News Archive (6192)
Some small business owners seek to repeal 1099 requirement in health bill
Written by Tom
Washington, D.C. - Many small business owners and a number of lawmakers in Congress have galvanized around efforts to repeal an expansion of Form 1099 tax reporting included in the new health care bill.
According to the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, “The changes will force millions of businesses to issue hundreds of millions, perhaps billions, of additional IRS Form 1099s every year.” In other words, it would require businesses of all sizes to track all spending, from electric bills to property purchases, and send 1099 forms to all those providers. The Cato Institute calls it an attempt “to raise revenue for an increasingly rapacious Congress.”
As a result, alarmed businesses have pushed their congressional representatives in recent months to amend or repeal that part of the healthcare bill- so far with no success.
Recent amendments that died in the Senate in September were sponsored by Senators Mike Johanns (R-Nebraska) and Bill Nelson (D-Florida). Johanns would have repealed Section 9006 entirely, paying for it with cuts to spending from a new public health fund, while Nelson proposed scaling back reporting requirement to total purchases of more than $5,000 per year and excluding companies with fewer than 25 employees.
Other amendments have also been proposed or are in the works.
The Obama Administration reportedly supports amending the section in some form, but does not support a full appeal.
Section 9006 is slated to go into effect for payments made after Dec. 31, 2011, requiring businesses to get a head start on record keeping.
“Businesses would have to report almost every transaction to another business during the course of a year,” says Bill Rys, tax counsel for the National Federation of Independent Business, in an interview with Compliance Week. His group is part of a coalition of more than 120 organizations calling for the provision’s repeal. “This will basically turn every small business owner in the country into an accountant,” he said.
Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CAL FIRE lifts local burn restrictions, prepares for winter
Written by Tom
Amador County - Cooler weather and recent rains allowed the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to lift the burn suspension for our region on Monday, Oct. 11 at 8 am.
This began the transition toward the “winter preparedness level” in the Amador-El Dorado-Sacramento-Alpine Unit, or AEU. This transition allows AEU to release some seasonal firefighters, reduce staffing on fire engines and eventually close some remote wildland fire stations over the following weeks. However, CAL FIRE is always prepared to call resources back if fire weather conditions dictate.
The Air Quality Management Districts will be determining “burn days” or “no burn days.”
“We were very lucky this year with the uncharacteristically mild summer temperatures throughout the state,” said AEU Chief Bill Holmes. “We had anticipated a very dynamic fire season due to the large amount of fuel left on the ground from the December 2009 snow storm. In some places, there is as much as 33 percent more fuel on the ground than last year because of this storm and we are encouraging everyone to do their part by continuing to clean up their properties with the goal of creating defensible space around their homes.”
For more information on defensible space, burning safely and other fire prevention topics, visit www.fire.ca.gov.
To check on burn status and burn permit requirements, call the burn information line immediately prior to burning. You can also call Amador County’s burn information line at 223-6246.
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CTC regional town hall adresses local transpo issues
Written by Tom
Calaveras County - The California Transportation Commission (CTC) today is holding a town hall meeting at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, where they plan to gather local input on transportation issues affecting the Mother Lode region.
The regional meeting is jointly sponsored by Amador, Alpine Mariposa and Calaveras counties.
All four counties are partners in a memorandum of understand that allows for the pooling of state transportation dollars. This meeting is considered a big deal because road issues in our area are often overshadowed by mammoth construction projects in other parts of the state.
Charles Field, executive director of the Amador County Transportation Commission (ACTC), said that in recent years the CTC started holding meetings in rural areas to become more familiar with issues on a local level. He said most commissioners on the CTC are from urban or suburban areas.
Field will contribute to the meeting with a presentation on the decade-long process it took to construct the Highway 49 bypass project.
“Many of the commissioners are new appointments and not familiar with what we went through, so I will provide some history,” he said.
