of this Calaveras County Board of Supervisors will be voting today to ratify $350,000 in Fiscal Year 2025-2026 transient occupancy tax funding to the Calaveras Visitors Bureau, so I might suggest that you all listen to me now and pay close attention.

Unless two of you are now capable of comprehending the gravity of this situation you have created, and realize that you must vote NO today on continued transient occupancy tax funding for the CVB, this Board of Supervisors will have unwisely provided me with additional relevant and damaging information to send to the Internal Revenue Service concerning the CVB’s intentional and persistent contractual deception and misrepresentation of its nonprofit corporation designation having been knowingly facilitated by Calaveras County’s government.

My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com."

"My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com. 

Caltrans issued a press release this morning indicating the agency’s intention to modify the controversial concrete median recently installed at the four-way signalized traffic intersection of SR 4 and Tom Bell Road/Big Trees Road in Murphys. 

Regarding this poorly designed concrete median, the Chair of the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors – Martin Huberty, who is also the District 3 Supervisor – claimed on Facebook on September 12th that “The County had no idea of this project...”

The Board Chair’s specious claim of the County having had no idea of this project is what brings me before you this evening seeking answers from the Calaveras County Council of Governments.

Caltrans rationale for installation of the concrete median was to reduce broadside collisions between opposing traffic flow. 

As many of you are aware, there was a surge of residents and business owners immediately expressing a range of reactions from displeasure to outrage concerning the median, during and following its installation, questioning how such an ill-conceived and executed project could occur without the prior knowledge of Calaveras County officials.

I’m here this evening, addressing you as one of those dismayed Murphys residents, to ask the Calaveras County Council of Governments, and particularly to ask our Calaveras County District 4 Supervisor, Amanda Folendorf, also serving as the Chair of the Calaveras County Council of Governments, and our Calaveras County District 1 Supervisor, Gary Tofanelli, also serving on the board of the Calaveras County Council of Governments, how they, and the Calaveras County Council of Governments, were blindsided by Caltrans with this project proposal that was published on the State of California’s CEQANet website 15 months ago on June 13, 2024?

How, and why, did the Calaveras County government and the Calaveras County Council of Governments get blindsided and not know that this June 2024 proposal had become an approved Caltrans project, later scheduled for completion in September 2025?

Who, within Calaveras County’s government, is responsible for monitoring the State of California’s CEQANet website for pending Caltrans projects within Calaveras County? 

Is it the responsibility of the County’s Public Works Department to monitor the State of California’s CEQANet website for pending Caltrans projects within Calaveras County?

Calaveras County residents require accurate, transparent and comprehensive answers from its government representatives as to how and why it was so thoroughly blindsided by this Caltrans construction project.

Regardless of how the blame game of ‘who knew what and when’ eventually plays out, the fact remains that Calaveras County government officials claim to have been caught unaware of this significant and unnecessary State roadway obstacle installed in Murphys, which is the heart of Calaveras County’s tourism economy.

My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com."

Read Calaveras2026Election.com's additional coverage of the Murphys SR 4 @ Big Trees Road/Tom Bell Road intersection concrete barrier installation and Wagon Trail Realignment Project...

• Mystery Caltrans Concrete Median Barrier Angers Murphys Residents. September 24, 2025: https://calaveras2024election.com/f/mystery-caltrans-concrete-median-barrier-angers-murphys-residents
• Was Calaveras Council of Governments Oblivious to Caltrans Work? October 2, 2025: https://calaveras2024election.com/f/was-calaveras-council-of-governments-oblivious-to-caltrans-work
• What has gone wrong with Calaveras County Government & Caltrans? October 8, 2025: https://calaveras2024election.com/f/what-has-gone-wrong-with-calaveras-county-government-caltrans
• Caltrans Concrete Barrier Creates Severe SR4 Hazard in Murphys. October 8, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/caltrans-concrete-barrier-creates-severe-sr4-hazard-in-murphys
• Calaveras County's Caltrans Concrete Barrier Negligence Report. October 14, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/calaveras-countys-caltrans-concrete-barrier-negligence-report
• Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil's Calaveras Rep, Todd White, Worsens Murphys Caltrans Median Woes. November 4, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/alvarado-gils-calaveras-rep-worsens-murphys-caltrans-median-woes
• Did Tofanelli and Folendorf Read the Caltrans Median Memorandums? December 6, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/did-tofanelli-and-folendorf-read-the-caltrans-median-memorandums 
• Supervisor Garamendi Concerned SR-4 Wagon Trail Project Could Bankrupt Calaveras County. Millions Wasted on Money Pit Wagon Trail Realignment Project: September 19, 2024. https://calaveras2024election.com/state-route-4-wagon-trail

