By Alex Lane -

And now, our continuing report on the Propositions you’ll be deciding on in the November ballot. Today we’ll discuss Proposition 6, which would require at least 965 million to be spent annually on police and local law enforcement. According to Supporters, “Proposition 6 is a comprehensive anti-gang and crime reduction measure that will bring more cops and increased safety to our streets, and greater efficiency and accountability to public safety programs.” Supporters say Proposition 6 “returns taxpayer’s money to local law enforcement without raising taxes.” The proposition includes a number of plans to address crime, including prohibiting bail to illegal immigrants charged with violent or gang related crimes, imposing a 10-year penalty increase on gang offenders, providing GPS equipment for monitoring gang and sex offenders, and increasing penalties for multiples acts of graffiti. But opponents say Prop 6 “writes into law new crimes, increases penalties for old crimes, and mandates more spending…but it provides not a single penny of new funding to pay for it.” Opponents say Prop 6 “wastes money on ineffective programs without accountability” and “disrupts existing crime prevention efforts.” As a result, opponents believe this means “less money for schools, health care, parks, roads or any of the state’s other important priorities.” On November 4th, you’ll have the opportunity to help decide.

By Alex Lane  -

The Health and Human Services Department hosted a meeting last Wednesday to discuss ways to use the Mental Health Services Act funding. Participants included local behavioral health consumers of services, family members, caregivers, Health Department staff and service providers. The highlight of the meeting was when participants provided input for a number of program components. These include: Clinical services for Children, Transitional Age Youth 15-25, Adults and Older Adults; Prevention and Early Intervention strategies, Work Force and Education, Housing, Capitol Facilities and Technology, and Innovations. “Innovations is the latest funding category and will allow counties to try new intervention strategies that may be very specific to the populations of a specific County,” said Community Program Manager Lynn Thomas Department in a press release. The attendees also discussed the benefits this county can receive under Proposition 63, a Mental Health services act passed by California voters in November 2004. Prop 63 is funded by a 1 percent tax for those who earn OVER one million dollars per year to provide services for those experiencing symptoms of mental illness and their families. The expectation is that Community Stakeholders will participate in the planning of services for family members and caregivers. “The Staff of Behavioral Health sincerely thanks all who attended the Kickoff and looks forward to working with our community for a successful planning and implementation of the Mental Health Services Act,” said Thomas. For more information, please contact Lynn Thomas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 223-6814.

By Jim Reece -

The 12th hour of a Land Use Element hearing ended with public input running over the allotted speaking time once again. Deliberation planned by the Amador County Board of Supervisors and its Planning Commission was put on hold. The meeting was adjourned to November 5th in the board chambers. The panel took four hours of public testimony Thursday in the third day of its serial. Jim Conklin, executive director of the Amador County Business Council said he was worried that draft elements in the General Plan might go directly from draft form to the Environmental Impact Report process, but he was glad to hear Planning Director Susan Grijalva say that the process must include more public hearings. Conklin said he is also executive director of the Calaveras County Business Council and has been working with Calaveras on its economic development element and would be happy to share that work with Amador County. He and others noted that the county might also want a separate Agriculture Element, which he said might fit into the economic element. Others suggested a Water Element, for watershed management. Chris Fusano urged that the county remove any tree law from the county plan and use only state law for tree preservation. He also said the term, “where economically feasible” should be part of the entire General Plan. Supervisor Board Chairman Richard Forster said he would like that term for the county too, as the state mandates too many tasks for the county. Supervisor Louis Boitano said, “One of those tasks it to redo your General Plan.” Supervisors and planning commissioners will meet again to deliberate on the Land Use Element, 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 5 at the supervisors chambers, 800 Court Street in Jackson. Cara Agustin of the county planning office said the “main goal for the board and planning commission is to provide direction to staff on how to proceed with the General Plan.” Another, tentative meeting is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, November 12th.

