News Archive (6192)
Pine Grove Conservation Camp Crew 4 marches in Italian Picnic Parade
Written by Tom
Amador County – Thirteen members of the Pine Grove Camp Crew Four and their captain marched in the Italian Benevolent Society parade Sunday, June 3 in Sutter Creek. The parade drew dozens of float entries in the parade to kick off the final day of the 130th Italian Benevolent Society Picnic.
Lieutenant Wade Wayland released details of the parade for the Conservation Camp members. Wade said: “Since 1882, the Italian Benevolent Society of Amador County has hosted its Italian Picnic and Parade on the first Sunday in June in Sutter Creek. Pine Grove Camp has been a participant in the parade for a number of years and this year was no exception.”
He said Amador-El Dorado Cal-Fire “Division Chief Brian Estes asked Crew Four Captain Martin King to represent the Camp in the parade. Youth Correctional Counselor Tom Menley, a 15-year Camp veteran and Sutter Creek resident, accompanied Captain King, and drove the Emergency Crew Vehicle during the parade, and served as the event photographer.”
The crowd was enthusiastic and greeted Crew Four with cheers and waves. He said the only disappointment expressed by the firefighters was that the parade route was too short.
Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp Superintendent Mike Roots released photos of Crew Four’s participation, the photos taken by Youth Correctional Counselor Tom Menley.
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Jackson Miwuk Volcano project perseveres with volunteer and donor help
Written by Tom
Amador County – Adam Dalton of the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians gave his weekly report on the field and park restoration project Wednesday, saying that “excitement perseveres in Volcano this week.” Dalton said: “We are also personally assisting a fellow project partner Sharon Lungren with a few renovations as she prepares for the reopening of the St. George Hotel.” Dalton said “Volcano is a project that continues to grow successfully thanks to volunteer efforts and donor contributions.”
Once renovations are complete within Volcano, the Amador County Park Restoration crew will begin renovation on its third project, with the exact location yet to be determined.
Dalton again asked people to join and help renovate park and recreation areas of communities. He said: “Summer is approaching and provides the perfect opportunity to engage with your children in learning the value of community outreach. Contact the Project at (209)223-8405.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador County – Amador County Supervisors next week will revisit a request by local business leaders to increase the hotel and motel tax in the county.
At their May 22 meeting, supervisors discussed a request by the Amador Business Council to raise the Transient Occupancy Tax from 6 to 10 percent, and use the funds from the extra 4 percent to promote the county, through the Amador Council of Tourism. County Counsel Gregg Gillott sought direction from supervisors on wording for a potential ballot measure, and was concerned about complexity and wording issues.
Jennifer McGee of the counsel’s office said community groups support the measure and hopefully will get together and put a support statement on the ballot, at a maximum 300 words. Opposition groups have the same option, and a county statement on the ballot can be 500 words. The measure itself would be limited to about 75 words.
Amador Business Council Executive Director Jim Conklin said business groups support bringing in camping and other lodging to the TOT tax “in one fell swoop,” and the Business Council has already raised $1,000 to do outreach to let people know who will be affected, and to educate people.
Conklin said it is a tax for tourists, and residents are not going to be paying this tax. McGee said stays of longer than 30 days are exempt lodging from TOT. Supervisor Richard Forster said if camping is the “kiss of death” for this, they may want to consider removing it. Conklin agreed.
Supervisor Ted Novelli said he preferred a special tax in the measure, but said he was speaking for himself. Forster said business groups proposed the increase as a general tax.
Amador Council of Tourism Executive Director Maureen Funk said the county Transient Occupancy Tax at 6 percent is the lowest in the state, but if it was raised to 10 percent, it would still be among the lowest rates in the state. She said most measures typically include camping.
Supervisor John Plasse asked if they could charge TOT tax on state, federal and water district lands if they are operated by concessionaires. Gillott was not sure, and also not sure if any are run by concessionaires.
Forster said it was a very competitive market, and suggested they might want to consider a TOT fee based on short-term visits or a fee based on lodging. Plasse said if they are not able to charge the TOT on state, federal and utility camp sites, then it is further giving private camp sites another disadvantage.
Plasse asked for an inventory of the campsites and a study to see if the county has the authority to impose this tax or not. Supervisors return to the issue at their Tuesday, June 12 regular meeting.
