Among the items on today’s Board of Supervisors agenda, the proposed Amador Economic Stimulus package is of particular interest to many in the community. It goes without saying that the country’s sliding housing market and economic situation have affected Amador Residents, and the proposed Stimulus package intends to promote new structure building through substantial reductions in fees. The details of the plan will be outlined in a presentation by local contractor Paul Branell. Proposed savings could be between $15,000 and $20,000 per home. The buzz amongst the Supervisors seems to be in favor of the proposition, but that will be decided in today’s meeting. TSPN will have more details on the proposal in upcoming broadcasts.

The Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency hosts a community forum on broadband internet this morning. Recently the organization received a $250,000 grant from the California Emerging Technology Fund to put together a plan to help five area counties improve high speed internet access for households and businesses. The Agencies Sierra Connect project involves Tuolumne, Calaveras, Mariposa, Alpine and Amador Counties. “Ultimately, we all want high speed internet to be as universal as telephone service and easy to use for all residents including low-income, seniors and disabled people,” says Project Coordinator Michelle Shelton. “This is vital to the future of our communities.” The forum will be a time to give an overview of the project, unveil the proposed work plan and solicit members for an advisory council. The open forum runs today from 9-11am at the Sonora Elks Lodge. Sonoran contributed.

The tradition lives on as yet another successful duck race took place in Sutter Creek this last Saturday. In picture perfect weather, attendees from miles around gathered together to cheer on  plastic ducks as they lazily made their way through the town’s namesake. Prizes totaling in over $14,000 dollars were awarded to race winners, but the majority of the profits made from duck purchases went to benefit selected non-profit organizations. Along with the standard swimmers, a number of creative ducks sponsored by businesses were featured. Families showed up for live music, food, and to cheer on a popular local tradition since 1988.

A former Amador County Administrator and activist for the developmentally disabled has been appointed to a State Council dealing with similar issues on a larger scale. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday announced that Kathleen Barnes, 56, of Stockton, has been appointed deputy director for area board operations for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, or SCDD.  She has worked for SCDD's Area Board 6 since 1991 in various positions, including executive director. Prior to that, Barnes received acclaim as program director for The Arc of Amador and Calaveras Counties from 1985 to 1989 and program manager for the Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity, a Bay Area fair housing assistance agency, from 1984 to 1985. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $88,800. Barnes is a Republican.

The Amador County Youth Coalition now has Nike’s support as it continues to expand on its project to raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco use. The Youth Coalition is currently collecting old shoes to use in an April 2nd display meant to dynamically illustrate the 1200 lives lost each day due to tobacco.

In a press conference held yesterday afternoon, Jackson Detective Chris Mynderup asked for the public’s help in identifying victims of voyeurism at a Jackson Dry Cleaner. Alex Ko, owner of Holiday Cleaners in Jackson, is facing two misdemeanor counts of videotaping women without their consent.

Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi today announced that he is beginning a first-ever open search for the 2008 Assembly District 10 “Woman of the Year.” “There are thousands of people doing great work in the community, and those un-sung heroes deserve to be recognized,” Nakanishi said. “This is a great opportunity to thank all of the heroes serving in our community.” Anyone who wishes to nominate someone to be Woman of the Year should send a one-page explanation as to why your nominee deserves such a distinction by Friday, February 1st. All nominees must be residents of the 10th Assembly District. Submissions should be sent to the Lodi District Office, located at 218 West Pine St., Lodi, 95240.

Plymouth City Council interviewed candidates for the job of Interim City Administrator in closed session last Saturday. Council members agreed on a qualified prospect for the job, and the city is running the required background checks for city employment. When everything checks out and salary negotiations are finalized, the city council will approve their selection at a future City Council meeting. It’s not clear how long that will take but outgoing City Administrator Gene Albaugh says he hopes the City of Plymouth  will have a new administrator in place as soon as February 1st. Albaugh has been filling the interim position for 33 months – for the last two years, that’s been on a month-to-month basis. Albaugh says at first he had trouble getting anyone to apply for the job, but after working with the League of California Cities recruitment program was able to encourage qualified applicants to apply for the job. Albaugh, who lives in Auburn, will then give up his commute to Plymouth and spend his time as a Rotary District leader, writing books, and playing senior softball.

In an interview Wednesday on TSPN, Amador County Registrar of Voters Sheldon Johnson encouraged registered voters and high-school students over the age of 16 to sign up to work at the polls during the February 5 Presidential Primary Election. “We always need more poll workers,” said Johnson, “and I want people to know there is still time to sign up and get involved.” “Being a poll worker is a fun and easy way to get involved in the electoral process,” said county’s chief elections officer. Amador Countystanding who is a United States citizen, at least 16 years old, and has a grade-point average of at least 2.5. Student poll workers must also have a California residents can serve as a poll worker if he or she is a registered voter, or a high-school student in good driver’s license. Poll workers earn a stipend of $88 for the day. Interested in working on Election Day? Call the county elections office to sign up – there is also a poll worker application form in the county elections booklet. For more information about how to be a poll worker, call the elections office at 223-6465.

 

Thanks to efforts from snowmaking crews and help from Mother Nature, Kirkwood Mountain Resort officially began lift operations for the 2007-08 winter season on Sunday.  Kirkwood opened Chair 5 with access to intermediate and advance terrain on its Race Course run. Resort officials continue to assess operations in regards to opening additional terrain and lifts. Kirkwood’s General Manager Chip Seamans says that recent cold temperatures have enabled the resort to run snowmaking full-time and operators are keeping their fingers crossed for a little help from Mother Nature. With limited operations, lift ticket prices are also reduced with Adult tickets at $29, Juniors at $24, Seniors at $16, Child/Senior plus at $6 and Under 5 at $3. Visit Kirkwood’s web site at kirkwood.com or call the Snowphone at 877-KIRKWOOD for daily updates on resort operations.