2008 was a year packed with memorable events, some historic and some tragic. Throughout it all, TSPN TV was there to bring you timely in-depth coverage and interview on issues ranging from government to community to family. For over 20 years, TSPN has been the proud leader in local news. Now, join us as we take a look back on 2008.

 

On Tuesday, February 5, the Amador County Recreation Agency accepted the gift of the Mollie Joyce Park in Pioneer from county Amador County educator Fred Joyce, who deeded the 86-acre ballpark and land to the agency. ACRA Executive Director Tracey Towner-Yep, who has been instrumental in building the agency from the ground up, called the ceremony a “historic moment.” ACRA immediately went to work renovating the property to suit the needs of its various programs. Upgrades included the transformation of the existing house into a darkroom, and building new bleachers. The agency plans to construct about 3 to 4 miles of trails on the property.

Also beginning February 5, the Foothill Conservancy began an aggressive campaign to designate a 37-mile stretch of the Mokelumne River as a National Wild and Scenic River. The proposed act would help to preserve the environment in which the river exists. The debate became the hot topic of conversation at Water Agency and Board of Supervisors meetings and symbolized the complex issues surrounding Amador County’s most important resource- water. The beautiful Mokelumne is both a source of water for Amador County and for 1.3 million residents in East Bay cities. Water Agency board members approved an engineering pact with PG&E, reasoning that water supply for Amador County came first.

Tragedy struck on Saturday March 15, after domestic violence and an attempted murder resulted in the abduction and death of a 2-year-old boy. Amador resident Charles A. Bailey was arrested and subsequently charged with the murder of his son. After the initial abduction, a massive ground search began along Highway 49 utilizing various search and rescue resources as well as those of the El Dorado Sheriff and the Amador County Sheriff. The body of 2 year old Andrew was discovered near a small creek behind the K-MART in Martell. There was an immediate outpouring of respect from the community. Flowers and gifts remained on the bridge near the creek for weeks.

Opponents of the proposed Buena Vista Rancheria Casino were granted a minor victory on March 11th after the Board of Supervisors deadlocked over a vote to participate in arbitration proceedings with the tribe, effectively ending negotiations and sending a clear message against new casinos in Amador. The issue became perhaps the biggest controversy of the year and compelled residents on both sides of the issue to make impassioned pleas to the Board. The Board’s deadlocked vote resulted in the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians issuing a seven-day notice to terminate negotiations. A lawsuit contending the tribe’s rights to build is currently awaiting decision in Federal court.

One of this year’s biggest races was for the Amador County Board of Supervisors. Beginning March 9, a number of candidates with diverse backgrounds began a very public competition for seats in District 1 and District 4. Long-serving incumbent Louis Boitano eventually retained his seat on the board and John Plasse, a fourth-generation Amador County resident beat out Jackson Mayor Rosalie Pryor-Escamilla and Planning Commission Board Member John Gonsalvez in District 4.

Wednesday, May 21 was the date the Board of Supervisors passed the long-debated Amador Economic Stimulus package. After a month of discussing contractor Paul Bramell’s proposal in front of a packed chamber, the Board approved a plan to temporarily cut impact and development fees in order to stimulate growth in the sinking housing market. The Board approved a variation from the original plan that allowed a 30 permit application limit up to December 31st, 2009. There was also a limit to how many homes a contractor could build under the new guidelines. Contractors and realtors alike were ecstatic about the decision and promptly used up the permits. The Board had to reconvene to file a revision allowing space for all applicants excluded in the first round.

A massive, 400-acre fire on Friday the 13th of May reminded citizens that fire danger is a very real threat in Amador County. The fast-moving blaze engulfed nearly 400 acres in the heart of Amador County. Dubbed the Electra Fire because of its origin near Electra Road below Pine Grove, the aggressive blaze was wrought with challenges on a day already associated with bad luck. The fire’s origin beneath 65,000 volt high tension lines effectively severed power to an estimated 13,000 Amador County residents. A voluntary evacuation was implemented. Crews continued to work throughout the night, and by 11am Saturday morning the fire was 100 percent contained. PG & E restored power and fixed the downed lines by late Saturday afternoon.

The Amador County Unified School District opened the 2008-09 school year July 1. This marked the first official day for new Superintendent Richard “Dick” Glock. Glock quoted the book Results Now, How We Can Achieve Unprecedented Improvements in Teaching and Learning, saying “simple plans work best – those with a direct focus on straightforward actions and opportunities.”

