News Archive (6192)
AWA recommends steps to help residents get through water outages this winter
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency this week announced recommendations for local families to prepare their homes against water outages that may result from breakdowns and power outages this winter.
General Manager Gene Mancebo said the issue was especially important in the 35-year-old Central Amador Water Project service area. He said “most people don’t realize we are operating an aging water system upcountry that has broken down hundreds of times in recent years, so we’re urging our customers to be prepared just in case system failures cause a water outage this winter.”
He said “despite many breakdowns in recent years, crews work around the clock through winter conditions to fix the system before our customers run out of water – and that’s one of our top priorities this winter.”
Mancebo said dozens of times each year in rural Amador County, power outages cause potential interruptions of water service because electricity powers the water pumps. He said “in the upcountry area, mechanical failures also shut down the aging and overtaxed CAWP system, necessitating water conservation by homeowners.”
The AWA recommended steps to increase home safety this winter. Keep enough water on hand for drinking and cooking for an outage lasting up to 72 hours. Store water for pets and for flushing toilets. In case there is also a power outage, prepare an emergency kit with a flashlight, batteries, food, candles, and an emergency generator.
Ensure homes are fire safe. Fire hydrants may not work when water service is off and winter weather could delay firefighting crews. During any outage and 24 hours after an outage, AWA suggests customers either boil tap water or use bottled water for drinking and cooking.
On-call and emergency personnel are always available to respond to problems in the water systems, though recent budget reductions have reduced the overall number of AWA crews available to respond during emergencies, Mancebo said. AWA encouraged local residents to help by following neighborhood signs and announcements that may ask them to conserve water due to an electrical outage or mechanical failure.
Throughout the county, AWA operates four water systems, some of which are being operated past their estimated useful lives and are due for replacement, Mancebo said. Since 2004, upcountry CAWP water system has failed or been out of operation more than 200 times due to various causes. Those included 97 electrical or mechanical failures, 14 communications failures and 52 power outages. He said AWA is investigating options for improving CAWP to provide safe, reliable water service to all customers in Amador County.
Report water outages or leaks at (209)223-3018.
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Free Holiday Hay Rides Return this week to the Jackson Rancheria
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Jackson Rancheria announced that it is time again for the free Holiday Hay Rides at Jackson Rancheria. Now through Dec. 15, guests are welcomed to enjoy a festive hay ride around the Rancheria, which has been decorated again this year with more than 2.5 million lights. After that, guests are invited to visit with Santa and enjoy complimentary refreshments for all.
Jackson Rancheria CEO Rich Hoffman said: “The Holiday Hays Rides at Jackson Rancheria are one of the most popular local holiday traditions. Each year the Rancheria comes alive with millions of holiday lights and decorations and this year is no exception. The hay rides are a perfect holiday activity that they whole family will enjoy.”
The Holiday Hay Rides are offered at the Jackson Rancheria Fire Station on Dalton Road and run Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., now through Dec. 15.
The Rancheria will also be collecting toys for the annual Jackson Rancheria/Amador Sheriff’s Office Christmas Toy Drive.
For more information on the Holiday Hay Rides and additional holiday promotions and events offered at Jackson Rancheria, visit the Rancheria online at JacksonCasino.com.
Located in the Sierra foothills town of Jackson, the Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel is owned by the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians, a federally recognized Indian tribe. A sovereign government, the Rancheria is dedicated to developing projects that not only enhance the tribe’s ability to remain self-reliant, but also reflect a commitment to be a good neighbor.
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Golden Chain faces $10,000 a day fine for electronic sign
Written by Tom
Amador County – Amador County Supervisors in late November discussed a request by Gold Chain Council to return its electronic sign on the Elks Lodge parking lot, but found zoning and county code would not allow it.
Gold Chain Council of the Mother Lode president and owner Pat Crosby told Supervisors Nov. 22 that he has tried to find ways to fund his company without government help. Crosby said: “We are a non-profit” and the “big electronic billboard was going to be a money maker for us.” The “minitron” needs money, and they sold Golden Chain memberships for $600. He told Supervisors: “You turned that down” some time ago. “That’s OK. Everyone did.”
