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Sunday, 18 April 2010 18:00

The 134th Annual Ione Homecoming

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Sunday, 18 April 2010 18:00

Motherlode Wineries & Vineyards Seminar

Published in Spot Commercials

Monday, 19 April 2010 18:00

AWA to Look at CAWP Rates, Capacity

Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors will readdress the Central Amador Water Project system rates Thursday, and could also look at capacity constraints. An engineering staff report requests further board direction regarding CAWP and the Amador Water System. One request is “regarding new individual service or increased usage requests” in both systems, with direction for action sought “until such time as additional water treatment plant capacity is on-line at the 2 AWS plants, and additional water rights are obtained in CAWP.” Staff also seeks direction “regarding parcels with standby connections in CAWP,” and regarding reserve capacity for projects in Jackson that were “granted Housing Equivalency Units, specifically those that do not have a tentative map from the city and Conditional Will Serve commitment from AWA.” The report, by Engineer John Griffin, and submitted by Interim Engineering Manager Erik Christeson, said the “Amador Water System-Ione service area is over committed by approximately 250 equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) and the Amador Water System-Tanner service area is over committed by approximately 230 EDUs based on peak annual water usage.” In CAWP, the “over commitment is approximately 450 EDUs, where there are approximately 540 standby connections in CAWP” in both retail and wholesale areas. “The number of standby parcels in CAWP has remained about the same since 2004, but total number of parcels has increased. Currently, on average, AWA receives approximately 1-2 applications for new or increased service per month while CAWP receives approximately 1 application every month.” Staff is working with California Public health “to determine if recent conservation efforts by Mule Creek State Prison can be used to reduce existing peak 24-hour demand for the AWS-Ione service area.” It was unclear if public health would grant that reduction. Staff also seeks direction on a state law requiring public water entities to put a priority on water service access to projects that provide affordable housing for lower income residents. The report said the “Countywide Regional Housing Needs Allocation is 2,171 units” from “very low income to above moderate income.” It said each land use agency must identify project to meet their needs. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Monday, 19 April 2010 18:00

Amador Operation Care Urges Denim Day Participation

Amador County – Amador County’s Operation Care encouraged county residents to dress in denim as part of the national Denim Day Wednesday. April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and throughout April, Operation Care and Amador County’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month Committee has organized a series of events to help every member of the community “decide to end sexual violence.” Lynn Shield, Executive Director of Operation Care, said: “The goal is to encourage everyone in Amador County to learn about sexual violence, how to help prevent it, and how to help survivors heal.” Shield said the committee is “inviting all employees of local non-profit organizations, civic government and other employers to help recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.” The committee is “asking employers to allow their staff to break the dress code and the silence by wearing jeans during the month of April, and especially on Denim Day, Wednesday April 21st.” Denim has become the clothing of the day due to an Italian court ruling in a sexual assault case. Denim Day is being sponsored by Operation Care and the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault. The Denim Day California campaign began in 1999 with groups including “Peace Over Violence,” and the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women, “as part of an international protest of an Italian High Court decision to overturn a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans.” The Italian Supreme Court dismissed charges against a 45-year-old rape suspect because his 18-year-old victim was wearing jeans at the time of the attack. The Court stated in its decision that: “It is common knowledge ... that jeans cannot even be partly removed without the effective help of the person wearing them ... and it is impossible if the victim is struggling with all her might.” The judgment sparked a worldwide outcry from those who understand coercion, threats and violence go along with the act of rape. The unpopular verdict became an international symbol of myth-based injustice for sexual assault victims. Also this month, the committee plans the “Human Ribbon to Raise Awareness.” A teal-colored “Human Ribbon” will be making the rounds throughout Amador County encouraging community to take action toward building healthy and respectful relationships. The Human Ribbon will be accompanied by an advocate from Operation Care to answer questions, and they’ll hand out teal ribbons to tie on car antennas to show support. For information call Operation Care at (209) 223-2897. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Monday, 19 April 2010 18:00