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Amador County – Regional union workers of Raley’s groceries have voted to support a strike and will go into bargaining Friday, June 8 with management and a federal mediator.
The Northern Region of Raley’s includes 7,750 union employees represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 8, including employees in Jackson.
Raley’s and workers reached an impasse in March and the sides have not spoken since, and Raley’s has requested a federal mediator, according to Local 8. An extension to Raley’s employees’ contracts expired Wednesday, June 6.
John Segale, a spokesman for Raley’s Northern Region said Thursday the Jackson store’s employees are members of the Local 8 United Food and Commercial Workers union, and they had the opportunity to vote this week on the strike issue. He was not sure whether or not they voted. He said 81 employees work at the Jackson Raley’s, including 75 who are union members.
Segale said we’re meeting tomorrow morning (Friday, June 8) with a federal mediator. Both sides will meet and this is the only negotiation session planned at this point. Employee contracts are on a day-to-day extension.
Segale said the contracts will likely be extended through the of end month. During the extension, employees receive full benefits and wages. ¶ Raley’s Northern California and Nevada has 7,750 union employees and 3,125 non-union employees, Segale said. As a company, it has a total of 13,000 employees, including in management, warehouse, trucking, pharmacy and meat cutting.
Segale said Raley’s negotiators will be working toward a peaceful resolution, and he thought it was clear employees do not want to strike, the management does not want a strike, and customers do not want a strike, “but we must reduce our operation expenses to become more competitive.”
He said he is familiar with Jackson, facing competition from new, non-union retailers. Segale said in the Northern California Raley’s territory, they have had more than 200 non-union stores open since 2007, when their last contract was agreed to.
Segale said the Northern Region includes California and Northern Nevada, from the coast to northern Nevada, and from the Oregon border to Madera County. In the region, he said 209 non-union retail outlets have opened since 2007. In comparison, Raley’s operates 131 stores in the region, including 115 in California, and 16 in Nevada.
Jacques Loveall, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 8 released a statement saying Raley’s is trying to spin results of the strike vote. He said “8 out of 10 Union members working at Raley’s and Nob Hill voted, in an overwhelming turnout, to support the Union calling a strike, if necessary.”
The company has said 30 percent of workers voted “no” on the strike. Loveall said “once again they are posturing instead of bargaining.”
Loveall said “we remain confident cooler heads can still prevail.” He said the contract is on a day-to-day extension requiring three days’ advance notice by either party to cancel,” and “a bargaining session is set for Friday, June 8 with the federal mediator.”
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Jackson Miwok Volcano project perseveres with volunteer and donor help
Written by Tom
Amador County – Adam Dalton of the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians gave his weekly report on the field and park restoration project Wednesday, saying that “excitement perseveres in Volcano this week.”
The small town somehow seems larger now as volunteers clear overgrown landscape and trim details with fresh new paint. Dalton said the “ongoing support of Volcano’s local community has become a catalyst that is helping the project advance further within town. New details emerging include a new rock garden patio behind the Café and recycling of the old tree burl on Main Street as it becomes the vision of a local chainsaw artist.”
Dalton said: “We are also personally assisting a fellow project partner Sharon Lungren with a few renovations as she prepares for the reopening of the St. George Hotel. Volcano is a project that continues to grow successfully thanks to volunteer efforts and donor contributions.
Once renovations are complete within Volcano; The Amador County Park Restoration crew will begin renovation on its third project, with the exact location yet to be determined.
Dalton again asked people to join and help renovate park and recreation areas of communities. He said: “Summer is approaching and provides the perfect opportunity to engage with your children in learning the value of community outreach. Contact the Project at (209)223-8405.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan to get workshop on June 11
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Amador County Airport Land Use Commission plans a public informational workshop Monday, June 11 to work toward an update of its Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
The Airport Land Use Commission is in the process of updating the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for Amador County’s Westover Field Airport. The Plan, originally adopted in 1987, is used by Amador County and the cities of Sutter Creek and Jackson reviewing development proposals, including building permits. It is used for various consistency determinations such as building construction standards, population intensities, and height and land use restrictions.
The types of compatibility concerns addressed in the Plan are generally exposure to noise attributable to aircraft operations; annoyance and other general concerns arising from routine aircraft flight over a community; protection of people on the ground and in the air from accidents; and protection of airspace from flight hazards. Hazard examples are building height, electrical interference, lighting, glare, smoke or other impairments to visibility. Another hazard is uses which attract birds and create bird strike hazards.
