The Amador County Sheriff’s Office got a boost on Tuesday as the Board of Supervisors approved a staff reallocation and restructure. Sheriff Martin Ryan explained to the board that they are requesting approval for the first phase of the restructure and reallocation of staff as approved by the Administrative Committee in April. The approval would mean the elimination of one Captain position, and two Correctional Office assistant positions. In turn it would create two sworn Lieutenants, one professional staff Lieutenant and one Dispatch Supervisor.

The Amador County Waste Management Department has partnered with the Master Gardeners of Amador County in an effort to help educate the public on backyard composting.  By providing several different methods on public display along with interpretive signage, these groups hope to encourage county residents to convert their food and yard waste to compost.  The Interfaith Food Bank has generously provided the space for the compost demonstration project at their Airport Road facility.

f Tonight the opponents and proponents of the Jackson Hills Golf Course project hope to get the final answer on the project that has been discussed for 5 years now. The Jackson Planning Commission recommended against the project. The Jackson City Council will hear from City Planner Susan Peters, then move to a description of the project from the applicant/developer New Faze Development, and then the consulting city engineers on the project, will give a presentation on the wastewater issues.

On Saturday February 3rd the Radiology Department, Laboratory, and the registration will be closed to all outpatients. Thursday, March 1st and Friday March 2nd Endoscopy and Infusion will be closed to all non-Emergency scopes. There will be no disruption to emergency services or to those admitted to the hospital. Sutter Amador Hospital has done their best to try to keep closures and interruption to patient care at a minimum while moving some of their services to the Outpatient Services Center and are sorry for any inconvenience these closures may cause. These service interruptions are temporary only. All services will be open and operating by Monday morning. Watch for more information to follow with details about the new Outpatient Services Center. SAH thanks the community for their understanding.

Before the AWA board of directors last week was the proposed adoption of a new participation fee schedule. Agency Director of Finance Mike Lee said that a Bob Reed Group conducted a report back in 2004 that describes the current methodology the agency uses to determine their participation fees. Currently the agency has what they call “a buy in methodology” where the incoming customers buy in to an existing system. While this has worked traditionally the agency is embarking on a future of a different kind with new facilities needed to accommodate the existing and future developments; new facilities such as the proposed Tanner Treatment Plant. Lee explained that the agency is considering what they call a combination method where both the buy in method and new development pays methodology are put in place.

The Electronic Recycling Day held in November by the Amador County Fair was so successful, that another will be held Saturday, February 24.  Several tons of no longer usable electronic waste was collected for recycling rather than going into the County landfill. If you have a storeroom or garage cluttered with out-of-date or broken office and entertainment equipment, here’s your chance to get rid of it safely and for free. The Amador County Fair will hold it’s next electronics recycling day on Saturday, February 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  This is an opportunity to save on landfill disposal fees, help the environment, and also save a buck.  There will be no charge for dropping off your old electronic equipment.

The Amador County Planning Commission was packed this week for the consideration of the expansion of the Jackson Valley Quarry by George Reed, Inc. This would expand the mining operations of the Jackson Valley Rd property currently mined for rock by George Reed, Inc. The proposal is to expand the 74 acre quarry with 500,000 tons per year of product to the adjoining parcel of approximately 85 acres. The county’s Technical Advisory Committee previously reviewed this request and suggested that the two parcels in question may need to merged because of the pit location. Also, of concern was a traffic study in regards to increased hauling by trucks traveling to and forth from the facility, as well as a mitigation plan for the traffic.

Being on a city council could become a little less thankless of a job under a newly proposed assembly bill by Assemblyman Hector De La Torre, D-South Gate. The bill would double the maximum salaries council members could receive in 370 California's cities which operate their governments under general law.

In December of 2004 the Jackson City Council adopted a Resource Constraints and Priority Allocation Policy per the Planning Commission’s recommendation, therefore making Jackson the first of it’s kind in the County to do so. The policy is the City’s growth management program designed to control growth at a rate that can be supported by the infrastructure and service demand created by new housing units. In January of 2005 the city allocated 116 Housing Equivalent Units (HEUs) for that year. Those HEUs were allocated to three different developments; Stonecreek received 8 HEUs, the Shealor Trust Property was allocated 26 HEUs and Jackson Hills was given 82 HEUs.

Last week’s victory in funding from the California Transportation Commission was hard fought behind the scenes by our elected officials Senator Dave Cox and Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi. One of the major issues with this Corridor Mobility Improvement Funding under Prop 1B is a funding issue seen through out all state funding, transportation to education, the battle between rural and  urban areas in the state. Senator Dave Cox comments on the vital funding allocation made last week and the urban versus rural issue.(59 second audio)end am Slide 1,Cox2)265 Million 3) LA.SF 4) Rebuild 5)CTC applauded if you opt to drive a SUV, instead of a more environmentally friendly car, in California you may have to pay extra for the privilege. If passed new legislation by Assemblyman Ira Ruskin, (D)Redwood City, would add a surcharge to the price of new vehicles sold in California based on the car's carbon emissions. The surcharge would range from $100 to $2,500 depending on the carbon emission level. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which experts say contribute to global warming.