Tom
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 18:00
Ione Chooses Not to Pursue Lawsuit in IPD Petition Debate
Amador County – A crowd of nearly 200 people gathered in Ione Wednesday to hear the city council decide whether they would initiate a lawsuit against a potential ballot measure aimed at moving law enforcement services from the Ione Police Department (IPD) to the county. The lawsuit idea emerged after City Attorney Kristen Castanos called the proposed ballot measure, backed by Ione resident Denise Robertson, both illegal and unconstitutional. The majority of the city council vowed to fight for and support their local police. Wednesday’s meeting location was changed to Evalynn Bishop Hall instead of City Hall because of the expected large turnout. Before any decision was made, a parade of citizens and law enforcement officials took to the microphone during public comment to express their support and gratitude for the IPD. Letters of support from the Jackson Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office were read aloud. Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan said “I truly believe a city is best served by the people who live in it.” Some residents were more critical of the petition drive, calling it “moronic” and “just plain stupid.” In explaining her motivation, petitioner Denise Robertson said “our police department is run inadequately and it would be beneficial to our community to contract with the Sheriff.” She said “people just don’t feel secure” and recalled a 2003 sexual assault case the IPD allegedly failed to investigate. In a report distributed amongst city staff and council and made available to the public, IPD Chief Michael Johnson admitted that in his assessment, former IPD staff “did mishandle and fail to properly investigate” the case. Understanding that “the case represented a negligence and poor perception within the community,” Johnson said he took measures to follow up on the original case and clarify incorrect information in the initial reports. Robertson implied collusion between some council members and staff because of their “friendships.” She was booed as she returned to her seat. Jackson Valley resident Jim Scully, a long-time critic of the Ione police and supporter of Robertson, said all the criticism is unwarranted because Robertson is “exercising her 1st Amendment rights.” He said “we don’t understand why the city is insisting the sky is falling…when all we want to do is put this up to a public vote.” Mayor Skip Schaufel cut Scully off after five minutes. This sparked a complaint from Robertson who said “you didn’t stop anybody else.” Chief Johnson closed public comment by saying, “I did not take this job as a stepping stone, I took it because I want to stay here and retire here.” He said he is proud of his department and the job they do. Councilman Lee Ard said “you all have the finest public safety that any small town could ever ask for.” Councilman David Plank supported the idea of going forward with the lawsuit because “if we don’t do it, this will continue again and again.” Councilman Jim Ulm said “the best thing to do is to let the people decide.” A motion by Plank to initiate a lawsuit was voted down, 3-2. Other motions were passed to write up staff reports making a detailed comparison between the costs of contracting with the Sheriff’s Department versus the IPD. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 18:00
Amador County News TSPN TV with Alex Lane 3-18-10
Published in
News Broadcast Videos
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 18:00
Ione Chooses Not to Pursue Lawsuit in IPD Petition Debate
Amador County – A crowd of nearly 200 people gathered in Ione Wednesday to hear the city council decide whether they would initiate a lawsuit against a potential ballot measure aimed at moving law enforcement services from the Ione Police Department (IPD) to the county. The lawsuit idea emerged after City Attorney Kristen Castanos called the proposed ballot measure, backed by Ione resident Denise Robertson, both illegal and unconstitutional. The majority of the city council vowed to fight for and support their local police. Wednesday’s meeting location was changed to Evalynn Bishop Hall instead of City Hall because of the expected large turnout. Before any decision was made, a parade of citizens and law enforcement officials took to the microphone during public comment to express their support and gratitude for the IPD. Letters of support from the Jackson Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office were read aloud. Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan said “I truly believe a city is best served by the people who live in it.” Some residents were more critical of the petition drive, calling it “moronic” and “just plain stupid.” In explaining her motivation, petitioner Denise Robertson said “our police department is run inadequately and it would be beneficial to our community to contract with the Sheriff.” She said “people just don’t feel secure” and recalled a 2003 sexual assault case the IPD allegedly failed to investigate. In a report distributed amongst city staff and council and made available to the public, IPD Chief Michael Johnson admitted that in his assessment, former IPD staff “did mishandle and fail to properly investigate” the case. Understanding that “the case represented a negligence and poor perception within the community,” Johnson said he took measures to follow up on the original case and clarify incorrect information in the initial reports. Robertson implied collusion between some council members and staff because of their “friendships.” She was booed as she returned to her seat. Jackson Valley resident Jim Scully, a long-time critic of the Ione police and supporter of Robertson, said all the criticism is unwarranted because Robertson is “exercising her 1st Amendment rights.” He said “we don’t understand why the city is insisting the sky is falling…when all we want to do is put this up to a public vote.” Mayor Skip Schaufel cut Scully off after five minutes. This sparked a complaint from Robertson who said “you didn’t stop anybody else.” Chief Johnson closed public comment by saying, “I did not take this job as a stepping stone, I took it because I want to stay here and retire here.” He said he is proud of his department and the job they do. Councilman Lee Ard said “you all have the finest public safety that any small town could ever ask for.” Councilman David Plank supported the idea of going forward with the lawsuit because “if we don’t do it, this will continue again and again.” Councilman Jim Ulm said “the best thing to do is to let the people decide.” A motion by Plank to initiate a lawsuit was voted down, 3-2. Other motions were passed to write up staff reports making a detailed comparison between the costs of contracting with the Sheriff’s Department versus the IPD. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
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.
Published in
Local
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.
Published in
Local
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.
Published in
Local
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 01:59
Amador County Transportation Commission Gets Update on Highway 88 Improvement Project
Amador County – Today’s meeting of the Amador County Transportation Commission includes an update on staff work on the Highway 88 Pine Grove Corridor Improvement project, which had a setback with winter weather recently. ACTC Planner and Program Manager Neil Peacock reported to the commission dated last week that agency subcontractors were taking a new traffic count, as requested by the California Department of Transportation. Peacock said “a low-elevation snow storm” March 9th “resulted in counting hoses at several locations being knocked out of position by snow plows.” He said to make the 7-day count required by Caltrans may necessitate restarting the count. He said that should only delay data’s availability by 1 week.” Peacock also reported that Dokken Engineering reviewed Caltrans cost estimates in the “Project Study Report” for the Pine Grove Corridor Improvement project, and “have determined that entirely new cost estimates need to be provided as further alternative-specific details emerge in order to have accurate, uniform, and comparable cost estimates” with each “alignment alternative” under consideration. ACTC staff is planning an April 7th “community kick-off meeting” and Peacock met with the Pine Grove Town Council earlier this month to discuss the meeting. ACTC’s outreach consultant Leslie Regos “completed and delivered a complete packet of all public involvement and community outreach materials” for review by Caltrans. Peacock said those documents are available for commissioners to review at a secure website. The commission today also will consider accepting a $1 rental fee from the Amador Council of Tourism, which has moved into ACTC’s new Sutter Hill Transit Transfer Station in Sutter Creek. ACTC Executive Director Charles Field in a letter to the board last week said as the transit station was in the planning stage, “it became apparent that someone should staff the facility to ensure both security and adequate service” to mass transit patrons. He said Amador Regional Transit System was anticipated to not be able to pay for staffing the facility. Field said Amador Council of Tourism was looking for a central location for a visitor center, and on discussion was found willing to staff the transit station, while using space as a visitor’s center. ACTC and ACT signed a lease agreement February 1st, and ACT moved in. Field said Council of Tourism members and staff planned to attend today’s meeting to “personally thank the commission for supporting this partnership.” ACTC meets at 6 p.m. today (March 17th) in the county administration building in Jackson. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