"My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com. 

As a ten-year Mother Lode resident, I am dismayed by the malfeasance and corruption exhibited by numerous high-ranking elected and appointed government officials in several Mother Lode counties.

I address you today as a concerned citizen and community journalist, answering the call to action appearing in Engage Tuolumne’s October 3rd newsletter concerning Tuolumne County District 1 Supervisor Mike Holland, and the allegation of his theft of water for his private company’s construction project.

I applaud Engage Tuolumne for doing the important investigative work that now demands timely action from Tuolumne County’s law enforcement and administration.

It now also demands a factual, credible explanation and accountability from Supervisor Holland for having either allegedly illegally tapped a TUD-owned water line or having allegedly illegally tapped a Tuolumne County-owned water line.

The Union Democrat understandably struggles to cover government malfeasance and corruption with its limited and strained resources, despite the best intentions of its conscientious editor.

Engage Tuolumne’s timely article concerning Supervisor Holland’s alleged malfeasance filled the void not yet filled by The Union Democrat.

Arguably, when a community’s local newspaper of record is not able to provide timely coverage of credible, substantiated allegations of local government malfeasance or corruption, it may undermine the democratic principles we purport to believe are worth advocating for, and that absence of timely coverage may be corrosive to the public’s trust in the accountability and transparency of local government.

FPPC violations are a particular interest of mine.

Recently, I found a public record from February 2024 (below) pertaining to Mr. Holland’s campaign finances, where a Warning Letter was issued by the Enforcement Division of the California Fair Political Practices Commission concerning then-candidate Holland’s two violations of the Political Reform Act. (Download the letter as a PDF here).

My investigative research and documentation is responsible for four current Calaveras County district supervisors having been placed under investigation by the Fair Political Practices Commission for allegations of their respective multiple violations of the Political Reform Act. (Refer to the article here: All Incumbent Calaveras Supervisors are Under State Investigation: April 25, 2025). 

My name is Christopher Buttner. I invite you to visit my government accountability blog, Calaveras2026Election.com, for another example of how a citizen journalist willing to do the heavy lifting of detailed and factual investigative work can affect local government transparency and accountability for positive change in their community.

Now, what do you have to say publicly in your defense, Supervisor Holland?" 

"My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com.

The October 1, 2025 “Highway 4 in Murphys” memo from the Public Works Director to the Board of Supervisors Chair provides a starting point for transparency to determine ‘who knew what and when’ regarding the Caltrans State Route 4 concrete median project in Murphys.

The memo does not, however, delineate accountability for the County’s internal breakdown of communication and processes, nor does it address the root causes for this contentious and self-inflicted controversy.

An analysis of public records received from County Counsel provides a clear and identifiable fact pattern establishing a two-year chronology of Caltrans project notifications with estimated timelines – including this now County-contested Caltrans project – having been repeatedly distributed to numerous Calaveras County officials by Caltrans and the (Calaveras) County Council of Governments. There were many missed opportunities for the County to object.

The fact pattern that emerged from analysis of public records, and confirmed by the “Highway 4 in Murphys” memo summary, points to the internal breakdown of communication and processes contributing to a lack of continuity and institutional knowledge-sharing between three Public Works Directors from June 2024 to January 2025.

County records substantiate that County Counsel, and/or one or more in a succession of three Public Works Directors, were notified of this Caltrans project a dozen times between February 2023 and February 2025.

