Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors discussed a perceived threat of litigation Tuesday regarding a staff email to Pacific Gas & Electric.

Agency Counsel Stephen Kronick said he researched an email sent by Engineering Manager Erik Christesen to PG&E in which he called seven local residents “activists.”

Kronick said he researched tort law, after a March board meeting during which the public raised concerns about the e-mail and questioned whether some of those statements may have been defamatory. Kronick found that it did not, in his opinion, meet the definition of libel, defined as a false writing that causes a person to be shunned, or injured in their occupation.

Kronick consulted a dictionary, which said that an activist is one who is an active or vigorous supporter, especially of a cause. He said people likely could not go a day without hearing the word activist, and he saw two in a recent edition of the Sacramento Bee. He reviewed Christesen’s email and found “his statements were not defamatory.”

Bill Condrashoff, a member of Ratepayers Protection Alliance, said he found the topic comical, and questioned why it was on the agenda, but suggested it be placed on a future agenda. Ken Berry, also of the RPA, said he was not worried about being called an activist, but was bothered by the word “ambush. He said “ambushers are kind of like terrorists.” Kronick said his legal memo also addressed “ambush.”

David Evitt said the email warned PG&E of the activists, which “taints the email” and shoots down Kronick’s argument. Evitt said “if you think this is a dead issue and whitewashes it, you are very much mistaken.” He said “the intent here was to do wrong,” and “I want a letter to PG&E that undoes that.”

Judy Jebian said “I was named in the email as an activist. I have been called a tree hugger, and a liberal commie pinko.” She said “yes, I am a democrat,” a liberal and “proud to be both.”

Thornton Consolo agreed with Jebian, and was “highly offended” by the email and manner it was sent. He also was bothered by Kronick approaching the issue as a tort. Consolo said “we’re not suing anyone,” and he wasn’t aware that any of the seven threatened a suit. He said “we are still due an apology.”

Kronick said he forgot specifics, but a letter, from his perspective “clearly implied there was a potential for a lawsuit.” Kronick later found the letter, dated March 22 from Judy Jebian, which referenced litigation. The letter mentioned that libel is a tort, and its definition, and Jebian in the letter wrote: “This is a serious matter which should not be lightly dismissed,” and directly mentioned “litigation.”

Director Gary Thomas motioned to direct General Manager Gene Mancebo to instruct Christesen to write a letter of apology, but the matter was not listed on the agenda for action. The board agreed to place it on a future agenda.

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Amador County – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Amador-El Dorado Unit started its wildfire safety and awareness campaign this week, with one of the big recommendations being to initiate and practice a “Family Disaster Plan.”

New AEU Unit Chief Kelly Keenan said “preparing and practicing your Family Disaster Plan is critical,” and “being ready for wildfire season is your best defense. Preplanning for a disaster can save your life and the lives of the ones you love.”

Preparing and practicing your families disaster plan is also key to being ready for fire season, Keenan said. The plan can make evacuating ahead of a wildfire or other disaster far less stressful.

Creating a “Family Disaster Plan” is the first step in preparing for a disaster, Keenan said. “It is important that every member of your family understands what to do in the event of a wildfire in your area.”

Keenan recommended that families “practice the plan on a regular basis so that each member of your family knows their role and what they need to do.” Keep a copy of the written plan in an accessible place so you can refer to it quickly and easily.

Things to include in the plan are: meeting locations away from the home; and communication and evacuation plans for the family and pets. Families should identify where gas, water and electrical shut-offs are and how to use them.

People should plan several evacuation routes in their neighborhood and drive them so they are familiar with them day or night. Keenan said to “assemble emergency supply kits and have them ready for yourself, family and animals. Don’t forget to include a portable radio and/or scanner so you can stay updated.”

He said finally, take steps to make your home more fire resistant. If you are building a new home or renovating your home, consider making “fire resistive measures” for “hardening your home.”

“Roofs are the most vulnerable surface on your house,” Keenan said. “Make sure your roof is made out of Class A materials, such as composition, metal or tiles. Rain gutters should be screened or enclosed to prevent accumulation of plant debris which can catch on fire from a flying ember during a wildfire.”

Home exterior should be made of ignition resistant materials such as cement siding, stucco or fire retardant treated wood. Windows should be double paned with one of the panes made of tempered glass which will reduce the potential of the heat from a wildfire breaking the window and catching the interior of the house on fire.

If a home is dependent on a well for water, Keenan said, people should install a backup generator so they have water in case the electricity goes out.

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Amador County – In early May, organizers sought a permit for a Barbera Festival in the Shenandoah Valley. On Thursday, promoters said festival tickets are now sold out.

Organizers said: “If you haven’t purchased tickets for the first-ever Barbera Festival, scheduled for June 11 in Plymouth, you’ll have to wait until 2012 to taste from the 80-plus participating wineries as the event is completely sold out.”

Brian Miller, organizer of the Barbera Festival anticipated selling about 1,200 tickets for the festival’s first year, but ended up selling out June 1st, at 1,500 tickets. Miller said “it’s a testament to wine lovers’ interest in the barbera varietal. We appreciate the continued support from those that are eager to be there, but we must adhere to our attendee limit.”

Miller said it is intended to be an annual event with net proceeds benefiting the Amador Community Foundation. The festival will be held at Cooper Ranch, on the west side of Shenandoah School Road, about a mile south of the intersection of Shenandoah Road.

