News Archive (6192)
Tuesday, 09 March 2010 08:38
Faith Lutheran Church Helps Villagers in Papua New Guinea
Written by Tom
Amador County – Five villages in the highlands of Papua New Guinea will soon receive fresh, clean water due to a water project partially sponsored by Faith Lutheran Church located at Red Corral off Highway 88 in Pioneer. The project has become even more important as the island nation struggles to contain its first outbreak of cholera in 34 years. According to the World Health organization, the epidemic has killed at least 40 people and sickened thousands. Cholera is primarily a water-born disease that causes severe diarrhea, usually in villages with poor sanitation like the villages the water project will serve. The water project was first conceived in 2008, when Dawn Solevad and her husband Bafinuc Ilai, both teachers in the Papua New Guinea town of Goroka, brought their newborn son, Bafinuc, Jr., home to Pioneer to meet his grandparents, David and Ellen Solevad. Reverend Solevad has been the pastor of Faith Lutheran Church for nearly 30 years, and Dawn grew up and went to school here in Amador County. In a visit with Reverend Eric and Mrs. Cathy Yochheim (YO-HIME), the Yochheims asked Bafinuc about the water system in his home village and then touched upon the idea of a well. Now, that idea has grown into a water project. Bafinuc’s family has been instrumental in researching materials and costs for the project, and the 100-member congregation of Faith has collected $11,000 toward its completion. About 4000 people live in the location of the project in very mountainous terrain. The people – mostly the women and children – have to hike down a mountain to fetch the water and carry it back up the mountain again to their houses. The current water sources not only make collecting water difficult but are also not very sanitary – some are located not far from open latrines. With help from grants obtained through the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America World Hunger funds, materials were purchased in the city of Lae in June of 2009 and construction began in July. The villagers themselves contributed part of the funds and are doing most of the work. The grants also allow for fresh, clean water to be pumped from streams higher in the mountains. It is hoped that water will eventually be piped to individual villages. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County - Lynne Olsen of the Office of Emergency Services said she has had requests from individuals for sandbags in order to eliminate flooding on their property. She said there is no coordinated effort by the county to provide sandbags. A box of bags and two piles of sand are available at the Amador County Airport, located at 12380 Airport Road in Jackson. Olsen said individuals may call the Office of Emergency Services at 223-6384 if they have any questions about sandbagging. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County – Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode, which provides low-cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs, seeks donations as it prepares to move its clinic. El Dorado County-based Animal Outreach provides services to El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer, Amador, Yolo and Stanislaus counties. To accommodate the increasing need for its programs, including a cat shelter and adoptions, and spaying and neutering of feral cats, Animal Outreach will move its clinic to 6106 Enterprise Drive Suite B, in Diamond Springs March 15. Items needed for the new clinic include a laryngoscope, heated top hydraulic surgery table, T-Kennels for dogs, large-capacity washer and dryer, kennel cage cups for food and water, large metal food and water bowls, collapsible cages for cats, new or lightly used cat trees of all sizes, dry and canned cat food, kitten food and kitten formula, large cat pans, non-clumping litter, letter and legal size paper, and stamps and envelopes. Monetary donations are also welcome. For more information, call Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode at (530) 642-2287, or see www.animaloutreachcats.com. A TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council in a special meeting Monday approved ballot language for the city-wide referendum on the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort. Staff prepared the support statement for the initiative, which the county election office has assigned to be named “Measure N.” The language, approved on a 3-2 vote with one amendment, begins by saying that the “Sutter Creek City Council urges a yes vote on Measure N to ensure the city receives the significant community benefits of the Gold Rush Ranch project.” Mayor Gary Wooten and councilwomen Linda Rianda and Sandy Anderson voted yes, while Mayor Pro Tempore Tim Murphy and Councilman Pat Crosby voted no. The language noted that “for several years, the city has processed an application for the Gold Rush Ranch project located on 945 acres of property near Sutter Hill.” It noted that current zoning for “industrial and high density residential” zones would be replaced with “lower density residential and recreational uses,” open space and an 18-hole golf course. It notes that “during deliberations, the council concluded that the gold Rush Ranch project is an appropriate way to plan for future growth while simultaneously preserving Sutter Creek’s downtown area.” The language, drafted in committee by Anderson and Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha, notes that a “yes” vote “upholds the council’s approvals and insures the city will receive project amenities including a new sewer treatment plant, a community park, $1 million for road improvements, $1 million for open space acquisition, 300 acres of permanent open space, and $500,000 for historic preservation.” The approval of the statement for the ballot marks the start of a timeline for the proponents of the referendum to file a rebuttal statement, to also be placed on the ballot. Proponent Bart Weatherly attended the meeting but did not speak. The referendum will be on the June 8th ballot, and the election will be funded by Gold Rush developers. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 09:03
Council Urges “Yes” Vote, Debates “No” Vote on Gold Rush Referendum