The Commission is holding an informational Public Workshop to review the criteria that apply to all existing and future development located within 5,000 feet (approximately 1 mile) in all directions from the airport runway.
The agenda for Monday’s meeting notes that the Public Workshop will be held to provide background and information regarding the update to the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for the County’s Westover Field Airport located east of Highway 49, just south of Ridge Road at the end of Airport Road in Martell. The agenda also notes that the Commission could have discussion and give direction to staff relative to the content or process of the Westover Field Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan update.
The Workshop will be held 3-5 p.m. Monday, June 11 in the Supervisors Chambers at the County Admin Center, 810 Court Street in Jackson. For information, call the Planning Department at (209)223-6380.
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Cal-Trans Prop 1B grant cycle includes $750,000 for Amador Transit
Written by Tom
Amador County – California Department of Transportation last week announced $350 million dollars in grants in the latest cycle, including $750,000 to go to Amador Transit.
Angela DaPrato of Cal-Trans District 10, announced the funding releases last week.
Amador County received approval for $748,218 in grants to the Amador County Transportation Commission for projects in the Amador Regional Transit Systems, now known collectively as Amador Transit.
The funding will upgrade a facility; replace three buses; and purchase an Amador Transit shop truck, a nitrogen air compressor and a dispatch voice system.
Amador Transit grants include $400,000 to purchase three buses and $125,000 to purchase the shop truck. Amador funds also includes $168,000 for the facility upgrade; $25,000 for the nitrogen air compressor; and $30,000 for a dispatch voice override system.
The announcement said Calaveras County received $80,000 in Prop 1B funds, through the Calaveras Council of Governments. The funds will purchase an automated vehicle location system; do bus stop rehabilitation; and purchase schedule holders.
DaPrato said to date, Proposition 1B has provided $1.7 billion dollars in funding to more than 700 transit projects statewide, with 216 having been completed.
Cal-Trans announced that the funding cycle last week awarded $350 million in grants to improve public transit across California. She said 78 “projects will upgrade transit service, purchase eco-friendly buses, modernize transit stations and create jobs throughout the state. The grants are funded through Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond, which is providing $3.6 billion over a 10-year period to improve public transit in California.”
Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty said the projects “are a direct investment in our state’s public transit system and will help energize California’s economy.” He said: “Not only will these projects help create jobs, they will also reduce traffic congestion, clean the air, and provide Californians with more viable alternatives to rising gas prices.”
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Amador School Board narrowed a list of legal firms to three, plans interviews
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Amador County Unified School District Board of Trustees in May narrowed a list of prospective legal firm contractors from eight to three, which will be interviewed by the superintendent and staff.
Assistant Superintendent of Business Tim Zearley said on May 9, the District received responses and proposals from eight legal firms to begin the selection process for selecting a legal services contractor. He said Trustee consensus at that meeting was for each board member to select three to five applicants for the May 23 meeting. Votes would be counted and the top three would be selected by consensus to be interviewed.
Trustee Pat Miller said he thought they voted to have two board members serve on a selection and interview committee. Board President Wally Upper said a third board member wanted to be involved, then a fourth joined. Even with just a third member, it became a quorum of the board and required noticed meetings.
Trustee Mary Walser said they decided to have each board member nominate 2 or 3 names. Upper said consensus was reached May 9 to have Trustees all pick names and nominate them, then opened the floor for nominations. Miller chose not to make nominations. Other Trustees Lynette Lipp, Rose Oneto, Walser and Upper read their nominees.
Upper counted the votes and said the top three were Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo; Girard, Edwards & Hance; and Lozano Smith. These three will be interviewed. Upper said board members should consider questions for the firms, for when interviews are undertaken.
Teri Crain of the Superintendent’s Office said legal firm applicants also included the Gutierrez Law Group; Liebert, Cassidy, Whitmore; Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard; Dannis, Woliver, Kelley; and Fagen, Friedman & Fulfrost.
Walser said Superintendent Glock should lead the way on interviews. Miller said they should ask the District office personnel for their input on the firms.