His presentation will include background on the various steps it took to complete the project, including choosing from one of a dozen alternatives, helping Caltrans with the environmental certification process, and working with the community.
Neil Peacock, program manager for ACTC, will also give a presentation on the developing Pine Grove/Highway 88 Improvement Project, which includes 12 different alternatives for route modifications at a price tag not to exceed $40 million.
All sponsor counties are expected to attend today’s meeting with the exception of Mariposa.
Also in attendance will be John Garamendi, representative of California's 10th Congressional district.
The transportation meeting began this morning (Wednesday, October 13th) and is expected to last until the afternoon.
Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador County – Three candidates for the Amador Water Agency District 5 seat also answered individual questions at the Upcountry Community Council candidates forum Monday at the Upcountry Veterans Hall on Buckhorn Ridge Road.
The three challengers for the seat vacated by retiring Director Terence each fielded a different question about AWA issues important to UCC members.
Candidate John Asmus was asked what “water conservation action” he would take on the board. Asmus said of the 40-50 percent of water coming to cities through the AWA, a small amount goes to Upcountry. The rest of the residents are on wells.
He said they should find out the average water used per area, and create a method of incentivizing saving water, possibly in a cistern for area irrigation use.
Asmus said for sewerage, in District 5, they could possibly use water from the Arroyo Ditch to help clean the sewage, and the ditch water could be used about nine months a year.
Candidate Arthur Toy was asked “what responsibility does AWA have to provide water for fire protection services?” Toy said he was sure AWA engineers would be happy to study engineering and flow needs for fire protection, but funding would need to be agreed upon and located in those areas.
He said pipe diameters are “1-and-a-half inches on some mains here,” and it was “major capital improvement project to get mains upgraded,” with still another capital improvement project to build adequate storage for fire fighting.
Toy said people of the districts would have to plan on that, and he did not see it happening this year, or next year.
Candidate Dale Turner was asked: “What are the primary issues of the AWA water conveyance system?” He said he did not know.
District 1 candidate Paul Molinelli Senior said “the primary one is paying for it.”
Turner was given a new question, and was asked: “What is the scope of responsibility of the AWA and its board.” He said the AWA board should provide policy and direction for the general manager to run the agency.
He said “that is not happening now, because the general manager is being micromanaged,” and he “spends all his waking hours just getting ready for special meetings.”
Turner said when he was Mayor of Livermore, his city council met once every two weeks, for no more than 4-5 hours, while the AWA board meets for 6, 8 or 10 hours. He said shorter meetings allow people to give input, without having to wait too long for items of their interest to reach the floor.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador County – About 20 people attended a forum for all Amador Water Agency board of director candidates Monday, hosted by the Upcountry Community Council.
UCC Chairwoman Lynn Morgan introduced the format, which allowed 3-minute self introductions, then gave each candidate a random question. Morgan said questions were created by the unelected and highly informal Upcountry Community Council because as future board members, “everything you do does affect Upcountry.”
District 1 incumbent President Bill Condrashoff took the first question, which was to explain the Central Amador Water Project, and issues it faces. He said it was formed in the late 1970s to supply water from the Tiger Creek Reservoir to the Upcountry area, due to failing wells.
He said primary issues CAWP faces are the cost of water, and a capacity nearing maximum, with room for about 60 homes, while “hundreds of homes have been paying standby fees,” prior to hooking up. He said the Gravity Supply Line project was a major issue for CAWP as well.
District 1 Challenger Paul Molinelli Senior was asked his position on annexation to CAWP. He said a recent annexation on Suncatcher Lane had “much more debate than was absolutely necessary.” He said there was talk it might lead to seven other parcels.
Molinelli said if the water is there and it is a legitimate request, it is OK, and with a hook-up fee of $9,300 each, it would be good income for the agency. He said it would be $37,200 for the four parcels, which is four percent of what AWA owes the county for its $900,000 loan due December 31st.
