News Archive (6192)
Friday, 19 February 2010 00:52
Ione Attorney Calls Scully Initiative Illegal, Unconstitutional
Written by Tom
Amador County – A majority of the Ione City Council vowed Tuesday to fight to protect the Ione Police Department from a citizen-driven initiative to force the sheriff’s office to take over law enforcement in the city of Ione. The fight included filing a lawsuit against the initiative, the proponents of which are now gathering signatures to place it on a ballot before voters. Mayor Skip Schaufel said after closed session that they had authorized City Attorney Kristen Castanos to release a title and summary of a proposed initiative, and issue a report explaining the issue. City Manager Kim Kerr said the council waived attorney-client privileges so Castanos could speak. Castanos said: the city received a “petition for an initiative that proposes to transfer (quote): ‘Law enforcement services’ [unquote] from the city of Ione Police Department to the Amador County Sheriff’s Department.” Castanos said “Per the requirements of the elections code, I was required to provide a title and summary of that initiative to the city clerk by today, which I have done; and your direction in closed session was that title and summary be released to the petitioner so that they can proceed with signature gathering.” Castanos said her “legal review of the initiative” leads her “to believe that the initiative is illegal and unconstitutional for a number of reasons.” She said: “It suffers from being vague because the term ‘Law Enforcement Services” is not defined. It also attempts to compel the county to take an action – that is, take over law enforcement services for the city – and a city initiative does not have the ability to compel the county to take action.” Castanos said: “I believe it’s invalid because” the “right of the city to contract for police services is vested in the council’s discretion, and this initiative therefore is a matter of statewide concern that’s committed to the discretion of the council and not a proper subject for an initiative.” Castanos said it also “interferes with an essential government function by failing to provide for a companion initiative to ensure that law enforcement services will be provided in the city if the initiative passes.” Councilwoman Andrea Bonham asked her to clarify that, and Castanos said: “If it passes and the county refuses to accept service for the city, then the city does not have an ability to provide law enforcement services within the city. Those responsibilities would have been removed from the police department.” Castanos said: “For those reasons, I believe that the initiative is invalid.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 19 February 2010 00:55
Ione resident Mounts Drive to replace the Ione Police Department with the Sheriff’s Office
Written by Tom
Amador County – An Ione resident and a Jackson Valley resident were authorized Tuesday to mount a signature drive on an initiative that would remove the law enforcement authority of the Ione Police Department and replace it with the Amador County Sheriff’s Office. Jim Scully, a long-time critic of Ione police, and Ione resident Denise Robertson of Stonybrook Road, both requested the city to release a title of the initiative. The city council did so Tuesday, entitling the initiative the “City of Ione Law Enforcement Services Act.” City Clerk Janice Traverso said Scully is not a resident of Ione and is not eligible to sign a petition, but was authorized in a filing by Robertson to gather signatures. In the initiative, Scully and Robertson declare that “it is essential that Ione law enforcement have an open, transparent, and responsible official procedure to receive, investigate and process citizen complaints” regarding “actions by law enforcement.” It lists among its purposes to provide Ione citizens “with law enforcement that would be professional and competent.” It seeks to “transfer responsibility for providing law enforcement service from the Ione Police Department to the Amador County Sheriff’s Department.” Purposes say it would “eliminate redundancy, enhance efficiency and lower the cost of law enforcement,” and “build community trust and support via a formal and responsive citizen complaint system.” The initiative seeks to allow “Ione to use savings to balance the budget or provide other emergency service.” City Attorney Kristen Castanos told the Ione City Council Tuesday it was an illegal and unconstitutional initiative, but state law required release of the title, which initiates the process to collect signatures to place it on a ballot. Castanos said the city reserves “its option to file a lawsuit to challenge this initiative.” Councilman Lee Ard said: “I don’t agree with this at all. I don’t believe that we should put an excellent police department up to public scrutiny, just to satisfy a few people, who don’t have anything better to do than take shots at the city.” Ard said: “I’m totally opposed to this process and I felt that it should have been shut down now, and I’m very disappointed in staff and this council because it was not.” Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said she “will fight tooth-and-nail to keep” the local department, and Mayor Skip Schaufel said “I guarantee that I will want to see this lawsuit follow.” Vice Mayor David Plank said: “This no doubt will require a challenge on the city’s part.” 