Tom
Friday, 19 March 2010 06:07
2 Injured in Clinton Road Crash
Amador County – The California Highway Patrol late Thursday afternoon was investigating a 1-vehicle crash that left 2 Jackson men injured on Clinton Road near Butte Mountain Road. The driver and passenger were separately airlifted by helicopter from the scene. California Highway Patrol reported that Roger Dale Chandler Jr., 31, sustained moderate injuries, when the 1997 Mercury Mystique he was driving missed a curve, left the roadway and struck a tree and fence. His passenger, Matthew Keith Wade, 20, sustained major injuries and was airlifted to Sutter Roseville Hospital, where he remained in critical condition this morning. Chandler was flown to Mercy San Juan Hospital in Carmichael, where was in good condition this morning. CHP said the investigation continues. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Friday, 19 March 2010 06:06
AWA to Consider GSL at Mace Meadow CC
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors will head Upcountry next week to look at issues involving the “Gravity Supply Line” raw water pipeline that would take water from Tiger Creek to central Amador. The board last week set a 2 p.m. meeting Thursday (March 25th) at Mace Meadow Country Club to talk about the proposed $13.4 million project, that could qualify for a $5 million USDA grant, and more in loans, but which has drawn criticism for not following up on alternatives to a gravity-powered water pipeline. Agency staff has produce information about the GSL design, studies of replacing electric pumps on the existing pipeline, and estimates for replacing the existing pipeline itself. Interim General Manger Gene Mancebo said the board, when it reconvenes its regular meeting Thursday at Mace Meadow, in Pioneer, it could return to the financial plan proposals of the Central Amador Water Project. He said he did not see any environmental questions that had raised a need to go beyond approving a Mitigated Negative Declaration on the GSL. The agency took public comment on the Negative Declaraton, both in writing during a comment period, and in person during a February 25th meeting. Mancebo said he will recommend Thursday that the board approve the Negative Declaration on the Gravity Supply Line, which could lead to consideration of approving the GSL project itself. Mancebo said the board could approve the Negative Declaration, or take other actions. The AWA board will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday at the agency office in Sutter Creek, then break for lunch and reconvene at Mace Meadow. The agenda at 2 p.m. will include “discussion and possible adoption of environmental documents and project approval for a gravity-fed raw water pipeline, the Gravity Supply Line project, on the CAWP water treatment system.” AWA staff will address questions on the GSL raised in a February 1st workshop. They could look at the reliability of PG&E’s Tiger Creek Regulator as a water source, the availability of grants to finance upgrades to existing pumps, and deadlines for federal grant offers. The board will also discuss the CAWP rate study and financial plan and an “ongoing operational deficit in the CAWP retail system.” They could also discuss repayment of internal loans made by Amador Water System, and funding for future capital improvements. If the board OKs a financial plan, CAWP retail customers will receive a notice of a proposed rate increase in early April. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Water
Friday, 19 March 2010 06:04
ARTS Manager Gets 1 Month Extension To Balance Budget
Amador County – The Amador Regional Transit System board or directors granted the system manager a 1-month extension on a budget update Wednesday, and assigned a budget committee to work with him on possible changes to help the system get in the black. ARTS Manager James Means said he pulled the item from the agenda because he still must make changes to right the balance. Means said he wanted to again borrow an Amador County Transportation Commission consultant, to work on the budget. ACTC Executive Director Charles Field said the consultant is a specialist or bus routes, not finance. Field also said that it was the ARTS manager’s job to deliver the budget update, and “putting it off another month will have fiduciary impacts,” which will affect ACTC. ARTS board member Supervisor John Plasse said he was prepared to comment on the budget. He said he could make some comments on where to make changes and savings. Supervisor Richard Forster suggested they establish a budget committee to meet with Means. The board on consensus formed a budget committee. Plasse and Sutter Creek City Councilman Pat Crosby volunteered to sit on the committee, and they met with Means during a break. ARTS also reported on some new ideas at the meeting. Public relations consultant Terry Grillo, of Volcano Blues Media gave a presentation on an advertising billboard program. Plasse asked how the advertising contracts of an “annualized” $17,000 could, with a conservative estimate, be seen as having the potential to increase to $76,000. Grillo said that would be possible if they sold all of the billboard space on all of the 14 busses and 2 trolleys now operated regularly by ARTS. Plasse said he did not consider it conservative to estimate selling all of the space. Grillo said: “We have desirable spaces” and “I’m confident that we can sell them all.” Ione Councilman David Plank agreed that the numbers were high. Crosby told Grillo to keep that attitude and “keep selling.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Transportation
Friday, 19 March 2010 06:02
Challenge of Champions Rodeo Returns to Plymouth