The District 3 Supervisor, the current District 1, 4, and 5 Supervisors, and the former District 2 Supervisor, were all notified in June 2024 by (Calaveras) County Counsel, and again in September 2024 by the interim Public Works Director.

One year later, on September 11, 2025, a Facebook post expressing outrage at the sudden appearance of the hazardous Caltrans concrete median appeared on the District 3 Supervisor’s official county Facebook page.

How did the placement of Caltrans “Road Work Ahead” hazard signs – at all four intersection approaches – by August 29, 2025, not provoke the District 3 Supervisor’s curiosity and inquiry?

Did none of you, especially the District 3 Supervisor, have curiosity or concern during these last two years or take the time to understand the community implications of this Caltrans project?

Is there nobody on the county’s payroll actively monitoring all letter notifications and district meeting agendas to stay current and ahead of all Caltrans project timelines and CEQANet announcements that may be of concern or impactful to Calaveras citizens, the business community and the local economy?

My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com."

Read Calaveras2026Election.com's additional coverage of the Murphys SR 4 @ Big Trees Road/Tom Bell Road intersection concrete barrier installation and Wagon Trail Realignment Project...

• Mystery Caltrans Concrete Median Barrier Angers Murphys Residents. September 24, 2025: https://calaveras2024election.com/f/mystery-caltrans-concrete-median-barrier-angers-murphys-residents
• Was Calaveras Council of Governments Oblivious to Caltrans Work? October 2, 2025: https://calaveras2024election.com/f/was-calaveras-council-of-governments-oblivious-to-caltrans-work
• What has gone wrong with Calaveras County Government & Caltrans? October 8, 2025: https://calaveras2024election.com/f/what-has-gone-wrong-with-calaveras-county-government-caltrans
• Caltrans Concrete Barrier Creates Severe SR4 Hazard in Murphys. October 8, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/caltrans-concrete-barrier-creates-severe-sr4-hazard-in-murphys
• Calaveras County's Caltrans Concrete Barrier Negligence Report. October 14, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/calaveras-countys-caltrans-concrete-barrier-negligence-report
• Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil's Calaveras Rep, Todd White, Worsens Murphys Caltrans Median Woes. November 4, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/alvarado-gils-calaveras-rep-worsens-murphys-caltrans-median-woes
• Did Tofanelli and Folendorf Read the Caltrans Median Memorandums? December 6, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/did-tofanelli-and-folendorf-read-the-caltrans-median-memorandums 
• Supervisor Garamendi Concerned SR-4 Wagon Trail Project Could Bankrupt Calaveras County. Millions Wasted on Money Pit Wagon Trail Realignment Project: September 19, 2024. https://calaveras2024election.com/state-route-4-wagon-trail

In the October 3, 2024 Calaveras Enterprise article, "Board of Supervisors candidates address local issues," then candidate for Calaveras County District 2 Supervisor, Autumn Andahl, was quoted, assuring, "If elected, I will represent you free of conflicts of interest, with absolute and complete transparency, honesty and unmatched integrity.”

On October 28, 2025, just slightly more than a year beyond issuing that assurance, and now the elected Calaveras County District 2 Supervisor, Supervisor Andahl has fallen short of her commitment to be the change agent for accountability and transparency in the Calaveras County government. 

"My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com. 

On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, during the Regular Meeting of the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors, I observed what appeared to be concerted pressure on District 2 Supervisor Autumn Andahl being perpetrated by three other District Supervisors – Stopper, Tofanelli, and Folendorf.

Last evening I sent each of you an email containing a link to a 23-second video clip (below) from that board meeting. The source of that video is the Calaveras County Clerk’s YouTube channel. The video clip contains compelling verbal and non-verbal evidence supporting my observation of the substantive appearance of calculated and concerted pressure having been exerted on District 2 Supervisor Andahl by three District Supervisors.