Crosby said: “I own the corporation and I ask you to give it every consideration that you have.” He said the billboard works, and it ran an ad for a new Sutter Creek restaurant for a week before it was shut down, and their business jumped 25 percent.
County Planner Cara Augustin said Caltrans sent a letter that said it would issue a $10,000-a-day fine if Golden Chain did not go through the proper permitting process. Golden Chain’s Bill Byrd said Caltrans inspected the site and said it meets the criteria, and county approval and “gets the $10,000 off our back.”
Supervisor Chairman John Plasse said at their first meeting in November, Supervisors deferred enforcement of county banner code. Supervisors discussed whether that was possible in this scenario.
County Counsel Greg Gillott said there is a fairly big distinction between delaying code enforcement versus a letter from Supervisors saying that a sign was OK. Gillott said for this location for this sign, the remedy is that you need to revise the code.
Supervisor Richard Forster said “you need to determine if you want electronic signs or not.” He said “if we need to amend the code, we should do it.”
Supervisor Vice Chairman Louis Boitano said by the time you amend the code, the Golden Chain will be taking the sign back to the company because the lease will be expired.
Boitano said: “I’m not sure that going into the sign ordinance is the wisest thing either,” because “people spent a lot of time making it.”
Since the Nov. 22 meeting, Plasse said, Caltrans has said the county needs to issue a building permit for the sign to be allowed at the Elks Lodge in Martell. It was also discussed for the Golden Chain to seek a different H Zoned parcel in the area.
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Judge reconsiders Friends of Amador claimed elders suit vs. Me-Wuk
Written by Tom
Amador County – Friends of Amador County and two claimed tribal elders won a U.S. District Court judge’s reconsideration Monday in their suit challenging the federal recognition of the Buena Vista Band of Me-Wuk Indians.
Spokeswoman Ya-Nah Geary Mandujano, (YA-NA GEARY MAN-DO-HANO) said her grandmother and great aunt joined Friends of Amador in the civil suit against the U.S. Department of the Interior seeking for the elders to be able to reorganize their tribe, and get the benefits that come from federal recognition. But she said they were “more interested in their rights to be interred on the burial grounds.”
Mandujano said her elders’ involvement in the suit was probably why it is being reconsidered by the judge. The suit may not necessarily change the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, led by Chairwoman Rhonda Morningstar Pope, but Mandujano said the suit aims to stop the casino and give the claimed elders the ability to develop their own land.
She said the suit could change how Indians are treated by the United States, which grants recognition to a tribe but may exclude eligible members. Mandujano’s grandmother June Geary, and great aunt Bea Ortega Crabtree, claim hereditary membership to the Buena Vista Band of Miwok Indians.
They joined a suit by Jerry Cassesi, and his group, Friends of Amador, which seeks to stop the Buena Vista Band of Me-Wuk Indians from plans to open a casino on Coal Mine Road in Amador County.
Mandujano said the elders are suing to protect tribal burial land and stop the casino. She said Cassesi opposes gaming, but she believes “the responsibility of governing Indian gaming lies on the shoulders of Indian people.” But she said “no casino should go on the Rancheria” and “ancestral land is not an appropriate place for gaming.”
Her grandmother was removed from the Rancheria and sent to Sherman Indian School. Her father grew up going there, to visit graves, such as those of her great-grandmother and great aunt. She said the elders were removed but remained connected to the land.
Mandujano said: “My grandmother took her kids out there every year.” She said: “it wasn’t in or out. Everybody was out. As soon as the tribe was terminated, everybody was out.” That allowed the land to be given to John and Annie Oliver, whose descendent, according to the suit, Donna-Marie Potts was granted tribal recognition without the knowledge of Crabtree and Geary.
Their attorney, James Marino will appeal the case to the Ninth Circuit if necessary and “he is not settling,” Mandujano said, adding that the last time Buena Vista Rancheria was sued, people settled.
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Amador County approves a tax revenue sharing agreement with Plymouth
Written by Tom
Amador County – Amador County Supervisors approved a tax revenue sharing agreement with the city of Plymouth Tuesday for Bob Reeder’s two residential developments, which have been submitted for annexation into the city.