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 Amador County Unified School District faces a budget deficit of over $8.2 million in the 2009-2010 fiscal year, according to an internal report discussed during the department’s regular meeting last week. The widening deficit is calculated based on projected versus actual funding from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal. Another $5.6 million is expected to be added to the difference between projected versus actual funding in 2010-2011, increasing the total deficit to $13.9 million by next year. Superintendent Dick Glock said this spells bad news for local education and job security. “What we’re probably going to have to do is layoffs, and we don’t know yet how severe those will be,” he said. The Amador County Unified School District board must vote whether to send out precautionary layoff notices, with a final determination to be made by May 1st. The projected funding for 2010-2011 is $26,464,047; more than $5.6 million more than what actual funding is expected from the state. Actual funding determinations are based on ADA, or Actual Daily Attendance. “This is the part that’s really sad because everyone’s done a great job and the thanks they get is some sort of reduction,” said Glock. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 19 February 2010 00:57
National Study Ranks Amador County as the 20th Healthiest County in California
Written by Tom
Amador County - Amador County is the 20th healthiest county in California according to recently released rankings of a national analysis of health factors. The study, undertaken by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, examined all counties in the United States, measuring each county using national benchmarks. “Our overall results were good,” said Dr. Bob Hartmann, Amador County Public Health Officer. “We are 4th best in Morbidity, a broad measure that represents health-related quality of life.” In addition, Amador County ranks 18th in Health Outcomes and 22nd in Health Factors. Health Outcomes looks at death rates and morbidity. Health Factors focuses on healthy behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and the physical environment. The County places 12th in Clinical Care and 22nd in Social and Economic Factors. The Physical Environment ranking is 31st. This measure encompasses air quality and the built environment. “As our county grows, we should have opportunities to improve this area,” adds Hartmann. “The main value is that this study shows where we can improve,” Hartmann points out. “Amador’s lowest ranking is Health Behaviors which measures obesity, smoking, alcohol use and unsafe sex. We need to develop more effective prevention strategies to improve these factors.” The Public Health Department plans to look at the ranking data in more detail. “We can be proud of where we are in many areas, but there are always opportunities to work with our community partners to improve the health of our citizens,” says Hartmann. Details of the study can be found at http://www.countyhealthrankings.org. A TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 17 February 2010 17:00
Ione City Council Sees Scully Petition To Nix Ione Police Dept.
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Ione City Council waived attorney-client privileges Tuesday night to have its attorney explain a voter initiative drive that seeks to transfer law enforcement from the Ione Police Department to the county sheriff. 4 of 5 city council members spoke against the initiative, calling it a waste of city time and an unfounded effort. Mayor Skip Schaufel said that “while the initiative process is a right and we have to follow the letter of the law, I don’t think it is right to misuse it.” Councilman Lee Ard strongly criticized the effort, and Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said as a downtown business owner, she has had numerous positive contacts with Ione Police. She keeps a list near her cash register of all of the Ione police officers’ cell phone numbers, given to her to call if she needs help. Vice Mayor David Plank said: “we’ll do what we have to do to protect our police department.” Councilman Jim Ulm said he would not comment until he sees “how it plays out.” Ione resident and long-time police department critic Jim Scully is mounting the petition drive, with which he seeks to force a city-wide vote to do away with the Ione Police Department and contract law enforcement through the Amador County Sheriff’s Office. City Clerk Janice Traverso said the petition drive must have its signatures and paperwork back to the city by the first week of August. City Manager Kim Kerr said Scully must collect signatures of 10 percent of registered city voters to place the initiative on the ballot. The Amador County Registrar’s office said Wednesday there were 2,042 registered voters in Ione as of February 16th, when the office ran its latest report. The signature drive would take 205 valid signatures to place it on the ballot. Kerr said the council can tell city residents to “not sign the ballot initiative if they truly want to protect the city.” Scully’s effort to transfer law enforcement from the city to the county is not a new idea. She said in 2007, Scully requested the city council to place the same initiative on a city-wide ballot, but the council unanimously declined the request, in the November 2007. The city council discussed the initiative drive in closed session Tuesday, then in open session it waived attorney-client privileges, so City Attorney Kristen Castanos could inform the public about the issue and the process. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 17 February 2010 17:00
Amador Tennis Club Gets $500 from Ione City Council
Written by Tom