Supervisor Andahl, you appeared extremely conflicted and hesitant in the 23-second video clip (below), visibly discomforted by Supervisor Tofanelli’s brinkmanship as to which of the two of you would be seconding Supervisor Folendorf’s motion for a vote to provide $350,000 in transient occupancy tax funding to the Calaveras Visitors Bureau for the current fiscal year.

Whether you were pressured by your colleagues in an organized manner for you to second Supervisor Folendorf’s motion, or whether you were pressured by Supervisor Tofanelli’s non-verbal posturing, staredown, and deliberate hand gesture toward you, or whether you were merely being overly deferential to Supervisor Tofanelli, remains to be revealed. 

What I observed on the 23-second video clip (below) was Supervisors Stopper, Tofanelli, and Folendorf collectively directing their synchronized gaze at you, anticipating you seconding Supervisor Folendorf’s motion without delay. 

You, however, did delay and your hesitation was followed by several seconds of you and Supervisor Tofanelli engaging in what appeared to be brinkmanship – a sequence of nonverbal exchanges consisting of eye contact and hand gestures that were skillfully orchestrated by the well-practiced Supervisor Tofanelli, seemingly designed to pressure you on the spot during a public meeting into seconding Supervisor Folendorf’s motion.

Were you pressured, Supervisor Andahl, by your fellow board members to vote against your conscience and against the best interest of your constituents, or have I entirely misread the situation and the numerous verbal and non-verbal cues, and instead you’ve actually willingly thrown in with this lot of corrupt county scofflaws?

Supervisor Andahl, did you succumb to what appeared to be calculated and concerted pressure from your colleagues? 

I invite your response during Supervisor Announcements at the conclusion of this meeting. 

Should you opt to make no statement addressing these concerns, it will appear you’ve been compromised by your associates and have fallen short of your commitment to be the change agent for accountability and transparency in this government.

My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com."

During Supervisor Announcements at the conclusion of the October 28, 2025 meeting, Calaveras County District 2 Supervisor Autumn Andahl failed to address the question, did you succumb to what appeared to be calculated and concerted pressure from your colleagues?, thereby falling short of her commitment to be the change agent for accountability and transparency in the Calaveras County government.

"My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com.

During General Public Comments on October 14, 2025, I presented a fact-checked, evidence-backed statement at the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors meeting concerning the controversial Caltrans State Route 4 concrete median in Murphys.

At State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil’s Town Hall, hours later, in Murphys, I delivered a similar statement from the Board of Supervisors meeting, describing a sequence of connected facts – confirmed by corresponding public records – specific to the Murphys concrete median.

Senator Alvarado-Gil addressed the ongoing concrete median controversy during her Town Hall, appearing to have bought into the County’s ruse claiming it was caught unaware by the Caltrans project – portraying Caltrans as villain and the County as victim.

Supervisors – when will there be transparency and accountability for the County’s internal breakdown of communication and processes? 

When may we expect honest disclosure from County officials regarding “who knew what and when” about the concrete median project – and who ignored the documented notifications?

This controversy is a County government self-inflicted injury.

Who among you will break from the pack, and make a public commitment to understand and learn from the root causes of this communication and process breakdown?

There were two years of missed opportunities for the County government to object.

Calaveras County is gaslighting Senator Alvarado-Gil and her staff, gaslighting and outright lying to the public, and deceptively deflecting and shifting blame to Caltrans for what is the County’s own lack of diligence or adherence to auditable internal processes that are now causing the State’s expenditure of additional time, resources, and taxpayer funds. 

In 2024, the District 1, 3, 4, and 5 Supervisors and former District 2 Supervisor were all notified of the Caltrans median project by email, first in June by County Counsel, and again in September by the interim Public Works Director.

Supervisors Huberty, Stopper, Tofanelli and Folendorf – do not intentionally deceive and insult your constituents by denying that fact.

Supervisor Huberty, on September 11, 2025 (correction: September 12, 2025), a post appeared on your official District 3 Supervisor Facebook page expressing your “outrage” at the sudden appearance of the hazardous concrete median.