By Jim Reece -

A serial meeting on the Land Use element of the General Plan drew comments from land owners and supervisors Tuesday and Wednesday in the supervisors’ chambers in Jackson. County Planner Susan Grijalva and her staff introduced some parcels considered for land use re-designation. One was turning the Martel area into a “Regional Service Center.” Another would re-designate portions of Camanche North Shore, Camanche Village, Buckhorn and Pine Grove as “Service Centers” or “Town Centers.” Another would prepare Camanche Village for an 18-unit-per acre housing density. Supervisor Louis Boitano asked whether River Pines was considered as a Town Center. Grijalva said it was proposed but through public input, it was eliminated, though it could still be considered. Another area was Sunset Acres, zoned R-3, which would be changed to high density for affordable housing in Martel. Grijalva said four General Plan applications were received, for Pioneer’s old cedar mill property; the Pine Grove & Tabeaud Road area; the Garbarini Ranch; and the Gold Rush properties. She said using some elements will have an effect on other designations made. Grijalva said “What we develop has to support what we go forward with in our land use plan.” Supervisor Ted Novelli asked why Town Center designation was not given to Red Corral or Pioneer, which remained commercial. Novelli said: “Wouldn’t you consider those town centers right now?” Grijalva said Red Corral has limited septic systems, but on Pioneer, she said she was “kind of surprised.” Novelli said if they were able to bring in a sewer plant, they would be able to change that designation. Grijalva said she thought Supervisors were beginning to see the issues and decision they must face. Novelli said he asked about Red Corral because it has two major highways passing through. Grijalva said that circulation would have to be studied there. Supervisor Brian Oneto said he had talked to a number of people who were “not real happy with the vision statement.” Oneto said he thought the board should finish the vision statement first, “or we’re back to square one.” Grijalva said that was part of the process: “You’ve got to keep circling back and confirming that you’re on the right track.” But if changes are made, they must revisit the vision statement with the maps. Supervisor Richard Forster said that as six meetings had been used to craft the vision statement, it should be left alone as the rest of the process is undertaken.

By Jim Reece - Owners of nearly 70 parcels filed protests against the “Open High Country” designation of land East of Dew Drop, with many stating their opposition in 5-minute addresses to the Amador County supervisors and planning commissioners Wednesday in Jackson. 66 people or families representing 67 properties filed opposing comments against the designation, which would change the Land Use designation from Open Recreation to Open High Country, which in part would require special use permits for year-round residency East of Dew Drop. Among reasons given were that medical or police assistance were not readily available in the area. One parcel owner said that he and his wife both had suffered strokes, adding, “we were on vacation, nowhere near a hospital.” Local land owner Ciro Toma spoke on behalf of Plasses Meadow Group LLC, whose owners plan an 80.55-acre campground with a bar, restaurant and propane, gasoline and diesel sales. Toma said that supervisors must “think that owners are naïve if you think they are going to live up there in January or February, then call up and have the roads plowed to get the kids to school.” Toma said “if someone want to go up there and be a hermit, let them go up there and be a hermit.” He noted that there is a couple that lives Upcountry, East of Dew Drop, year-round. They can be seen riding snowmobiles in the winter. He said owners “just feel that the use permit should be treated the same as everywhere else in the county.” Toma said the property was originally purchase in 1853, with the purchase subject to recognition as owned territory. District 2 planning commissioner Dave Wardall asked what they did for use permits back then? Supervisor Louis Boitano said “the county did not come into existence until 1854.” Supervisors were to take further public input in the final day of the serial meeting, Thursday.

By Alex Lane -

And now, our continuing report on the Propositions you’ll be deciding on in the November ballot. Today we’ll discuss Proposition 5, or the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act, which would expand rehabilitation services for drug offenders in prison, on parole, and in the community. It is estimated that this expansion would require California to spend an extra $1 Billion. Supporters of the Proposition believe the long-term investment in rehabilitation is more beneficial than the $10 Billion California currently spends on prisons every year. “Our State prisons are badly overcrowded,” supporters say, and they add: “Prop 5 offers greater accountability and better treatment for nonviolent offenders.” Supporters believe that “treating violent and nonviolent offenders differently is the smart fix for overcrowded prisons.” Supporters include Dr. Judith Martin from the California Society of Addiciton Medicine and Daniel Macallier, Executive Director for the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice. Prop 5 proposes a three step process that would transfer responsibility for drug treatment amongst non-violent offenders from the prisons to drug counselors and the nonviolent offenders themselves. But according to local opponent and Amador County District Attorney Todd Reibe, “You can’t leave it to people who are in the throes of addiction to determine when their ready to get serious treatment.” Opponents say the Prop will “establish two new bureaucracies with virtually no accountability…that will cost hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars.” Opponents say “the real beneficiaries of Prop 5 are the violent criminals who can escape persecution for their violent acts by claiming they weren’t responsible- or, ‘the meth made me do it.’” On November 4th, you’ll have the opportunity to help decide.

By Jennifer Wilson -

The City of Jackson has implemented a commercial “temporary sign” ordinance, which will limit the size and use of temporary commercial signs within the city. At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, council members conducted a 2nd reading of the ordinance and agreed that it was time to take action. The new ordinance will allow a temporary sign only to advertise a special promotion or sale, and may not be used as a permanent sign for naming the business. New businesses will be allowed to use a temporary sign for 60 days while a permanent sign is being made, and current business owners in Jackson will have six months to replace any temporary sign. Additionally, use will be limited to two signs at any given time, which may be erected up to three times per year, for a period of 30 days each. A permit fee of 25 dollars will apply, and sign size will be limited to sixteen square feet. Exceptions to the size limit will be considered, and will be charged 10 dollars for each additional four square feet or portion thereof. The sign ordinance applies to commercial signs only, as the city recently adopted a separate ordinance that covers non-commercial signage, such as non-profit organizations and political signs. The temporary sign ordinance will take effect 30 days from adoption, which will be on November 13, 2008. For more information on either ordinance, you can call Jackson City Hall at 223-1646.

