Amador County – At least one hundred members of the California School Employees Association, or CSEA, packed into the School board meeting to protest proposed layoffs within the Amador Unified School District. Under the proposal, Superintendent Dick Glock recommended the board vote to terminate eleven workers in the maintenance department. Eleven employees would be fired effective March 30, 2009, including nine maintenance and grounds workers, and two maintenance department clerical workers. Glock had announced to the union that he will rewrite job descriptions and give the positions new titles. Workers hired into the “new” jobs will reportedly do the same work as the fired workers, but at only 75 percent of the current pay. He said laid off workers would be allowed to apply for the “new” jobs, but will not be guaranteed they will be hired. CSEA maintains Glock’s plan violates the union contract and state law. The union gathered support for the protest during an emergency meeting Monday. During public comment Wednesday, union members made emotional pleas for the board to consider other options before rendering their decision. “In today’s economy, laying more people off isn’t the answer,” said Kelly Banyon, a union member and friend of one of the eleven maintenance workers on the list. Rose Roach, Field Director for CSEA Modesto Chapter 7, cautioned the Board to carefully consider the legal ramifications of such a decision. “We will do everything in our power to make sure our members are protected from any unfair, unequal treatment,” she said. The union maintains the proposal violates a number of existing laws, including the retitling of job positions, breach of contract, and the reassignment of employees from existing classifications to different or newly created classifications. “This battle is all of us together trying to save public education as we know it,” she said. Dennis Nelson, self described as “one of the workers on that list”, said he hoped there were other ways to discuss cutting costs. “I live in this community and have kids who grew up here,” he said. Randy Bayne, who is head of the Amador Democratic Central Committee and husband to CSEA Labor Representative Marcie Bayne, said “the decision to layoff is not negotiable, but the effects of the layoff are negotiable.” After an hour of closed session discussion, the Board reappeared and announced that they took no action on the decision and will continue the discussion in upcoming meetings. Story by Alex Lane

Amador County - Amador County is currently conducting a comprehensive update of its General Plan that sets forth the policies, goals, and objectives for land use and project development decisions for the next 20+ years. The Board of Supervisors has opted to develop two optional elements, an Economic Element with agricultural policies, and a Governance Element. The Board has created two “stakeholder” groups to review and comment on proposed draft policies for each of these Elements. This review will take place at stakeholder meetings scheduled to be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at 810 Court St, Jackson. The meeting for review of the Economic Element will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon with the meeting for the Governance Element being from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. If needed, these meetings may continue on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at the same time and place. For more information about the General Plan Update, visit the County’s website, www.co.amador.ca.us/depts./planning, or contact the Amador County Planning Department Office at (209) 223-6380. Staff Report

Amador County – The City Council and Planning Commission looked through wants and needs for a new city sign ordinance Wednesday in Ione. City Planner Christopher Jordan and City Manager Kim Kerr discussed potential ordinance verbiage with the full city council and three of five commissioners, gathering consensus. They discussed a uniform signage program for commercial centers of 3 or more tenants, which “establishes unique design and development standards to create a unified feel and allow flexibility in design while implementing the regulations.” Commissioner Mike McDermed asked if uniformity was retroactive to existing businesses. Jordan said there was “nothing in here that would apply this retroactively,” but it could be done in conditions of approval, or an ordinance amendment. Jordan asked for a policy decision on whether the council and commissioners wanted to require a sign permit for temporary signs, which included A-frame placards and banners. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham asked how it would be enforced, and said the “Ione Pharmacy puts one out every day.” She wondered if an annual permit would be needed. Jordan said paperwork filed with the city could tell staff when a banner goes up and when it is supposed to come down. Councilman Jim Ulm said he thought it was over-regulation. Commissioner Joe Wylie agreed, saying “we don’t have to go from Cow Town to La Jolla in one jump.” Jordan said he saw a consensus that they did not want to require permits for temporary signs. Bonham asked about an “old timey sign with a mustache that wiggles.” She also asked about two old 8-foot tall, sexy girls – statues that stood above the theater in the 1960s – a cowgirl and a senorita. She said people talked about finding the old statues and returning them to downtown. Jordan said a moving mustache sign was against the ordinance, “but this group can decide what policy it wants.” As far as the sexy statues, without printing or reference to a business, if attached to the building, they would be considered part of the building and would be allowed. The commission will consider these and other final rough drafts of the ordinance at a later meeting. Story by Jim Reece

