Amador County – Mayor Gary Wooten gave thanks to Sheriff Martin Ryan and Undersheriff Jim Wegner for a presentation they gave Monday to the Sutter Creek City Council. He said “it’s the city council’s responsibility to protect city residents,” and he is proud of the Sutter Creek Police Department and he supports “them all the way.” He later thanked the sheriff and undersheriff for their work, and said he did not want the presentation, but requested it after being pressured by some residents. Planning Commissioner Mike Kirkley said he had only had asked that the city look into the possibility of a Joint Power Agreement with the city of Jackson. Kirkley said “the only way you’re going to save money is with a lesser level of service,” but most people will not support that. He said the city has been “going in the red before the economic downturn,” and for “3 years in a row, the police department has been over budget by $150,000. Kirkley said the council has been “squandering” its reserves. Wooten said he took offense to that, saying the reserves have been small, but were not squandered, in his 10 years in office. Kirkley said the “city had $500,000 in reserves 10 years ago, and now is about $1 million in the hole.” During public comment, local businessman John Motto-Ros said he likes the city police department, “but the problem is, how do we pay for it?” He said he would give up full-time service if required to save the city money. Kirkley asked Sheriff Ryan if he would “consider a lower level of service.” The sheriff said his proposal was based on what his 35 years’ experience in law enforcement told him was the best thing for the city, which would be to “replicate what you have now,” with a 24-7 “physical presence,” including patrol cars on the streets. He said the “appropriate model for Amador County is to have a strong county sheriff’s office and strong local police departments.” He said it “has worked all across California.” Several people spoke in support of keeping the police department, including Jeanie Pinotti, and Martin Consolo. Consolo said “you have a huge investment, and you want to keep that.” That included equipment and training. He also said that a contracted police force would not handle things like record-keeping in the way that the city police department would handle them. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wednesday, 07 April 2010 18:00
Sheriff Says He Would not Lower Police Service in Sutter Creek
Written by Tom-
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Amador County – Mayor Gary Wooten gave thanks to Sheriff Martin Ryan and Undersheriff Jim Wegner for a presentation they gave Monday to the Sutter Creek City Council. He said “it’s the city council’s responsibility to protect city residents,” and he is proud of the Sutter Creek Police Department and he supports “them all the way.” He later thanked the sheriff and undersheriff for their work, and said he did not want the presentation, but requested it after being pressured by some residents. Planning Commissioner Mike Kirkley said he had only had asked that the city look into the possibility of a Joint Power Agreement with the city of Jackson. Kirkley said “the only way you’re going to save money is with a lesser level of service,” but most people will not support that. He said the city has been “going in the red before the economic downturn,” and for “3 years in a row, the police department has been over budget by $150,000. Kirkley said the council has been “squandering” its reserves. Wooten said he took offense to that, saying the reserves have been small, but were not squandered, in his 10 years in office. Kirkley said the “city had $500,000 in reserves 10 years ago, and now is about $1 million in the hole.” During public comment, local businessman John Motto-Ros said he likes the city police department, “but the problem is, how do we pay for it?” He said he would give up full-time service if required to save the city money. Kirkley asked Sheriff Ryan if he would “consider a lower level of service.” The sheriff said his proposal was based on what his 35 years’ experience in law enforcement told him was the best thing for the city, which would be to “replicate what you have now,” with a 24-7 “physical presence,” including patrol cars on the streets. He said the “appropriate model for Amador County is to have a strong county sheriff’s office and strong local police departments.” He said it “has worked all across California.” Several people spoke in support of keeping the police department, including Jeanie Pinotti, and Martin Consolo. Consolo said “you have a huge investment, and you want to keep that.” That included equipment and training. He also said that a contracted police force would not handle things like record-keeping in the way that the city police department would handle them. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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