By Alex Lane -

The Amador Superior Court will host a mock trial for Ione Elementary’s seventh graders as part of a participatory program that helps to educate youngsters about law procedure. On October 21st, Judge Susan Harlan will preside over lawyers, a bailiff, stenographers, and court staff proceeding as if it were a real case. The trial will last approximately two hours, with the seventh grade students broken into three ‘juries’. The students will deliberate at the conclusion of the trial, and each jury will announce their verdict. This mock trial follows the success of another performed last May for fifth grade students at Sutter Creek Elementary School. The positive feedback was overwhelming. “I learned a lot about how the judicial system works and I felt like I was in a real trial…The experience was extremely cool,” wrote one student. The story revolves around an incident between a high school boy and his girlfriend, whose face is accidently cut when he pushes her into his car. The young jurors must decide if he is guilty or innocent. Judge Harlan, who is a member of the Domestic Violence Council, has presided over mock trials before and believes they are a great way for students to “experience this very real dilemma.” According to District Attorney todd Reibe, “This event shows our students in a very real way the inner workings of the criminal justice system, informs them on the dynamics of domestic violence at a level they can understand, and presents to them examples of career opportunities available within the criminal justice field.” For more information on the mock trial, contact Alexandra M. Asterlin, Senior Attorney, Amador Superior Court at 257-2653 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

By Jim Reece -

An over-capacity crowd filled the seats and aisles of the Amador County Board of Supervisors chambers Tuesday 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. Grijalva said one public hearing is the minimum requirement for a general plan update, but the county will have a minimum of two, possibly more. She said the General Plan is not zoning, as the two are distinct layers in law. Amador County Geographic Information Coordinator, Keith Johnson, introduced a digital mapping system, the U-Plan, which builds models and helps show current and prospective new land uses around the county. “U-Plan does not decide where development goes,” he said, and it does not develop policy. But it will show areas, such as federal lands, water bodies, and high-fire-risk areas, where development cannot occur. Grijalva told supervisors and planning commissioners in the joint meeting that the object was to find out what is desired, pinpoint areas of the county that need more information, identify what options need to be explored, and bring back the findings after the first of the year. County Attorney Martha Shaver talked about conflicts of interest and said she could talk individually with supervisors and commissioners if needed. Amador County Transportation Commission Executive Director Charles Field talked about modeling. “We’re not going to be looking at the parcel level.” He said “Our traffic infrastructure is not keeping up with growth,” but the ability to remedy problems was made difficult with the high cost of highway bypasses and the lack of federal funding, which the state has done little to supplement. Field said that even if the funds were there, the Amador communities are so drenched in historic value that expansion of roads would be difficult. Public input will be taken today, Thursday, 1 to 5 p.m. at the Supervisors Chambers.

By Jennifer Wilson -

The October 6th resignation of Andy Rodriguez has put the Jackson City Council in somewhat of a quandary. With just three weeks until the November 4th election, the open seat was the subject of a legal discussion at Monday evening’s council meeting. Per government code, the council has three options, including appointing a person to serve the remainder of Rodriguez’s term, which was to expire in November 2010, calling a special election to fill the spot, or leaving the spot vacant until the November 2010 election. According to City Manager Mike Daly, this year’s election would be too soon, as the code states that a special election to fill the spot must be held no less than 114 days after the vacancy was created. The three present council members, Vice Mayor Connie Gonsalves, Wayne Garibaldi, and Al Nunes, all agreed that filling the vacancy was the appropriate and necessary thing to do, and decided to appoint a new member. “City business must go on,” noted Gonsalves. Per the code, the council must do this within 30 days of the commencement of the vacancy, which created a deadline of November 5th, just one day after the election. Marilyn Lewis, who is running for the council, proposed continuing the decision until after the new council is sworn in, but since the council must act within 30 days, that option was not possible, a position that Lewis called, “awfully convenient.” Bill Condrashoff pointed out that it might be a conflict of interest if the current council members were to make the selection, as Garibaldi and Nunes are running for re-election, but the council went ahead with their decision to fill the spot and voted to accept applications for the vacant seat and set a deadline of October 30th at 5 PM. Current candidates will be able to submit letters of interest for the vacant spot as a backup in case they are not elected November 4th. City Attorney Andrew Morris informed those present that the application letters would be contingent on the applicant not winning a council seat.