Howard Properties Halts Application on 107-Acre Project

Amador County – Howard Properties has put the brakes on its 107-acre project application in Ione Business Park, asking the city for a partnership on environmental costs. Howard Properties Resource Manager Tim K. Smith told of the decision in an April 14th letter to city staff, and Ione City Council members. TSPN received a copy of the letter from City Manager Kim Kerr. Smith in the letter said: “As of today we are discontinuing the Howard Business Park project and site development application within the Ione Industrial Park complex which was recently submitted to your office.” Smith said Howard Properties project proponents “do not feel it is a feasible project for them under the cost estimates and permitting constraints put on the project by your staff.” He said the city is unwilling to share in the cost of the project, which began as a “Tentative Map,” then was required by city’s staff to be a “Specific Plan,” with all work required to be done by city staff. He said a scope-of-work and cost document from the city had an “open-ended cost estimate for the tree permit and Specific Plan environmental documents” which “was roughly 500 percent of the not-to-exceed cost to do the actual studies and technical data collection and negotiations for the project by our private consultants.” Smith said “to date, the proponents requests for strategy accommodations and cost controls have been largely ignored by the city.” He said “as a huge beneficiary of the project, the city is unwilling to act as a partner in the process but is set up to function as a paid third party overseer.” Smith said: “The Specific Plan is a city project which staff is currently unwilling to participate in as a financial or in-kind partner.” He said: “Without a competitive influence on the EIR work, there is no way for the proponent to be in control of their own project,” and in the last year-and-a-half, “the project has morphed into something way beyond the initial vision of a combined park in an already appropriately zoned parcel which was annexed by the city for the very purpose which is the proponent’s intent.” Howard Properties informed its “consultants to discontinue work on the project and to archive work done to date in case the city of Ione would be willing to accommodate the proponents concerns at some time down the road.” Ione Councilman David Plank said he had received the letter and would make comments on the issue in public at the meeting today. City Manager Kim Kerr is planning to talk about the letter today during a discussion of written correspondence. Ione City Council meets at 6 p.m. today. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Monday, 19 April 2010 18:00

Attorneys Step Down in Plymouth, Sutter Creek

Amador County – City attorneys for Sutter Creek and Plymouth recently tendered their resignations effective this year. Sutter Creek attorney Dennis Crabb will be retiring after 7 years with the city, with his last day to be June 7th. And earlier this month, Plymouth City Attorney Steven Rudolph told his council that he would be stepping down to work on staff at Galt. On April 13th, Crabb sent a memo to the Sutter Creek City Council advising them how to proceed in his replacement. He said they could advertise and hire at will, without a bid, because it is a professional service. They could also take “requests for proposals,” which delineate the different billing rates, in an effort to save on legal fees of approximately $40,000 per year. Crabb in the memo said: “As I more toward retirement it is time for me to work less and enjoy life more.” Crabb gave the city council a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) and recommended that “the RFP be sent to at least 4 experieenced municipal law firms,” those being “the current back-up city attorney firms” of Sam Jackson; Best, Best & Krieger; Meyers-Nave; and McDonough Holland Allen. Crabb said the “RFP should also be posted on the city’s web page and sent to all attorneys holding current city of Sutter Creek business licenses.” He said if the League of California Cities agrees, it should also be posted on the League’s web site. Crabb suggested a return date of May 13th, to allow for evaluation of proposals. Crabb said he “will be available to the new city attorney for consultation as needed on pending issues and for background thereafter.” Earlier this month, Plymouth City Attorney Steven Rudolph said he was going to be the Galt City Attorney. He introduced his recommended replacement, at the city council’s choosing. That was Attorney Laura Hollander, also of Rudolph’s firm, Meyers Nave of Sacramento. Rudolph said he has been working as city attorney for Galt for a couple of years while also working in Plymouth, but he is “going in-house with Galt,” to join the city staff. City Manager Dixon Flynn said he has worked with many city attorneys over the years, including 3 who became superior court judges, and Rudolph is the best city attorney among them. Rudolph said: “When I do drive out of town, I will leave a little piece of my heart.” Hollander had already begun working on some Plymouth issues for Rudolph, and gave presentations during the April 8th Plymouth City Council meeting. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Tuesday, 20 April 2010 06:32