The agreement must be approved by Plymouth City Council, which will consider the document and a resolution Thursday. Plymouth Mayor Jon Colburn said “Merry Christmas” to the board, adding: “This is our gift to the county of Amador for Christmas.”
The agreement in part said the “County shall receive 100 percent of the Annexation Property Tax Base and Incremental Change shall be apportioned with two-thirds allocated to the county and one-third allocated to the city.” It noted that “if it is economically infeasible for the city to annex the property and to connect the annexation property to city services, then the county and city shall meet and confer to determine if a portion of the Annexation Property Tax Base should be allocated to the city.”
The agreement would segment Old Sacramento Road to city limits, with some segments remaining in the county. The city and county agreed to maintain their respective portions of the road and “coordinate maintenance activities and encroachment permits” for maintenance and improvement.
Supervisor Chairman John Plasse asked about one 165 acre property now included in the Williamson Act program, which pays less tax. He asked if the base value of the land would be permanently at Williamson Act’s level. Assessor’s office staff said land in the Williamson Act has the exact same value, only the percentage of taxes paid is lowered.
The agreement was slightly modified to make the base value of properties in the annexation be set by base values at the time that the annexation becomes complete.
The annexation would include 11 parcels, totaling 845 acres, sites for Bob Reeder’s two residential developments, Zinfandel and Shenandoah Ridge. Plasse asked if there were signed agreements with neighboring adjacent agriculture lands.
Reed said of three that remain, two are concerned about the design of a “no climb” fence. A third property, owned by Jack T. Swaggart, better known as JTS, was still in the works. Reed said he had drafted an agreement with JTS based on a verbal agreement, and the letter was returned last week with changes.
Reed said 13 lots border the Zinfandel projects area, formerly Sharkey Begovich Ranch. He said the Mason family had concerns about the no-climb fence the animals they run, and “we’re happy to change the design to anything she likes, frankly.” Another family was concerned that barbed wire would not work with their Angora goats.
Reeder said the Sphere of Influence amendment and annexation will be considered by the Amador County Local Agency Formation Commission on Dec. 15.
In a Plymouth report by Speical Projects Manager Richard Prima, for Plymouth’s City Coucil meeting Thursday, Prima recommended adoption of the agreement, and noted that “sales tax is not anticipated to be significant, although some of the land being annexed, along Highway 49, is shown on the General Plan for future commercial development.”
Prima also noted that “as part of the agreement, the city also agrees to collect the County Facilities Fee from new development in the area.” The agreement said the “county shall be responsible for maintenance of the county facility fee’s Capital Improvement Plan and associated nexus study.”
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Sutter Amador Hospital hosts a “Gluten-Free Support Group” meeting
Written by Tom
Amador County – The “Gluten-Free Support Group,” a free support group that is open to the public, meets from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at Sutter Amador Hospital’s Outpatient Services Center, in the Meadow & Mountain Conference Rooms.
The Gluten-Free Support Group helps attendees learn more about Celiac disease and maintaining a gluten-free diet. Participants will learn the difference between Celiac disease and gluten intolerance, and receive shopping and cooking tips for a gluten-free diet.
Participants will also have the opportunity to taste a variety of gluten-free foods and will be provided with resources and recipes. The support group will be led by Michelle Van Fossan, registered dietician. Those wishing to attend should RSVP to Michelle at (209) 257-7635.
Participants are encouraged to bring a gluten-free Christmas food and recipe to share. The Sutter Amador Hospital’s Outpatient Services Center is at 100 Mission Boulevard in Jackson.
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Medical pot growers voice support of Amador County permanent marijuana control ordinance
Written by Tom
Amador County – Amador County Supervisors heard Tuesday from three medical marijuana growers who spoke against the outdoor ban of marijuana growing in Amador, but supported long-term regulation.
During “public matters not on the agenda,” three people gave unsolicited comments about Supervisors’ recent urgency action to ban outdoor marijuana cultivation, after a fatal shooting in September at a collective marijuana growing operation near Ione.
