Tom
Tuesday, 09 March 2010 09:04
Local Law Enforcement Leaders Address Marijuana Cultivation Issue
Amador County - Local law enforcement officials will address their increasing concern over the commercial cultivation of marijuana in California’s forests at an upcoming Amador-El Dorado Forest Forum in Jackson. Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan, along with Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team (ACCNET) Commander Jackie Long are scheduled to speak at the event. “California's forests are under attack by organized drug groups, gangs, and individuals whom are cultivating marijuana,” says an announcement about the event. The announcement says attendees will “learn about the real damage to our pristine ecosystems and the dangers facing those who recreate, work, and live in our forests.” ACCNET has been at the forefront of a number of coordinated marijuana busts since the agency’s creation in November, 2007. ACCNET is one of the 48 regional narcotic task forces that is operated by the Attorney General’s, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. It is the brainchild of Sheriff Ryan, an aggressive opponent against the expansion of drug culture in Amador County and throughout the foothills area. This special Amador-El Dorado Forest Forum is scheduled for March 17th at Strings Italian Café in the Amador Plaza Shopping Center in Martell. It includes a Social Hour at 6 pm and dinner at 6:30 pm. The menu includes all-you-can-eat pasta with salad for $11 per person, which includes tax and tip. RSVPs are required by Monday March 15th. Contact Diane Dealey Neill at (530) 417-1960 for more information or to schedule your reservation. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 08:44
Empty Chairs Signify Pending Local School Layoffs
Amador County – On the front lawn of the Amador Unified School District in downtown Jackson sits a row of sixty-six empty chairs. The chairs were set out as part of a demonstration called “Stand Up for Schools and California’s Future” designed to highlight the impact of layoffs that will be made as a result of state reductions in school funding. “Our district has been reduced $14 million in revenue over a three year period (last year, this year, next year),” said Superintendent Dick Glock. “There is no good outcome to actions we must take. It’s about financial survival, not about what’s good for kids and students.” Glock and school board members expressed their helplessness at the Amador County Unified School District board meeting last week, where they unanimously approved to authorize notices of dismissal to be sent to 56 district and 10 special education employees. A final decision must be made before a state-imposed deadline of March 15th. “There are no good outcomes to this unless we are able to rescind these layoffs at a later date,” said Glock. The school district says that while the number of layoffs expected locally is small compared to bigger districts, the percentage of teachers facing unemployment is huge. 26 percent of ACUSD and Amador Office of Education teachers are expected to receive pink slips. On March 4, local teachers and concerned citizens participated in the “Stand Up for Schools and California’s Future” day of action by placing the chairs in front of various schools across the county. A simple row of folding chairs on the ACUSD front lawn now serve as a reminder to passing motorists of the potential impact of these cuts. In addition to layoffs, Glock said the district’s deficit forces them to increase class size, an action that until recently they found creative ways of avoiding. We’ve tried to stave off direct cuts to the (classroom)…and now there is no other place to go other than raising class size,” said Glock. Class sizes will be raised closer to 30 students and many electives that don’t see much participation will be shut down. Glock said if they laid off everyone on the list they “still would be a million dollars short” of breaking even. He said at that point the district would likely look into reducing the length of the school year or discussing wage and benefit reductions with special bargaining units. Amador County Teacher's Association President Mike Delaney said his group understands that the budget cuts are out of local control and the responsibility lies with state lawmakers. The district is encouraging the public to contact their elected officials “who make the decisions that threaten schools.” These include Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senator Dave Cox and Assemblymember Alyson Huber. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 08:36
Sobon, Shenandoah Vineyards, Vino Noceto Commit to Columbia Culinary Wine Tasting Benefit
Amador County – Three Amador County wineries will attend the 34th Annual Columbia Wine Tasting to Benefit the Columbia College Culinary Arts program, set for April 18th in Sonora. Coni Chavez, executive assistant to the president of Columbia said this spring’s Wine Tasting Benefit will be hosted by the Columbia College Foundation. The “premiere” tasting benefit will feature more than 70 wineries, with “hors d'oeuvres prepared by culinary students” and local food purveyors. Beccie Michael, director of development at Columbia said Friday that so far, 3 Amador County wineries have agreed to participate. They are Sobon Family Wines, Shenandoah Vineyards, and Vino Noceto. Michael said the college has “invited several others and hope to hear from them soon.” The college updates its website almost daily as wineries respond. Last year’s Amador wineries included Noceto, Sobon, Shenandoah Vineyards, Amador Foothill, Estate, Terre Rouge, Montevina and Karly. Chavez said the college’s “growing culinary program prepares students for careers in various hospitality management-related positions,” and is accredited by the prestigious American Culinary Federation. It’s graduates can be found in successful careers throughout the culinary world. This year’s tasting is 1-4 p.m. Sunday, April 18 at Columbia State Historic Park. For information, call (209) 588-5089, or online, see GoColumbia.edu. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 08:38
