A two-year dispute over who should pay the multi-million dollar cost to clean up a former Amador County Gold Mine has been settled. After a lengthy stalemate, the subsequent legal proceedings between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Honeywell International Inc. and land developers came down to a court decision over who should cover the 4.3 million dollar cost of removing arsenic near a residential neighborhood. The mine in question is the Central Eureka near Sutter Creek, which produced gold worth an estimated 36 million dollars between 1855 and 1958. Years later, nearby property was purchased by Nehemiah Development company as the site for a development constructed in 1977 called Mesa De Oro. But like many potential areas of development in our County, the future of Mesa De Oro was threatened unstable soil, the accumulated result of years of mining tailings.

In this case, the mesa was actually an eleven foot mound of crushed ore. After a contractor digging at the site showed signs of arsenic exposure in 1994, the Environmental protection Agency, or EPA, declared the mine and surrounding property a Superfund site. The EPA took extensive measures to render the land usable, including the removal of contaminated soil, fence construction and a sediment basin to capture run-off. The dispute began when the EPA sued the Central Eureka Mining Company’s successor, Honeywell International and its partner Nehemiah Developers to recover the cleanup costs. While Honeywell settled for 2 million, Nehemiah filed cross complaints against 36 other developers and property owners. On June 12, a Contra Costa County Court judge approved the last of the settlement agreements. Charles Bruner, the developer of the Vista Ray subdivision in Sutter Creek, agreed to reimburse 20,000 dollars of the cleanup costs. The remaining costs went to the EPA and totaled 1.75 million. The case is being looked at as a cautionary tale for property owners and Real Estate developers who live and work within the Mother Lode region.

With the 127th Annual Italian Picnic and Parade coming up this weekend, many may wonder a little about the Italian Benevolent Society, or IBS. The “Societa de Unione e Beneficenza Italiana” was formed in 1881 with 33 charter members, all of Italian ancestry, and was stationed in Amador City.  The purpose of the society was to provide aid to sick Italian-Americans who could not work, and to provide proper burials for deceased members when their families could not. That year, a private picnic was held by the society, and the annual Italian Picnic was born. In 1897, the picnic moved to the Fuller Brothers’ Grove between Jackson and Sutter Creek, and in 1912, to its present location on Highway 49 in Martell. 

In 1981, the IBS celebrated its centennial anniversary, which was recognized by then President Ronald Reagan in a personal letter where he thanked the society for its contribution to “the propagation of Italian culture here in America.” Over the years, the society has made numerous improvements to the grounds, including planting over 100 trees just last year, according to society member Rick Wagstaff.  More renovation plans are in the works, including expanding the current dining hall, and the society will break ground after this weekend’s picnic. Since 1881, the picnic has grown from a gathering of friends to a full three-day weekend of fun events, including a carnival, rodeo, music, dancing, and great food.  This year’s event starts this Friday, May 30th at 5 PM and also features bingo, a bocce ball tournament, Italian food, Tri-tip BBQ, rock and roll music Friday and Saturday nights, and the traditional parade on Sunday, June 1st in Sutter Creek.  For more information, visit the society’s website at www.italiansociety.net and click on “Picnic Information.”

The owner of Jackson Creek Apartments has just received approval to turn its 36 units into condominiums. Ted Mortarotti, spokesman for the company Equidyne Jackson Creek Associates, who owns the complex, answered questions for the Jackson Planning Commission at their meeting Monday night.  Mortarotti listed the benefits to the city, one of which will include potential “property tax revenue between 55,000 to 60,000 dollars.” Mortarotti also pointed out that this conversion will provide the public with much-needed affordable housing. Originally, the company’s attempt to convert the apartments to condos in 2004 was met by opposition from city residents, and the request was denied by the planning commission at that time.

Unlike the response in 2004, the current residents are “excited” about this conversion, says the apartment manager, Judy Stephens, who informed the council that “there is no negativity about this… and no one is worried.”  Stephens also indicated that several residents were already asking when the condos would be available and how much they would cost.  Mortarotti referenced the price the condos would have been in 2004, which was about $160,000, and indicated that, depending on when they finished the project, the prices might be less than that. Commission Chair Leticia Sexton, asked why the company would want to make this move now, with the depressed real estate market.  Mortarotti replied that the company had already invested four years and a considerable sum of money on this project, adding that “we just have to forge on.”  He also stated that the Jackson Creek Apartment complex was an appropriate setting for affordable housing, saying “they are beautiful little homes…it’s a pretty place.”  The commission approved the tentative parcel map for the condo project 3 to 0, with Commissioners Butow and Works stepping down due to owning property within 500 feet of the apartment complex.