Amador County – Former Jackson Mayor Rosalie Pryor-Escamilla received a $500 pledge from the Ione City Council Tuesday that will remodel the Argonaut High School tennis facility. Pryor-Escamilla, Amador Tennis Club president, told the council the fund drive goal is $20,000 to refurbish the tennis courts, which were built in 1996 and are showing signs of decay, including hazardous areas for its users. She showed photos of cracks in the court surfaces, and said the courts benefit Ione residents, including players of Junior Team Tennis and at Argonaut High School, as well as any adults burning calories Wednesday and Thursday nights at “drop-in tennis.” She said Junior Team Tennis has introduced 159 kids to tennis, and had 295 kids participate in 3 years. Pryor-Escamilla said 24 percent of Junior Team Tennis players are from Jackson, while 29 percent are from Ione, which does not have its own tennis courts. She asked the council to donate $500 and place a donation form on the city website. She also promised payback. Pryor-Escamilla said: “When you prepare to build tennis courts of your own, I guarantee you the Amador Tennis Club will be there to help you raise money.” She told success stories of Ione girls, including one JTT player who made the Argonaut varsity team as a freshman, and another vying for a varsity spot as a junior. Councilman Lee Ard said the new Howard Park Master Plan includes tennis courts. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham suggested going to the Ione Picnic Committee for other donations, and Mayor Skip Schaufel suggested the Ione Rotary. The council unanimously agreed to donate $500 for the project, and also to post information on the city website. Yesterday, Jackson City Council reportedly also made a donation to the fund drive, giving $1,000 to the cause. Pryor-Escamilla said she would work with City Manager Kim Kerr on possible grants for Ione tennis, and Kerr said they could then turn around and go through the Ione Recreation Commission, because the club can help leverage funding. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 17 February 2010 17:00
Sutter Creek Referendum Checked by City, Gold Rush Says It Will Pay for Election
Written by Tom
Amador County – Developers of Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort have said they will foot the bill for a special election if one is needed in a referendum aiming at undoing Sutter Creek City Council action paving the way for the development. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe told the council Tuesday that the referendum has been certified by the County Registrar. He said a short time remains to get the referendum on the June primary ballot. Rabe said the next step that the city council needs to decide is whether the “letter of the law was followed” in circulating of the petition and its attachments. The election must be noticed within 88 days of the June 8th primary, to make it on that ballot. Rabe said: “That means the city would have to have all of its arguments for the ballot ready by March 8th.” Rabe and City Attorney Dennis Crabb will visit the county election office this week, and Rabe asked the council to adjourn the item to next week, to see if questions can be answered about the petition’s legality. Councilman Pat Crosby asked if it would be on the June ballot, and Crabb said “that will be part of the discussion.” Rabe said the council can call a special election between the primary and the November regular election, if needed. Crosby asked about the petitioners’ arguments for the ballot, and Crabb said the city only must supply its own arguments, and “the only thing the proponents have to do or not do is file an argument” for the ballot. Crosby also asked if it was possible to make the June ballot, and Crabb said: “It’s going to be a serious challenge.” Councilwoman Linda Rianda said she did not want to push staff in making legal assessments of the petition, but she “would like to see it done sooner than later.” Mayor Gary Wooten said he thought “there may be reason for a special election” but he would like to see the city get it on the June ballot. Planning Commissioner Corte Strandberg asked about the cost of the vote, and Crabb said: “The developer has agreed they will pick up the costs of the election.” One man, who said he helped in the petition drive, asked that the council not use a special election, because he thought it would affect turnout and he thought it was “very important for people to be heard.” Wooten criticized the comment. The council adjourned the referendum agenda item to 7 p.m. next Tuesday, February 23rd. The item includes discussion and possible action. 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 - Despite objections from surrounding business owners, the Jackson Planning Commission saw few reasons Tuesday not to approve an application by owners of the Bottle Shop liquor store to relocate to the former location of the Kitchen Store on North Main Street. Nevertheless, the commission voted to table their approval until they can further investigate “visibility aspects” and gather comments from vacationing commissioner Kathryn Devlin. Some North Main Street merchants have voiced protests against the proposed move since word spread that Bottle Shop co-owner Gurdev Ghuane requested a Conditional Use Permit in February to move his business from its current location further downtown. Co-owner Max Ghuane said his family is trying to find a better location for their business with “more exposure.” He said the store will expand to sell more products like souvenirs, fishing bait and additional candy and food products. Most comments against the move echoed