Faith Lutheran Church Helps Villagers in Papua New Guinea
Amador County – Five villages in the highlands of Papua New Guinea will soon receive fresh, clean water due to a water project partially sponsored by Faith Lutheran Church located at Red Corral off Highway 88 in Pioneer. The project has become even more important as the island nation struggles to contain its first outbreak of cholera in 34 years. According to the World Health organization, the epidemic has killed at least 40 people and sickened thousands. Cholera is primarily a water-born disease that causes severe diarrhea, usually in villages with poor sanitation like the villages the water project will serve. The water project was first conceived in 2008, when Dawn Solevad and her husband Bafinuc Ilai, both teachers in the Papua New Guinea town of Goroka, brought their newborn son, Bafinuc, Jr., home to Pioneer to meet his grandparents, David and Ellen Solevad. Reverend Solevad has been the pastor of Faith Lutheran Church for nearly 30 years, and Dawn grew up and went to school here in Amador County. In a visit with Reverend Eric and Mrs. Cathy Yochheim (YO-HIME), the Yochheims asked Bafinuc about the water system in his home village and then touched upon the idea of a well. Now, that idea has grown into a water project. Bafinuc’s family has been instrumental in researching materials and costs for the project, and the 100-member congregation of Faith has collected $11,000 toward its completion. About 4000 people live in the location of the project in very mountainous terrain. The people – mostly the women and children – have to hike down a mountain to fetch the water and carry it back up the mountain again to their houses. The current water sources not only make collecting water difficult but are also not very sanitary – some are located not far from open latrines. With help from grants obtained through the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America World Hunger funds, materials were purchased in the city of Lae in June of 2009 and construction began in July. The villagers themselves contributed part of the funds and are doing most of the work. The grants also allow for fresh, clean water to be pumped from streams higher in the mountains. It is hoped that water will eventually be piped to individual villages. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 08:57
OES Offers Free Sandbag Supplies
Amador County - Lynne Olsen of the Office of Emergency Services said she has had requests from individuals for sandbags in order to eliminate flooding on their property. She said there is no coordinated effort by the county to provide sandbags. A box of bags and two piles of sand are available at the Amador County Airport, located at 12380 Airport Road in Jackson. Olsen said individuals may call the Office of Emergency Services at 223-6384 if they have any questions about sandbagging. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 08:59
Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode Seeks Donations
Amador County – Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode, which provides low-cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs, seeks donations as it prepares to move its clinic. El Dorado County-based Animal Outreach provides services to El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer, Amador, Yolo and Stanislaus counties. To accommodate the increasing need for its programs, including a cat shelter and adoptions, and spaying and neutering of feral cats, Animal Outreach will move its clinic to 6106 Enterprise Drive Suite B, in Diamond Springs March 15. Items needed for the new clinic include a laryngoscope, heated top hydraulic surgery table, T-Kennels for dogs, large-capacity washer and dryer, kennel cage cups for food and water, large metal food and water bowls, collapsible cages for cats, new or lightly used cat trees of all sizes, dry and canned cat food, kitten food and kitten formula, large cat pans, non-clumping litter, letter and legal size paper, and stamps and envelopes. Monetary donations are also welcome. For more information, call Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode at (530) 642-2287, or see www.animaloutreachcats.com. A TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 09:01
Sutter Creek OKs Ballot Language Supporting Gold Rush
Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council in a special meeting Monday approved ballot language for the city-wide referendum on the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort. Staff prepared the support statement for the initiative, which the county election office has assigned to be named “Measure N.” The language, approved on a 3-2 vote with one amendment, begins by saying that the “Sutter Creek City Council urges a yes vote on Measure N to ensure the city receives the significant community benefits of the Gold Rush Ranch project.” Mayor Gary Wooten and councilwomen Linda Rianda and Sandy Anderson voted yes, while Mayor Pro Tempore Tim Murphy and Councilman Pat Crosby voted no. The language noted that “for several years, the city has processed an application for the Gold Rush Ranch project located on 945 acres of property near Sutter Hill.” It noted that current zoning for “industrial and high density residential” zones would be replaced with “lower density residential and recreational uses,” open space and an 18-hole golf course. It notes that “during deliberations, the council concluded that the gold Rush Ranch project is an appropriate way to plan for future growth while simultaneously preserving Sutter Creek’s downtown area.” The language, drafted in committee by Anderson and Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha, notes that a “yes” vote “upholds the council’s approvals and insures the city will receive project amenities including a new sewer treatment plant, a community park, $1 million for road improvements, $1 million for open space acquisition, 300 acres of permanent open space, and $500,000 for historic preservation.” The approval of the statement for the ballot marks the start of a timeline for the proponents of the referendum to file a rebuttal statement, to also be placed on the ballot. Proponent Bart Weatherly attended the meeting but did not speak. The referendum will be on the June 8th ballot, and the election will be funded by Gold Rush developers. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 09:03