A large crowd was in attendance for a ground breaking ceremony July 3rd for the new Ione fire station, at 600 Preston Ave. The station was scheduled to be completed in early 2009. According to city manager Kim Kerr, the design of the new fire house includes fire suppression sprinklers, a facility for waste oil, a trash collection site, and vinyl floor coverings.

In early July, after 19 years of business, Jackson’s Bonanza restaurant closed its doors. Owner Larry VanAnda, 69, said “after only two vacations in 19 years, I am beat. It is just time to retire.” He also said that there were a couple of parties interested in purchasing the place, and that there is talk of continuing the restaurant and also making Bonanza into a cowboy nightclub venue. “I would like to thank all of my patrons, I had a great time and have lots of fond memories,” VanAnda said.

At the July 14th Jackson City Council meeting, the council made several decisions designed to help rejuvenate downtown Jackson. The first decision was to adopt a “Strategic Plan 2008,” which outlines a vision and mission for the Economic Development Committee.

Ongoing talks between a labor union and Sutter Amador Hospital over labor contracts have – at least for now – come to a close. In statements issued in mid-July, the hospital declared that it will no longer negotiate with SEIU United Healthcare Workers, or UHW, until the union body holds a formal election. UHW is a major union representing thousands of healthcare employees, and absorbed Sutter Amador’s Local 4988 back in 2005. According to the statement, the hospital’s decision came after UHW refused to hold elections that would have allowed hospital staff to choose their own representation.

Judge Martin H. Ryan passed away Sunday, July 27 at Sutter Amador Hospital in Jackson at the age of 86. He was born Aug. 21, 1921 to William and Annie (Jones) Ryan in Pine Grove. Judge Ryan attended local schools, graduating from Sutter Creek High School in 1939. He attended U.C. Berkley and received his Juris Doctor degree from U.C. Hastings School of Law. Ryan married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Lucot, on July 21, 1945 in the Jackson United Methodist Church. He was the long-time owner of Western Land Title Company and established a successful law practice specializing in real estate law, wills and probate. Ryan was elected Amador Superior Court judge and served from 1977 to 1990.

In National news, Oil Giant Exxon Mobile announced in late July, once again, it had broken the US national record for quarterly profit at $11.68 billion. Democratic House member Maurice Hinchey said “We’re dealing with this at a time when the budgets of households across the country are being stretched out to the limit and that stretching out is largely due to these skyrocketing gas prices.” The current national average for gasoline was $3.88 a gallon. Amador County gas at the time averaged $4.35 a gallon.

In mid-August, Amador County’s Exhibit took both the Silver and Superintendent's awards at this year’s State Fair. Titled, “Picture Yourself in Amador County,” the exhibit featured 4-by-6-foot photos by Eleanor Caputo, Craig Fouts, Carolyn Fox, Larry Angier, Larry Cenatto, Lisa Boulton, Kirkwood Ski Resort, and Kam Merzlak.

Congressman Dan Lungren on August 26th visited the former Cogen power plant near Ione, which will be the site of a proposed new green energy plant that could open by May 1st of 2009 and bring as many as 20 jobs and about $1 Million in salary to Amador County. Lungren met with Oneto Group owners Rux and Eddie Oneto at the plant on Coal Mine Road, along with Bob Buckingham of the Renegey Corporation, of Tempe, Arizona. Buckingham said the plant would burn 200,000 tons of biomass a year.

Retiring Amador County Museum Curator Georgia Fox was honored in an August 26th Board of Supervisors meeting. Fox worked for the County since 1989, was President of the Sutter Creek Woman’s Club, and served on the Amador County Sesquicentennial Committee and 15 years on the Amador County Historical Society.

In late August, Sutter Gold Mining Company was sold to Rand Merchant Bank Resources, a trustee for the Telluride investment trust of FirstRand, South Africa. RMB said “we are very much looking forward to commencing the detailed work and evaluation … to make an informed decision on the development of the project, for the benefit of all stakeholders including shareholders, the community of Sutter Creek and Amador County.”

Home Depot USA in late August withdrew its application for a store in Jackson and requested Jackson City staff to immediately stop work on the project. Home Depot Public Relations said the decision to withdraw had nothing to do with the current economic climate, but “The city is going through growing pains with future growth plans and hasn't determined how a use like ours will fit into the general plan. We will evaluate locating a new store in Amador County in the future, but have no current plans at this time."

