Chief Morrison told Officer Rice, “MADD has got it right, you have saved countless lives.” He reported that Officer Rice began with the JPD in August of 2005 as a full time Officer and since that time he has arrested 105 people for drunk driving and has a 100% conviction rate. Morrison said “it is tough to get a conviction,” nevertheless a 100% conviction rate. Chief Morrison commented about those who do not believe that prevention efforts work and are skeptical of DUI prevention and enforcement efforts. “Some folks… (say) DUI enforcement does no good. Ride with one of us, even in a small community and you will see that you are wrong. When you go to the 1st fatal collision to where a DUI driver has killed themselves or another, those feelings will change in an instant,” said Morrison. Chief Morrison presented Rice with a plaque and said, “Officer Rice we commend you this evening for your efforts of making our roadways safer.” Officer Rice was honored with applause and a standing ovation. 

Chief Morrison then made a special introduction. “I am truly honored to introduce you to a brand new rank, a first for our department and a first for the county. I would like to introduce Captain Christy Stidger!” Stidger began as a reserve officer with the Jackson Police Department and through hard work, dedication and outstanding tests scores, has made a name for herself as Amador County’s first ever female Captain. Chief Morrison said she is more than qualified for the job and has been an exceptional asset to the Jackson Police Department. Captain Stidger’s husband who is a Sergeant with the Sheriff’s Office and also serves as the City’s current Mayor had the honor of pinning the captain pins to the Captain’s uniform while Chief Morrison pinned her bars.  In a standing ovation the audience applauded Capt. Stidger on her accomplishments.

Also on the agenda  was a request from Citizen Jack Georgette for a moratorium in the City of Jackson. Georgette asked that the City Council “discuss (the) enactment of a building freeze on all residential development in the City of Jackson until (the) waste water discharge issue has be resolved and the Land Use Element in the new General Plan has been updated.” His rationale for the request is that new information has come to light and that he doesn’t want the city to be plagued with future development problems. Before this item was heard City Planner Susan Peters had reported that the General Plan Land Use Element and draft Development Code are being reviewed by staff. Upon approaching the podium Georgette said he was “pleasantly surprised” to hear that the document was on its way and that was one of the key reasons he was requesting a moratorium. Peters explained that the document will probably not appear before the planning commission until July. Georgette said he didn’t understand what had changed between 2006 and 2007 that the City Council would allocate 0 HEUs last year and 106 this year.

The City Council explained that one of the deciding factors was that the water situation has changed with the construction of the Amador Transmission pipeline making water service a sure thing. The Council also pointed out that just because they have approved 106 HEUs for the year doesn’t necessarily mean those will be granted. A project has to meet a certain criteria and if it doesn’t or if the City council finds the project to be incompatible with Jackson they don’t have to approve it. After much discussion it was decided that the City Council would stick with their original determination that 106 HEUs is acceptable as well as the understanding that they have the discretion of granting those units. However, legal counsel was asked to see if the city was within CEQA by approving projects. Legal Counsel believed that the City was within the law, but was going to find further information based upon a citizen’s request.