Council Urges “Yes” Vote, Debates “No” Vote on Gold Rush Referendum
Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council on Monday finalized wording of the city’s official ballot statement for the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort referendum in June, with the statement urging support and also telling what a “no” vote would do. The language notes that a “no vote means that the council’s actions will be overturned and development of the property could proceed in accordance with existing zoning, which allows for approximately 1,800 dwelling units.” The statement says “this scenario would generate significant and unavoidable impacts similar to those expected from Gold Rush Ranch, however the city would have no ability to reduce or eliminate these impacts.” The ballot statement says “additionally, the city would not receive any of the community benefits that the council negotiated for its citizens.” Planning Commissioner Mike Kirkley said the property in the project has been industrially zoned for a long time, and the 1,800-unit scenario was a “scare tactic.” He said “industrial development could go through just as easily as development.” Mayor Pro Tempore Tim Murphy said the paragraph “is a gross over-simplification of what would happen if there was a ‘no’ vote,” and if the project is stopped. Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha said “it could be denser that 1,800 equivalent dwelling units.” The statement said that the “city council diligently evaluated Gold Rush Ranch and approved a project that represents an appropriate future land use plan and provides for significant community benefits.” City Treasurer Cathy Castillo said there is “no municipal bond market,” and “demand has just evaporated.” She also asked how the shortfall would be fixed between the city General Fund and its deficit. Councilwoman Sandy Anderson said: “These things have been taken care of, and it is your opinion that these things haven’t been taken care of.” Cunha said in the planning process, it was know that “if there is no market, the project doesn’t get built.” Planning Commisison Chairman Robin Peters said the industrial property could be rezoned, but the owner should “be prepared to pay.” Cunha said the commission spent considerable time working on the issue with City Planner Bruce Baracca, and learned that “there would be no mitigations because the project is already permitted,” getting its permit in 1994. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 09:09
Trudy Lackey - Northeastern California Small Business Development Center 3-9-10
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Wednesday, 10 March 2010 03:39
Sutter Creek Attorney Impartially Analyzes Gold Rush Referendum
Amador County – Sutter Creek City Attorney Dennis Crabb presented an objective analysis of the city’s June referendum on the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort, which the council accepted in a special meeting Monday afternoon. The ballot measure, designated by the county elections office as “Measure N,” asks whether the city council’s resolution to approve the Gold Rush project should be adopted. The council placed the referendum on the June 8th primary ballot and on Monday approved a city council statement of support that will be printed on the ballots. Crabb in the analysis said approval, or a “yes” vote on the referendum “upholds the decision of the city council approving the project with conditions, mitigation measures and a development agreement.” A “yes” vote would preserve “existing legislation,” or the resolutions approved by the city council January 4th. And a defeat, or “no” vote, on the measure “sets aside existing law. The site reverts to the former General Plan designation of Master Plan Area and zoning designation of Urban Plan Area/Light Industrial. The portion of the site in the county would be under county land use control.” Operation of the measure would turn on the vote, Crabb wrote. A “yes” vote on Measure N “would result in the Gold Rush Ranch Project, with conditions, environmental mitigation measures, and a development agreement remaining in effect.” Crabb said there “will be increased public service costs to the city, which are required to be offset by special taxes and fees paid by he new development and/or property owners within Gold Rush.” A defeat “would prevent Gold Rush” from “being developed on the site with no increased public service costs. If defeated projects may be developed on the site without further discretionary approvals by the city in compliance with previous regulations or projects may be proposed on the site requiring new discretionary approvals by the city council with new environmental and public service cost documentation.” Crabb said the 945-acre Gold Rush Ranch has 612 acres in the city, 333 acres in Amador County, (the latter to be annexed). It includes a public 18-hole golf course and related facilities, 60-room hotel, 300 timeshare units, 57,000 square feet of commercial development, 1,334 primary residential units, 64 secondary residential units, and 300 acres of open space and biking and hiking trails. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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