 

Sutter Creek City Council in early September approached a half a million-dollar deficit. "To summarize our performance last year, I'd say it looks pretty dismal," said Councilman Brent Parsons.

Ione elected officials and staff hosted a General Plan Workshop Sept. 8 with 45 people attending and nearly all contributing with the help of a digital instant polling mechanism and a slide show. Daniel Hamilton of Rancho Cordova hosted the meeting and called the General Plan a “blueprint for growth and planning now and in the future” and a reflection of community goals.”

Local fugitive the “White Owl,” Albert Carl Fernandez, was captured September 16th near the Amador-El Dorado County line with the help of the Amador County Combined Narcotic Enforcement Team. Fernandez was arrested for Parole Violation, Cultivation of Marijuana, and Possession of Hypodermic Syringes, and was booked at the El Dorado County Jail.

The Amador Water Agency and the city of Ione dedicated the new 2-million gallon potable water tank in the outskirts of Ione September 18th with dozens in attendance. The 2-million gallon, above ground water storage tank will serve Ione, the fire needs in the area and the currently neutral Wildflower housing development. Ryland Homes paid $2.2 million for the tank and also paid financing of the project, another $2 million. JTS Communities paid $360,000 for the pump station. AWA construction crews worked on the pump stations, saving about $150,000 on the project.

Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort pledged in September to donate 17 acres of land for a dedicated school site once the developer’s project is approved. Bill Wright, legal counsel for the development announced the deal to the Unified School District Board of Directors. The 17-acre property will house a school, with a public library directly adjacent to it, a project that Trustee Chuck Anderson and Board Chair Mary Walser said will be “setting a precedent for Amador County.”

An October 5th bridge dedication ceremony at American Legion Hall in Sutter Creek honored the only Amador County soldier whose life was taken in Iraq. Private First Class Jay-D Ornsby-Adkins, whose funeral was held in August, was killed in action while serving in Baghdad, Iraq. A bill was passed to name Amador Creek Bridge on the new bypass in honor of Jay-D Ornsby Adkins. The memorial program was to include a Color Guard and Honor Guard ceremony and a fly over. Speakers were to include Senator Dave Cox, County Supervisor Richard Forster, American Legion Department Commander Al Lenox and Ione City Manager Kim Kerr. An invitation was extended on behalf of Jay-D's Mother, Robyn Ornsby of Ione.

Members of the Amador Water Agency board of directors and staff joined board members of the Lake Camanche Village Owners Association in dedication of the new Well Number 14 at the end of Village Drive October 8th. The well produces 340 gallons a minute and will improve water reliability and delivery capacity in the Lake Camanche Village system by 40 percent. The well was drilled to about 200 feet and has its pump at about 180 feet. The water’s purity helped state health regional director Joe Spanos approve Well Number 14 for new water customer hook-ups, about 20 per year.

An over-capacity crowd filled the seats and aisles of the Amador County Board of Supervisors chambers October 14th in the first of a 3-day serial meeting to hash through Land Use for the county’s new General Plan. County Planner Susan Grijalva introduced staff, county department heads and consultants who in turn presented the status of updates for land use at staff level. At nearly 2-and-a-half years old, the General Plan update might still see another year of discussion before supervisors take action. Supervisors will revisit the General Plan in February of 2009.

Back in early September, Ione City Manager Kim Kerr gave a presentation on the Measure M half-cent sales initiative to pay full-time firefighters in Amador County. “Whether this passes or not, the city of Ione will be looking at getting a paid fire department,” Kerr said. Kerr said volunteer firefighters must be EMT certified and current, hence Ione’s 35 volunteers are employed at various fire departments. The Amador Fire Protection Authority formed in 2003 to help create paid county firefighting. AFPA estimated county fire coverage would cost $2.4 Million for personnel alone. That would give $50,000 to each city and divide the rest based on call volume and population. The measure passed with 69.12 percent voting “yes” against 30.88 percent saying “no.”

November 4th marked the historic election of Barack Obama, the first African American to hold the office of President of the United States. The Democrat fought a long campaign against fellow party-member Hilary Clinton and then Republican John McCain. Ultimately, Obama’s message of change won over voters across the nation.

