Amador County – A group of Ione residents released a statement Tuesday urging the public to attend the Ione City Council’s meeting next week and urge the council to sue a resident who is petitioning for a referendum that would do away with the Ione Police Department. The statement was e-mailed to citizens by Sharon Long, who also contracts with the city and publishes its newsletter. City Manager Kim Kerr said the statement was issued without any involvement of the city, and it was not funded by the city in any way. Kerr said Long was working with a group of citizens who wanted to get information out about the issue. A majority of the city council has vowed to fight for and support the police department. Long’s e-mail, called a “Message of Support for the Ione Police Department,” was written by herself and Jack Brotherton. It was e-mailed to local citizens and a copy was forwarded to TSPN. Long urged people to attend the city council’s meeting next Tuesday, with expected speakers including Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan, Jackson Police Chief Scott Morrison, and representatives from the District Attorney’s office and the attorney general’s office. The petition is being circulated to replace the Ione Police Department with contract services from the sheriff. The letter notes that City Attorney Kristen Castanos has called the proposed ballot measure illegal and unconstitutional. Castanos also advised the city council that they could file a lawsuit at any time, and aim that suit against Ione resident Denise Robertson. Long said the “Council has the legal right to vote to legally challenge this initiative, but has not done so.” The council considered a “lawsuit to challenge the legality of this initiative” in its last meeting, and will take up the issue again 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 16th at City Hall. Long said she and Brotherton in conversations with legal officials have found support, including from Sheriff Ryan, District Attorney Todd Riebe, and Jackie Long, commander of the Amador County Combined Narcotic Enforcement Team. She said all 3, or their representatives, will attend Tuesday’s meeting and speak in support of keeping the Ione Police Department. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
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Amador County – A group of Ione residents released a statement Tuesday urging the public to attend the Ione City Council’s meeting next week and urge the council to sue a resident who is petitioning for a referendum that would do away with the Ione Police Department. The statement was e-mailed to citizens by Sharon Long, who also contracts with the city and publishes its newsletter. City Manager Kim Kerr said the statement was issued without any involvement of the city, and it was not funded by the city in any way. Kerr said Long was working with a group of citizens who wanted to get information out about the issue. A majority of the city council has vowed to fight for and support the police department. Long’s e-mail, called a “Message of Support for the Ione Police Department,” was written by herself and Jack Brotherton. It was e-mailed to local citizens and a copy was forwarded to TSPN. Long urged people to attend the city council’s meeting next Tuesday, with expected speakers including Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan, Jackson Police Chief Scott Morrison, and representatives from the District Attorney’s office and the attorney general’s office. The petition is being circulated to replace the Ione Police Department with contract services from the sheriff. The letter notes that City Attorney Kristen Castanos has called the proposed ballot measure illegal and unconstitutional. Castanos also advised the city council that they could file a lawsuit at any time, and aim that suit against Ione resident Denise Robertson. Long said the “Council has the legal right to vote to legally challenge this initiative, but has not done so.” The council considered a “lawsuit to challenge the legality of this initiative” in its last meeting, and will take up the issue again 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 16th at City Hall. Long said she and Brotherton in conversations with legal officials have found support, including from Sheriff Ryan, District Attorney Todd Riebe, and Jackie Long, commander of the Amador County Combined Narcotic Enforcement Team. She said all 3, or their representatives, will attend Tuesday’s meeting and speak in support of keeping the Ione Police Department. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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