District 4 challenger Robert Manassero was asked his opinion on consolidation, and giving all customers an equal rate. Manassero said it was something they should look at. He said there are 14 different budgets prepared at the agency, with each coming from a different “pocket system.”
He said getting a price that is fair for all customers may be difficult, but it could be helpful, especially in economic rough times. He also said he would support trying to lower costs of water in Plymouth, Pine Grove and Sutter Creek.
District 4 incumbent Vice President Debbie Dunn was asked how to solve the “insufficiency of fire hydrants” in the Upcountry. Dunn said: “That is somewhat an agency responsibility,” but it was more an issue that should have been handled by developers and state regulations in place at the time of development.
Dunn said the issue should go back to the county and supervisors, who could fund programs and get fire groups, or “the big fire conglomerate” to address the issue.
She said “when and if we have time, we will be doing something about” testing hydrants.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador, Argonaut open 2010 MLL football season with wins
Written by Tom
Amador County – The local high schools opened Mother Lode League varsity football action last Friday with winning contests.
In TSPN’s Game Of The Week, Amador High School took a 37-21 win over Linden, moving to 5-1 on the season. Amador scored in every quarter and led 17-13 at halftime. The 16-point margin was a relief from the Thundering Herd’s last two wins, each taken by a single point.
The Buffalos this week play Summerville, which last week opened MLL play with a 46-14 loss to Calaveras. Summerville is 4-2 with wins over Denair, Mariposa County and Castlemont-Oakland.
It was the fourth straight win for Amador, which is averaging 87 yards passing a game, and 270 yards on the ground, according to stats at Max-Preps.
The Buffaloes are averaging 32 points a game and 61 tackles. They also have 22 completed passes for a .564 passing percentage, 21 by quarterback Clinton Tremelling.
Amador hosts Summerville in Sutter Creek this week.
Also Friday, Argonaut High School opened league play with a 49-14 road win over Bret Harte at Angels Camp.
The Mustangs also moved to 5-1 on the season, and take a two-game winning streak this week into a Friday night contest against Calaveras in San Andreas. The Redskins are also 5-1, and opened league with a 46-14 win over Summerville.
The Mustangs lead the league in scoring, at 41 points a game, and also defense, holding opponents to 15 points a game. The Redskins are a close second in both categories, averaging 36 points a game, while holding opponents to 16 points a game. Amador, Argonaut and Calaveras all enter Friday’s games with 5-1 records.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dem Candidate outraises GOP opponent in BOE Dist. 2 race
Written by Tom
Amador County – GOP candidate George Runner is getting a run for his money from newcomer Chris Parker in the race for Board of Equalization in District 2.
California Secretary of State Debra Bowen reported September 30th that Parker, a Democrat, has outraised Runner across the board in what is traditionally a conservative district. Up until that date, Parker had raised $72,874 compared to $64,199 raised by Runner. Parker also has more cash on hand as he entered last month, with $86,571 compared to Runner’s $61,231. Runner’s debt exceeded his cash on hand at the time of the report. His debt was $73,261 compared to $61,231 in cash.
Speaking at a private function last Thursday, Parker told TSPN he feels good about his chances, considering this is an election year where many seats on all levels of government will likely fall into Republican hands. Parker describes himself as a standout Tax Attorney for the California Franchise Tax Board who “has dedicated his career to public service by working tirelessly to hold socially irresponsible corporations and individuals accountable when they try to cheat the system.”
Runner was not available for comment at the time this story aired. “Runner believes that when people are taxed too much, liberty is lost,” said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, in a 60-second radio ad for the candidate. Runner is a self-proclaimed “Tea Party” supporter.
The traditionally conservative 2nd District represents 34 counties, including Amador County. One of four districts in California, it stretches from the Oregon border south to Los Angeles County and encompasses most of northern California and the central valley.
State Board of Equalization District 2 is currently represented by Barbary Alby, Acting Board Member, who is also running for State Senate in District 1.
Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador County – Operation Care, a local non-profit organization providing support services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, announced today the appointment of its new Executive Director. Clara Osborne was selected following an extensive and thorough executive search process.
Osborne most recently served as Executive Director for Alternatives to Violence in Red Bluff, California. She has experience working with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and is a skilled manager with grant writing and contract expertise as well as budget planning. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. She was a member of the Tehama County Child Abuse Prevention Council, Public Health Advisory Board, Health Partnership, Community Involvement Committee and Continuum of Care. Osborne holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Simpson University.
“I am very gratified at having been selected as Operation Care’s next Executive Director from a pool of highly qualified candidates," said Osborne. "I look forward to working with our board of directors, our talented staff and community to keep our mission alive."
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Sutter Gold Mining works on preliminary economic assessment
Written by Tom
Amador County – Canadian company Sutter Gold Mining Incorporated is looking to resume hard rock gold mining in Sutter Creek, where the operation could create as many as 150 jobs in two or more years.
The company has received permits from the state of California, while it works to get other permits, and also run a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the mine.
The assessment is “evaluating the design and development of an initial mining and milling operation focused only on the upper portion of the Lincoln-Comet deposit utilizing existing mine infrastructure in order to minimize development costs and timing,” said Robert Hutmacher, Chief Financial Officer for Sutter Gold Mining Incorporated.
Sutter Gold Mining controls approximately 3.6 miles of the Mother Lode Gold Belt in Amador County. Hutmacher said “with 90 percent of the property still unexplored,” the potential exists for gold “at depth” and above at “known mineralized zones.”
The 120-mile long Mother Lode Gold Belt produced more than 13 million ounces of gold historically, he said, with 7.9 million ounces originating from the 10-mile long segment between Jackson and Plymouth where the Lincoln Project is located.
Properties under Sutter Gold Mining’s control include eight historic mines with significant historic gold production totaling over 3.5 million ounces or 27 percent of historic gold production from the Mother Lode, in the Jackson to Plymouth segment, at depths of 4,500 and 6,300 feet.
David Cochrane, vice president for environment, health and safety for Sutter Gold Mining, said last week he is working on a number of local, state and federal permits.
Among those is a use permit issued by Amador County in 1998. It includes a number of conditions of approval and mitigations.
Cochrane said: “That’s really our road map of what we have to do.”
He said the existing use permit allows a full capacity for up to 1,000 tons a day, which would equate to about 150 employees. Half of that, or 500 tons a day would require about 100 employees.
Cochrane said the gold mine would probably start at a smaller production rate of about 200 tons a day, utilizing less than 100 employees. That would be determined after the preliminary economic assessment is completed, along with permitting.
Sutter Gold Mining, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, recently received permits for two mining waste disposal units at the former Sutter Gold Mine.
The company is now permitted to use a “waste rock pile” to store rock from expansion of the underground workings for both development and production.
It is also permitted to use surface fill to dispose of a portion of mill tailings during production, and dispose of the balance of mill tailings in underground workings.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador County – The Jackson Business and Community Association (JCBA) will host its membership Kick-Off party on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 6 pm in Thomi’s Café, 627 South Highway 49 in Jackson.
The new association is open to all Jackson business owners and to all others who live in Jackson or are interested in Jackson’s future vitality.
This is a city-wide group, described as “neighbors joining with neighbors in the old-fashioned Jackson way to work together for the good of the business, civic and cultural communities.”
The JCBA encourages everyone to come October 14 to Thomi’s and check out what the future can hold for Jackson.
Patrick Crew, Jackson City Council member and long-time involved resident and business owner, says “I feel this city-wide association will be an important addition to our city’s future. The Kick-Off Party is only a few weeks away. Do not miss this event!”
The JCBA invites you to meet your neighbors and share your ideas while enjoying an evening of hosted hor d’oeuvres, wine and music by Over the Edge.
For further information contact Patti Busch at 209-223-5830 or 209-217-4719.
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