Our Mission
To hear and respect the community's traditions, values, and visions. To enrich our Calaveras County government through compromise and viable solutions. To bring people together to collaboratively focus on the greater common good of our beautiful county!
I am Autumn Andahl, a candidate for District 2 Calaveras Supervisor. I have a great love, a sense of pride, and a deep understanding of the history, traditions, and values of our rural ways of life here in Calaveras County. I am running for supervisor because I have the experience required to work collaboratively and effectively to preserve the quality of life we enjoy in District 2 and improve it for the next generation.
I am a candidate for the community with a common sense middle-of-the-road approach. I have been advocating for D2 officially since 2008. If elected, I will continue advocating for the schools and youth of District 2, supporting our first responders and expanding our fire preparedness. I will ensure that all property owners have the knowledge and resources they need to take ownership of their land management. I will work to make fire insurance affordable and workforce housing more available. I will support and encourage all economic development opportunities in our county. I will support the completion of the animal shelter and continue supporting parks and community centers. I want to bolster our vocational & trade programs at our local high schools and streamline career pathways with nearby community colleges and local businesses.
If elected Supervisor, I will continue to be present in D2 daily. My priorities will grow as I listen to and learn about your priorities. I am running as one of you to represent the District 2 population at the county level, ensuring that your voices and needs are heard, acknowledged, and Honored. I do not enter this race with a political agenda or lofty promises to fix the shortcomings of those who have served before me. I enter it as a public servant going to work for you. I enter it as a lifelong community member with knowledge and experience stretching beyond just one specific industry. I have a unique ability to build relationships and connections and work well with many people to solve complicated issues. District 2 Supervisor will be my only full-time job. I’m not here to point fingers, make accusations, and tear others down. I’m here to collaborate and unite people to be productive, complete projects, solve problems, and progress. I look forward to building my team with inclusion at the forefront with constituents across all walks of life, political affiliations, and areas of D2.
While our existing Strategic Plan, General Plan, and Community Plans serve as goals and guidelines, our climate and needs are ever-changing. I will work to ensure our objectives are relevant, reflective, and aligned with the visions of our communities. This is where you all are essential - as a supervisor; I will be working for you - Your input and guidance will ensure that these plans are created and implemented by and for the people. I will communicate with my constituents through regular office hours, community meetings and events, and online. I would be honored to represent you on the Calaveras Board of Supervisors.
Volunteer/Community Work:
Below is a brief list of the volunteer & community groups I have served with and/or currently serve with and all the work we do.
Friends of Rail Road Flat School (under the auspices of Blue Mountain Community Renewal Council). I was a founding member, serving from 2008-2017. Friends of Rail Road Flat School (FORRFS) was formed to help sustain and support Rail Road Flat Elementary School children, staff, and the community. https://www.facebook.com/profile.phpid=100063668686540&sk=past_hosted_events
Under FORRFS we provided the following services:
* Free monthly community meals and food pantry - We hosted and fully funded monthly community meals and food pantrys - often with produce from the school gardens and student volunteers.
* Paraeducators we recruited, hired, and paid for qualified para-educators to assist in over crowded combo classrooms
* Rail Road Flat Preschool when cusd closed the preschool - we re-opened, staffed and fully funded it.
* Enrichment Classes - to offset crowded combo classes we designed, recruited leaders and fully funded classes in subjects such as- art, gardening, guitar, robotics, 3-d printing, ceramics, poetry, weaving, and more. Leaders were D2 community members and paid stipends by FORRFS.
* Music Programs to Rail Road Flat, West Point & Mokelumne Hill Elementary Schools
* Mountain Mamas Wellness Collective - offering Health & Fitness Classes, as well as social gatherings for D2 women.
Butte Fire Recovery Efforts - FORRFS was a major nonprofit partner in acquiring and allocating trailers, storage sheds, chain saws, camping supplies, generators, tools, porta potty, solar showers, potable water, and much more. The distribution of these items to fire victims was done through our mobile donation truck that we drove around the D2 Butte Fire burn scar for over a year after the fire, in addition to a donation center at RRF Community Center.
Mountain Ranch 4H Club- Leadership
Calaveras National Little League- Fundraising and grant writing
Save our Small Schools Campaign - formed with the mission of advocating for and sustaining our 3 upcountry CUSD Elementary Schools RRFE, WPE, & MHE.
Upcountry Sports Project - Working to bring youth sports back to small upcountry communities
Rail Road Flat Ball Park Restoration- Assisting with reopening the ballpark after 20 years of neglect.
Calaveras Independent Junior Livestock Exhibitors Cooperative - Formed to assist local families with livestock and community work.
Calaveras County Farm Bureau - I am honored to be a member of this group that is standing up for California farmers and Ranchers
The Friends of The Calaveras County Fair - Being a member of Friends of the Fair is yet another honor supporting our amazing county fair.
Amador-Calaveras-Tuolumne Tri-County Wellness Collective - Sharing Insight, Events, and Services for healthy communities.
Healthy Calaveras Collaborative -The Healthy Calaveras Collaborative (HCC) has been established to positively impact the health outcomes of people who live in Calaveras.
Strong Start Calaveras - I serve as the program coordinator supporting the Calaveras County 0-5 community, their families and, caregivers. https://first5.calaverasgov.us/Programs-Mini-Grants
Mokelumne Hill Partners in Education Parent Teacher Club -I serve on this group as vice president and enjoy being able to support the families and staff of MHE.
Work History:
January 2023-Present: First 5 Calaveras Program Coordinator II
February 2022-December 2022: Private Contractor - Early Literary and Family Engagement Coordinator for First 5 Calaveras & The Calaveras County Library
2016-2022: Stay-at-home mom - homeschooling kiddos
2015-2016: Preschool Teacher at the Rail Road Flat Parent Cooperative Preschool
2008-2015: Stay-at-home mom
2007-2008: Substitute Teacher – Calaveras County Head Starts
2004-2008: Manager & Event Planner – Hotel Leger, Mokelumne Hill
2001-2004: Preschool Teacher – Jenny Wren Day School, Valley Springs
2000-2001: Server – Pickle Patch Deli, San Andreas
2000-2001: Landscape Designer - Greenhorn Creek Golf Course, Angels Camp
1998-2000: Manager – Pleasure Pizza, Santa Cruz
1998-2000: Barista - Bean Trees Coffee Company, Mountain View
1997-1998: Preschool teacher aide- Sunshine Preschool, San Andreas
1996-1997 – Adventure Guide –California Caverns, Mountain Ranch
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I work for First 5 Calaveras, and my husband has worked in public safety for the past 24 years as a local first responder. We and our three children live in the heart of D2 between Rail Road Flat, Mountain Ranch, and Mokelumne Hill on our family ranch. We enjoy raising livestock, gardening, camping, fishing, hiking, kayaking, and sports.
I am fortunate to have a lot of family and friends in D2 across all walks of life, from stay-at-home moms to small business owners to corporation employees and department heads. This is why I am a strong candidate for supervisor; utilizing my strength of listening to people and gathering information and knowledge will guide me in making informed and equitable decisions.