Monday, 08 February 2010 17:00

UCC Member Accepted as One of ACTC ''Roundtable'' for RTP Update

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slide3-ucc_member_accepted_as_one_of_actc_roundtable_for_rtp_update.pngAmador County – The Upcountry Community Council last month announced it will represent the Upcountry area on the “stakeholders roundtable” of the Amador County Transportation Commission. The roundtable panel will be used to update the ACTC’s Regional Transportation Plan. UCC co-chair Lynn Morgan said Monday that Upcountry Community Council the UCC took its first step toward a formal group when it was “recognized” by the Amador County Board of Supervisors. Attendance typically has been 20-30 people, and about 30 people last fall attended and voted to have Gary Reineohl to represent the UCC on the ACTC “stakeholders roundtable,” for its 2010 Regional Transportation Plan update. Reinoehl was to report on his selection by ACTC at Monday’s UCC meeting. Morgan said when ACTC tried to set up the stakeholder group, it originally asked for groups or people to nominate themselves. Reinoehl volunteered to represent the UCC at the meeting last fall, and those in attendance selected him to do so. Reinoehl, in announcing his appointment in an e-mail, said the position for “Upcountry Representatives” includes “the UCC as the primary representative and the Pine Grove Council as the alternative representative for the Stakeholders Roundtable.” Morgan said UCC’s “intent from every meeting is to attract new people.” She said the “structure is what I call a working group of 6 or 7 people” who “analyze what future agendas will be,” and decide what they do and how they will do it. If people “live in the Upcountry or are concerned, they can attend.” But Morgan acknowledged that if people do not attend the Upcountry Community Council meeting, they really are not represented, because they are not a formally elected body. Morgan said: “If you live Upcountry and if you don’t come, or don’t send someone to the meeting to represent you, in my opinion, you are not being represented.” She said the UCC was formed to give a voice to residents of the unincorporated areas, but without incorporation in some aspect, it only really can represent attendees of the meetings. “Frankly, we recognize that dilemma,” Morgan said. So Morgan, Co-Chair Bob Currall, Vice Chair Sherry Curtis, and the council created a public relations committee, which tries to get word out to people. She said the group is entertaining the concept of forming a special district, which would require going through the Local Agency Formation Commission and law. Morgan said it “gives the option to collect dues,” a “very sensitive” undertaking. They want to educate themselves and see if that step is on the horizon for UCC. Morgan said: “It’s not just a group of special friends getting together and griping about the government.” She said District 3 Supervisor Ted Novelli has been very supportive, has attended all meetings, and updates the council on Supervisors’ actions. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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