concerns that the Bottle Shop will attract and display loiterers who already give the struggling downtown a bad reputation. Hein & Company bookstore owner Wolf Hein said he is a regular victim of vandalism. “I have concerns about this becoming a hangout,” he said. Sharon Merzlak of Merzlak Signs questioned whether it is wise to open up a liquor store on what she considers to be a main thoroughfare for school children on their way to and from Jackson Elementary and Jackson Junior High. Kitchen Store co-owner Janie Williams said that while she loves the Bottle Shop, she believes the “poor electrical” in the historic building will not support heavy demands like consistent refrigeration. She also said there is a propensity for accidents at the 3-way intersection and the planter boxes in front of the store were run into no less than 15 times during her time there. Her son Travis Williams said in the last six years he has seen “two people watch other people get hit by cars.” Jackson lawyer Robert Schell supported the move. He referred to unwanted loiterers by saying “roaches are afraid of the light” and “more visibility will result in less negative impact.” He said the “real problem with downtown is…there is nothing going on and there are not a lot of people.” Jackson Police Chief Scott Morrison also spoke in support of the business, saying he has responded to 51 calls to the area of the Bottle Shop over the last ten years and none of those have been felony related. He said his daughter was accosted in the area of the Bottle Shop, but he doesn’t believe it was related in any way to the business. He said “whichever way the commission decides, I want to work with them to make any venue as safe as possible.” Chairman Leticia Sexton said she would approve of the move with some minor amendments. “As a regional business, they have every right to move and better their business,” she said. Butow said he is concerned that there is no crosswalk across North Main Street to the location. He also pointed out that the restaurant across the street, soon to reopen as Agave Mexican Dining, will also have a liquor license. The matter will be discussed further at the next Jackson Planning Commission meeting on March 15th. 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 – The Amador Fire Protection Association board of directors on Thursday will hear from member agencies about their efforts to create full-time firefighter positions, as the board prepares to decide how to disperse Measure M funding. The AFPA board, made up of Ted Novelli, Jake Herfel, Connie Gonsalves, Hal Gamble, Lee Ard, Greg Baldwin and John Asmus will hear individual entity Measure M staffing plans. The board is scheduled to receive “presentations by each fire agency detailing their efforts toward providing paid fire personnel for their respective areas including information about job descriptions, work schedules, wages and benefits.” The AFPA board will also consider Measure M and Proposition 172 funds, with a scheduled discussion and possible action of distributing those funds. The board will also discuss and possibly take action on the Joint Power Agreement that formed the Amador Fire Protection Authority. AFPA’s member entities are the Amador Fire Protection District, Jackson Valley Fire Protection District, Sutter Creek Fire Protection District, and Lockwood Fire Protection District, along with the cities of Ione, Jackson and Plymouth. AFPA agenda items also include an update on cooperation between Sutter Creek, Jackson, AFPD and Lockwood. The board will also look at the Amador County board of Supervisors’ County Fire Services Plan, with discussion and action possible. The AFPA board will look at the Amador County proposal regarding a “county-wide fire protection services plan.” The AFPA meeting is open to the public and is set for 4 p.m. Thursday in the Supervisors’ chambers at 810 Court Street in Jackson. 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 Amador Water Agency board of directors has 2 committee meetings this week, both set for Thursday. The Public Relations Committee, made up of board Vice President Debbie Dunn and Director Gary Thomas meets 9:30 a.m. Thursday, and its agenda items include discussion of a “Media Policy,” the 2010 Amador County Fair Booth and the 2010 public relations committee Calendar. The committee will also discuss a “Marketing Master Plan,” a “Marketing Conservation Plan” and a “webpage competition.” Other topics on the agenda include “draft website revisions,” announcements and media releases and “quarterly newsletter topics.” Also Thursday, the Amador Water Agency board’s “Rules and Rates Committee” meets at 2:30 p.m. Members are Director Terence Moore and Director Dunn. Topics on the agenda, under the “Administrative Policy Manual,” include review of “policy 2025” and also review of “policy 2020.” Another item for discussion is “creation of policy/ guidelines for Vice President and alternate Vice President training,” and review and revision of water code regarding payment of participation fees.” They could also discuss “Conditional Will Serve” commitments, and the agency’s “Strategic Plan,” including draft wording for its “vision and core values sections.” Listed among the Rules and Rates Committee’s future agenda topics are policies on agency news releases, directors’ “communication to media,” “staff and management communications to media,” and records retention. Both committees meet at the AWA office on Ridge Road and the meetings are open to the public. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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