Is it reasonable to suggest that the demands and distractions of you holding two full-time, taxpayer-compensated jobs may at least be partially responsible for your demonstrated lack of attention to detail concerning District 3’s core assets?

Is it respectful for the County government to continue deflecting blame to Caltrans rather than standing up and owning responsibility for its undeniable neglect of oversight?

My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com – a government watchdog and accountability blog."

Impromptu and disingenuous rebuttal from Todd White, Field Representative for California State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, (the text of Mr. White's statement is below), to Christopher Buttner's General Public Comments, worsens Murphys Caltrans concrete median debacle.  

Rebuttal statement from Todd White: 

"Always nice to be given an introduction. Excuse me, I had some comments to deliver, but I think I'm going to go a little off script. 

I (indecipherable) county, was born and raised there. 

I've worked with many county supervisors through my involvement there and now in this position, on behalf of Senator Gil, worked with supervisors all over District Four. We did have a town hall here on October 14. 

That Town Hall was to focus on the wine industry and the struggles that they have within that industry. And it morphed into the median issue going through Murphys.

I've heard a lot of public comments in my 20 years in public service, but, and I'll speak for myself and not for the Senator. 

I totally disagree with the speaker that spoke about our town hall before. I don't think that the Calaveras Board of Supervisors has provided any dishonesty in the process. Your staff has been wonderful, and this community was pretty much led on by Caltrans. 

That's been very evident in our Zoom calls that we've had with Caltrans, and what was previously stated does not represent what's been taking place. 

So with that said, I apologize. 

I'm usually just a chipper human being that's just over the top of energy, but I just thought I'd set the record straight. 

The Senator did express interest, or her position was very clear during the town hall on October 14, that she wants to see that medium removed and restored to its prior configuration.

She emphasized that she doesn't make promises that she can't keep, but she has been working directly with the (Caltrans) District 10 director Grace Magsayo, which you were on the call, Supervisor Huberty, a little while back.

Emergency Services Director Erik Holt was very clear in his opinion, that, that, that median causes an evacuation impediment to this community. 

So with that said, I've never really given public comments like this before, but I thought, due to what was previously stated, that I'd set the record state… straight. 

And I wish you all a Happy Election Day. Thank you very much.”

For more info about Todd White: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toddwhite2006

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddwhiteeldorado

"My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com.

Lack of transparency, lack of truth and lack of attention to detail all have consequences.

At the December 9th, 2025 Board of Supervisors meeting it will have been ninety days without resolution since Caltrans installed the Murphys Highway 4 concrete median.

At what point do you concede that over two years you’ve missed numerous opportunities to ask Caltrans explicit questions about their ill-conceived and hazardous Minor B project when you had numerous opportunities to object to it?

You were inattentive to details and preoccupied with other matters.

Some of you have secondary employment dividing your attention from your primary public responsibilities.

None of you took the necessary time, nor gave adequate attention as part of your responsibilities as public employees, to understand the consequences of the Murphys median project.

Not District 3 Supervisor Huberty.

Not Calaveras Council of Governments board members Tofanelli and Folendorf. 

Not former Public Works Directors Pachinger and Pedro.

Caltrans is not without fault in this debacle, as their data-driven justification for the median project was flawed and their median is unnecessary.

I recently filed several public records requests with Caltrans, and my analysis of the preliminary responsive records suggests the May 2019 to March 2022 Caltrans “project-justifying” Traffic Collision Report Summary, revealing an average of 5.6 collisions per year, may have been a statistical anomaly. The initial data suggests collisions per year notably declined in the three following years.

Also a notable finding – the fatal accident occurred more than thirteen-one-hundredths of a mile – or two football fields – east of the controlled intersection from where the concrete median ends. 

We’ll review these important findings and facts together here on December 9th.

Calaveras County is at fault for not catching this median project in time to object.

Stop gaslighting us, be accountable, and stop deflecting with “hand-over-heart” diversions.

The County and Caltrans share the blame for this debacle for different reasons, so stop deflecting blame and misleading the public.