 

The Plymouth City Council on November 13th voted to approve its potable water pipeline project. The pipeline was approved to be awarded to Mountain Cascade Inc. City Manager Dixon Flynn urged that the city guarantee its $5 Million loan for the pipeline project with developer water impact fees. Flynn urged approval of the pipeline before the vote, saying that the $10.9-Million project would cost the city an estimated $3.8 Million. He said the water rates might be an issue for Plymouth ratepayers until completion of the project, but once it is completed, they can sit with staff and determine rates.

The Sutter Creek City Council approved an annexation of 56.3 acres in Sutter Hill November 17th that included the Amador Transit Mix property and two septic services, Sweet Pea and Sierra Septic on Ridge Road. The council in a 5-0 vote made a negative declaration on the project, amended its General Plan Map and adopted a resolution of application to send the request on to the Local Agency Formation Commission for approval.

 

The Sutter Creek Planning Commission approved the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort’s Environmental Impact Report on November 24th, sending the project’s developers to work on the Final EIR. Commissioner Cort Strandberg said he still had unanswered questions to traffic and economic mitigations, but commissioners Frank Cunha and Chairman Robin Peters said there were steps left in the process that still allowed the city to pause the process for answers to any questions that were known or unforeseen. Gold Rush staff expected to have the Final Environmental Impact Report out by January 19th.

 

Democrat Alyson Huber’s Assembly campaign declared victory December 4th over Republican Jack Sieglock after final vote tallies from Sacramento County swung the overall count in her favor. Huber had a 12-point lead in the southeastern part of Sacramento County included in the 10th Assembly District. In other less populated areas of the District, Sieglock led by 9 or more points. Sieglock had told media outlets he does not expect to win.

 

The Amador Water Agency Board of Directors voted 3-0 December 1st to authorize its Board President Terence Moore to sign a construction contract with Mountain Cascade Incorporated to begin the Plymouth water pipeline project. In the same vote, the board directed AWA General Manager Jim Abercrombie to issue a “Notice To Proceed” on the project. They authorized staff to complete the project, “not to exceed the estimated” cost of $10,661,694. Approval of the project’s cost was subject to review by the new AWA Board.

 

The year ended on a sad note for the business community. Prospect Motors in Martell is closing its doors after being in business since 1976. The “indefinite closure” comes after General Motors Corporation made the decision to pull its merchandise in seven dealerships throughout the Sacramento region. Prospect Motors is the largest local dealership and the closure is expected to have an economic impact throughout the county. Prospect Motors is well-known as a generous contributor, supporter of the County and has generated a large portion of the city and county tax bases over its’ 32 years of business. In a statement, Owner Frank Halverson said, “to the Amador County Community, it has truly been an honor to serve and be a part of this incredible area for over 25 years…Thank you all, for being part of our lives.”

From the entire crew here at TSPN, thank you for your support. The many challenges this year have further proved the resiliency of Amador County citizens. We’ll be back next year to continue bringing you in-depth news coverage. Take care of yourself, and Happy Holidays.

