Next Tuesday, July 1st, will be the first day that the new hands- free wireless driving law takes effect. TSPN news is planning on bringing you an exclusive report on the penalty’s enforcement. The penalty is actually two separate laws. One law prohibits all drivers from using hand-held wireless devices. The second law pertains to those less than 18 years old. Younger drivers are not allowed to use a cell phone at all. Worried that distracted drivers are causing too many accidents on California streets, roads, and highways, State Senator Joe Simitian from Palo Alto introduced the bill. On his Web site, Simitian says, “Cell phones are the number 1 cause identified in distracted driving accidents for all five years the CHP has collected data.” Electronic signs on state highways now warn drivers of the impending fines. If you're caught breaking the laws you'll be fined 76 dollars for the first offense and 190 for any additional offenses. Officers say there will be no grace period.

The Amador Fire Protection District has released its May statistics on incident responses in the Amador area. In total, the District responded to 143 incidents in May 2008.  81 of these were medical aid related and 26 were vehicle accidents. These two responses alone accounted for 75 percent of the total incidents. As is typical but surprising to many who are not aware of how the Fire District spends its time, only 11 of the incidents were fire related. There were 2 structure fires, 1 cooking fire, 1 fuel burner malfunction fire, 2 vehicle fires and 5 wild land fires.  55 percent of the total calls received occurred between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm.

At the Amador Water Agency Board of Directors meeting Thursday, the board discussed the recently released Small Community Wastewater Strategy, which AWA has been active in helping to develop for the last three years.  The strategy was born out of Nevada County Supervisor Nate Beason bringing their wastewater issues to the attention of the Regional Council of Rural Counties. Of issue were the problems that the county was experiencing in attempting to comply with federally mandated regulations related to wastewater systems. Together, with Amador Water Agency and representatives from Plumas and Lake counties, the various agencies met about a dozen times with the State Water Board to develop the Small Community Wastewater Strategy.

The State Water Resources Control Board is ultimately responsible for the document, which outlines the actions the board plans to undertake to help address small and/or disadvantaged community wastewater problems, which can include lack of funds to upgrade water systems, and lack of expertise in applying for grants to make those improvements.  The state defines small communities as those with financial hardship and either a population of 10,000 persons or less for wastewater enforcement purposes, or a population of 20,000 or less for financial assistance purposes. Financially, the strategy outlines methods for obtaining grants and increasing coordination with other water agencies. 

AWA staff recommended that the state consider providing grants to small communities based on an affordability index, where the household sewer rate is calculated as a percentage of the median household income.  Other financial strategies include mini-loans and offering extended term finance agreements and/or lower interest rates to those communities most in financial need. For technical assistance, the State Water Boards has agreed to provide what limited assistance is possible, including referring communities to existing non-profit technical assistance organizations. And in the area of regulation and enforcement, the state has pledged to assist small communities in ensuring that they are compliant and are effectively planning for their long-term needs. AWA staff has drafted a letter of support to the state, which the AWA board voted to send at Thursday’s meeting.  The Small Community Wastewater Strategy will be reviewed at the State Water Board’s next meeting on July 1, 2008.

The successful Amador Transmission Pipeline has just celebrated its first anniversary. The pipeline became operational one year ago today, and “has exceeded our expectations,” says Amador Water Agency General Manager Jim Abercrombie.  The objectives of the new pipeline were to provide “clean, reliable water” for Amador County, to increase water supply and quality, and to increase water conservation.  Now, one year later, the pipeline project has met and exceeded those goals.  Before the pipeline, the Agency would lose about 30 to 50 percent of the water from Lake Tabeau that was transported through the old canal.

The construction of the pipeline has all but eliminated that water loss.  Perhaps the most added benefit is the reduction in turbidity, or suspended particles that cause the water to lose its transparency.  According to the Agency, reduction in turbidity has been 50 percent better than expected, going from 75 NTU (a measure of turbidity) down to 10 or 12 NTU during the winter months.  Another beneficial advantage is the reduction of bacteria in the water that arrives at the Tanner Plant.  Previous to the pipeline, water runoff from cattle ranch land would introduce coliform bacteria into the water.  The installation of the pipeline has greatly reduced this factor by eliminating the presence of surface water contamination. The Amador Water Agency “is proud to have completed a project that offers an improved and reliable water source for ratepayers that will last for many, many years.”

