Yuba GOP slams Horne

Yuba County's Republican Central Committee has reprimanded Sue Horne's Assembly campaign for distributing a "blatantly false, misleading and untrue" mailer about eminent domain.

The seven-page mailer quoted Yuba County farmers Tom and Jeanette Rice as saying that Yuba County Supervisor Dan Logue and the county were difficult to deal with during the eminent domain process.

"We tried to work with (Logue), but he never even spoke to us. He wouldn't listen. He just voted to steal our farm," the flier reads.

Horne and Logue are seeking the Republican nomination in the 3rd Assembly District. The winner will face Democrat Mickey Harrington in November.

The county has been negotiating with the Rices to acquire six acres of their 19-acre farm for the Feather River setback levee.

"I'm just amazed that someone can print comments like this," said Paul Myers, vice chair of the Yuba County Republican Central Committee. "I've looked at the minutes from all the meetings, the Rice family say they are pleased with the progress."

Myers said he's publicly supported Logue and his campaign.

Tom Rice, peach and nectarine farmer, said he spoke with Horne and reviewed all materials prior to their release. Rice said that Logue is taking his "satisfaction" out of context.

"He said I was satisfied. Am I satisfied with having my farm taken away and having to spend tens of thousands of dollars to get them to the table? No," Rice said. "I am satisfied that I was able to get an agreement with the big county machine in order to get enough of my farm back to continue growing."

Rice said Logue was present at the Yuba County government meetings where his farm was on the agenda, but he has yet to speak with Logue personally on the issue.

Logue said he's met with the Rices six times during public meetings to find the right compensation. He also said the levee was moved 45 feet to accommodate the farmer's trees.

In his response to Horne's mailers, Logue said the Rices were paid more than $30,000 per acre, more than twice the market rate of orchard land.

Rice said that $150,000 is still in an escrow account because negotiations continue.

"It's not about the money," Rice said. "We don't want to compromise public safety. We just want the process to be done respectfully. We don't feel we had due diligence."

Horne said her opponent lied about key facts to "refute the Rice family, whose farm was seized."

Logue said he's running his campaign on his record, not personal attacks.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Andrea Koskey at 749-4709 or akoskey@appealdemocrat.com