Amador County – The 2010 Challenge of Champions Rodeo takes place this weekend, with events featuring the best high school rodeo riding boys and girls in the state competing at the Amador County Fairgrounds in Plymouth. The schedule includes the cutting competition, kicking off 7 a.m. Friday, with the “final go” to follow, and a “rodeo performance” starting 6 p.m. Friday. Saturday starts with an 11 a.m. “Special Rodeo,” followed by the rodeo performances, at 1 p.m. Sunday starts with a 10 a.m. “Cowboy Church” in the main arena. At noon Sunday is the Challenge of Champions Finals, with the award presentation to follow. Local coordinator Craig Williams said this will be the 13th year of the Challenge of Champions to be held in Plymouth, and the 38th year of the event overall. It was held in the San Francisco Cow Palace for 25 years, before being brought to Plymouth. Also for the 13th year, the Jackson Rancheria, Casino & hotel is once again the Challenge of Champions major sponsor. Williams said “much support from the community as well as support from the contestants’ families has made the Challenge of Champions a success.” He said the competitors exhibit a professional manner, exceptional athleticism, talent, and a “unique sense of spirit and sportsmanship.” The top 3 contestants in each event from the 9 districts of the California High School Rodeo Association will qualify to participate, “which will promise for action-packed excitement and more,” Williams said. The 11 categories includes barrels, breakaway, cutting, broncs and bareback, bulls, team roping, goats, poles, tie down and steer wrestling. Reigning California High School Rodeo Association Queen K’Lynn [Kay-Lynn] Nicole Jackson will preside over the rodeo. Jackson, the District 7 Queen, competed in breakaway roping, goat tying, barrel racing and pole bending. She won the queen competition at the State Finals in Bishop last June, and as state queen, took 5th at nationals in New Mexico, and was named “Miss Photogenic 2009”. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Friday, 19 March 2010 06:00
ARTS hears About Mobility Management Dept.
Amador County – The Amador Regional Transit System board of directors heard an update on a new Mobility Management program that was announced earlier this month. The board at its regular meeting Wednesday heard from new ARTS Mobility Manager Mel Welsh, who said the program actually began with a September 2009 federal grant that gives the program $250,000 over 2 years. Welsh said the grant was administered by the California Department of Transportation, and the department had already submitted an application for another 2-year grant. Welsh said programs offered through mobility management are trip planning, “Google Transit,” travel training, and programs through Sutter Amador Hospital and volunteer drivers. She said some projects include a volunteer fair; the “Sierra Wind, Wellness & Recovery Center;” adult GEDs; and Earth Day events. The department is also working on partnerships with Calaveras Transit and Tuolumne Transit; and was accepted as a training associate for Motherlode Job Training. Welsh said her assistant Caitlin Grillo had also identified out-of-date, or un-dated ARTS manuals, and a project would update those for a “comprehensive resource manual.” Transit board member Supervisor Richard Forster said mobility management is also about making services and solutions cost-effective, and because ARTS does not have as much money, they should make it work for the customers and for the transit board. Supervisor John Plasse said ridership in the county continues to decline, and mobility management should make sure funds are being used in the most cost-effective way. He said a bus will never work for everyone, and a public subsidy does not mean “bailing out” a gambler from Oakland who over-extended herself at the casino and cannot get home. Welsh said among her biggest effort areas would be the Sierra Wind project, and a planned “social services roundtable.” She said Mobility Management will especially help elderly, low-income and handicapped people. But it will also help anyone wanting to learn about mass transit or other transit. She said it will be involved with community agencies and non-profits “to assist with mobility issues and find solutions.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Transportation
Friday, 19 March 2010 05:56
California Gets $35M Cash For Clunker Appliances
Amador County – Amador County Waste Management Department Thursday announced that California Energy Commission is implementing a “Cash for Clunkers” program for household appliances, using $35 million in federal stimulus funds. Jim McHargue, director of Amador Waste Management said the rebate program encourages “replacement of inefficient appliances with new energy-conserving models.” The “Cash for Appliances” program consists of three components. 1 is to purchase a qualifying appliance from an approved list. Qualifying appliances are online at www.cash4appliances.org. Component 2 is to recycle the old unit at a “Certified Appliance Recycler.” Component 3 is to save, by mailing in a rebate application package within 30 days of the purchase, starting April 22nd. California has been allotted $35.2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds through the U.S. Department of Energy for the program. The funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and are expected to go quickly. The launch of the program is April 22nd, to coincide with Earth Day, and will run through May 23rd, or until funds are depleted. Appliances purchased before April 22nd are not eligible for a rebate. Consumers can receive $200 for refrigerators; $100 for clothes washers; and $50 for room air conditioners. The rebate program requires proof that the old appliance has been recycled through a Certified Appliance Recycler. The program does not pay for the cost of recycling, but many appliance retailers will recycle your old equipment at no cost when a new appliance is purchased. Amador County appliance retailers should be contacted for details, or see www.cash4appliances.org. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Friday, 19 March 2010 04:24
Amador County News TSPN TV with Alan Sprenkel 3-19-10
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Video
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 18:00
Bottle Shop Denied Permit to Change Locations