One man, David Doddy, a white collar professional, home owner, taxpayer and veteran said: “I am a caregiver for my wife.” She suffers spinal pain, but refused a recommended spinal fusion because it was not guaranteed. To ease the pain she used prescription opiates such as Vicotin and Darocet, which affected her personality and made it hard to communicate with her.
Doddy suggested she try medical marijuana and witnessed a transformation. He said: “I got my wife back.” They bought medical marijuana, but to save on costs started growing their own. It guaranteed they know what goes onto the plants.
He keeps it discreet, fenced off, under lock & key, with surveillance. Doddy said: “I understand the need to be a good neighbor and an upstanding citizen.” He told Supervisors “when you banned outdoor growing, I became a criminal.”
He said he would like to be a part of that process of drawing up the long-term ordinance for the county. Supervisor Chairman John Plasse said: “I think you reflect the sentiment of this board,” and recommended he submit his name for the ordinance committee. Doddy said he had already spoken with the Planning Department.
Supervisor Vice Chairman Louis Boitano said: “I assure you. If it wasn’t for these cooperative grows, we wouldn’t even be talking about this,” if not for “a few bad apples.”
Emerson Grant said he was a 100 percent disabled American veteran, and for pain took Valium, which left him unable to eat, and lethargic. Other drugs gave him anxiety. After moving to California, and six months of access to medical marijuana, “I was completely free of narcotics.”
He said: “I grow my own, but I don’t have 100 plants… I have a small garden under lock & key, behind my house in the country.”
Thomas Liberty of Collective Patient Resources said it was great to have a couple of people here to put a face on medical marijuana. He wanted to clarify that his opposition to the urgency ordinance and temporary ban did not mean he was against regulation. He said “I am very much in favor of your long-term code.”
Supervisors Brian Oneto said it was “nice to see a face” involved in the issue, and see how it helps people.
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Amador County – TSPN’s “Today’s Seniors Living Well” services and resources program wrapped its successful six-week winter season with a Christmas special Wednesday.
Supervisor Chairman John Plasse and Supervisor Brian Oneto, two of the show’s major sponsors, thanked the show host, Laurie Webb and Producer Virginia Manner and wished them happy holidays, as did guest Tom Thompson, manager of Raley’s, and Jackson Police Chief Scott Morrison. The Christmas themed show’s last segment included TSPN’s President playing Christmas tunes on the harmonica, and Vice President Sue Slivick leading the group in song.
Supervisors Plasse and Oneto were the major sponsors of the show. Plasse sponsored the winter season with a personal donation of $1,500 to match a contribution by the Amador Senior Center. Sue said “along with that, many local businesses in the senior care provider industry also contributed by purchasing advertising which helped with production costs.” TSPN donated the airtime in-kind for the six-week winter season.
Oneto sponsored the initial season of Today’s Senior’s Living Well, which ran for 13 weeks this spring and summer. Both seasons were hosted by Laurie Webb and produced by Virginia Manner. Sue said “Virginia brought her enthusiasm and artistic flair and talents with working with people that helped make each show’s lineup part of a well-coordinated program.”
Sue said Laurie Webb, executive director of the Amador Senior Center “brought her years of knowledge on senior issues, concerns and care as she interviewed the guests and brought forth great, valuable information that is so helpful to today’s seniors.”
The show was created to highlight the services and resources available in Amador County, “to help you do all of those things that help Today’s Seniors in Living Well.”
Sue said the show was created to help bring information, whether people are seniors dealing with home environment, living safety or health issues, or helping a family member or other seniors’ lives. It was created to help seniors be safe and engaged in life’s activities in Amador County.
Raley’s manager Tom Thompson brought Santa Claus to the show. Storyteller Bonnie Evans talked about how to save and share memories, and Al Bierce talked about assistance available through the Senior Center Tax Program. Jackson Police Chief Scott Morrison encouraged people to be safe and smart.
The shows are archived online at TSPNtv.com, under the “Today’s Seniors” link. It includes 76 separate segments from the show’s 19 separate episodes are on the site and available to watch on demand.
Sue said: “We are looking forward to a spring season and welcome ideas, sponsorships and local businesses that would like to participate and share in this great senior program.”
