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New Classrooms for Jackson Elementary School
Jackson Elementary School
received some new classroom space this week. Thursday afternoon, TSPN’s Kevin Clark was on site to photograph the scene of a
police escort accompanying trailers towing three new portable classrooms.The classrooms were then
hoisted into place on the Jackson
Elementary school grounds
using a giant crane, and will be outfitted for use during the fast approaching
2008-2009 school year. Remember Parents: This school year begins in only
2 weeks on August 13th, and runs through June 5th 2009. For more information on Amador County
public schools, visit the Amador
County Unified
School District’s website
at www.amadorcoe.org.
Judge Martin H. Ryan Passed Away Over the Weekend
Caltran’s Clean Air Efforts
Caltrans District 10 has announced its participation in a new initiative that aims to reduce emissions through the valley and foothills and subsequently improve the health and quality of life for residents. Entitled Healthy Air Living, the initiative was inspired by a recent statewide Healthy Air Living Week, and has additional support from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. “We understand the seriousness of the valley’s air quality status and are committed to doing our part by joining residents in cleaning up our air,” said Kome Ajise, Caltrans District 10 Director.
The Central Valley faces unmatched statewide challenges due to meteorological and topographical factors in reaching clean air-standards. Unhealthy air qualities in the valley directly effect ozone levels in Amador County, creating a notoriously unhealthy climate. Because of the valley’s bowl shape, it has a reduced ability to naturally clean itself of emissions from various sources. According to Air Control statistics, cars and trucks are responsible for up to 80 percent of the valley’s air pollution problem. “It is efforts such as these by Caltrans District 10 that will move us even closer to clean air in the valley,” said Seyed Sadredin, the Air District’s air pollution control officer and executive director. The initiative encourages individuals and companies to make clean air decisions a natural part of everyday life. Caltrans has pledged to continue to offer alternative work schedules, telecommuting, links to carpooling and vanpooling resources and subsidize mass transit for employees to reduce trips to work.
Local Escrows Reach Two-Year High
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Amador Economic Stimulus Package
Another
packed chamber at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting symbolized the importance of a reoccurring item
on the agenda- the proposed Amador Economic Stimulus Package. A host of local
contractors and realtors showed up to voice their support for contractor
Paul Bramell’s proposed plan to temporarily cut impact and development fees in
order to stimulate growth in the sinking housing market. “I sat down with a
committee and we developed this new proposal,” said Bramell, referring to a
meeting the day before with County Administrative Officer Teri Daly and other
local representatives. “I
believe we came up with a pretty comprehensive plan that will still stimulate
the local economy,” he said.
The new, revised stimulus plan he refers to would allow a reduction in impact fees for local and regional traffic mitigation, recreation and capital facilities between July 1st, 2008 and December 31st, 2009. This includes a 100 percent reduction in fees until December 31st, 2008, a 50 percent reduction from then until June 30th, 2009, and a 25 percent reduction from then until December 31st, 2009. Considering the makeup of the audience, many were surprised by the mixed opinions voiced by public speakers. “Reducing impact fees, it’s just going to dig us a deeper hole. If less money is spent, you’re going to have just as big of a deficit,” said resident Bill Condershoff. “We don’t have any guarantees to what degree this will stimulate the economy, but I do think it will create work and employment,” said another resident, John Wheets. All the Board members expressed different opinions on the proposal. It was decided that the best course of action would be to continue discussions and consider it again at next week’s meeting.
Air Ambulance Proposal
Wednesday’s
meeting of the Amador County Technical Advisory Committee, or TAC, included a
request by California Shock/Trauma Air Rescue, or CALSTAR, to allow a
helicopter air ambulance program at the Westover Field Airport.
In a round-table
discussion, TAC members reviewed CALSTAR’s application for completeness and
potential environmental impacts
before recommending it to the planning commission. Any
major concern centered on insuring that the Air ambulance and landing area
would comply with local hazardous materials guidelines for disposal
of waste. Another question arose as to whether the airport was already at capacity and under a different contract
than the rest of Martell.
The discussion is expected to continue in future meetings. It was
agreed that the benefits of having a CALSTAR program are
numerous. CALSTAR’s response time to emergency calls is 2
minutes- less than half of the average emergency response time. CALSTAR is a
regional, public, non-profit helicopter ambulance.
Changes to Motorcycle Ordinance in Plymouth
Also at Thursday night’s meeting, the Plymouth City Council saw the approval of changes to the city’s motorcycle ordinance. After a short discussion, the council voted to amend Plymouth’s motorcycle ordinance to ensure“the operation of any motorcycle, motor driven cycle, or similar device on authority of a permit, shall be limited to the hours commencing one-half hour after sunrise and ending one-half hour before sunset. Operation shall not occur nearer than two hundred yards from any residential structure, church, assembly hall, or school.” The City of Plymouth currently requires that an individual and/or property owner obtain a yearly permit from the City Clerk before operating a motorcycle on private property, or allowing someone else to operate a motorcycle on private property. However, the city does not require a permit if the motorcycle is being used as a part of an agricultural or ranching operation. consistency with the city’s noise ordinance. The motorcycle ordinance states that
Political Signage Rights in Jackson
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Fate of the Old Buscaglia Building Discussed at Jackson City Council
Amador Vintners Hold "Behind the Cellar Door"
Amador
Vintners held their annual “Behind The Cellar Door” event last week. The event began last Thursday and
ran through the weekend. Wine lovers from across the state gathered in Amador County to appreciate a region
famous for quality wines. In total, 28 wineries participated by offering food, live music,
seminars and wine-making demonstrations. Participating wineries were located along scenic
backroads, providing visitors with stunning views of the snow-capped Sierra Mountains.
Featured seminars included
discussions & tastings of Zinfandels, Barbera, Rhône varieties and Ports.
Visitors reported being impressed with the local culture and passion for
winemaking.