An Amador City business owner is using her expertise to launch a new flea market. Linda Weber, 10-year operator of Linda’s Cloth Creations, is utilizing space at the Amador County Fair Grounds in Plymouth to create a new Amador County Country flea market. Like many local towns, Plymouth has its share of markets, auctions and sidewalk sales, but this will be the first year-round flea market. Weber is renting out 15 foot square places for vendors to set up and sell their goods. “We are hoping to get 200 vendors and give people the opportunity to buy a lot of things,” said Weber. Weber says running a flea market has been a lifelong dream. Spaces will cost $40 on the first Saturday of each month, beginning June 7th. The flea market will include sections for collectibles, antiques, household items, crafts, a farmers market and an area to sell cars, trailers, boats and tractors. Weber will continue to operate her business in Amador City while simultaneously running the flea market. For more information or to reserve a space, call 245-3192.

With the June 3rd election just around the corner, some may be wondering how the supervisor candidates funded their campaigns and how that money was spent.  As required by law, candidates must disclose campaign contributions and expenses to the Elections Department on a campaign disclosure statement. Here’s a look at who spent what as of May 17th. For District 1, the candidates are John Gonsalves, Rosalie Pryor Escamilla, John Plasse and Ken Berry.  All but Berry had campaign contributions. John Gonsalves has received just shy of 26,000 dollars in contributions and donations, mostly from area businesses and individuals, with the largest contributions from Stan Lukowicz and Mother Lode Real Investors for a combined total of 2800 dollars. Largely, Gonsalves spent money on campaign paraphernalia, literature, signage, and print advertising. Almost half of Rosalie Pryor Escamilla’s 10,941 dollars worth of contributions came from the Amador County Association of Realtors, with 1500 dollars out of her own pocket. So far, over 9000 dollars of that money has been spent, mostly on print and TV advertising, signage and campaign events.

Although John Plasse’s total contributions totals almost 44,000 dollars, about half of that amount was non-monetary contributions, including cases of wine, artwork, and other miscellaneous raffle prize items.  But the biggest contribution came from Plasse himself: over 12,000 dollars worth of jewelry that he used for a raffle and auction during fundraising events.  Plasse spread his funds throughout the media, advertising in print, radio and TV. For District 4, incumbent Louis Boitano has raised over 11,000 dollars, 2000 of which is a carryover from his 2004 campaign. Most of the remaining 9000 dollars consisted of 100 to 200 dollar amounts from local individuals and area businesses.  Boitano has spent just over 8500 dollars so far, mostly on fundraising events, print and TV advertising, campaign mailers, and signage. Also running for District 4, David Pincus has contributions totaling over 11,000 dollars, consisting of 3000 from his own pocket, almost 3000 in monetary contributions, and a 5200 dollar non-monetary donation of advertising from Jack Mitchell, Publisher of the Ledger-Dispatch. So far, Pincus has spent about 5600 dollars, mostly for signs, fundraising events, and campaign literature. Will all these expenditures pay off?  We’ll find out this Tuesday.  Don’t forget to vote!

The City of Sutter Creek has granted a request from the Amador Water Agency for several water line easements through town in order to facilitate construction of the Plymouth Pipeline Project. The easements include the construction of a new footbridge/pipeline from the parking lot behind city hall over to the parking lot across from Susan’s Place on Eureka Street. At the City Council Meeting Monday evening, the council created an ad hoc committee to deal with concerns about the easements.

Councilman Pat Crosby expressed discontent about the format of the easement proposal, which he felt was difficult to understand and did adequately address the city’s water issues. “There is a million things that need to be addressed on this whole thing. I do not what to hold up Plymouth, but we need to address issues with Sutter Creek water before we make any design approvals,” he said City Attorney Dennis CrabbThe issues include an upgrade to the pipeline on Broad Street that the AWA deemed necessary 15 years ago, which is not mentioned in the easement, as well as the design of the new footbridge, which will be constructed in a visually sensitive area. explained that the easement approval was time sensitive, and that the AWA would be present at the next city council meeting to discuss the document. In the mean time, the ad hoc committee, which includes councilmen Crosby and Murphy, was set up to investigate issues brought forth by the council and public.

The first part of the storm Saturday didn't bring the expected strong winds to Amador County and  the Central valley, but rain and wind gusts blew into the area Sunday. A high wind warning was in effect for the Central and Sacramento Valleys until Sunday at 4 p.m., and a winter snow warning is in effect for the western slope of the Sierra until 10 p.m. Monday. Woodland appeared to  be the worst hit area in the valley last weekend with sustained winds of 15-20 mph and gusts up to 40 mph.

The Amador County Sheriff’s Department has explained its position on the impacts the proposed Buena Vista Casino would have on the crime and law enforcement end of the issue, with a consensus that the level of service law enforcement could provide would be greatly impacted. Sheriff Martin Ryan said that, based upon research and statistics derived from the studies done on the Jackson Rancheria, Cache Creek and Thunder Valley, the tribe’s proposed agreement would provide law enforcement with the resources and funding needed, to the tune of four additional officers and two CHP patrol cars.

At last night’s rescheduled Jackson Planning Commission meeting, the Final Environmental Impact Report was recommended for certification for Land Use Element updates, Circulation Element amendments, and Development and Zoning code updates. The city is slowly making progress in constructing the city’s General Plan. Beth Thompson of Pacific Municipal Consultants made a presentation to the commission that outlined the final report, and about a dozen members of the public were present to submit comments before the document goes to the Jackson City Council for certification March 10th.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday agreed to allow the use of a vacant office in the Airport building at Westover Field for a pilots’ briefing room for checking flight conditions, and as an office for the Civil Air Patrol. General Services Director Jon Hopkins reminded the supervisors at their regular Board meeting that the Airport Building was not in compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and by allowing this new public use of the building, the county would incur a small additional risk of being sued for ADA noncompliance. Supervisors asked what it would take to come into compliance – Hopkins said it would take major renovation, as the building had several accessibility barriers.

The Ione City Council met Tuesday Evening, to discuss  the Capital Improvement Plans and also improvements for Howard Park. Included in the Capital Improvement Plan is the task of Street Striping and Painting, which would be done separately from a new slurry seal for the roads in the park. Specifically, one outstanding project which does stand out in regards to the Street Striping project, will involve the need to paint the curbs red, with a designated measure of linear feet.

The Sierra Business Council will present the State of the Sierra Forests report, a comprehensive report identifying key trends, challenges, and opportunities in the forest ecosytems, communities, and economies in the Sierra Nevada. They'll also launch a new online tool, Thriving Forests Compendium, a "one-stop-shop" for people interested in initiating, partnering and investing in, or learning more about sustainable forest projects in the Sierra Nevada. The Compendium is a concise, yet comprehensive compilation, or collection, of a body of knowledge covering the rapid development, a shifting economy, management debates, and years of fire suppression policy have created serious challenges to the health and well being of Sierra forests, wilderness areas, and forest communities. The seminar is free, open to the public and right here in Amador County at the Sutter Creek Community Center on Sept 13th from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Space is limited and registration is required. Register now by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call SBC at 530-582-4800.

According to Amador County Elections Officials new rules implemented by the California Secretary of State for the February elections will have impacts here in Amador County- but they say with the Board of Supervisors support they will get through them. George Allen & Sheldon Johnson gave an Amador County Voting System update reporting that the new rules include 10 requirements for tabulation procedures for how votes must now be counted.