Amador County – Amador County Supervisors approved a letter generally opposing a proposed Farm Labor Rule on grounds that it would stop children under age 16 from working on farms owned by their grandparents or extended family.

Supervisor Brian Oneto said the new rule proposed by the Department of Labor would not allow children under age 16 to operate power tools or tractors on farms unless they are owned directly by their parents. Oneto said in the rule, they cannot even run a drill or reciprocating saw on their grandparents’ farm.

Oneto in an e-mail to Jeanne Deaver of Deaver Vineyards, said: “I have spoken with Congressman Lungen's Representative to this area, Robert Ehlert, who was quite helpful.” Oneto said Ehlert “was of the opinion that it would be helpful to have a letter from the Amador County Board of Supervisors with our position on the proposed Farm Labor Rule.”

Oneto said he believed Supervisors “will correctly address this issue.”

Supervisor John Plasse said “if I hadn’t been allowed to operate a reciprocal saw or a chainsaw, Plasse’s Resort wouldn’t have been built – because I was the one in the trenches.” He said kids “cannot operate a power-driven pizza roller under this provision.”

Supervisor Chairman Louis Boitano said it boils down to common sense. When he was in high school, Boitano said he would drive a truck to pick up 160 bags of fertilizer or drive to Volcano Quarry for 150 bags of cement, work that wouldn’t be allowed under the rule. Supervisors unanimously approved the letter for Boitano to sign and send to legislators.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.