Amador County – Public comment at the Ione City Council meeting last Wednesday was overwhelmingly in support of the Ione Police Department and critical of a lawsuit aimed at moving law enforcement services to the county. The petition was deemed illegal and unconstitutional by City Attorney Kristin Castanos, who said previously it “attempts to compel the county” to “take over law enforcement services for the city.” Castanos said “(the petition) is invalid because” the “right of the city to contract for police services is vested in the council’s discretion” and is “not a proper subject for an initiative.” This report led the council to consider pursuing a lawsuit against petitioner Denise Robertson, the subject of last week’s meeting at Evalynn Bishop Hall. Public speakers at the meeting expressed near unanimous support for the IPD. Some went as far as to boo and ridicule the petition backers. Mule Creek Prison Warden Mike Martell said his staff and the IPD have a great working relationship. Resident Laurie Lord said it is ok to go forward with the initiative because “if it makes it to the ballot, it will surely be voted down.” Still others said the city should save any money it would spend on a lawsuit and instead put that money back into the police department, whose officers are paid far less than the Sheriff’s deputies. Councilman David Plank still supported the idea of suing the petition backers because it shows “we’re not going to put up with a frivolous, illegal petition.” He strongly urged the council to back the lawsuit because “if we don’t do it, this will continue again and again and again.” He referred to repeated attempts by citizens in the past, including petition supporter Jim Scully, to seek measures that would reconfigure local law enforcement. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham echoed the viewpoint of the council, saying the IPD is “proactively getting out on the streets and stopping crime before it starts.” During public comment, Councilman Jim Ulm was criticized by citizen Jack Brotherton for not standing up at a previous meeting and saying he will fight to protect the IPD, instead saying he will wait to see how it plays out. Ulm clarified that in his opinion, “the best thing to do is let the people decide.” Ulm seconded a motion by Bonham formally opposing the initiative. Plank’s motion to initiate a lawsuit against Robertson was also backed by Ulm, but was opposed 3-2 by the other council members. Robertson must gather the signatures and file the petition by August 14th. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.-
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Amador County – Public comment at the Ione City Council meeting last Wednesday was overwhelmingly in support of the Ione Police Department and critical of a lawsuit aimed at moving law enforcement services to the county. The petition was deemed illegal and unconstitutional by City Attorney Kristin Castanos, who said previously it “attempts to compel the county” to “take over law enforcement services for the city.” Castanos said “(the petition) is invalid because” the “right of the city to contract for police services is vested in the council’s discretion” and is “not a proper subject for an initiative.” This report led the council to consider pursuing a lawsuit against petitioner Denise Robertson, the subject of last week’s meeting at Evalynn Bishop Hall. Public speakers at the meeting expressed near unanimous support for the IPD. Some went as far as to boo and ridicule the petition backers. Mule Creek Prison Warden Mike Martell said his staff and the IPD have a great working relationship. Resident Laurie Lord said it is ok to go forward with the initiative because “if it makes it to the ballot, it will surely be voted down.” Still others said the city should save any money it would spend on a lawsuit and instead put that money back into the police department, whose officers are paid far less than the Sheriff’s deputies. Councilman David Plank still supported the idea of suing the petition backers because it shows “we’re not going to put up with a frivolous, illegal petition.” He strongly urged the council to back the lawsuit because “if we don’t do it, this will continue again and again and again.” He referred to repeated attempts by citizens in the past, including petition supporter Jim Scully, to seek measures that would reconfigure local law enforcement. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham echoed the viewpoint of the council, saying the IPD is “proactively getting out on the streets and stopping crime before it starts.” During public comment, Councilman Jim Ulm was criticized by citizen Jack Brotherton for not standing up at a previous meeting and saying he will fight to protect the IPD, instead saying he will wait to see how it plays out. Ulm clarified that in his opinion, “the best thing to do is let the people decide.” Ulm seconded a motion by Bonham formally opposing the initiative. Plank’s motion to initiate a lawsuit against Robertson was also backed by Ulm, but was opposed 3-2 by the other council members. Robertson must gather the signatures and file the petition by August 14th. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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