Zearley said: “I’m comfortable with the board’s suggestions.” He tried to provide a summary of the firms, but it was hard to gauge strengths from a response to a request for proposals. Zearley was “comfortable these are all reputable firms” and was comfortable interviewing all of them, or the three that were recommended.
Elizabeth Chapin-Pinotti, assistant superintendent for curriculum, agreed. Nancy Gamache, executive director of personnel said she had worked with three of the firms and knew all were very capable and competent.
Upper said Glock would spearhead interviews. Glock said: “I agree with these three. As we talked about it in cabinet, these three rose to the top in my mind.”
Glock said by next week the search for a legal firm may be more narrowed, though he was not sure if a decision would be made by then.
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Amador County – Amador County residents elected its newest Superior Court Judge Tuesday according to unofficial results showing Steve Hermanson took 62 percent of the vote, to defeat Jeffrey D. Seaton in the 2012 countywide election.
Provisional ballots and other absentee ballots remain to be counted, and the vote still requires canvassing and certification. With 10,463 ballots cast, Hermanson received 6,111 votes and Seaton received 3,731. The ballot count released as of Wednesday constituted a turnout of just over 50 percent in Amador County.
Three Amador County Supervisors were also reelected, unopposed on the countywide ballot. John Plasse was reelected as Supervisor of District 1, Vice Chairman Richard Forster was reelected in District 2 and Chairman Louis Boitano was reelected in District 4.
California Secretary of State listed results showing U.S. Congress, District 4 representing Amador County was led by Republican Tom McClintock, who took 64% of the vote. His opponent, Democrat Jack Uppal took 36%. They both move to the November election ballot. Under new open primary rules, the two top vote getters regardless of party move to the November ballot. They were the only two candidates on the ballot.
McClintock had 88,000 votes to Uppal’s 49,000. The U.S. Congressional District 4 includes Amador County, the city of Auburn, and all of Alpine, Calaveras, El Dorado, Madera, Mariposa, Mono and Tuolumne counties.
Former Amador County Congressman Dan Lungren (R-Gold River) also advanced to the November election with a 12% margin of victory in U.S. Congress District 7, fully contained in Sacramento County. Also advancing was his opponent of the last two elections, Democrat Ami Bera. Lungren received 41,000 votes or (53%) and Bera was second with 31,500 or (41%). Two others in the race, Douglas Tuma (Libertarian) and Curt Taras (decline to state) each took just under 2,500 votes or (3.2%).
In the State Assembly District 5 race, representing Amador County, Republican Rico Oller led the 6-candidate race with 33.4%. Republican Frank Bigelow from Madera County was second, with 29%. Both advance to the November election, pending finalization of the votes. They defeated two Democrats, Tim Fitzgerald (18%) and Marc Boyd (13%).
In the State Senate District 1 (representing Amador County) incumbent Republican Ted Gaines took 48% of the vote to advance. Democrat, Julie Griffith-Flatter was second with 30%. Les Baugh was third with 16%, and Bo Ambrozewicz had 5%.
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AWA directors seek outside assessment of agency financial systems
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency Board of Directors at its early May meeting decided to see an outside assessment of the agency’s financial systems.
AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo said the board “agreed to hire an independent accountant to evaluate the efficiency, checks and balances, and transparency of the Water Agency financial systems.”
He said the agency’s current accounting system was set up in the mid-1980s, and the “agency has also had significant turnover of staff recently, including a controller who was with AWA for 26 years and an 11-year financial manager. A lot of changes in accounting requirements that affect water agencies have occurred since that time.” The AWA Board directed staff to bring back proposals from accounting firms for review.
The AWA board also heard results of a Lake Camanche Village customer satisfaction survey. More than 750 surveys were mailed to water customers and 131 completed surveys were returned.
AWA office manager Karen Gish said overall, Lake Camanche customers gave the agency good marks for service and water quality. According to the surveys returned, she said “75 percent of customers who contacted the agency for customer service said they were satisfied or very satisfied with our office and field staff.” She said “66 percent were satisfied or very satisfied with overall water quality and service.”
70 percent of respondents said they were aware that a major well in the Camanche system was shut down for several months last year due to water quality problems, and water reliability ranked third in importance to customers after water quality and cost of water.
The survey also asked for customer comments and the most frequent comment was concern about the price of wastewater service in the Camanche area. Complete results of the survey are available on the agency’s website, or at the AWA office.
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