Own up and concede your individual and collective errors.

Conclusively prove to Caltrans, with facts and statistics to support your arguments, that they made an error in judgement by burdening our community with this unnecessary highway hazard.

Justification may be obtained soon, from newly received and analyzed data, for the full removal of the median and restoration of Highway 4 from postmile 29.49 to postmile 29.62.

My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com – a government watchdog and accountability blog."

Read Calaveras2026Election.com's additional coverage of the Murphys SR 4 @ Big Trees Road/Tom Bell Road intersection concrete barrier installation and Wagon Trail Realignment Project...

• Mystery Caltrans Concrete Median Barrier Angers Murphys Residents. September 24, 2025: https://calaveras2024election.com/f/mystery-caltrans-concrete-median-barrier-angers-murphys-residents
• Was Calaveras Council of Governments Oblivious to Caltrans Work? October 2, 2025: https://calaveras2024election.com/f/was-calaveras-council-of-governments-oblivious-to-caltrans-work
• What has gone wrong with Calaveras County Government & Caltrans? October 8, 2025: https://calaveras2024election.com/f/what-has-gone-wrong-with-calaveras-county-government-caltrans
• Caltrans Concrete Barrier Creates Severe SR4 Hazard in Murphys. October 8, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/caltrans-concrete-barrier-creates-severe-sr4-hazard-in-murphys
• Calaveras County's Caltrans Concrete Barrier Negligence Report. October 14, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/calaveras-countys-caltrans-concrete-barrier-negligence-report
• Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil's Calaveras Rep, Todd White, Worsens Murphys Caltrans Median Woes. November 4, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/alvarado-gils-calaveras-rep-worsens-murphys-caltrans-median-woes
• Did Tofanelli and Folendorf Read the Caltrans Median Memorandums? December 6, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/did-tofanelli-and-folendorf-read-the-caltrans-median-memorandums 
• Supervisor Garamendi Concerned SR-4 Wagon Trail Project Could Bankrupt Calaveras County. Millions Wasted on Money Pit Wagon Trail Realignment Project: September 19, 2024. https://calaveras2024election.com/state-route-4-wagon-trail

"My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com.

It has now been ninety days, without an acceptable resolution, since Caltrans installed the concrete median in Murphys on SR 4.

Two weeks ago I stated here that Caltrans was not without fault in this concrete median debacle, and that we would review important findings and facts at today’s board meeting.

The data-driven justification Caltrans used for the median project was flawed.

Facts and statistics support the argument that Caltrans made an error in judgement with their limited and aging dataset used to justify this concrete median for installation during fiscal year 2025-2026, burdening our community with an unnecessary highway hazard.

I recently filed public records requests with the California Highway Patrol and with Caltrans.

My analysis of the preliminary responsive records received to date from Caltrans, and the official final responsive records just received from CHP, indicate the May 2019 to March 2022 Caltrans Traffic Collision Report Summary that was used to justify the project, was a statistical anomaly.

The collision rate was 17 collisions in 34 months during the Caltrans study period from mid-2019 to early-2022. That’s 6 collisions per year during the Caltrans study of that one-half mile segment of SR 4.

Newly-received and analysed CHP data reveals collisions per year have notably declined on average in the 44 months since the end of this Caltrans study period.

CHP’s data specifically reveals that there have only been 12 collisions in those last 44 months, inclusive of November 2025, on that same one-half mile segment of SR 4. That’s only 3.27 collisions per year on average over the last 44 months, a reduction by nearly half. That reduction in collisions per year represents a very significant metric that Caltrans failed to consider. 

Notably, there were no fatalities during this most recent 44 month timeframe.

I’ve previously mentioned that the fatal accident Caltrans cited as partial justification for the median occurred more than six years ago, in August 2019, and more than thirteen-one-hundredths of a mile – or two football fields – east of the controlled intersection from where the concrete median ends. 