Amador County – The Ione City Council passed a resolution Wednesday supporting Amador County’s continued legal fight against the Buena Vista Band of Me-Wuk Indians’ Flying Cloud Casino. The vote was 4-1 with Mayor Lee Ard voting against the resolution. He said he spoke with District 2 Supervisor Richard Forster about his qualms in the legal fight, but Forster could not be at the meeting Wednesday. Ard said “I don’t want casinos, but I feel that this one will go in.” He was worried about the management of the county, seeing “people doing litigation out the back door, then layoffs out the front door” of Amador County. He said it seemed that the board of supervisors showed bad management when it voted to keep an agreement with the tribe. That occurred when the board voted 2-2, with an abstention by Supervisor Brian Oneto, in effect failing to reject an agreement with the Buena Vista Band. The agreement was then enacted by an arbitrator. Ard said “the Supervisors should know when to cut their losses and run.” Former Ione city administrator George Lambert and local activist Jerry Cassesi both urged the council to pass the resolution. The resolution requests that Amador County continue its legal challenge to the casino compact between the state of California and the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians regarding the Buena Vista Casino. It notes that the suit was dismissed by a federal judge, who determined that the county has legal standing to bring the lawsuit, and supervisors must determine the next steps in the legal challenge to the casino compact and “may accept the decision, appeal the decision, file another action, or seek leave to amend its complaint to challenge the Buena Vista Casino compact.” The resolutions also states that “any decision by the board of supervisors not to pursue further legal steps to seek review of the challenged components of the compact would be a great disservice to the citizens of Amador County.” Story by Jim Reece

Amador County - In Ione news, the new fire station is on course and within budget, according to City Treasurer Sharon Long. The 8,250 square foot facility located on Preston Avenue was approved on the basis that it will better and more readily serve residents who were previously harder to access because of geography and other factors. In addition to the existing firehouse, this facility will increase response time for the areas west of Sutter Creek, eliminating the bottleneck at Preston Avenue and Main Street. The new facility will house eight fire trucks and equipment for the dedicated staff of volunteer firefighters. In October of 2008, the community raised $20,000 in support of the volunteer firefighters. The funds were used to purchase new structural fire protective gear for the department. In 2007, the community donated enough funds to purchase 50 sets of wildland firefighting gear. A grand opening ceremony is planned for April. The department has 45 members, mostly volunteers. Story by Alex Lane

Amador County – New unemployment statistics reflect the dire effect the nationwide economic recession has had on the Mother Lode region. The California Employment Development Department Thursday released its latest numbers for the month of December 2008. In Amador County, the civilian unemployment rate rose to 9.3 percent, up .8 percent from November. That number is .2 percent higher than the statewide unemployment rate of 9.1 percent and over 2 percent higher than the national rate of 7.1 percent. The number of unemployed in Amador County is 1,730 out of a total civilian labor force population of 18,620. The statistics reveal a steady and consistent rise in the unemployment rate from 7.5 percent in January 2008. That number dipped temporarily to 7 percent in April but quickly bounced back up towards its current level. These are the highest unemployment numbers since the nation’s last big recession in the early 90s at the end of the elder George Bush’s administration. Of the individual cities within the county, Sutter Creek’s unemployment rate was disproportionately higher than larger cities at 11.2 percent. Jackson and Ione followed at 8.1 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively. One Development Department representative said there is no information available to explain why Sutter Creek currently has higher unemployment rates. In neighboring Calaveras County, the unemployment rate was 10.8 percent, and in Tuolumne County it was 9.7 percent. All these numbers are higher than statewide averages. Marin County has the lowest rate in the state at 5.4 percent, while Imperial County in southern California registered the highest at 22.6 percent. Story by Alex Lane

Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors last week got a list of items that may fit the category of “shovel ready” in the federal eye. Among those was the AWA compound itself on Ridge Road, where Engineering Manager Gene Mancebo said a couple of holding tanks could replace the shallow pond behind the agency office. Board members asked about the various projects, which included the Gravity Supply Line to the Buckhorn Water Treatment Plant, decades old, with a more recent offshoot that could tie it in to a water treatment plant at Jackson Pines. Mancebo said the $8 million being sought from the federal government for the $11.6 million project was fractioned for matching to help chances of getting funding. AWA board Chairman Terence Moore said projects were only “shovel ready” within reason, because, due to costs, agencies do not get projects ready to go then put them on a shelf. Moore said: “Shovel Ready is a real catchy phrase, but in reality I don’t think too many projects exist like that.” He said Environmental Impact Reports go stale and design is too costly. Mancebo said the gravity supply line has already been authorized to advance with environmental documenting, while surveying is completed. Another bonus, the bulk of the pipeline would be placed in roadways, either logging roads or county roads. Moore said the federal Rural Utilities Service likes AWA because it completes its projects on time, and it has actually been calling the agency and asking when the gravity supply line project will be ready. Mancebo said AWA Finance Manager Michael Lee was attending a workshop last Thursday on the State Economic Stimulus package and would bring the board news. Moore said the AWA’s luck on its list of projects may be helped by which agencies are given the task of allocating funding. Story by Jim Reece

