Also during last night’s council meeting, the council unanimously approved the appointment of Jackson resident Kathryn Devlin to the Jackson Planning Commission. and her husband, Bob, own and operate New York Fitness on New York Ranch Road. She is a retired teacher and the Director of the Amador Community Foundation. She has been a member of the Christmas Committee, and recently participated in the construction of the Village Glen project off of Court Street. In her application to the city, Devlin said that she “cares deeply about the planning process and how it affects the quality of life for Jackson residents specifically, and impacts County residents generally.” Devlin will sit on her first planning commission meeting on Monday, February 18.

Not on the agenda, but of great concern was the historic significance of the old Buscaglia building on Jackson Gate Road. Members of the public expressed concern about the demolition of the historic building, and appealed to the city council that measures be taken with the current owners of the property to preserve it.

TSPN has received reports of accidents over the weekend, two of which involved ice.  Both ice-related accidents occurred on Highway 88. Last Friday afternoon, two vehicles collided near the Carson Spur after a 2003 Toyota hit an ice patch and lost control. Saturday evening a patch of black ice caused the driver of a 1999 Acura to lose control and swerve off the road. The CHP reports only minor injuries to the passenger after the vehicle collided into a snow bank. The CHP advises Amador residents to slow down in icy conditions. Snow and ice make stopping distances much longer, requiring a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Bridge decks and shady spots can be icy when other areas are not. 

Tax season is upon us, and Amador citizens beware - California officials are warning they plan to crack down on tax cheats and delinquent payers. Officials estimate more than 750,000 people owe billions of tax dollars from 2006 alone.And despite the budget crisis, Governor Schwarzenegger is proposing more funding to hire 500 new tax collectors and investigators. The Franchise Tax Board has posted the names of the state's biggest tax delinquents online. Among the celebrities on the list is singer Dionne Warwick who owes more than two and a half million dollars in taxes. The Franchise Tax Board estimates the state is owed 6.5 billion dollars in unpaid taxes.

As another dangerous fire season approaches, the nation’s largest wild firefighting organization is beginning to prepare. The US Forest Service is seeking persons 18 or older to be a part of the Eldorado National Forest and Kirkwood region’s wild land fire fighting organization. “These are great summer jobs,” said Eldorado National Forest Fire Chief Bob Patton. “We’re not just offering a 40 hour work week, but we’re also offering adventure, excitement, and the possibility of building time toward a career.” Applicants must be U.S. citizens and be able to pass a fitness test called a “pack test”.

According to a nonpartisan budget analysis supported by the State legislature, there is no basis for a pay raise for California’s Prison Guards. A pending proposition by Governor Schwarzenegger is asking for a 5% pay raise for prison guards across the board. Veteran Guards currently draw nearly $74,000 in salaries – not counting overtime and annual benefits. The California Correctional Peace Officers Association, or CCPOA, currently represents some 30,000 guards. “We find that the officers' compensation levels are sufficient to allow the prisons to meet personnel needs at the present time, but we generally agree with other administration proposals to increase management control in prisons,” said a spokesperson for the CCPOA.  Complications in the negotiation process are often said to be a main source of tension in the sometimes dysfunctional relationship between the CCPOA and the State. A union spokesman says that prison guards could hold illegal strikes if raises are rejected.

Changes to the State’s policy regarding cell phones and wireless devices is bringing changes for County employees’ in terms of use and cost reimbursement. The Board of Supervisors has approved a policy change that will end the provision of cell phones and devices for government employees. Employees must provide their own phone devices and in turn request reimbursement in fixed amounts. These amounts will be distributed in stipends. CountyAdministrative Officer (CAO) Terri Daly presented the new Stipend Authorization form to the Administrative Committee on Monday. The stipends range from 45 dollars for cell phones to 75 dollars for Blackberries. Blackberries are currently the only wireless devices that interface with county technology. For infrequent cell phone use, employees can submit monthly requests for a reimbursement on specific business calls. Employees with needs beyond the preset stipend amounts will need CAO approval. The IRS mandates that cell phone reimbursements be included in payroll records, making them taxable to employees.

Debbie Dunn, creator and host of the Amador County Government 101 Workshops, gave an update to the Administrative Committee on Monday. Updates included attendance statistics, evaluation results and proposed future steps. Dunn indicated that all of the County’s goals had been met, and was especially delighted by some unexpected outcomes.

1st  District Senator Dave Cox, representative for Amador County,  has been selected as the “Outstanding Senator for 2007”. The award is the highest honor given to elected officials by the California State Sheriffs Association. According to the Sheriff’s Department, Cox was chosen because of his career-long commitment to public safety and the support of law enforcement. Dave Cox has served in the State Senate since 2004 and was first elected to the State Assembly in November of 1998. Voters overwhelmingly re-elected him in 2000 and 2002. Honors will take place Thursday, February 14 at the Placer County Sheriff's Headquarters in Auburn.

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.