On Friday, March 16, Ranger Pipelines, the Agency’s contractor for the Amador Transmission Pipeline Project, will be holding a special ceremony, a “blessing of the pipeline,” to commemorate the last section of pipeline being installed, as well as in recognition of a successful and safe project being as there were no injuries during construction.  The Contractor still has a couple of loose ends to tie up like around Lake Tabeaud which will remain closed as the contractor works on a building in the parking area, electrical, and paving.

The month of July is synonymous with Patriotism and one local business is making sure your helping to beautify the local community in a patriotic fashion. Goin’ Postal, located in Martell, will offer free replacement flags to anyone who brings in tattered, torn or faded American Flags during the month of July. The local business has 300 American Flags on hand to give out as free replacements, limited to one per family. Goin’ Postal state wide will be offering this throughout the month of July so be sure to tell your friends and family about the project so they too can beautify their towns and cities by proudly displaying beautiful vibrant American Flags. Goin’ Postal is located at 11310 Prospect Drive Suite 10 in Martell across from the Feed Barn.

Approximately $616,800 in grants was awarded to Amador County agencies from the Amador County Local Indian Gaming Benefit Committee to enhance fire and safety in Amador County. The funds come from the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund established by the State of California and based on an assessment of tribal gaming machines that were in place prior to 1999 at Jackson Rancheria.  Grant recipients include Amador County, the City of Sutter Creek and the City of Jackson.  “The Jackson Rancheria has is committed to being a responsible community partner and is proud to announce these grants,” said Margaret Dalton, Jackson Rancheria Tribal Chair. “The Tribe worked closely with representatives of Amador County, City of Sutter Creek and the City of Jackson to allocate funds we think will help the community with essential safety services.”

On Tuesday, May 1, the Mothers' Club of Amador County will host their second event for parents providing information on how to protect children from predators. Beginning at 6 p.m., the free event will feature an hour of selections from a DVD called "Abduction Prevention Pack - The Complete Parents Guide on Child Abduction, Awareness & Self Defense," followed by open discussion. "Obviously mothers and fathers have a personal interest in protecting their children," said Leslie Vasquez, Director of the Mothers' Club, "but most of us don't know what to do. We don't want to introduce ideas the kids aren't ready for and yet it's too prevalent to go unaddressed." The DVD, which is produced by Kidz 'n Power, is a selection of prominent experts giving sound advice and speaking on the topic including how to talk to children about it and step-by-step instructions to teach children of all ages what they should do in various situations.

A state commission will consider this week whether eight California sites, including one located right here in Amador County, a Palo Alto garage where Hewlett-Packard began and a Big Sur whaler's cabin -- should become part of the National Register of Historic Places. Members of the State Historical Resources Commission will discuss the sites at their meeting February 2nd in Placerville and will then make recommendations to the Federal Department of the Interior. The sites could be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the country's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation.

Last week the Local Agency Formation Committee met and passed a resolution determining a sphere of influence for the City’s of Plymouth, Jackson, Sutter Creek, Ione and Amador City. Executive Director Roseanne Chamberlain described the items as more of a formality, as the spheres of the Cities were not changed. “We re-affirmed existing spheres,” said Chamberlain and went on to explain that “Different cities had different maps that were all made at different times by different people and by accepting the sphere of influence action it confirms a multitude of actions.” Recently Chamberlain took on a huge task of researching LAFCO meetings and minutes and found that many times a motion was made to change a sphere but that action never appeared on a map.

The Amador County Recreation Agency is forming a youth recreational council. The council is being formed from the youth of our local high school and junior high school populations. According to Executive Director Tracey Towner Yep her hope is that the council’s formation will lead to a few special events for the youth, planned and implemented by the youth. The first meeting will be Monday April 16th at the American Legion Hall. At that meeting introductions, a big group game, a planning exercise, team building, choosing an event to start work on will be accomplished.

Today in a heated discussion the Board of Supervisors considered the membership and funding of the Amador County Chamber of Commerce. The agenda item was prompted, according to Supervisor Forster because “this is the third time that the Chamber has taken an action that is contrary to the board’s position on the validity of (the) Buena Vista (Tribe’s) efforts to build a casino.” Forster elaborated on the situation later by saying, “One was the vendor fair that (Executive Director) Jacqueline Lucido helped to organize and sponsor even though she claimed to have not.” He said Lucido on the contrary was very public and seen in pictures as being a part of the function. “Two was the efforts of the Friends of Amador County to make a presentation at the Chamber where they were rebuffed and the Tribe was allowed to make a presentation instead,” said Forster. The third act was the discovery of the Buena Vista Rancheria on the Tourism Committee without being an established business.

The Amador County Grand Jury report was presented this week to the Board of Supervisors. This year’s grand Jury investigated everything from the Overcrowding of Mule Creek State Prison and its impact on the local environment to school district maintenance to a specific Ione Police Department case. On the matter of Mule Creek State Prison the grand jury was concerned over overcrowding at the facility that was originally built for 1700 inmates, but currently is holding approximately 4000. The Grand Jury found that Mule Creek is at 230 percent of capacity and is using gymnasiums with 3 tier bunks as housing, which is creating an unsafe situation for inmates and correctional officers. The Grand Jury recommends that the prison population be reduced to 1700 inmates.

Last Thursday the AWA Board of Directors adopted the proposed Amador Water System Financial plan and proposed water rate increases. The Directors and Agency staff were asked hard hitting questions on Thursday after a presentation by the producer of the financial plan and cost analysis Bob Reed. The main concern among residents appeared to be that existing rate payers are paying for new development. General Manger Jim Abercrombie explained, “The Board has been very aggressive in continually analyzing what new development’s cost should be to minimize any impact on the existing rate payers.”