Amador County – The Jackson Planning Commission voted Monday to deny a conditional use permit that would have allowed the Bottle Shop liquor store to move from its current location downtown to the former location of the Biggest Little Kitchen Store. In a 3-1 vote, commissioners found the move unfeasible because the liquor store did not qualify under two of the seven findings required for such a move under the law. Commissioner Letitia Sextion was absent and Commissioner Dave Butow reversed his opinion from a previous meeting and voted in support of the move. The findings under which the commission determined the move did not qualify were compatibility with the neighborhood and public safety. A number of business owners in the area have stated publicly that they believe the move will hurt the downtown’s image by transferring drunk and disrespectful liquor store clientele to a central and visually unavoidable location. Many also consider the location a main thoroughfare for school children on their way to and from Jackson Elementary and Jackson Junior High. Members of the Ghuane family, which owns the Bottle Shop, said they hired engineers and an architect to work on the design of the historical building, located on the unique three-way intersection at the head of North Main Street. They said they plan to remove the front overhang to provide more parking and change the look to something more art deco. As many as 15 people were in attendance to hear the commission’s decision. City Planner Susan Peters said the Ghuanes can appeal the decision to the city council, but they must pay $200 and get something in writing to the city clerk within 10 days. She said that if the petition is appealed, it will likely go before the council during the first meeting in April. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 18:00
Supporters Say Gold Rush “Facts Don’t Lie”
County – About 10 elected and former officials were among speakers urging a “yes” vote on Sutter Creek’s Measure N Tuesday night at Belotti’s. Councilwoman Sandy Anderson was one who said she was formerly skeptical of the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort, which is the subject of the referendum, Measure N, to overturn the project’s approval. Anderson said she originally thought Gold Rush was “too big,” but she also grew leery of “trickeries and accusations” used by opponents. And she said the City Council and Planning Commission worked hard and “began to put the amenities and benefits up front,” and “none of these were left to chance.” She said Mayor Pro Tem Tim Murphy’s position was that he never knew how they would build the 1,335 single-family homes in the project, but Anderson said that was Gold Rush’s problem. She said the council worked very hard and got what it wanted, and she urged people to volunteer in the campaign. Former Amador Water Agency Director Paul Scott said the city’s wastewater system will not last forever, and Gold Rush will bring dollars to the city. He said the “opposition out there is going to have to deal with the facts, and the facts don’t lie.” School Board Trustee Mary Walser, who said Gold Rush gave the school district 17 acres, which she called “unprecedented”. Mayor Gary Wooten said he recently met a Placerville councilman, and told him of the agreement with Gold Rush building a tertiary wastewater treatment plant for the city in the first 3 years of the project. The councilman wished his city had such a deal and told Wooten that Placerville just finished building a new tertiary plant at a cost of $45 million. Wooten said the city is not bankrupt, but only has a minor deficit. And it was “not true” that they would get rid of the police department. He said the City Council has 4 votes of support for the department. He said it took 24 years to get Measure M passed, and “we will have a paid fire department.” He said the Planning Commission narrowly OK’d Gold Rush, 3-2, the city council approved it 4-1, and “we know what this means to the city.” Wooten said he was also tired of playing in all of the Gold Rush fundraising golf tournaments and not being able to wear the T-shirts. Wooten said: “I’m proud to support Gold Rush.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 18:00
Gold Rush Launches 'Yes on N' Campaign
Amador County – Close to 100 people attended a kickoff party Tuesday in Sutter Creek for Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort, which faces a referendum June 8th for its 945-acre project off Lower Ridge Road. The group filled the conference space at Belotti’s, and 2 native Amador County residents were among the speakers urging a “yes” vote on Measure N, including project partner Troy Claveran, and Sutter Creek Mayor Gary Wooten. Both grew up in Jackson. Claveran, a golf course designer, said the saga began about 9 years ago, when he approached the city about building a wastewater treatment plant, a golf course, and a resort on newly purchased land, the Noble Ranch. Fire Chief Butch Martin said he supported Gold Rush, because the community “can’t go anywhere without development.” And he said “with paid personnel and with Gold Rush, we can bring fire service to a higher level.” Gold Rush’s Bill Bunce was “proud of the turnout and support.” He said Sutter Creek City Council’s approach to the project was to “put local taxpayers first,” and the days are over that land developers can come in and “say damn the torpedoes”: A project now must be good for taxpayers and the city. He said county unemployment is 15 percent, and Gold Rush would bring jobs. Bunce expected a challenge by referendum, because he has faced them before, so they prepared by creating a “project that’s good for the city.” Bunce said: “We can win this election. Frankly, we can win it handily, but we have to get our supporters to the polls.” He said they have good leadership, and if they execute, they “will have a big, happy party on June 8th.” Wooten said he gave 50 years of public service in the county, including with CDF, CHP and 13 years with Martin and the Sutter Creek Volunteer Fire Department. When the city council purchased Noble Ranch for spray fields, Claveran approached the city wanting to buy it and build a golf resort and tertiary treatment plant. He said it took 9 years, but “I couldn’t be more pleased with the project.” Wooten said Gold Rush “has caused a big division in the city, and I regret that,” but the opposition just wants “no growth, and no growth is going to be the end of us.” He said: “They want to preserve historic Sutter Creek and so do we.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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