Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Lungren (R-Gold River), gave the following statement after U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said the U.S. Department of Justice will prosecute Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the 9-11 co-conspirators in a military commission trial.

“Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that the United States Department of Justice will move the trials of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other individuals to military commissions. This represents another reversal of the Administration’s earlier plans to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in a civilian court located somewhere in the United States after an earlier reversal of the decision to try the 9-11 mastermind in New York City.”

Lungren said: “Ironically, in making the announcement to move the case to the Department of Defense for prosecution, Attorney General Holder blamed the Congress for forcing his hand in the matter.” He said: “As one who opposed trying the case in our civilian court system, I am honored to be associated with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle who have all along argued that the Administration should reverse its wrong headed decision.”

Lungren said Holder launched “an ad hominem attack on those who disagree with him” for “settling ideological arguments or scoring political points.” Lungren said: “Although he most likely had something else in mind when he said it, I find myself at least in agreement with his sentiments. Ideology and politics should have nothing to do with the criminal justice system.”

“The trial of this case should have proceeded months ago,” Lungren said. “Were it not for precipitous decisions followed by agonizing delays over where it was politically feasible for this case to be tried, that would have been the case. The victims of 9-11 deserved no less. The time for justice to be done has finally arrived.”

Lungren, the former California Attorney General, represents Amador County. He serves as Chairman on the House Administration Committee in addition to serving on the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees.

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Amador County – The U.S. Department of the Interior announced recently that it is planning a free California statewide wildfire prevention education and mitigation conference in June in Southern California.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs will be hosting the conference, which will be open to all Tribal, Federal, State, and County Agencies, Fire Safe Councils and Fire Wise Communities. The Fire Safe Council organization announced the conference on its website, and said it is tentatively scheduled to be in Southern California, June 6-9. The location for the conference still must be determined.

BIA plans two optional training opportunities to be offered June 6, with Track 1 being the “Community Wildfire Protection Plan,” and Track 2 being the “Juvenile Fire Screening Tool,” also called the “Oregon Model.”

The main conference will be held June 7-9. Several of the prevention topics are Creating Educational Media Clips, Teaching Middle School Youth, Investing in Fire Prevention, a Powerline Fire Case Study, Media Technology and Arson, Photography and Fire Prevention, Developing PowerPoint Presentations, Mapping Decisions, Identifying and Mitigating, and Fire Cause Classes.

Course coordinators are Regional Fire Prevention Officer Jim Nanamkin and Fire Prevention Specialist Soledad Holguin. They informally announced the conference, saying there will be no tuition.

The attendee is responsible for their travel, accommodations and meals. They said BIA is requesting a response of commitment or interest to determine the conference site location. Once the Bureau has determined its location, a formal announcement will go out.

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Amador County – This week a group of French firefighters will be touring the facilities of the California Department of Fire Protection and Northern California as part of their graduate training.

Teri Mizuhara, Fire Prevention Specialist with Cal Fire said 37 fire fighters from the French “National School of Superior Fire Officers” will be in California starting Monday, and visit through April 12. The French instructors and graduates are members of the 72nd French Academy for Fire, Rescue and Civil Protection Officers. The instructors and graduates will arrive in San Francisco to tour various Cal Fire locations throughout Northern California and observe their operations.

Each class from the French Fire Academy has the opportunity for further study once they have graduated, Mizuhara said. “This group decided to come to the United States to exchange ideas, information and technology with Cal Fire personnel” regarding “All Hazard” emergency service techniques.

Members of Cal Fire Incident Command Team 5 will greet the group upon their arrival in San Francisco, Mizuhara said. Their visit begins with a tour in the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit. They will receive instruction on the department’s Fire Prevention Program, Cooperative Fire Protection Services, and Hand Crew and Dozer operations. Mizuhara said this should “be of special interest to our French guests as they do not utilize these resources during their fire incidents.”

The group will then travel to the Amador-El Dorado-Sacramento-Alpine Unit, which will escort them on a tour of the State Capitol and the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial and a meeting with Cal Fire Acting Director Ken Pimlott. Mizuhara said while they are in the Amador Unit area, the French fire fighters will also tour the scene of the Angora Fire in South Lake Tahoe where 3,100 acres and 309 homes were destroyed in 2007.

The group will visit McClelland Air Base and be introduced to Cal Fire’s Air Program. Mizuhara said “given that France uses many air resources as a response to their wildland fire incidents, they are sure to have a multitude of questions.” The day will come to an end with a visit to Cal EMA.

The group will also visit the Butte Unit, which will provide a review of a Vegetation Management Plan burn and a hazardous material incident. The Butte Unit will also give a demonstration of a high angle-low angle rescue technique. A trip to Cal Fire’s Northern Operations Center in Redding will conclude the visit.

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Amador County – California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week both said that tests of air and milk show trace amounts of radioactivity that would cause no risk to humans.

The EPA announced March 30 that “in response to the ongoing situation in Japan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken steps to increase the level of nationwide monitoring of milk, precipitation, drinking water, and other potential exposure routes.”