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council on Monday finalized wording of the city’s official ballot statement for the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort referendum in June, with the statement urging support and also telling what a “no” vote would do. The language notes that a “no vote means that the council’s actions will be overturned and development of the property could proceed in accordance with existing zoning, which allows for approximately 1,800 dwelling units.” The statement says “this scenario would generate significant and unavoidable impacts similar to those expected from Gold Rush Ranch, however the city would have no ability to reduce or eliminate these impacts.” The ballot statement says “additionally, the city would not receive any of the community benefits that the council negotiated for its citizens.” Planning Commissioner Mike Kirkley said the property in the project has been industrially zoned for a long time, and the 1,800-unit scenario was a “scare tactic.” He said “industrial development could go through just as easily as development.” Mayor Pro Tempore Tim Murphy said the paragraph “is a gross over-simplification of what would happen if there was a ‘no’ vote,” and if the project is stopped. Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha said “it could be denser that 1,800 equivalent dwelling units.” The statement said that the “city council diligently evaluated Gold Rush Ranch and approved a project that represents an appropriate future land use plan and provides for significant community benefits.” City Treasurer Cathy Castillo said there is “no municipal bond market,” and “demand has just evaporated.” She also asked how the shortfall would be fixed between the city General Fund and its deficit. Councilwoman Sandy Anderson said: “These things have been taken care of, and it is your opinion that these things haven’t been taken care of.” Cunha said in the planning process, it was know that “if there is no market, the project doesn’t get built.” Planning Commisison Chairman Robin Peters said the industrial property could be rezoned, but the owner should “be prepared to pay.” Cunha said the commission spent considerable time working on the issue with City Planner Bruce Baracca, and learned that “there would be no mitigations because the project is already permitted,” getting its permit in 1994. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Tuesday, 09 March 2010 09:09
Trudy Lackey - Northeastern California Small Business Development Center 3-9-10
Written by Tom
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Wednesday, 10 March 2010 03:39
Sutter Creek Attorney Impartially Analyzes Gold Rush Referendum
Written by Tom
Amador County – Sutter Creek City Attorney Dennis Crabb presented an objective analysis of the city’s June referendum on the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort, which the council accepted in a special meeting Monday afternoon. The ballot measure, designated by the county elections office as “Measure N,” asks whether the city council’s resolution to approve the Gold Rush project should be adopted. The council placed the referendum on the June 8th primary ballot and on Monday approved a city council statement of support that will be printed on the ballots. Crabb in the analysis said approval, or a “yes” vote on the referendum “upholds the decision of the city council approving the project with conditions, mitigation measures and a development agreement.” A “yes” vote would preserve “existing legislation,” or the resolutions approved by the city council January 4th. And a defeat, or “no” vote, on the measure “sets aside existing law. The site reverts to the former General Plan designation of Master Plan Area and zoning designation of Urban Plan Area/Light Industrial. The portion of the site in the county would be under county land use control.” Operation of the measure would turn on the vote, Crabb wrote. A “yes” vote on Measure N “would result in the Gold Rush Ranch Project, with conditions, environmental mitigation measures, and a development agreement remaining in effect.” Crabb said there “will be increased public service costs to the city, which are required to be offset by special taxes and fees paid by he new development and/or property owners within Gold Rush.” A defeat “would prevent Gold Rush” from “being developed on the site with no increased public service costs. If defeated projects may be developed on the site without further discretionary approvals by the city in compliance with previous regulations or projects may be proposed on the site requiring new discretionary approvals by the city council with new environmental and public service cost documentation.” Crabb said the 945-acre Gold Rush Ranch has 612 acres in the city, 333 acres in Amador County, (the latter to be annexed). It includes a public 18-hole golf course and related facilities, 60-room hotel, 300 timeshare units, 57,000 square feet of commercial development, 1,334 primary residential units, 64 secondary residential units, and 300 acres of open space and biking and hiking trails. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 10 March 2010 03:41
Mother Lode Internet Seeks BOS Approval for Broadband Expansion Plan
Written by Tom
Amador County – During their meeting Tuesday, the Amador County Board of Supervisors gave partial support to Mother Lode Internet for its pursuit of federal funding for regional broadband expansion. Titled the Mother Lode Broadband Project, the plan would eventually bring high-speed internet access to most of the rural areas of our region. MLI CEO Ben Hulet said it is important to act now while American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for the estimated $30 million, 3-year project is still available. He said “it is such a challenge to create coverage because of infrastructure costs.” He said the project could provide a “significant injection into the local economy” in the form of money and jobs. MLI has already received $2.8 million in State funding and is set to receive another $3.1 million in order to “build a regional Community Network that includes a robust Middle Mile component to bring low cost bandwidth from Stockton and Sacramento.” The project is different from a similar undertaking supported by the Central Sierra Economic Development District and spearheaded by Calaveras County Chief Information Officer Howard Stohlman. Hulet said it is vital that MLI be involved in any local Middle Mile project or grant application because “competing applications will only fragment the grant