The Amador County Narcotics Enforcement Team, or ACCNET, has just released the details on a major drug bust occurring near Amador City. On June 12, ACCNET agents were conducting reconnaissance of a possible clandestine commercial marijuana cultivation operation located on Amador Creek, west of Highway 49. After confirming the presence of the marijuana cultivation site, the agents observed a male subject within a camp associated with the site. After conducting surveillance of the subject, he was detained and subsequently arrested. Upon conducting an immediate check of the camp, firearm ammunition was located, as was evidence indicating the possibility of additional suspects in the area.

Based upon the totality of the circumstances, ACCNET requested the Amador County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team respond to clear the marijuana cultivation site for any additional suspects.  A subsequent search revealed no other suspects located in the area, but did lead to the discovery of 2,872 marijuana plants. Arrested at the scene was Miguel Martinez, 20, of Tijuana, Mexico. Through use of a translator, Martinez told law enforcement that he was brought into the United States via San Diego and then transported to Amador County to tend the marijuana cultivation site.  Martinez reported that he was alone at the site and had been tending the marijuana for approximately two weeks. marijuana cultivation site.  Martinez reported that he was alone at the site and had been tending the marijuana for approximately two weeks.

Supporters and skeptics of the proposed Amador Economic Stimulus Package entered into a verbal sparring match during a heated debate at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. The stimulus package, which was originally  approved with a 30 permit application limit for building contracts, was added to the this week’s agenda after all the available permits were used in less than two weeks time. While Board members have all publicly stated their approval of the package in premise, some agreed with skeptical audience members who questioned whether the package’s vague guidelines really stimulate local and immediate economic development. During public comment, Debbie Dunn, an upcountry resident, stated that although she wants the best for local contractors and a rejuvenation of the housing market, she also had concerns over its impact on the county’s pocketbook. “There are 35,000 people who have to support this decision, and a vast minority wants this decision to go through. We don’t have any forecast as to when this (economic) slump will end. What we do have is 362,000 dollars given away by the county with no method of recovery except on the backs of the taxpayers,” said Dunn. Dunn also made it clear that she did not intend to enter into a polarizing debate. Moments later, a back-and-forth ensued between herself and some of the Supervisors, most notably Richard Forster. “Someone has to be a leader here, or we can sit back and let people watch TV all day because they don’t have a job,” said Forster. Forster went on to accuse Dunn of “trying to make it sound like you’re representing the whole county.” . 

Earlier in the debate, Pine Grove Contractor Jim Josse opened public comment with a simple statement: “I am number 31.” Josse’s name was referenced repeatedly by Forster and other audience members who strongly support expanding the package now to include more permits and feel that delays in doing so could hurt theSupervisor Boitano was convinced enough to make a motion for a 30 day postponement while he and other Supervisors further investigate the package’s impacts, despite Forster’s call for decisive action now. A compromising motion was reached for a delay of two weeks. The motion was approved 4 to 1 with Supervisor Forster opposing. approved with a 30 permit application limit for building contracts, was added to the this week’s agenda after all the available permits were used in less than two weeks time. While Board members have all publicly stated their approval of the package in premise, some agreed with skeptical audience members who questioned whether the package’s vague guidelines really stimulate local and immediate economic development. intended purpose. Amador building Inspector Larry Perez, who is also opposed to the package, emphasized the importance of including a clause that would require builders to begin construction immediately instead of qualifying for permits now and then sitting on them for years.Supervisor Boitano was convinced enough to make a motion for a 30 day postponement while he and other Supervisors further investigate the package’s impacts, despite Forster’s call for decisive action now. A compromising motion was reached for a delay of two weeks. The motion was approved 4 to 1 with Supervisor Forster opposing.

According to the Amador County Health Department, the statewide fires and resulting hazy air conditions have caused Amador County’s air quality conditions to reach a level of a health concern for some residents. As a result, it is recommended to avoid breathing smoke if you can help it. If you are healthy, you usually are not at a major risk from smoke. But there are people who are at risk, including people with heart or lung diseases, such as congestive heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema or asthma. Children and the elderly also are more susceptible to smoke. Public Health Director Angel LeSage recommends that residents who see or smell smoke  use common sense. If it looks smoky outside, discontinue strenuous exercise, stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and run your air conditioner, if you have one. Be sure to keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean on your air conditioner. If you have asthma or respiratory conditions, be sure to take your medicines, as prescribed by your doctor. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen, or consider leaving the area to go to a less smoky location.

