Home Depot USA in late August withdrew its application for a store in Jackson and requested Jackson City staff to immediately stop work on the project. Home Depot Public Relations said the decision to withdraw had nothing to do with the current economic climate, but “The city is going through growing pains with future growth plans and hasn't determined how a use like ours will fit into the general plan. We will evaluate locating a new store in Amador County in the future, but have no current plans at this time."

Sutter Creek City Council in early September approached a half a million-dollar deficit. "To summarize our performance last year, I'd say it looks pretty dismal," said Councilman Brent Parsons.

Ione elected officials and staff hosted a General Plan Workshop Sept. 8 with 45 people attending and nearly all contributing with the help of a digital instant polling mechanism and a slide show. Daniel Hamilton of Rancho Cordova hosted the meeting and called the General Plan a “blueprint for growth and planning now and in the future” and a reflection of community goals.”

Local fugitive the “White Owl,” Albert Carl Fernandez, was captured September 16th near the Amador-El Dorado County line with the help of the Amador County Combined Narcotic Enforcement Team. Fernandez was arrested for Parole Violation, Cultivation of Marijuana, and Possession of Hypodermic Syringes, and was booked at the El Dorado County Jail.

The Amador Water Agency and the city of Ione dedicated the new 2-million gallon potable water tank in the outskirts of Ione September 18th with dozens in attendance. The 2-million gallon, above ground water storage tank will serve Ione, the fire needs in the area and the currently neutral Wildflower housing development. Ryland Homes paid $2.2 million for the tank and also paid financing of the project, another $2 million. JTS Communities paid $360,000 for the pump station. AWA construction crews worked on the pump stations, saving about $150,000 on the project.

Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort pledged in September to donate 17 acres of land for a dedicated school site once the developer’s project is approved. Bill Wright, legal counsel for the development announced the deal to the Unified School District Board of Directors. The 17-acre property will house a school, with a public library directly adjacent to it, a project that Trustee Chuck Anderson and Board Chair Mary Walser said will be “setting a precedent for Amador County.”

An October 5th bridge dedication ceremony at American Legion Hall in Sutter Creek honored the only Amador County soldier whose life was taken in Iraq. Private First Class Jay-D Ornsby-Adkins, whose funeral was held in August, was killed in action while serving in Baghdad, Iraq. A bill was passed to name Amador Creek Bridge on the new bypass in honor of Jay-D Ornsby Adkins. The memorial program was to include a Color Guard and Honor Guard ceremony and a fly over. Speakers were to include Senator Dave Cox, County Supervisor Richard Forster, American Legion Department Commander Al Lenox and Ione City Manager Kim Kerr. An invitation was extended on behalf of Jay-D's Mother, Robyn Ornsby of Ione.

Members of the Amador Water Agency board of directors and staff joined board members of the Lake Camanche Village Owners Association in dedication of the new Well Number 14 at the end of Village Drive October 8th. The well produces 340 gallons a minute and will improve water reliability and delivery capacity in the Lake Camanche Village system by 40 percent. The well was drilled to about 200 feet and has its pump at about 180 feet. The water’s purity helped state health regional director Joe Spanos approve Well Number 14 for new water customer hook-ups, about 20 per year.

An over-capacity crowd filled the seats and aisles of the Amador County Board of Supervisors chambers October 14th in the first of a 3-day serial meeting to hash through Land Use for the county’s new General Plan. County Planner Susan Grijalva introduced staff, county department heads and consultants who in turn presented the status of updates for land use at staff level. At nearly 2-and-a-half years old, the General Plan update might still see another year of discussion before supervisors take action. Supervisors will revisit the General Plan in February of 2009.

Back in early September, Ione City Manager Kim Kerr gave a presentation on the Measure M half-cent sales initiative to pay full-time firefighters in Amador County. “Whether this passes or not, the city of Ione will be looking at getting a paid fire department,” Kerr said. Kerr said volunteer firefighters must be EMT certified and current, hence Ione’s 35 volunteers are employed at various fire departments. The Amador Fire Protection Authority formed in 2003 to help create paid county firefighting. AFPA estimated county fire coverage would cost $2.4 Million for personnel alone. That would give $50,000 to each city and divide the rest based on call volume and population. The measure passed with 69.12 percent voting “yes” against 30.88 percent saying “no.”

November 4th marked the historic election of Barack Obama, the first African American to hold the office of President of the United States. The Democrat fought a long campaign against fellow party-member Hilary Clinton and then Republican John McCain. Ultimately, Obama’s message of change won over voters across the nation.

The Plymouth City Council on November 13th voted to approve its potable water pipeline project. The pipeline was approved to be awarded to Mountain Cascade Inc. City Manager Dixon Flynn urged that the city guarantee its $5 Million loan for the pipeline project with developer water impact fees. Flynn urged approval of the pipeline before the vote, saying that the $10.9-Million project would cost the city an estimated $3.8 Million. He said the water rates might be an issue for Plymouth ratepayers until completion of the project, but once it is completed, they can sit with staff and determine rates.

The Sutter Creek City Council approved an annexation of 56.3 acres in Sutter Hill November 17th that included the Amador Transit Mix property and two septic services, Sweet Pea and Sierra Septic on Ridge Road. The council in a 5-0 vote made a negative declaration on the project, amended its General Plan Map and adopted a resolution of application to send the request on to the Local Agency Formation Commission for approval.

The Sutter Creek Planning Commission approved the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort’s Environmental Impact Report on November 24th, sending the project’s developers to work on the Final EIR. Commissioner Cort Strandberg said he still had unanswered questions to traffic and economic mitigations, but commissioners Frank Cunha and Chairman Robin Peters said there were steps left in the process that still allowed the city to pause the process for answers to any questions that were known or unforeseen. Gold Rush staff expected to have the Final Environmental Impact Report out by January 19th.

Democrat Alyson Huber’s Assembly campaign declared victory December 4th over Republican Jack Sieglock after final vote tallies from Sacramento County swung the overall count in her favor. Huber had a 12-point lead in the southeastern part of Sacramento County included in the 10th Assembly District. In other less populated areas of the District, Sieglock led by 9 or more points. Sieglock had told media outlets he does not expect to win.

The Amador Water Agency Board of Directors voted 3-0 December 1st to authorize its Board President Terence Moore to sign a construction contract with Mountain Cascade Incorporated to begin the Plymouth water pipeline project. In the same vote, the board directed AWA General Manager Jim Abercrombie to issue a “Notice To Proceed” on the project. They authorized staff to complete the project, “not to exceed the estimated” cost of $10,661,694. Approval of the project’s cost was subject to review by the new AWA Board.

The year ended on a sad note for the business community. Prospect Motors in Martell is closing its doors after being in business since 1976. The “indefinite closure” comes after General Motors Corporation made the decision to pull its merchandise in seven dealerships throughout the Sacramento region. Prospect Motors is the largest local dealership and the closure is expected to have an economic impact throughout the county. Prospect Motors is well-known as a generous contributor, supporter of the County and has generated a large portion of the city and county tax bases over its’ 32 years of business. In a statement, Owner Frank Halverson said, “to the Amador County Community, it has truly been an honor to serve and be a part of this incredible area for over 25 years…Thank you all, for being part of our lives.”

From the entire crew here at TSPN, thank you for your support. The many challenges this year have further proved the resiliency of Amador County citizens. We’ll be back next year to continue bringing you in-depth news coverage. Take care of yourself, and Happy Holidays.