The political scene here often is predictable: The same faces keep popping up, with the same ideas, on the same issues. It's like watching a merry-go-round go round and round with the same set of horses.

Yet we need fresh approaches: in economic development, attracting young families, fiscal restraint, embracing "green," closing the gap between low wages and high housing costs, curbing illegal drug use, supporting the arts and so on.

In the spirit of a new year, I'd like to spotlight some people who represent change and are embracing it. Some fly under the radar and prefer it that way. Some have no political aspirations. Others are becoming more visible.

Whatever their preferences, I think they represent our community's "rising stars," people who can help move us forward.

In politics (if you must ask) they represent the right, left and in between. This a nonpartisan exercise, though - also for a change.

I admire them as independent, sometimes outspoken thinkers. They don't need a James Carville type, or any consultant, handing them a list of talking points. (And goodness forbid, they ever succumb to this). Most are longtimers in the area. (Goodness forbid they be "flatlanders," either.)

You no doubt have your own rising stars in mind. Let's celebrate them, too. Our community's future depends on it.

Michael McDaniel: Mike is a Nevada City investment counselor, sixth-generation county resident and family man. He's not afraid to call out the "elephant in the corner." Mike co-authored a report that discussed the perils of pension liabilities in local government.

"These enormous debts have grown due to the continuing use of outdated defined benefit programs, granting high pay raises to public employees and irresponsible amendments which continue to 'improve' untenable public employee pensions," Mike's report read.

It took some courage, considering he grew up in a family of public-sector workers and resides in a small town. "I have no goal of running for anything," McDaniel said. "I have expertise in this field, and I don't think people knew it was going on out there."

McDaniel, 30, also is executive director of the Sierra Environmental Studies Foundation and has served on the board of Big Brothers, Big Sisters. He has a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's College.

"I officially have the gardening bug," Mike writes with humor in his newsletter. "I strongly suggest a veggie garden for anyone who wishes to lower their blood pressure and slow down time."

Catrina Andes: Catrina is finance manager for Nevada City. She is a private person but has helped handle a big task: quietly working to improve the finances at City Hall.

Her position was created after the city found it had failed to collect $400,000 in water, sewer and business fees.

"I'm coming in fresh to start new processes in the finance department," Catrina told our paper when we profiled her last spring.

Merchants in the city praise Catrina's efforts and customer-service skills in helping them straighten out fees.

Catrina is not a political person. I just hope she stays in local government to help manage finances. We need more results-oriented people like her.

Catrina began her accounting career at the age of 18. Most of her work was in the private sector. A Sierra College graduate, Catrina, 35, has an Associate of Arts degree in accounting. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree from Columbia Southern University. She was a valedictorian at Bear River High School.

"I'm excited to be working in the county I grew up in," she told our reporter, Soumitro Sen. "I'm excited to work with the public." How refreshing!

Aaron Klein: Aaron is a 22-year-resident of Colfax, where he lives with his wife and newly adopted South Korean son.

Aaron began working in entrepreneurial business at age 12, employed by his dad's company. Now he's building a business software start-up.

Aaron, 29, has been a Sierra College trustee (representing parts of Nevada County) since December 2004. He was one of only three challengers to unseat an incumbent. Aaron has embraced change at the college despite running into some vocal "naysayers." He brings a practical business sense to the position.

"We all want to make it possible for Nevada County's young people to stay here for their education and for a great job, rather than forcing them to leave the area to seek opportunities in life," Aaron wrote in an "Other Voices" column for us. "The NCC expansion must support that effort by creating specific job-training programs to generate a qualified work force for the new businesses we can attract."

He's a blogger (www.aaronklein.com) and writes about the goings-on at Sierra College, among other things.

Reinette Senum: Reinette is co-founder of PowerUp-NC and seed of APPLE, the Alliance for a Post-Petroleum Local Economy - both grassroots environmental groups. In 1994, Senum became the first woman to cross Alaska alone. She grew up in Lake of the Pines

Some old-timers knock Reinette's politics. But you can't knock her passion and ability to raise our awareness of embracing "green."

Her nonpartisan Christmas light bulb exchange allowed residents to exchange older, inefficient holiday lights for more efficient LED (light-emitting diode) ones. It was a hit.

As I mentioned last week, I predict she will run for Nevada City Council this year and win.

"I've also learned to be tolerant - I've come across a lot of different people in my life, and they don't always agree with me," Reinette told Sierra Citizen, SYRCL's newsletter. "I think we all have to be more forgiving and more humble ... We have to trust that, given the information, people will eventually understand the issues for themselves."

Dear political power brokers, please keep your distance from Reinette. She can forge her own unique alliances.

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Jeff Pelline is the editor of The Union. His column appears on Saturdays. Contact him at 477-4235, jeffp@theunion.com, or 464 Sutton Way, Grass Valley 95945.