Amador City – The Amador County Transportation Commission sat two new board members last week and turned down backing a new recreation sign until they get more information. Sutter Creek Councilman Pat Crosby and Ione Councilman David Plank both attended their first meeting, with other board members, Supervisor Richard Forster, Supervisor and ACTC board Chairman Louis Boitano, Plymouth City Councilman Greg Baldwin and Caltrans District 10 appointee, Dave Richards. Patrick Ireland, Amador Regional Transit Authority director, reported on Amador County Recreation Agency’s effort to place an informational sign near the former Safeway site in Jackson. Part of the project would be seeking CALTRANS approval. ACRA asked for ACTC funding, which was deferred because too many questions were unanswered. Crosby asked if the sign, with a 4-foot snowboarder on top, was going to advertise only Kirkwood Mountain Ski Resort, urging that it would be good for promoting other recreation in the county. Jackson Councilman Keith Sweet said he heard a presentation by ACRA Director Tracy Towner-Yep, and the sign will change seasonally. Sweet said the snowboarder on top of the sign is designed to rotate, spinning on a little motor. But because of its motor, the sign violates the Jackson city sign ordinance, and is why the Jackson Council took no action, pending variances. The board approved the purchase of an extension bus, “not to exceed $80,000.” Ireland said ARTS needs the bus because they will have 8 buses on the road simultaneously now, and the extra will be needed to give relief to the other buses. Forster asked if the bus would meet air quality standards and Boitano asked if it was another gasoline-powered bus, and Ireland said yes to both. ACTC Director Charles Field invited Crosby and Plank to a new board members’ staff workshop, to help them get up to speed on the ACTC board’s work and business. The two new board members will be able to ask as many questions as they would like, Field said. Story by Jim Reece

Amador County – American River Bankshares, the parent company of local stalwart the Bank of Amador, has announced it will not participate in the federal government bailout program. The company qualified to participate in the U.S. Department of Treasury Capital Purchase Program after receiving approval to participate in the program in November 2008. American River Bankshares applied for and was approved for a $6 million capital investment. “After careful review of the agreements and related documents, American River Bankshares' Board of Directors has decided that it is in the best interest of our Company and its shareholders not to participate,” said David Taber, President and CEO of American River Bankshares. He continued, “American River Bank is well capitalized and we believe that the potential ramifications of participating in the program outweigh the benefits.” Bank of Amador Financial Director Wayne Garibaldi said in an exclusive TSPN interview that “the bank is strong and safe...and not going to take any of the bailout or tarp money, which is always a good sign.” He said he was “proud” to report that the bank was profitable in its latest report. This was not as much as the previous year, but profits were still up approximately 90 percent. In a separate press release issued Thursday, American River Bankshares reported its fourth quarter 2008 financial results, marking its 100th consecutive profitable quarter. As of December 31, 2008, the Company's profits exceeded $7.5 million and had over $63 million in capital. Story by Alex Lane

Amador County – The Amador County Mayors Select Committee met last week and deferred a decision on the 2009 members of the Local Agency Formation Commission for a clarification on term limits. New mayors Lee Ard of Ione, Aaron Brusatori of Amador City, and Connie Gonsalves joined reappointed mayors Jon Colburn of Plymouth and Gary Wooten of Sutter Creek at the more-than-annual meeting. Former Ione Mayor Andrea Bonham said the Select Committee met three times last year because of changing city council memberships, and this year’s committee will meet at least once more to decide the LAFCO seat. Supervisor Clerk Jennifer Burns said LAFCO Executive Director Roseanne Chamberlain missed last Wednesday’s meeting due to a family illness. Ard pursued appointing Councilman David Plank to the seat of Jerry Sherman, whose term would have expired in February, had he not lost in his November re-election bid. Wooten said he asked Sutter Creek Councilman Tim Murphy if he wanted to be on LAFCO and Murphy said that last year’s alternate, Plymouth Councilwoman Pat Fordyce, was being rotated into the position. Colburn said, “it seems to me you don’t want to be locked out for 4 years.” Ard argued that last year’s selection committee policy change gave the city council the right to replace the member if it is from that city, if an election causes a vacancy, rather than allowing the alternate to take over. Ard said he was steadfast on his stance, while Gonsalves said the Jackson City Council had made up its mind to have newly appointed Councilman Pat Crew be a member of LAFCO, because of his experience. Selections on LAFCO will be made at the next meeting, on a date to be determined, possibly this week. The committee discussed membership of the Central Sierra Economic Development District, deciding to appoint Plymouth Councilwoman Patricia Shackleton to the board. If she would not accept the post, Brusatori said Amador City Councilman Tim Knox would accept the position. Wooten agreed to continue as alternate. Story by Jim Reece