There is now more than enough empirical evidence obtained from this newly-received and analyzed CHP Traffic Collision data to validate and justify the community’s sentiment and demand – nineteen-hundred voices strong and growing by online petition – for the full removal of the concrete median and the restoration of SR 4 from postmile 29.49 to postmile 29.62.

My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com – a government watchdog and accountability blog."

Read Calaveras2026Election.com's additional coverage of the Murphys SR 4 @ Big Trees Road/Tom Bell Road intersection concrete barrier installation and Wagon Trail Realignment Project...

• Mystery Caltrans Concrete Median Barrier Angers Murphys Residents. September 24, 2025: https://calaveras2024election.com/f/mystery-caltrans-concrete-median-barrier-angers-murphys-residents
• Was Calaveras Council of Governments Oblivious to Caltrans Work? October 2, 2025: https://calaveras2024election.com/f/was-calaveras-council-of-governments-oblivious-to-caltrans-work
• What has gone wrong with Calaveras County Government & Caltrans? October 8, 2025: https://calaveras2024election.com/f/what-has-gone-wrong-with-calaveras-county-government-caltrans
• Caltrans Concrete Barrier Creates Severe SR4 Hazard in Murphys. October 8, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/caltrans-concrete-barrier-creates-severe-sr4-hazard-in-murphys
• Calaveras County's Caltrans Concrete Barrier Negligence Report. October 14, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/calaveras-countys-caltrans-concrete-barrier-negligence-report
• Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil's Calaveras Rep, Todd White, Worsens Murphys Caltrans Median Woes. November 4, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/alvarado-gils-calaveras-rep-worsens-murphys-caltrans-median-woes
• Did Tofanelli and Folendorf Read the Caltrans Median Memorandums? December 6, 2025. https://calaveras2024election.com/f/did-tofanelli-and-folendorf-read-the-caltrans-median-memorandums 
• Supervisor Garamendi Concerned SR-4 Wagon Trail Project Could Bankrupt Calaveras County. Millions Wasted on Money Pit Wagon Trail Realignment Project: September 19, 2024. https://calaveras2024election.com/state-route-4-wagon-trail

• Christopher Buttner seeks clarification on four points regarding “Unlawful Harassment” on how a non-employee might realistically be harassed by a county district supervisor or spouse of a district supervisor. 

This statement follows Mr. Gage Dungy's excellent and detailed two hour presentation: Government Code § 12950.1 requires supervisory employees of all employers with five or more employees to provide at least two hours of training and education regarding sexual harassment, general harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and abusive conduct. “Supervisory employees” includes the County Board of Supervisors. The training must include discussion of harassment based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. The training must be provided by an educator with training and expertise in the prevention of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, and it must cover state and federal laws related to these topics.

"My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com. 

“Unlawful Harassment” was defined in your presentation as including “actions by/towards employees, independent contractors, vendors, and other non-employees.”

Please elaborate on whether a county district supervisor’s constituents are considered a “non-employee” by your definition. 

Please further elaborate on this specific element of unlawful harassment, providing 2 or 3 additional scenarios depicting how a non-employee might realistically be harassed by a county district supervisor. 

Please elaborate on whether it is considered unlawful harassment if a county district supervisor allegedly retaliates against non-employees. 

Please elaborate on whether the act of stalking a non-employee to their home, by the spouse of a county district supervisor, allegedly with the intent to threaten and intimidate, constitutes unlawful harassment of that non-employee. 

This is not a hypothetical scenario, as one of the five county district supervisors is well aware. 

My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com – a government watchdog and accountability blog." 

"My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com. 

Today, the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors elects its 2026 chair and vice-chair. 

All five supervisors are subjects of recently concluded or in-progress California Fair Political Practices Commission investigations of alleged campaign finance filing improprieties, having demonstrated an inability to correctly manage their campaign finance filings.  

How can any of you be trusted to correctly manage the county’s finances?  

On February 3, 2025, Martin Huberty (District 3), the outgoing board chair, received a stern warning letter from the FPPC at the conclusion of its investigation begun on July 11, 2023, declaring Huberty a Statements of Economic Interest Non-Reporter for having violated the Political Reform Act for substantial irregularities in his campaign filings.  

