State Senator Dave Cox will be the opening speaker at Wednesday night’s session of Amador Government 101 the ongoing workshop series being offered by decision and policy makers to help the general public better understand Amador County Government. Senator Cox was so impressed by the workshops being held to allow local citizens an opportunity to hear how our local government works, he asked to be able to speak at this week’s informative event.

Amador County Waste Management Department is offering special one-day waste tire collection events at three convenient locations. The first is Saturday October 27th from 10am to 12pm at Plymouth Elementary School. The second, Saturday, November 3 from 10-12 at Airport Road in Jackson and the last on Saturday, November 10th from 10-12 at Howard Park in Ione. Amador County residents may bring up to nine passenger or light truck tires without rims to one scheduled collection event for proper disposal and recycling. Space is limited, therefore, industrial, farming, or heavy equipment tires will not be accepted. This event is for residential use only and not available to tire dealers, shops, or other commercial businesses. Sorry, there are no exceptions to these restrictions.

Caltrans reminds drivers that, in the fall and winter, the lower foothills and Valley areas are plagued by extremely dense fog which poses a severe driving hazard. Despite the predictability of the seasonal fog, multi-vehicle accidents are commonplace, due to the combination of fog, excessive speed, and traffic congestion. To alert drivers to fog hazard, Caltrans has installed a number of automated warning signs along southbound Interstate 5 and westbound Hwy 120. The signs are equipped with monitors which will detect foggy conditions and slow or stopped traffic, and transmit an appropriate warning to drivers. While Caltrans is committed to enhancing safety on state highways, drivers on all highways are reminded to take necessary precautions by adjusting your speed and driving habits for poor visibility conditions, and to allow plenty of time to get to your destination.

Last Thursday the Plymouth City council promised to fulfill an agreement made in 1998 by 2009. The agreement includes three major projects. One of which includes installing a drop inlet, as part of an access understanding related to Emerson Drive, which once provided access to the old racetrack. In 1998 that project was expanded to include replacing and upsizing the conduits that cross state highway 49. The project would consist of constructing two drop inlets, and extending the highway cross culvert approximately 30 feet. The city has promised to complete 1 of 3 projects that would include completion of the drop inlet by 2009.

Important Road Closure Notice if you’re in Drytown: Church Street in Drytown will be closed from 8 am to 3 pm, today, Thursday Oct 4, from New Chicago Road to Hwy 49. Crews will be replacing a culvert across Church St. School Bus traffic will not be affected as buses will pass through before crews start in the morning and will be able to pass at the end of the day.

In a report released last week by the Valley Air District, a remarkably low number of Spare the Air days were declared in the San Joaquin Valley this summer – and that means cleaner air for Amador County as well. Just six Spare the Air days were called District-wide during the 2007 season, ending Sunday. Typically, between 20 and 40 Spare the Air days are declared during the summer, depending on location. Jim Harris of the Amador Air District told TSPN that his agency does not have any local air monitoring equipment and relies on Spare the Air warnings from the adjacent Valley Air District to determine when Amador County air may be unhealthy.

A personnel shift in Congressman Dan Lungren’s office has local residents talking- talking about what the shift may mean in terms of the politics for a potential Indian gaming casino in Plymouth. The move by Lungren’s former Intergovernmental Affairs Director Peter Tateishi from the public sector to the private sector is the source of concern.  Tateishi has resigned his position in Lungren’s office and subsequently accepted a position as a contract employee for the Ione Band of Miwok tribe. According to Ione Band of Miwok tribal administrator Pam Baumgartner after the tribe became aware that Tateishi had left Lungren’s office they retained Tateishi by contract to provide the Tribe with consulting services and communication strategies. 

On Tuesday, Amador County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commissioners held joint public workshops on sea-land container regulations in Amador County. The large storage containers, designed for transporting cargo on trucks, trains and ships, are used throughout the county on ranches, industrial and commercial operations, schools, county agencies and even on single family homes as inexpensive, secure and fireproof storage. In May of 2006, the Amador County building code was amended to include regulations to encourage appropriate locations and uses these containers and to protect the visual quality of the county.

AN INNOVATIVE WORKSHOP SERIES IS BEING OFFERED, RIGHT HERE IN THE COUNTY, BY DECISION AND POLICY MAKERS TO HELP THE GENERAL PUBLIC BETTER UNDERSTANDS AMADOR COUNTY GOVERNMENT. AMADOR GOVERNMENT #101, A WORKSHOP FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY IS AN EFFORT TO ALLOW LOCAL CITIZENS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR HOW OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKS DIRECTLY FROM THE MOUTHS OF THE FOLKS WHO RUN IT.  THE  SUGGESTION FOR THE WORKSHOPS COMES FROM COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, TERRI DALY.

If you were granted three wishes what would they be, and furthermore, how would you go about achieving them? Well Cynthia Turner, owner of Detailed Travel Experts on Main Street in Jackson, is working on figuring out just that equation. She started The Wish Exchange in order to help people in the area to fulfill their needs while providing a network of support in a community oriented forum. The Exchange, which has been up and running for the past month, has already helped one local recipient with education tools for her children, and work related items. In turn, she has gone forward and helped fulfill another individual’s wish.

To enter your wishes and become involved Wish Exchange, boxes are currently located at the Mother Lode Deli, Richard and Sherri Woodcarving, Home Sweet Home, and Jose’s. A form will be available and you will be asked to provide your name, email address, phone number and your three wishes. All of the personal information will be kept confidential. At the end of the month a list will be compiled to include all received wishes, and sent out anonymously to individuals to various members of the community. Items that have been requested to date include used household appliances, clothes for children and adults, and even jobs. According to Cynthia Turner “the list of items literally run the gamut ...a lot of people don’t know where to turn [when they need help].” For more information please call Cynthia Turner at 1-800-570-1280.