Amador County – Two suspects have been arrested for the armed robbery of Quiznos Restaurant in Martell the night of Tuesday December 2. Jackson Police Department and the Amador County Sheriff’s Office, in a combined investigation, developed leads in the Quiznos armed robbery and several burglaries in the county area which led to the issuance of a search warrant. On Friday at 8 am, the Jackson Police Department executed the warrant at 21466 National in the city of Volcano with assistance from the Amador County Sheriff’s Office Swat Team and the Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team. 19 year old Nicholas Thomas and eighteen year old Caitlin McElwee were taken into custody in the Amador County Jail. Thomas was charged with armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of stolen property. McElwee was charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of stolen property. McElwee is an employee of the Martell Quiznos and was working at the Jackson Quiznos the evening of the robbery. Police think Thomas is the man who committed the robbery and pistol-whipped one of the employees in the head. Staff Report (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – Amador Fire Safe Council and other agencies and non-profits may lose funds after last week’s suspension of Proposition 84-funded projects. Cathy Koos Breazeal, director of Amador Fire Safe Council received notice from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy on suspension of $100,000 in grants for wildfire protection plans for Pioneer, Pine Grove and Volcano. Jim Branham of SNC said suspensions were based on the “serious fiscal situation” in California. Branham said the suspension stops all Conservancy projects funded by Prop. 84 public bonds, which have become difficult to sell and “caused the Pooled Money Investment Board to freeze all bond funding. Based on PMIB actions, Branham said Sierra Nevada Conservancy “has been instructed to” … “suspend all grant-funded projects, and stop authorizing any new grants, including those awarded at the Dec. 4 SNC board meeting.” The letter said SNC asks grantees to “stop work on your project, unless you believe that you can continue using other funding sources.” The Amador Water Agency won a Dec. 4 SNC grant of $270,000 to develop a regional wastewater recycling plan. ln late November, AWA won a $247,547 “Local Groundwater Assistance Grant” for a sustainable safe yield analysis and a groundwater management plan for Lake Camanche Village. Both grants were Prop 84, which also finances the Amador Community Foundation and others in Amador. Koos Breazeal said Fire Safe Amador gets the bulk of its $54,000 budget from the Secure Rural Schools Funding Act, which was reauthorized this fall. She said funds normally paid through the board of supervisors will now come through the U.S. Forest Service. District Ranger Doug Barber of the Amador Unit said the Secure Rural Schools Act originally gave about 25 percent of logging proceeds from federal land to the counties for roads and school funding. That money now will be passed through a “Resource Advisory Council” and given to counties, with a high priority for fire prevention agencies, such as Cal Fire and Amador Fire Safe Council. Barber said he will head the Amador Resource Committee and it will be a “very public program,” once under way. He said Amador County will be getting about $250,000 from the program, “which is less than it received when the timber industry was really humming.” Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - Mortgage Default Association DataQuick said Thursday that the median sale price for a home in the Sacramento region dropped to $185,000 last month. The findings were similar throughout the eight county region of Amador, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba. This is the lowest level since September 2001 and reflects a $10,000 drop in one month. In one year, average home prices have fallen $105,000, or 36 percent. Escrows closed in Amador County dropped from 36 in November of 2007 to 20 one year later. That’s a 44.4 percent drop, the second highest in the region. Dataquick says what is unclear is whether falling mortgage rates can help strengthen the region’s housing market. “November actually held up pretty well, all things considered,” said DataQuick analyst Andrew LePage. He said about 56 percent of sales of existing homes in California last month were foreclosed properties. Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – The Ione City Council accepted the key to a brand new snack shack and restrooms Tuesday in its regular meeting. The gift was valued at $60,419 with construction carried out and donations raised by the Ione Rotary Club International. The snack shack was built by Rotarians in between the Little League baseball fields at Howard Park. Rotary President Mitzi Windley and members Rick Kreth and Jake Herfel presented the snack shack and restrooms during the regular meeting Tuesday, handing over the key to City Manager Kim Kerr. Windley said donors to the project included the Ione City Council, which gave $15,000 and District 2 Supervisor and Chairman Richard Forster, who gave $10,000 of his discretionary recreation funds to the project. All told, the project and donors put in $60,419 in funding and Rotarians built the project. Ione Rotary started the project in 2006. The city will take ownership of the Snack Shack and restroom facilities and maintain the buildings at the baseball fields. Windley said Ione Rotary will be coordinating a Grand Opening of the Snack Shack in conjunction with the 2009 Little League Baseball Opening Day. Also Tuesday, the council held a public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant application, which will seek $500,000 in funding to provide low interest loans for first-time home buyers that are low-income families. Finance Director Mark Smith said the second public hearing had to be held before the application was submitted next month. Kerr said the money, if awarded would probably not be available until June, after screening of applicants. Kerr said the grants would be competitive as many organizations would be seeking grants to purchase foreclosed houses to give to low-income families. She said the city’s history and accountability in previous CDBG grants would determine its standing in receiving funding. Smith said the program still has about $300,000 in its home-buyer account. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - A three-way partnership in Ione has restored an essential part of the historic Preston Castle. Beginning in early 2008, the Preston Castle Foundation, with assistance from Rancho Arroyo Seco managing partner Bill Bunce and construction company Top Grade Construction, repaired the 114 year old spiral slide fire escape connected to the Preston Castle. The fire escape structure is a round metal cylinder, 50 feet tall and 6-1/2 feet in diameter and is attached to the Castle wall in two areas. If the fire escape was to collapse, it could have pulled down part of the brick structure, damaging the integrity of this historic landmark. The design also provides entrance to the escape from multiple floors with water flowing down the spiral to speed evacuation from a building. “Finding the right vendor to assist with this repair was the challenge,” stated Bunce. “We needed a company with structural engineering and equipment to evaluate the problem, and come up with the solution so we contacted Top Grade Construction.” Top Grade Construction is a Livermore-based company with plenty of experience with these types of projects. They graciously provided the equipment, materials and labor. This meant installing all new wood support beams, joined together with heavy metal braces and dozens of one-inch thick steel bolts. The challenge was that only two of the six up-right support beams were supporting the weight and the wooden beams were all rotten. “Rancho Arroyo Seco’s help on this project was invaluable…and the Top Grade Construction crew were real craftsmen,” said Preston Castle Foundation board member Doug Hawkins, adding: “Everything fit together like a fine piece of furniture, and has the look of what has been in place the past 114 years.” Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – Rebecca Albin of Jackson was so confident she would win a new car, she rode with her mom to the contest. Out of 273 contestants, Albin was chosen as the recipient of a brand new $20,000 2009 Toyota Camry LE from Prospect Motors in Jackson . The give-away was a way for merchants to thank community members who participated in a word puzzle through the Amador Ledger-Dispatch that resulted in coupons for local businesses. The puzzles were a way to stimulate local business. The winner was chosen through a reverse draw, where names are removed one at a time until there is only one person left. Albin was reportedly ecstatic and jumped for joy when she heard her name called as the winner. There was a long list of contest sponsors, including Prospect Motors, the Ledger-Dispatch, Raleys, Jackson Tire, Claypools Gift and Home, Sutter Creek Palace, Sutter Ridge Winery, Glass Doctor and Dunlop Family Furniture. Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - Amador County Law Enforcement is still seeking the suspect in a bank robbery that occurred last Friday in Plymouth. Based upon evidence located within close proximity to the crime scene, bank surveillance system video, bank teller statements and other witness statements, Amador County Sheriff’s Detectives were successful in identifying the suspect as Mark Allen Derschon, 36, last known to reside in River Pines. On the morning of Friday December 12, the Wells Fargo Bank located at 9454 Main Street in Plymouth was robbed by a white male wearing dark sunglasses, a white tee shirt, a charcoal grey hooded sweatshirt and black gloves. The suspect handed the teller a note stating he had a firearm and demanded money. After receiving a small amount of currency, the suspect fled the scene on foot. Amador County Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives responded and conducted the investigation into the reported crime. The Amador County District Attorney’s Office, in cooperation with Amador Superior Court Judge David Richmond, has issued an Arrest Warrant for Derschon. Bail was set at $40,000. Derschon is still at-large and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information regarding Derschon’s whereabouts or anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact the Amador County Sheriff’s Office at (209) 223-6500 or the Amador County Secret Witness Program at (209) 223-4900. Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - Planning Director Susan Grijalva addressed the Planning Commission at their meeting Tuesday night, focusing discussions on the description and boundaries of the Town Center and Optional Element outlines. She left agenda item discussions for Urban Reserve designation and affordable housing project area designation for Wednesday evening’s meeting with city representatives present. Representatives from various community groups then addressed the commission. First, Bob Currall, Co-chair of the Upcountry Community Council, defined the Buckhorn sphere as beginning at King James Orchard and ending at Mace Meadows extending 1,000 feet on either side of Highway 88. Curral expressed concern over duplication of services causing business failure. He also noted strong community opposition to additional low income housing in the Buckhorn Town Center. Upcountry resident Sherry Curtis disputed TSPN’s reporting Tuesday of the boundaries of the Pine Grove Town Center ending at Tabeaud Road. She stated that the council agreed they extend to Aqueduct-Grove Road.

John Carlson of the Pine Grove Council, reviewed the findings of the Revitalization Study of Pine Grove through the Community Development Block Grant. The study suggested civic improvements, such as public park improvements, establishing a “walkable” community, and upgrades to businesses. He defined the Pine Grove sphere from Ridge Road and Highway 88 to Mt. Zion Road, wanting the boundaries to be flexible, possibly extending to Tabeaud Road. Art Marinaccio, General Plan Consultant for the Amador Citizens for Responsible Government, Tom Infusino of the Foothill Conservancy and Shirley Jones of the River Pines Revitalization Committee brought up the need for the economic viability of businesses, septic concerns, walkable communities, and traffic and parking issues. John O’Sullivan addressed the Commission, stating he was “perturbed.” O’Sullivan felt his Mokelumne Bluffs subdivision east of Pine Grove embodied the earlier statements made to the Commission by Carlson and Infusino. Finding their statements contradictory since they opposed his project and his view, O’Sullivan said this will cost the County. Story by Debi Brodie (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).