According to Miller, there are no tickets available online or at the door. He recommended people become Facebook fans and submit their email address at the event website to receive alerts about the 2012 event and take advantage of early bird ticket discounts.

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Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 6-8-11 - Al Lennox stops by the "Today's Seniors" set to discuss just of a few of the benefits that American Legion Post 108 offers to seniors.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 6-8-11 - Attorney Louise Longley stops by the "Today's Seniors" set to discuss some ways seniors can plan, both in the short and long term, to maintain their independence.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 6-8-11 - "Today's Seniors" host Laurie Webb sits down with Anne Frost to discuss some the different types of Medicare and which benefits are covered under each type.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 6-8-11 - Danelle Dix sits down "Today's Seniors" host Laurie Webb to discuss some of the ways that you can plan for retirement.

Amador County – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Amador-El Dorado Unit launched its “Ready-Set-Go!” fire and life safety campaign Monday.

Teri Mizuhara of the Amador-El Dorado Unit said the unit released part one of its comprehensive educational program: “Surviving a Wildfire.” Unit Chief Kelly Keenan in the release said “living in the Sierra Nevada foothills is a dream come true but with that dream comes a responsibility that many urban and/or suburban dwellers do not face.”

He said “fire is a natural part of our ecosystem” clearing weeds and brush creates “a healthy forest dynamic. But with so many homes scattered throughout the rural foothills, naturally occurring fire is not allowed to do what it should because fire agencies must suppress fires that threaten lives and property.” ¶ Keenan said “people must do their part and create a space around their homes where fire can be better controlled as it approaches.”

“Defensible space” works, he said, and “creating a buffer zone between your home and the radiant heat or flying embers. These embers can destroy homes and even entire neighborhoods that are far from the actual flame front of a wildfire.”

Keenan said “wind driven embers can fly up to one mile during a wildland fire,” so “hardening” your “home with fire resistive material, creating a solid buffer zone of defensible space” is critical.

Keenan broke down defensible space into zones. He said “Zone One” extends up to 30 feet from every structure on the property, or to the property line if it is closer. Remove all dead and dying vegetation, and also leaf litter from the roof and gutters. Relocate woodpiles well away from the home. Trim trees so that they are a minimum of 10 feet from the chimney and roof line. Remove “ladder fuels,” which are “low-level vegetation that could allow fire to spread from the ground to shrubs and bushes to the tree canopies.”

“Zone Two” extends from 30 feet to 100 feet, or to your property line whichever is closer. “The key is to keep plant material separated from each other both horizontally and vertically. This prevents the vegetation from acting like a ladder and allowing the fire to move from the ground to the tree canopies.” Cut annual grasses down to a maximum of four inches in height.

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Amador County – Assemblywoman Alyson Huber announced Monday that she will be hosing a Joint Legislative Sunset Review Committee Hearing to discuss “Sunset Review Best Practices and Lessons Learned,” in a live televised and webcast meeting of lawmakers from around the country.

Huber, Chair of the Joint Legislative Sunset Review Committee, will convene the committee “for an informational hearing to examine the best approaches to the Sunset Review Process.”

Huber’s Chief of Staff Tim Reardon announced the committee meeting, and said the “hearing will bring together officials from Delaware, Florida and Texas to discuss with committee members the sunset review process in their respective states and suggest best practices to establishing a fair, effective and transparent sunset process in California.”

The newly comprised Committee of both Assembly and Senate members was established by legislation put forward by Huber and signed into law last year, Reardon said. “The Committee is charged with reviewing the many branches of state government and determining if they are operating effectively and efficiently. This oversight will help ensure that taxpayer money is being spent wisely and that duplicative or ineffective programs are eliminated.”

The Joint Legislative Sunset Review Committee will meet form 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 8, in Room 126 of the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The hearing will be televised on the California Channel and webcast at CalChannel.com.

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Amador County – The Amador Council of Tourism board of directors will hold its quarterly evening meeting Thursday at Preston Castle.

ACT Executive Director Maureen Funk said the Preston Castle “generously offered to host ACT’s board meeting,” set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 9. She said Preston Castle will give tours to those people who are interested, and people should “not miss this unique opportunity.”

Funk said Terry Selk, the Director of Tourism for the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau will discuss the partnership between Amador County Council of Tourism and the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, “and how well that works for our organizations.”

Food and beverage for Thursday’s meeting will be provided by Clark’s Corner of Ione. Clark’s Corner is sponsoring the food.

The meeting will include the treasurer’s report with a mid-year review, along with the presentation by Selk. Projects to be discussed include a NorCal Guide, an iPhone App, and the Hotel/Motel Tax Increase, which is aimed for June 2012, and needs a chair person.

Travel Shows topics will include reports on the Amgen Lifestyle Festival from Sacramento and the Amgen Tour of Ione. Pow Wow committee has partnered with the Gold Country Visitors Association and will have a report from a San Francisco trip. Funk reminded that the California State Fair is July 14- 31, and the Amador County Fair is July 29-31.

Partner updates will include the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau and partner mailings, as well as the Gold Country Visitor Association’s partnering with Sierra County for an event at noon on Aug. 20.

Jackson City Manager Mike Daly announced Monday that “the Jackson Revitalization Committee’s meeting for June is being cancelled so that JRC members and others who may wish to attend the Amador Council of Tourism’s meeting on the same evening, Thursday, at Preston Castle don’t have to be in two places at the same time.”

The next regular meeting of the JRC will be Thursday, July 14.

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