In a special meeting at the Amador Water Agency on Thursday, the Board of Directors voted to eliminate the 1.5 million-gallon water storage tank that was planned for the Plymouth Pipeline project. Gene Mancebo provided the board with a detailed explanation of the research that brought about staff’s recommendation to possibly eliminate the tank. Through this research, the agency determined that the tank could not be filled during peak water usage periods.  This realization prompted the agency to look at alternatives, including pumping water hydraulically to the tank, lowering the tank location, pipe improvements to reduce head loss, or elimination of the tank. All of the proposed alternatives did not improve the situation. The tank was to be located on Ed Swift’s property, a project he has been involved with since the agency first approached him in 1992. 

Surprisingly, Swift’s response to the possible elimination of the tank was mild.  He expressed his satisfaction in working with the Amador Water Agency and thanked everyone for their hard work. Swift’s concerns centered on fire protection issues, citing a devastating fire that occurred in Sutter Creek in 1962 that burned somewhat out of control.  Additionally, he had concerns about the Sutter Creek fire hydrants and whether they were up to code. In response to these concerns, Jim Abercrombie, General Manager for the agency, explained that eliminating the tank would have no impact on local fire response outcomes, saying that “we don’t have the tank now, so not having the tank is no different than what we have now.”

The board was generally in agreement with the agency’s recommendation of eliminating the tank altogether, and did mention possibly reimbursing Swift for any expenses he had incurred related to the tank project. Besides Swift, the only other public response was from Stephanie McNair, one of the developers for Plymouth’s Cottage Hill development project.  McNair had questions for the agency related to Plymouth’s water usage numbers.  After hearing all comments, the board unanimously voted to eliminate the water storage tank. At their next meeting on April 24th, Abercrombie will have more information on the Plymouth Pipeline Project.

Yesterday the Amador County administrative committee met and reviewed proposed increases to the animal control fee schedule. The draft proposal presented by Animal Control Director John Vail increases fees to a level above Calaveras County but still below, on average, all other surrounding counties.

We’d also like to let you know that beginning tomorrow we’ll be conducting a series of  interviews with the candidates for Board of Supervisors District One. The District one seat is the most contested, with a total of four candidates vying for the position. This is an opportunity to educate you on the candidates, their positions, and their experience. Your absentee ballots will be coming in three weeks, and our exclusive live interviews are the best way to get to know your candidates. Tune in to TSPN Tuesday the 15th through Friday the 18th at the news hour for this special series.

Good news - it looks like Jackson’s 3rd Graders have been awarded new playground equipment at Detert Park!  In December of last year, the City of Jackson issued a request for proposals for new playground equipment for children age two to twelve, with a maximum budget of $60,000.

The city received seven bids, which were eventually narrowed down to four comparable bids. The city turned to Jackson’s youth for help in making the final determination.

Three Third grade classes at Jackson Elementary were polled by viewing large, color presentations of each proposed playground.  The winner, North State Playgrounds, was chosen by a landslide majority vote of over 70 percent!

The new equipment will included a large climbing structure, with attached bars, walls, poles, and multiple slides, a teeter-totter, and several benches.  For children age two to five, there will also be a smaller play unit.  Most importantly, the bid includes safe, wood-fiber surface materials instead of wood chips, and the area will include an ADA-approved ramp. The new playground will replace the old, metal equipment currently located in the sandy area behind the Jackson Pool. The city hopes to have the playground installed and open to the public in time for Clean Air Green Day, on April 19th.

Jackson residents may be wondering why a Jackson home on Court St. has a shrink-wrapped roof. According to owner Robert Saracino, his roof now sports a large hole as a result of fire damage. Two blue tarps were originally used to keep out the rain but they both blew off. The shrink-wrapping is a temporary replacement until he can have the roof repaired – plastic wrap is applied and sealed with tape, then the whole thing is ‘shrunk” with heat guns.  Saracino said he worked with Weather Shield in Ione to get his house all wrapped up for winter  -- the wrap is good for up to a year, or until the roof is patched up.

At a packed Jackson City Council meeting Monday night, the council heard an appeal related to the proposed Jackson Rancheria Recovery Center at 975 Broadway. Dan Gagnon, spokesman for the group, “Concerned Citizens of South Jackson,” filed the appeal, which contained a laundry list of concerns, including street conditions, neighborhood safety, the lack of any certified staff, and the quality of people the facility would attract. In letters submitted to the council, nearby homeowners expressed fears that the center would also attract sex offenders. Other opposition felt the program was a good one, but that an EIR should be conducted and that the facility should be located elsewhere. One citizen asked why the facility won’t be located on the Rancheria itself, citing the “deep pockets” of the Rancheria leaders.  Rich Hoffman, CEO of the Jackson Rancheria, says the current location was chosen because it’s “centrally located.”

The project also received overwhelming support and somewhat emotional testimonials, mainly from individuals who were either recovered alcoholics and/or drug abusers. Most welcomed the facility and maintained that facilities of its type were an integral part of maintaining a sober and meaningful life.  One gentleman who has 29 years of sobriety says that this type of center gives people the opportunity to “talk to someone who has walked in your shoes.” Numerous supporters stepped forward to explain that the facility would only attract people like themselves, contributing members of society who wanted to stay clean and sober. Tony Capasso, Vice President of Real Estate & Facilities for the Rancheria, explained that the proposed facility will be mainly staffed by volunteers, and serve as a meeting place for anyone who would want to give and receive support free of charge.  The facility will not take court-ordered offenders or parolees and is independent of any organization.  Following the council’s 3 to 2 vote upholding the Planning Commission’s approval of the project, Tony Capasso stated that he was “elated.”

State legislation passed yesterday will have local impacts and in all likelihood Mule Creek State prison will be adding beds. Although the expansion will add beds, state prison officials are quick to point out that in the case of Mule Creek that does not necessarily mean more inmates- just that the inmates already there will be housed appropriately.

A record 7 million people - or one in every 32 American adults - were behind bars, on probation or on parole by the end of last year, according to the Justice Department.

The Amador Water Agency Board of Directors meeting was short and to the point on Thursday as the Board had 2 main items before them. The first item that the board reviewed was a nomination to the Association of California Water Agencies or ACWA region 3. According to the ACWA website, “Since ACWA was founded in 1910, representing and providing key services to members has been ACWA’s most important charge.

This weeks Jackson City Council meeting was well attended by local law enforcement as most of the Jackson Police Department was present as well as Sheriff Martin Ryan and Under Sheriff Jim Wegner from the Sheriff’s Office. The men and women in uniform turned out for a special ceremony honoring two members of the Jackson Police force.  Jackson Police Officer Chris Rice was recognized for receiving the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) California Hero Award for DUI enforcement. Jackson Chief of Police Scott Morrison said that while Officer Rice is young in his career he has been doing a tremendous job. He said Officer Rice was recently recognized by MADD for his efforts in combating drunk driving.