For info call Sue Slivick, at (209) 765-8776, or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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East Bay Municipal Utility District plans to revise its 30-year water plan
Written by Tom
Amador County – East Bay Municipal Utility District on Monday outlined a 30-year water plan revision that would defer an alternate to build a bigger dam at Pardee Reservoir, at least until after 2040.
Information officer Charles C. Hardy released details Monday saying East Bay MUD “is preparing to issue a draft revised Program Environmental Impact Report for its Water Supply Management Program 2040 that recommends the District defer the project to enlarge Pardee Reservoir and not include it in its 30-year water plan.”
The 2040 Plan is a long-term plan to ensure water for customers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties during droughts. Hardy said “in the course of conducting the additional analysis necessary to address a court order” on the 2040 Plan’s “environmental documentation, EBMUD determined that it could prepare a plan with a portfolio of supplemental supply options for the next 30 years without including the enlargement of Pardee Reservoir.”
The enlargement “was originally not planned for potential consideration in the near term, and analysis conducted by the District indicated “consideration of that option can be deferred beyond 2040.”
East Bay MUD is revising the 2040 Plan’s “analysis, and new information that EBMUD has developed demonstrates it may be possible to partner with the Contra Costa Water District to acquire additional water supplies from the expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir,” which was finalized after East Bay MUD developed its 2040 Plan in 2009. “The possibility for the partnership is among the factors prompting EBMUD staff to recommend going forth with the WSMP 2040 plan without the Enlarge Pardee option.”
East Bay MUD General Manager Alexander R. Coate said the District’s Board and staff worked hard for several years on the long-term planning effort. Coate said the “revised PEIR refines that work and provides additional support for an important and robust plan.”
The revised draft PEIR was to be released Tuesday (Dec. 6) and public meetings on it will be held in Amador and Calaveras Counties and Oakland in January.
The Foothill Conservancy issued a release Monday announcing East Bay MUD’s planned PEIR release. Conservancy Executive Director Chris Wright said “it’s a wise decision that everyone should feel good about. And it looks like a huge victory for the river.”
He said “We have yet to see the EIR, but this announcement indicates that East Bay MUD agrees with us that there are better, less-destructive ways to meet its future water needs.”
Wright and the Conservancy sued the District over its PEIR and expansion of Pardee, saying impacts were not fully studied, and arguing that the Los Vaqueros partnership made more sense.
Wright said “strong, unified” opposition in Amador and Calaveras made a difference, and the Pardee expansion had virtually no local community support.
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SERVPRO “Coated With Love” coat drive surpasses last year’s numbers
Written by Tom
Amador County – The local branch of SERVPRO water and fire restoration and mold mitigation announced the close of a successful coat drive that gathered more than 900 coats for everyone from infants to seniors in the region.
Wilma S. Fortich, marketing manager of SERVPRO issued a “thank you” to donors and businesses who participated in the Second annual “Coat-ed with Love” coat drive.” She said “once again, it was a huge success with over 900 coats collected surpassing last year’s count. Over 40 business and all the schools throughout the county were drop off locations.
Fortich said “it is one of the most gratifying projects I have ever worked on. I hear nothing but positive feedback on how much impact the coat drive makes. All the businesses and schools last year did not hesitate to participate again and some have already volunteered to be drop off locations next year.”
There was a substantial increase in the amount of donations from the all the schools because different clubs such as the Volunteer Service Club at Argonaut High and the Student Body Councils emphasized active participation amongst their peers, Fortich said.
Mason Yonker, a student at Pine Grove Elementary said: “I thought it was very thoughtful. I helped by drawing the logo of the coat you see on all the fliers.” Yonker said: “I also told my friends to donate their unused coats so people will be warm.”
Some of the same businesses from last year gave generous donations as an incentive for people to make donations. Thomi’s gave $5 gift cards, New York Fitness gave day passes and Jamba Juice provided a free hot beverage.
“It feels good to help and I feel lucky to be a part of our community’, Abra, owner of Jamba Juice, said.
SERVPRO is the largest water/fire restoration and mold mitigation company, with operations in Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties, and the coats were collected in locations in all three counties.The coats will be given to the Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency (ATCAA), which will then distribute them to their clients ranging from infant to seniors.
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