On March 25, a milk sample from Spokane, Washington showed iodine-131 in a trace amount that was “more than 5,000 times lower than the Derived Intervention Level set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.” The EPA said: “These types of findings are to be expected in the coming days and are far below levels of public health concern, including for infants and children.”

The release said “Iodine-131 has a very short half-life of approximately eight days, and the level detected in milk and milk products is therefore expected to drop relatively quickly.”

Patricia Hansen, an FDA senior scientist said: “Radiation is all around us in our daily lives, and these findings are a minuscule amount compared to what people experience every day.”

The California Department of Public Health last week announced that “according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Japan’s nuclear emergency presents no danger to California.”

California Public Health said “tests from eight environmental monitoring stations in California have found trace levels of radiation that do not present a risk to human health,” and the “amount of radiation identified in the tests was 10,000 times below amounts that would pose human health concerns.”

Public Health said “California routinely screens milk for radioactivity on a quarterly basis,” and “since the Japan nuclear emergency, the California Public Health has increased milk monitoring to once a week in San Luis Obispo County.”

The “results are in-line with” EPA tests of milk in Washington. Public Health said “based on what we now know about Japan’s nuclear accident, radioactive iodine should decrease in the coming weeks. It is estimated that levels will be virtually undetectable soon and dissipate completely in the coming months. The amounts detected are so small they pose no public health risk.”

California Public Health said it only tests milk in one location because “air testing is the best predictor of any public health risk and so far, all testing stations have been reporting only trace amounts of radioactivity that do not pose a threat to human health.” Combined, the EPA and the state have 20 air monitoring stations around California.

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Amador County – A strong odor of marijuana led an Amador County Sheriff’s Deputy to the confiscation more than 3 pounds of marijuana and the arrest of a Stockton man and woman after a car stop Sunday on Sutter Creek Ranchos Road, off Sutter Ione Road.

Amador County Sheriff’s Department Undersheriff Jim Wegner announced the arrest in a release Wednesday. The release said the “vehicle’s two occupants, Leena Cynthia Schultz, 20, of Stockton and Theodore Clarence Salomon Junior, 21, of Stockton were arrested and charged with transportation of marijuana, and conspiracy. Bail for both was set at $30,000.”

At about 7:35 p.m. Sunday, March 27, “an Amador County Sheriff’s Deputy detained a maroon 1993 Toyota Camry on Highway 88 at Sutter Creek Ranchos Road for displaying an expired registration.”

The release said that “as the Deputy Sheriff contacted the two occupants of the vehicle, he detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle.” After being asked about the odor, “both occupants denied the presence of any marijuana within the vehicle.”

The Deputy then “removed the subjects from the vehicle in order to conduct a search based upon probable cause. At that point, one of the occupants admitted that they were transporting 3 pounds of marijuana for a relative. Both denied having a medical recommendation for marijuana or being a designated care provider.”

The release said a “search of the vehicle revealed a plastic five-gallon bucket concealed within the vehicle’s trunk. The bucket contained three separate plastic bags of marijuana weighing over three pounds. No other contraband was located.”

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Amador County – Amador County Treasurer-Tax Collector Michael E. Ryan announced a reminder this week that property owners have until 5 p.m. Monday, April 11, to make the second installment payment of their annual secured property taxes for fiscal year 2010-2011, as April 10 falls on a Sunday this year.

This deadline should not be confused with the Income Tax deadline which is several days later. The second installment of secured property taxes was due and payable on Feb. 1 and will become delinquent if not paid by 5 p.m. on April 11. Ryan said “thereafter a 10% delinquent penalty and $20 cost charge will be added.”

Taxes remaining unpaid after June 30 accrue additional statutory penalties at the rate of 1-1/2 percent per month, as well as additional fees. Ryan said payments may be made by mail and must be postmarked by April 11 in order to avoid late penalties. Payments may also be made in person at the Tax Collector's Office, on the second floor of the County Administration Center, 810 Court Street in Jackson, which is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Thursday, holidays excepted. Amador County Offices are closed on Fridays.

For the convenience of taxpayers, a payment drop box is located on the outside wall of the alcove to the immediate left of the main entrance to the Administration Center.

Payments may be made with a credit card in the office, or by telephone at 1-800-609-4599. Credit card and e-check payments may also be made over the Internet by visiting websites shown on the tax bill. Taxpayers should refer to the back of their tax bill for further payment and tax information.

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Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors at its mid-March meeting approved a change in leadership of the Amador County Health & Human Services department, to be led by the next director of Social Services.

The Board, at its March 22 meeting approved a future permanent director of the Health and Human Services to be director of both Health Services and Social Services departments, which are now led by an acting director.

Supervisors approved the changes on staff recommendation from Chief Administrative Officer Chuck Iley, who in a memo March 14 said that “following the passing of Matt Zanze, the Board placed Joan Meis-Wilson as the Acting Director of Social Services, the Acting Guardian/Conservator and the Acting Public Administrator.”

Iley said “Social Services and Public Health departments were previously combined to create the Health and Human Services Agency, which would allow for more efficient operations and stronger, more unified leadership under one agency head.”