At Monday night’s Jackson City Council Meeting, the Water/Sewer Rate Committee gave a report outlining their recommendations to resolve rising water and sewer rates.  The committee has been charged with analyzing water and sewer rate issues affecting the city’s budget.  According to the report, “the largest single item impacting the water department budget is the rate increase approved by the Amador Water Agency Board of Directors in June, 2007,” which raised the rates by 22% last August, and will include a 12% increase on July 1, 2008, and next July 1st.  The committee believes that there are three primary issues that are the cause of these rate increases: the Plymouth Pipeline, the Ione Treatment Facility, and Amador Transmission Pipeline Capacity.  Specifically, the committee found that AWA is only charging Plymouth customers 2500 dollars per hookup to the new Plymouth Pipeline, when in fact the AWA’s own study shows that 7040 dollars is actually needed to cover the costs for new wholesale customers.  At a discrepancy of over 4500 dollars per hookup, and an estimated 536 new wholesale hookups in Plymouth, that adds up to about 2.4 million dollars in costs that “will be borne on all of the other ratepayers.” 

According to the committee, AWA insists that Plymouth customers hooking up at the lower rate will benefit the rest of the ratepayers, but has not shown any evidence of this. As for the Ione Treatment Plant, the committee feels that AWA should reconsider expanding the Tanner plant, a project that will cost an estimated 40 million dollars, 12 of which will be passed on to customers. The committee says that the Ione plant would cost only about 4 million and should be able to adequately meet that area’s projected growth. And finally, the committee claims that AWA has “overestimated the capacity of the Amador Transmission Pipeline,” thereby causing existing ratepayers to pay rates that “reflect more than their fair share.”  The committee recommended that the City Council meet directly with the AWA Board of Directors to “clarify some of the outstanding issues.”  The council agreed and will seek to meet with the AWA Board in the near future.

Amador County’s Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, heard a presentation from Burr Consulting Thursday night on the finalization of the county’s Municipal Services Review, or MSR.  Due to a government legislative mandate, LAFCO must review and update the county’s sphere of influence not less than once every five years.  As part of that process, the commission must conduct the review, which provides detailed information on the county’s municipal services.  The review, which was prepared and presented by Burr Consulting, provides information on the current and planned capacities of public facilities, growth and population projections, the financial ability of the included agencies, opportunities for shared facilities, accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and operational efficiencies.  Specifically, the review included information on Amador’s residential and commercial growth and development, employment growth, fire and EMS providers, and water and wastewater services.

Some of the more eye-opening facts and deficiencies found were in the areas of employment growth and fire services.  Surprisingly, Amador County experienced “healthier” job growth than the statewide average, with Amador weighing in at 12% versus the state’s 5% growth rate in overall salaries and wages from 2003 to 2008.  And not surprisingly, the county’s fire and EMS service providers are grossly under funded.  According to Burr Consulting, “it takes about a million dollars per year” to run a fire station.  Most of the stations in the county operate unstaffed, which does somewhat affect response times.  As many of you know, a half-cent fire sales tax will be on this November’s ballot.  Burr Consulting estimated that if that measure passes, it would bring in about 500 thousand dollars per year, which would only “run about half a station.”  Even so, it is evident that the county needs that extra funding. Roseanne Chamberlain, Executive Officer of LAFCO, called the MSR “an encyclopedia of local government agencies in Amador County.”  The MSR document is available for public review at the Jackson Library, the County Administration Center at the LAFCO desk, and on their website at www.co.amador.ca.us/lafco. The commission will hold a public hearing on the document at their next meeting on July 31st at 810 Court Street.

Chances are good that if you did not need the services of the fire department or emergency medical response team this past year, you probably know someone who did. Most local fire departments, like Battalion 10, are still 100 percent volunteer. Battalion 10 covers from Hamricks Grade on Ridge Road in the west, to Kirkwood to the east. They have stations in Pioneer, Pine Grove, and Buckhorn. The Battalion consists of 25 well-trained men and women Firefighters and emergency trained medical technicians. They have six fire engines, one water tender, five rescue vehicles, and respond to about 13 hundred incidents per year, including medical aid to neighbors. They played a major role in battling the recent Electra Road fire, which scorched a 400 acre area below Pine Grove.

With the current slump in the economy, Battalion 10 and other local volunteer departments are asking for the community’s financial help in order to keep equipment and safety gear top notch. This year’s fund drive is intended to raise money to replace worn safety clothing and communication equipment. The clothing worn by each volunteer into burning buildings, at the scene of vehicle accidents, and during many medical aid calls costs about 25 thousand dollars. If you are interested in supporting Battalion 10 or any of your local firefighting crews, you may contact Ray Blankenheim at 296-7775, George Staby at 295-1577, or John Lewis at 295-5800.