application effort and reduce funding for each project.” He urged the Supervisors to approve a letter of support he drafted that lists the county as “Anchor Tenants,” or participants in his company’s grant application. Anchor tenants can also include schools, hospitals or organizations like the Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency, which last month presented a $250,000 study to gather information on how rural counties can gain 100 percent coverage for high speed internet. Supervisor Richard Forster said he did not want to be an “Anchor Tenant” and “tie ourselves to just one provider.” The Supervisors expressed support for keeping the market competitive. Hulet said supporting MLI does not mean they do not support other ISPs. He stressed his belief in the importance of investing in locally-based businesses like his own rather than “out-of-town national providers.” He asked the county to pledge to purchase services from MLI instead of AT&T so the money remains local instead of “going through a call center in Texas.” Chairman Brian Oneto simply said he needs to do “more looking at it and thinking about it.” Supervisor Louis Boitano suggested they have county staff redraft the letter in order to “soften up” the statement about giving full support and then revisit the item at next week’s board meeting. Forster said there are “no guarantees that the county is only going to be working with one provider.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County – A group of Ione residents released a statement Tuesday urging the public to attend the Ione City Council’s meeting next week and urge the council to sue a resident who is petitioning for a referendum that would do away with the Ione Police Department. The statement was e-mailed to citizens by Sharon Long, who also contracts with the city and publishes its newsletter. City Manager Kim Kerr said the statement was issued without any involvement of the city, and it was not funded by the city in any way. Kerr said Long was working with a group of citizens who wanted to get information out about the issue. A majority of the city council has vowed to fight for and support the police department. Long’s e-mail, called a “Message of Support for the Ione Police Department,” was written by herself and Jack Brotherton. It was e-mailed to local citizens and a copy was forwarded to TSPN. Long urged people to attend the city council’s meeting next Tuesday, with expected speakers including Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan, Jackson Police Chief Scott Morrison, and representatives from the District Attorney’s office and the attorney general’s office. The petition is being circulated to replace the Ione Police Department with contract services from the sheriff. The letter notes that City Attorney Kristen Castanos has called the proposed ballot measure illegal and unconstitutional. Castanos also advised the city council that they could file a lawsuit at any time, and aim that suit against Ione resident Denise Robertson. Long said the “Council has the legal right to vote to legally challenge this initiative, but has not done so.” The council considered a “lawsuit to challenge the legality of this initiative” in its last meeting, and will take up the issue again 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 16th at City Hall. Long said she and Brotherton in conversations with legal officials have found support, including from Sheriff Ryan, District Attorney Todd Riebe, and Jackie Long, commander of the Amador County Combined Narcotic Enforcement Team. She said all 3, or their representatives, will attend Tuesday’s meeting and speak in support of keeping the Ione Police Department. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 05 March 2010 01:09
Amador-Wide Fire Plans Cause Disagreements on Costs, Hiring
Written by Tom
Amador County - Ongoing debates over different proposals for a county-wide fire services plan have created a rift between the county and some of its fire services entities. In a TSPN interview, Amador Fire Protection Authority (AFPA) Chairman Connie Gonsalves said the “ultimate goal of the plan is consolidation of county-wide fire services with the concept that each department keeps its own identity.” The meat of the debate centers on a plan approved by the Amador County Fire Protection District (AFPD) – also the Amador County Board of Supervisors – which proposes new Battalion Chief and Training Captain positions to be filled by members of CALFIRE in order to coordinate and supervise all seven county fire districts. This is contrary to a plan created by AFPD Chief Jim McCart which proposes the Battalion Chief be hired locally and does not include a Training Captain. “CALFIRE is expensive…but CALFIRE knows fire and understands rural environments,” said County Administrative Officer Terri Daly in a presentation before the AFPA last week. She said the board agrees to fund the cumulative cost of these contracts and redundant costs will be eliminated with the goal of eventually “shifting (the plan) to local paid personnel” over three years. Her proposal was immediately criticized by members of the Sutter Creek Fire District (SCFD) as costly and vague. “It’s a wide open documents and I for one still have a lot of questions,” said SCFD Administrator Dominic Moreno. Another SCFD supporter called it “backdoor politics if we can have the county and state come in and put a spike in our back.”
SCFD Commissioner Ron Watson says his district has a host of problems with the county’s plan. “The cost difference to hire state union employees under the county’s plan adds an additional $222,954,” he said. “Not to mention it overcomplicates the chain of command with no interface with the existing AFPD Battalions.” He said perhaps the biggest problem with the county plan is that “funding only lasts one year, then you have to find somewhere to make reductions somewhere else.” AFPD Chief Jim McCart believes “we need to hire local government employees, not give our money back to the state.” He said he sees his proposal as the “most viable option” but he is open to other opinions. In addition to the SCFD, representatives from Ione and Plymouth have questioned both plans and what it means for their cities. The discussion will continue at the next AFPA meeting on March 18th and the AFPD meeting on April 6th. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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