News Archive (6192)
A newly approved designation could mean big future benefits for Amador County, as well as an official title for being an important part of American history. During Monday’s Administrative committee meeting, grant writers and Supervisors Richard Forster and Ted Novelli discussed the pros and cons of applying for a Preserve America Designation. According to the proposal, “Amador County is a genuine, unique remnant of early California and the Wild West. A “Gold Mine” of opportunity exists in our charming towns, historical structures, old churches, mining areas, and settlements.” Amador’s Kit Carson and Emigrant Trail areas could also be used as major selling points.
However, the most enticing aspect of the Preserve America designation was the potential future financial benefits. The county could qualify for grants that would both benefit historical preservation and boost tourism. Supervisor Forster was particularly pleased by the cost-free designation process, with the exception of grant writing fees. Now that the Supervisors have given their recommendation, the next step will be to work closely with the State Historic Preservation Office and stakeholders to develop the Preserve America Community Designation Application. Although the potential benefits of such a low-cost designation seem obvious, the Supervisors did not fail to discuss the limitations. The Preserve America grant does not fund any repairs, rehabilitation and acquisitions of historic properties; reconstruction of former historic properties, or work performed prior to the announcement of the award. As the grant process continues, more presentations on its progress
are expected at future Board Meetings.
If you happen to be near downtown Jackson and with a timepiece, have no fear. Locals have relied on Jackson Cleaner’s reliable noon whistle to sound off at 12pm for the last six years. Owners John and Tami Trevaskis were inspired to purchase a whistle of their own based on a tradition originally practiced by the old Amador Steam Laundry in Sutter Creek. Six years ago this month, the Trevaskis purchased a new boiler to power two steam-pressure whistles. The whistles have a history of their own. One was originally used at an old sawmill in Martell. The other was used as a fire whistle on Mare Island near San Francisco. Alone or in combination, the whistles pack an audible punch. The tradition of using steam whistles to mark time has been a relatively blue collar tradition for hundreds of years. Steam whistles were often used to notify factory and industrial workers of meal breaks and shift times before many could afford their own timepiece. The next time you’re in the Jackson area, listen for the reliable shrill from atop Jackson Cleaners, keeping blue collars clean since 1938.
The proposed site for Amador County’s new jail was the source of much eyebrow raising at the Sutter Creek City Council meeting Monday night. The city recently received an application referral from the County of Amador for the purchase of 8.2 acres of property in the Amador Central Business Park, near the new Health and Human Services building off of Lower Ridge Road/ Highway 104. The County is proposing to build a 165-bed, 60,800 square foot jail on the site, to replace the county’s current 100-bed jail, which is quickly becoming obsolete. Council members reviewed a recommendation from city staff to write a letter to the County expressing the City’s concerns about the location of the new jail, which included “potential negative impacts on the City,” in the areas of Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Quality of Life.
Council members discussed the possibility of increased crime in Sutter Creek, the closest municipality to the proposed jail, due to the release of the jail’s clients who have nowhere to go. Other concerns centered on impacts to the wastewater system and local roads, as well as the location of the facility across from the proposed Gold Rush Ranch Golf Course Project. After reviewing the recommendation, councilman Pat Crosby noted that the project’s environmental report does not comment on the proposed Gold Rush Ranch or Wicklow Way subdivisions. “I don’t have a problem with the location, but I would like to see those projects included in the EIR,” he stated. Councilman Brent Parson’s inquired whether there was a better site for the facility, but also stressed the need to be realistic, and not to fall back on “Not In My Backyard,” or “NIMBY” rhetoric. One resident suggested an alternative location off of Hoffmann Street in Jackson, close to the local court system, but down the hill and away from Argonaut High School. In the end, the council voted to draft a letter to the County outlining their concerns, as well as their desire for an alternative location for the proposed jail site on Ridge Road.
Saturday was the day of the annual Celebrate Our Children event at the Italian Picnic Grounds. This is a fun, interactive, informative opportunity for moms, dads, child care providers and care givers to learn about the various services available to children in Amador County. From child safety to nutrition, health care to education, there were booths set up for sharing information and providing handouts, crafts and healthy snacks. Kids had a chance to exercise, make crafts, learn about good nutrition and try new activities. For more information on this yearly event contact Joyce Stone at the Amador County Child Care Council.
Downtown Jackson will be getting three new signs that direct motorists to historic Main Street. The signs will be posted on northbound Highway 49 near Amador Realty, on southbound Highway 49 between Martell and Jackson, and on westbound Highway 88, just before the Highway 49 stoplight near Broadway. The signs will have the traditional brown background with white lettering, characteristic of historic signs, and will be approximately 102 inches wide by 42 inches tall. The addition of these directional signs will hopefully steer travelers to historic downtown Jackson, with its abundance of shops, restaurants, and historic spots. “It also helps even the locals with awareness that Downtown Jackson is officially designated as a historic district,” said Jackson City Manager Mike Daly. For more information on those historic places, you can visit the City of Jackson’s website at CI.JACKSON.CA.US, and click on “Walking Tours.”
When the Jackson Branch of the Amador County Library re-opens today, patrons can expect a cleaner, more accessible and inviting atmosphere. The Library has been closed the past two days for administrative activities such as maintenance, cleaning and upgrades to the phone system from analog to digital, making it consistent with the other county departments. But it also got a bit of a facelift as employees shifted the Audio Books, New Books and Reference materials to a more easily accessible layout. Library employees say children and parents will be excited by the new collection of children’s book that will occupy the children’s section.
Argonaut High School student art is on display at the Amador County Library. For the month of February, the library is exhibiting the Argonaut High School Winter Art Show. Student art includes a variety of media and Librarian Lynda D. Laolagi says, “There are some very talented young artists in our community. Come and see their amazing work!”
Monday night, Wayne Garibaldi was sworn in and served as councilman at his first meeting of the Jackson City Council. Garibaldi was chosen by the Council to fill the seat left vacant when Drew Stidger resigned from the council at the end of the year. Garibaldi is a Jackson native and was serving on the Jackson Planning Commission at the time of his appointment. During an interview at a Council meeting earlier this month, Garibaldi stressed that his economic background as a credit officer at Bank of Amador prepared him for addressing the economic issues facing the city. Garibaldi’s appointment was unanimously approved by the Council 2 weeks ago.
Peace Officer of the Year and Citizen of the Year Awarded
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Last week, the Jackson City Council was presented with over 700 signatures from the Concerned Citizens of Jackson, protesting the Council’s certification of environmental impact report and zoning action on the Jackson Hills Golf Community. Judith Jebian, spokesperson for the Concerned Citizens group, said the petitions were designed to force the city to take the recent decisions on the proposed Jackson Hills development to a referendum vote by the citizens of Jackson. Only 234 signatures, or 10% of registered voters in Jackson, were needed to place a vote on the issue on the ballot. The petitions are currently with the County Elections office for verification of the signatures. The City Council has two options at this point – to rescind their previous decision to move onto the Development Agreement phase with New Faze, or to continue with the process underway and put the issue on the ballot in either June or November of 2008.
