News Archive (6192)
Amador County – The Ione City Council held a special meeting Monday (June 21st) to discuss its upcoming fiscal year, which comes with a projected General Fund deficit of $642,000. The council hosted a workshop on the draft 2010-2011 fiscal year budget, and look at a staff report that included 1 layoff, some staffing reductions, and about $70,000 in union employee reductions in savings, or an optional reduction in hours across the board. City Manager Kim Kerr in a report completed Sunday said the city’s projected General Fund deficit of approximately $642,000 in the proposed 2010-2011 budget included $1.9 million in projected revenue and $2.5 million in expenses. Kerr said the “primary area to continue to reduce expenses is in salaries and benefits.” Kerr in the report listed the city council’s main goals and priorities, led by maintaining and “public safety services at current service levels” and enhancing the services as “revenues improve.” Number 2 on the list was to “continue resolving wastewater issues by completing the city’s Wastewater Master Plan including obtaining a new discharge permit” from the state. Kerr said current agreements with union employees impose a 2% cost of living raise, plus a 5% raise for police officers and sergeants, and the combined building official/public works director. Medical insurance is increasing 9.4% on average for various plans and dental insurance is going up 5.6%, Kerr said, noting that the city now pays “up to $1,100 per employee for medical insurance and the full cost of dental, vision and life insurance coverage.” Kerr said other employee benefits have led the city council to authorize “the negotiating team to seek cost savings or reductions from employees.” She said that was authorized during a City Council closed session meeting April 20th, and “those negotiations have begun.” Kerr in the report recommended $145,000 in specific cuts, including laying off a mechanic; reducing the building inspector to ½ time; and a 20% cut of the police clerk’s hours. Kerr also recommended either seeking “reductions from the bargaining units totaling General Fund cost savings” of $70,000; or reducing the “work week to 36 hours at a savings of approximately $70,000.” Kerr said “staff recognizes the need to make additional cuts to the general fund of at least $100,000” and would be “reviewing whether there are additional increases in revenues available.” Kerr also recommended “limiting or eliminating intra-fund loans this year.” She said all city departments participated in developing the draft budget. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 21 June 2010 06:18
Red Cross Chapters Merge to Increase Operational Efficiencies
Written by Tom
Amador County – Three area chapters of the American Red Cross are merging in order to increase efficiencies during the economic recession. The Sacramento, Sierra, San Joaquin and Stanislaus chapters will merge July 1 and collectively serve Amador, Alpine, Calaveras, El Dorado, east Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Tuolumne and east Yolo counties under one large chapter. “This is an exciting time as we explore new opportunities to make our communities safer and better prepared for life threatening emergencies,” said Dawn Lindblom, regional chief executive officer, in a news release. The release said the consolidation will create a stronger Red Cross presence throughout the 11 counties as the operation becomes more efficient. All six offices - in Auburn, Modesto, Sacramento, Sonora, Stockton and Tracy - will remain open. A TSPN TV Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County - Whether you hand-stitch quilts, grow plump produce or use digital photography to capture your world, there will be a category of competition to showcase your talents in the Amador County Fair. The Exhibitor Handbook is now available for the annual County Fair to be held in Plymouth from July 29 to August 1. “Fair exhibits and competition for a blue ribbon are a showcase of the community’s talents,” explains Troy Bowers, CEO. “From the hundreds of categories available, anyone can find a place to show off their projects.” Most entry forms are due by 6:00 pm, Saturday, July 10, with actual exhibits not due until just before the Fair. Residents of Amador, El Dorado, Calaveras and Tuolomne Counties are eligible to enter most divisions. The Exhibitor Handbook is available on-line at www.AmadorCountyFair.com and limited printed copies are available at the Fair office, libraries and feed stores. There are dozens of categories relating to the 2010 theme “Amador County Fair Safari – It’s a Jungle Out There.” Livestock exhibitors are encouraged to decorate their stalls and campsites with the theme, and all stalls and sites will be judged during the Fair. For more information about the Fair or assistance in entering the Fair competition, please visit www.AmadorCountyFair.com or call 209 245-6921. A TSPN TV News Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County - Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel is a frequent supporter of the local Interfaith Food Bank through monetary and food donations, but employees have found a new way to support the effort, with grocery bags. When employees discovered that the Food Bank spends hundreds of dollars every month purchasing bags to package food for clients, the employees decided they could do something about that. A large donation box was placed in an employee area and an email went out seeking donations of paper and plastic grocery bags. The box was in place on Friday and by Tuesday morning it was stuffed with bags full of bags and piled almost to the ceiling. “Following the example set by our Tribe of continual community support, our employees have once again shown they will step up to the plate for a community need,” said Jackson Rancheria Marketing Vice President Ron Olivero, adding: “This is yet another example of what we refer to as Rancheria Style.” The collection box will stay in place indefinitely so the Food Bank can spend more of its funds on food rather than bags. Jackson
Rancheria Casino & Hotel is located at 12222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson, CA 95642. For more information, call 800-822-WINN or visit JacksonCasino.com. A TSPN TV News Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 21 June 2010 06:23