He said “unfortunately, in this financial climate, I cannot recommend filling that top position.” Instead, he recommended the Board of Supervisors “delete the Health and Human Services Director position and replace it with the Social Services Director position.” He said the “Social Services Director and the Health Services Director would then report directly to” Iley. Meis-Wilson is now the Acting Social and Health Services Director.

Iley said: “I am also recommending that the Social Services Director position be advertised internally immediately, with the application review committee consisting of the members of the Administrative Committee, the Human Resources director and the Chief Administrative Officer.”

The board action was to approve the deletion of the Health and Human Services position and to add the position of the Social Services Director. Iley said fiscal impacts would be a “savings from reduced salary” for the new position.

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Amador County – The Amador County American Legion Post 108 held a dedication ceremony Sunday, March 27 to mark the local celebration of Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, which nationally was encouraged by a resolution passed earlier this month in the U.S. Senate.

The resolution was passed March 7 declaring March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, marking the date in 1973 that all United States military troops were withdrawn from Vietnam. The resolution “honors and recognizes the contributions of veterans who served in Vietnam during war and peace.” It also “encourages state and local governments to establish Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, and the people of the United States to observe such Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

The ceremony in Sutter Creek at the American Legion Post 108 hall included a dedication of the new library and museum of the Post, and its tribute to the family of George Allen Junior, for whom the library and museum was named with a plaque. Veterans Services Officer Floyd Martin said Allen’s family made the American Legion Hall possible.

The U.S. Senate resolution, by Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) said in part that “more than 58,000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces lost their lives in Vietnam and more than 300,000 members of the Armed forces were wounded.” It also noted that the “Vietnam War was an extremely divisive issue among the people of the United States and a conflict that caused a generation of veterans to wait too long for the United Sates public to acknowledge and honor the efforts and services of such veterans.”

It also said that “U.S. Armed Forces who served bravely and faithfully for the United States during the Vietnam War were often wrongly criticized for the policy decisions made by four presidential administrations.”

Resolution said that a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day would be an appropriate way to honor those members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in South Vietnam and throughout Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.”

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Amador County – The new Mobility Manager for Amador Regional Transit System on Friday announced a renewed promotion offering free mass transit on Earth Day.

Robin Valencia, the newly named Mobility Manager for ARTS in a release Friday said the department plans its Free Fare Day for April 22, to celebrate Earth Day 2011.

ARTS, which now will also call its department Amador Transit, announced that “all Amador Transit local bus rides will be free on Friday, April 22,” but said The Sacramento Express routes are excluded.

Valencia said: “Earth Day is a day dedicated to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. There are many ways that one can show their appreciation for the Earth and one of the best ways is to reduce your carbon footprint. One way to do this is to use public transit.

Amador Transit provides service throughout the county, Monday through Friday beginning as early as 5:30 a.m. and as late as 6 p.m. Schedules are available at the Amador Transit office at 11400 B American Legion Drive in Sutter Creek, or on the Amador Transit website. Staff is also available to help plan bus routes by phone at (209) 267-9395.

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Amador County – The city of Jackson and its partners last week announced details of its annual Earth Day city-wide volunteer clean-up day, which included music, raffle prizes and free backyard compost units for the first 100 families to sign up as volunteers.

James W. McHargue, Amador County Solid Waste Program Manager announced the annual “Clean It, Green It Celebration” outdoor festival and volunteer clean-up day is set for Saturday, April 16 in Detert Park. The day falls the weekend before Earth Day, but is decidedly a so-called Green social function.

City Manager Mike Daly in the announcement urged people to “come on out and enjoy a ‘Green Day’ at the Park!” He said the “Clean It & Green It Celebration promises to be a fun-filled day at Detert Park for the whole family.” The “Clean It” portion of this event is open to all Amador County residents, and it is the city of Jackson’s annual litter clean-up. It starts at 9 a.m. and goes until noon.

Volunteers will be provided a free barbecue lunch by the friendly staff of the Bank of Amador. Also, the first 100 families or households to pre-register for the Clean-up will receive a free backyard composter after participating.

The “Green It” fair is a celebration of Earth Day, scheduled form 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Daly said many community organizations will be participating in the fair, which will include demonstrations, special projects, and other activities intended to increase awareness of positive “earth-friendly” habits, recycling and energy use.

The theme of the entire event is intended to compliment Earth Day activities throughout the world. He said “music will be provided by the hot local band, Crystal Image.”

An “e-waste Collection Event” will also take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the old Prospect Motors lot directly across the street from Detert Park on Highway 49 and 88. This is a safe and environmentally friendly way to recycle all old electronics with 100 percent of all donations benefiting the Argonaut High School Science Club.

Items accepted at the e-waste drop-off include TV’s, monitors, computers, computer peripherals, cell phones, printers, copiers, fax machines, audio and video equipment, microwaves, and more.

Primary sponsors of the Clean It, Green It Celebration are the city of Jackson, Bank of Amador, ACES Waste Management and Amador County Waste Management Department.

To pre-register, please call the city of Jackson at (209) 223-1646, or send an e-mail to City Hall.

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