The Upcountry Communities Council met last Thursday in the newly-restored Veteran’s Hall on Buckhorn Ridge Road in Pioneer. The main topic of discussion was the proposed Buena Vista casino. The main concern aired by upcountry residents was how the level of service of fire and law enforcement would be impacted if officers would now be called away on calls to two casinos. Also speaking at the meeting was Amador County Recreation Agency Director Tracey Towner-Yep, who gave a workshop-style presentation in order to gather input for a twenty-two acre section of land off of Tabeau Road in Pine Grove.

Guided bus and walking tours, for residents and visitors alike, will begin Saturday, March 1 in Sutter Creek. The bus tours, available at 15 dollars per person, cover various aspects of Sutter Creek and Amador County history related to Farms, Wines, Mines and Spirits. Guided walking tours of Sutter Creek’s historic buildings and sites are also being given, following a successful January 30 walking tour which drew 135 people. Tour guides, include local historians Larry Cenotto, a former county archivist and expert on Amador County history; Eric Costa, author of wine books and a professional winemaker; Robert Richards, an author and fourth generation native of Sutter Creek; and Dennis Price, a retired teacher and long-time tour guide at the Kennedy Mine. Advance reservations for bus or walking tours may be made with the American Exchange Hotel at 267-0242.

Indian Casinos, development management, local politics, and cultural events are just some of the topics currently being discussed on numerous blogs devoted to a single topic- Amador County. The term “blog,” short for “web-log” is someone’s personal website where he or she can post commentary or news on a topic of choice. A typical blog consists of texts, images, and links to other blogs or web-media related to its content. Amador blogs are posted by citizens from across the political spectrum, and they all contain a unique perspective on local issues. One exceptional chracteristic of local blogs is this- they can criticize, make fun, probe facts, and ask questions that the mainstream local media cannot. “I really admire those who take the time to maintain a blog and speak out...it's a great way for the voice of the people to be consistently heard," said one local blogger.

Now it’s time for TSPN’s Home for the Holidays series – featuring fun, free or low cost activities for the whole family to enjoy right here in Amador County, now through New Years Day! Here’s a look at activities coming up this week:

Come join your friends and neighbors for Christmas caroling tonight, December 11th at 7pm at the Jackson United Methodist Church and raise your voices in holiday song. There will be hot cider and cookies afterwards. All are welcome.

 

Hospice of Amador has new leadership – Dan Riordan of Sutter Creek took over the executive director position for the hospice organization last week, replacing recently retired Abigail Gessler . Riordan brings a range of management expertise to Hospice, most recently from First 5 of Amador. A decade or so ago, he managed the former Blue Shield insurance processing office in Jackson. Along the way he worked as a management and human relations consultant for Bay Area and Sacramento concerns. Riordan says he began volunteering for Hospice two years ago and loved the work he was doing there. When the Hospice position became available, Riordan says he saw it as a great opportunity for him to put his management skills to work at a service he knows has great value to the community.

The last of an innovative workshop series on Amador County government was held this week and TSPN was there to tape the full session of Amador Government 101. The workshops were presented by decision and policy makers themselves, as a way to help the general public better understand how our local government works. The final workshop was held Wednesday, with almost three hours of presentations and an open public question and answer period. Presenters at this final workshop included both governmental and non-governmental county agencies. Non-governmental agencies included: the Foothill Conservancy, Amador Community Foundation, First 5 of Amador, Sierra Pacific Industries, East Bay Mud, and Amador County Smart Growth.

The new Amador Transmission Pipeline is completed and is carrying the water that most of Amador County drinks -- from Lake Tabeaud to the Amador Water Agency treatment plant on Ridge Road. But the historic Amador Canal that the pipeline is replacing still has water flowing through it – mostly. The 9 mile pipeline replaces an old canal system built in the 1860’s that supplied water from the Mokelumne River to the Sutter Creek, Jackson and Ione areas. The “ditch” served Amador County for over a century but pressures to conserve water and maintain water quality prompted the replacement pipeline. The earthen canal leaks about 40% to 50% of the water that is put into the ditch. The water in the canal is subject to surface water contamination along the 23 mile route. The canal has also reached its capacity to transport water and is subject to “blow outs” – this landslide recently wiped out an entire section of the canal and interrupted water service to customers.