New Jackson Business Association Looks to Grow Hometown Business
Written by Tom
Amador County – Jackson Mayor Connie Gonsalves said about 400 business licensees inside city limits were contacted with a survey recently, with a majority of those in strong support of a paid-membership city business association. About a quarter of those business owners, 98, responded. They did not have the emphasis on preserving history, which was the main focus of the Historic Jackson Business Associations. Gonsalves said the city council already has taken funding away from the HJBA, which if its members want to continue work, they must be self-funded. The mayor said the HJBA just lost membership and people lost interest in it. The aim was to expand a business association outside of just the downtown area, and open it to all businesses in the city. That was why the survey went out. Gonsalves said the survey – led by Maureen Funk – found that the top priority for business people was bringing businesses to the city. Number 2 on the list was beautification. The draft mission statement includes a reference to historic Jackson, but it will really be a city-wide effort to rejuvenate city businesses. Gonsalves said the new façade improvement grant program was discussed last week, and it will be going to the city council for consideration. The draft mission statement said: “The New (Jackson Business Association) is a cooperative of businesses in the Historic Jackson area, dedicated to promoting the business interests of it’s members, attracting new customers to the area, stimulating interest in our area’s rich history, and contributing to its historic preservation.” The Jackson Revitalization Committee recommended formation of a Steering Committee, which will consider the JBA formation. The revitalization Steering Committee will meet 5 p.m. Tuesday (June 22nd) at the Jackson Civic Center. The meeting is open to the public, and the agenda for the meeting will include the “Dance In The Park” information table, along with a presentation on membership benefits by Councilman Pat Crew. There will also be a committee report on Heritage Day, and the group will also talk about planning for the October kick-off reception for the next season of the “Shop Jackson” drive, spearheaded by the Jackson Rancheria Casino. The JRC has also applied for funding from the Jackson City Council, and the group could get a council decision on the funds by Monday (June 28th). The funding request was submitted on time, and a committee meeting is likely to be next week to consider the proposals and make recommendations. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County – A few dozen constituents greeted Assemblywoman Alyson Huber in a town hall meeting Friday in downtown Jackson. Huber said it was a chance to get input from the people in Amador County at an informal level, so that people could walk in at their leisure and converse with the state legislator, who as of June 8th officially started her campaign for reelection in November, facing past foe Jack Sieglock, whom she defeated in 2008 by a 3/10ths of a percent margin (or 474 votes). Jackson Mayor Connie Gonsalves greeted Huber warmly at the Café De Coco at 140 Main Street. Gonsalves thanked Huber for bringing her “neighborhood coffee” town hall meeting to downtown Jackson. The Mayor said “she could have picked any city in Amador County.” Huber said they chose Jackson because it is centrally located in Amador. She worked the crowd, speaking with constituents, who were invited to the café setting to bring their ideas and solutions on issues in the Legislature that affect the community. Huber represents the 10th Assembly District and was officially chosen last week as the Democratic party candidate in her race for reelection, which will take place in November. Huber received 30,018 votes in being selected the Democratic party candidate, and she was unopposed, as was her opponents from other parties. Republican Jack Sieglock received 34,804 votes in being selected as his party candidate. A 4-county breakdown of returns from the June 8th primary showed Huber received 3,300 votes in Amador County, while Sieglock had 4,607. In El Dorado County, Huber had 2,182 votes, and Sieglock had 4,485. Huber had 18,363 votes in Sacramento County, compared to Sieglock’s 16,652 in the primary. In San Joaquin County, Huber had 6,173 votes, and Sieglock had 9,060. County records showed that about 212,000 Democrats and 204,000 Republicans were registered in District 10 for the primary. That included 7,156 Democrats and 9,404 Republicans in Amador County. El Dorado County has 32,000 Democrats; 47,000 Republicans; and 19,600 “non-partisan.” The District in Sacramento County had 62,000 Democrats registered, and 46,000 Republicans, plus 26,000 “decline to state.” San Joaquin County had 114,000 Democrats and 102,000 Republicans registered for the primary, and 38,700 who were “decline to state.” The Jackson meeting was part of a series of community town hall meetings Huber will be host around the 10th Assembly District. Last week she also visited El Dorado Hills, and this week will make stops at high schools in Sacramento, Stockton, and stop Thursday at the Rancho Murieta Country Club. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County – Sutter Creek Police Chief Rob Duke confirmed Friday that he will be taking the same position for the City of Huron, California, effective July 1. Duke, who has served Sutter Creek in the dual role of police chief and city manager for the last 11 years, said he is “anxious to get back to my policing roots and serve as a police officer in a full-time capacity,” adding, “I’ve never seen myself as anything else.” He said he is prepared for the responsibility of ensuring safety in Huron, a city located in western Fresno County with an official population three times that of Sutter Creek. Huron will present its own unique policing challenges, as the city’s population of 6,000 is known to swell to over 15,000 people due to the influx of migrant workers during harvest season. Duke would replace the former Huron Police Chief Robert Herndon, who stepped down in April. Former Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe was recently approved by the council to take over as Acting City Manager, based on Duke’s recommendation. Duke stepped down from that half of his responsibilities last month as part of a plan to reorganize city finances and personnel. Duke said the council is beginning the selection process to find his replacement as chief, adding that a “succession plan has been in place for several years and will be enacted in the months to come.” He said Sutter Creek Police Sergeant Brian Klier will serve as acting chief. Duke said he will miss Sutter Creek and the warmth of the people there. He said that “despite the current divisiveness with Measure N, I can’t say enough good stuff about the citizens of this town.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 18 June 2010 06:20