On January 8, 2025, Ben Stopper, the presumed incoming 2026 board chair, had an FPPC case opened against him as a Campaign Non-Filer to investigate substantive allegations of him having violated the Political Reform Act with irregularities in his campaign filings.

Stopper is no stranger to FPPC investigations. On May 10, 2019, he received a stern warning letter from the FPPC for his failure to timely file a campaign statement. Stopper may now anticipate significantly more consequential FPPC measures, including substantial fines, as he was explicitly warned would occur if recidivist violations were confirmed.  

On December 10, 2024, Gary Tofanelli (District 1) had an FFPC case opened against him as a Campaign Non-Filer to investigate substantive allegations of him having violated the Political Reform Act with irregularities in his campaign filings. Tofanelli may anticipate receiving no less than a stern warning letter, and potentially significantly more consequential action, including fines. 

On September 25, 2024, Autumn Andahl (District 2) had an FFPC case opened against her as a Campaign Non-Filer to investigate substantive allegations of her having violated the Political Reform Act with irregularities in her campaign filings. Andahl may anticipate receiving only a stern warning letter because of her proactive and forthright interactions with the FPPC.  

On July 16, 2024, Amanda Folendorf (District 4) had an FFPC case opened against her as a Campaign Non-Filer to investigate substantive allegations of her having violated the Political Reform Act with irregularities in her campaign filings. Folendorf may soon anticipate receiving no less than a stern warning letter, and potentially significantly more consequential action, including fines, for substantial violations of the Political Reform Act in her campaign filings if credible allegations of her having failed to account for over $8,000 in union campaign contributions are confirmed.  

My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com, a government watchdog and accountability blog."  " 

"My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com.

On November 20, 2025, I filed a criminal complaint for stalking and harassment with the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office against the spouse of a Calaveras County District Supervisor for two incidents that occurred on October 14, 2025, escalating, I allege, to this supervisor’s spouse stalking me to my home and exhibiting aggressive vehicular behavior. 

It is pertinent to the record that I am the sole caretaker of my 92-year old mother who was at home as this incident transpired in front of our house.

This incident continues the pattern begun on April 25, 2023, with the instigating incident initiated by this supervisor’s spouse right here on the grounds of this county government campus.

The supervisor in question was discretely presented with three opportunities by me to avoid this moment of public disclosure yet that supervisor chose to ignore my genuine overtures to deescalate this situation, evidently in the mistaken belief this matter would just go away on its own.

The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office has just informed me of concluding its investigation of my case and referring it to the DA's office for further review to determine if criminal charges for stalking and harassment are applicable against this supervisor’s spouse.

I’ll leave that now for DA Yook to promptly determine.

Penal Code Section 646.9 is California’s primary stalking statute.

It is applicable when all four prongs of the stalking statute have been satisfied.

PC 646.9 applies to “Any person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows or willfully and maliciously harasses another person and who makes a credible threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear for their safety, or the safety of their immediate family.”

Per the statute, ‘harasses’ means engaging in a knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person that seriously alarms, annoys, torments, or terrorizes the person, and that serves no legitimate purpose.

Per the statute, ‘course of conduct’ means two or more acts occurring over a period of time, however short, evidencing a continuity of purpose.

Per the statute, ‘credible threat’ includes a threat implied by a pattern of conduct made with the intent to place the person that is the target of the threat in reasonable fear for their safety, or the safety of their family, and made with the apparent ability to carry out the threat so as to cause the person who is the target of the threat to reasonably fear for their safety or the safety of their family.

Noteworthy, it is not necessary to prove that the defendant had the intent to actually carry out the threat.

The evidence supporting my complaint meets the four prongs of willful and malicious conduct, repeated acts, credible threat, and intent to cause fear. I assert that all four prongs of the statute have therefore been satisfied.

I await DA Yook’s determination concerning the applicability of criminal charges against the supervisor’s spouse.

My name is Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com, a government watchdog and accountability blog."