Sutter Creek Sinkhole Compounded Problems, Should Open Soon
Written by Tom
Amador County – Sutter Creek Acting City Manager Sean Rabe last week reported on the sinkhole that has kept part of Spanish Street closed for 3 months. The March 16th collapse of the Gopher Creek Canal left a 5-foot wide, 6-foot deep hole in the asphalt in the center of Spanish Street, he said, and it was created by the collapse of the metal roof of the canal. The hole exposed several utility pipelines, including an old Knight Foundry water line, and a 3-inch PG&E natural gas line. Rabe said the canal’s “metal roof collapsed and was sitting on top of the gas line. That’s why the council declared an emergency.” The Sutter Creek City Council sent Rabe to the board of directors of the Amador Water Agency, and a cost-sharing agreement was made with AWA, which also had service lines exposed by the sinkhole. Rabe said heavy April and May rains delayed repairs, but it was now finished, except for curing of the concrete, which he said June 7th could take a couple of weeks, then people should be able to drive on it. In part of the repairs, 45-degree bends were put in the water pipe, to make it go under the underground canal, which carries Gopher Creek across town. Metal decking was used to keep down concrete costs. The city council last week also heard a report from ACTC consulting engineer Matt Griggs on work to realign Prospect Drive to meet in a T-intersection with Bowers Drive, to cross Highway 104 in Sutter Creek. The project will build a cul-de-sac at the end of the existing intersection of Bowers Drive and 104, and build a new extension of the road past the Italian Picnic Grounds to Bowers Drive. Griggs said construction was estimated at $1.8 million, and would use about $600,000 gathered in the Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee Program. He said they may be able to fund 70 to 90 percent of what they want to do in the project. In the future, the intersection will install signals, and they may be able to set poles on foundations, depending on how bids come in. The council approved a mitigated negative declaration of impact for the project. Vice Mayor Tim Murphy said the project had been before the council several times and it has “always been a real priority for the city.” Griggs said it would move Prospect Drive about 230 feet to align with Bowers Drive, and should help with traffic flow. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County – The U.S. Supreme Court is considering the legality of a three-judge panel’s decision to put a cap on prison populations in California. The nation’s highest court agreed Monday to hear an appeal by the Schwarzenegger administration to reconsider whether the federal judiciary can force a reduction in population in order to improve inmate health care. “We continue to believe federal judges do not have the authority to order the early release of prisoners in our state,” said the governor in a statement. “California should be able to take action on its own to keep its citizens safe without interference from the federal courts.” The special federal court panel ordered the ruling last year, saying current overcrowding conditions are unconstitutional and amount to “cruel and unusual punishment.” They ordered California to reduce its prison population by nearly a quarter in two years. The Governor tried to address the court’s order last November by proposing a series of steps, including construction of new prison space, shortening sentences, the early release of non-violent offenders, and shipping some inmates out of state or to county jails. The state legislature passed a trimmed-down plan, but the panel said it did not go far enough to reduce overcrowding. That plan is on hold while the state pursues the appeal. Mule Creek State Prison near Ione is a prime example of the conditions that led to the panel’s decision. For years now, inmates there have been sleeping in three-tiered bunks in the gymnasium. The facility was originally built for 1700 inmates, but currently is holding over 4000. California’s prison population is now about 158,000, well above the 84,000 for which it was designed. Opponents of the panel’s decision worry what will happen if the Supreme Court decides to uphold the ruling. Tuolumne County Sheriff Jim Mele, who presides over the region near the Sierra Conservation Center, wonders who will take over the monitoring of parolees. Supporters of the decision say the estimated $35,000 it costs to house an inmate for one year is money being thrown away, and there has been no reduction in the crime rate. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the population cap this fall, with a ruling expected by early next year. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 18 June 2010 06:17
Jackson Rancheria Donates $7,535 to the Friends of the Amador County Library
Written by Tom
Amador County - Jackson Rancheria has donated $7,535 to the Friends of the Amador County Library (FACL) to help pay for new shelves in the children’s section of the Jackson Library. FACL President Susan Staggs says the existing shelves were installed when the library was built 45 years ago and are unstable and limited in their uses. “We really appreciate this generous donation from Jackson Rancheria,” she added. The donated funds are from the Dennis Dalton Fund, which has been dissolved with half of the money going to the Library and the other half to the Upcountry Community Center. TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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