Amador County – Some good news for Amador County boaters. The ban on boats registered in Santa Clara County has been lifted as part of a policy change by the East Bay Municipal Utility District. The ban was put in place as a protective measure against the invasive Quagga and Zebra Mussel after Zebra Mussels were discovered in adjacent San Benito County. Both lakes Camanche and Pardee, managed by EBMUD, will now accept vessels registered in Santa Clara County pending a successful vessel inspection. This change is the result of research done to determine the extent of the current infestation in Northern California as well as the vulnerability of Pardee and Camanche to the threats posed by invasive mussels. At this time, East Bay Municipal Utility District has taken several steps to manage the Quagga and Zebra mussel issue at Lake Camanche, Lake Pardee, and San Pablo Reservoir. This includes banning vessels from Southern California and outside of California, and inspecting vessels from approved counties. No further discoveries of mussels have been made in the region, and Santa Clara County agencies have implemented an active prevention program in their reservoirs. Additionally, Pardee and Camanche have been determined to be less vulnerable to mussel infestation than reservoirs in the East Bay. Vessel owners will be asked to complete a vessel history survey and to present the vessel in a clean and dry condition. The condition of the vessel will be determined by a physical inspection. In order to help prevent the spread of all aquatic invasive species, the "Clean and Dry, Inside and Out" requirement for all vessel owners will be enforced again this year and into the future. For more information, including detailed descriptions of the vessel history survey and the physical inspection or to learn more about invasive mussels, please visit www.ebmud.com/services/recreation. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Smiling children were walking the halls at Jackson Creek Dental Group after receiving free dental care from local dentists as part of Smiles for Kids 2009. Children who qualified for the program and would not otherwise be able to receive dental care were given exams, x-rays, teeth cleaning, sealants, fluoride treatments, and emergency restorations. The five local dentists, their staff and community members offered this service on a volunteer basis, treating 69 children for services totaling over $24,000. Dentists participating on Smiles for Kids day were: Dr. Anderson, Dr. Ask, Dr. Kinzer, Dr. Roda and Dr. Simpson. Twenty-eight of these children were referred to local dentists for further treatment as part of the program, and ten were sent to specialists in Sacramento as part of the Sacramento District Dental Society’s Adopt-a-Child, Orthodontic, and Specialty Referral Care Programs. “Educating these children and their families about good oral hygiene and preventing dental disease was one of our priorities during our treatment time. We know that developing gum and periodontal disease can effect the entire body, so early prevention and education is key to retaining a healthy smile and body,” stated Dr. Leon Roda, III. The Smiles for Kids program, a project of the Sacramento District Dental Society and Foundation, is run in support of the American Dental Association’s “Give Kids a Smile” campaign. Participants are member doctors, their staffs, vendors and community volunteers. For more information contact us at (209) 223-2712 or visit our website at www.JacksonCreekDental.com. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council worked before a packed room Monday choosing a replacement for Bill Hepworth, who resigned last month for health concerns. The council chose Linda Rianda, a retired peace officer, associate warden and former teacher. Mayor Gary Wooten opened discussion saying, “speaking for myself, this is really stressful, picking one of you.” The 7 applicants for the 2-year council seat were quickly reduced to 5. Wooten said Reed Shugart, a board member of the Sutter Creek Fire Protection District, pulled his name after finding he could not hold 2 elected offices simultaneously. City Manager Rob Duke said he received a call from Dennis E. Griffin at 1 p.m. Monday: Griffin “pulled his application citing personal reasons.” The remaining 5 applicants were questioned by the council. Wooten asked each what they thought was the biggest issue in Sutter Creek, and their solution. Bart Weatherly said the biggest issue was “remaining solvent and incorporated as a city,” but he had no solution. Councilwoman Sandy Anderson said “we know how you feel about a certain issue. How do you feel about growth?” Weatherly said he was “sort of a non-believer in promises that are given” and he “would love to see commercial growth that produces taxes.” Getting to her point, Councilman Pat Crosby asked if Weatherly could “see any condition in which you could accept (Gold Rush) into the city?” Weatherly said “that was an issue I had to resolve – yes, I do.” Mimi Arata said the major issue was the “upside-down budget,” which she would approach by deciding how and where to increase income and decrease expenses. Rianda said the economy was the biggest issue, which she would approach by first learning the current budget, then looking at long-term revenue increase possibilities and decreases in spending and working on ways to increase tourism and entice businesses to the city. Mike Kirkley said the top issue was the “fiscal crisis,” which the council could solve by getting “back to basics,” providing the services of a city. He said the city should use “conservative revenue projections,” and push through developments that would generate revenue. Councilman Tim Murphy asked what were his top 3 areas for budget fixes. Kirkley said those would be reducing employees and the police budget, and working with other jurisdictions. Jack Mitchell said he would try to “see what positions can move into other positions” in city staff, but he didn’t think there were “any easy fixes.” Rianda was a unanimous selection to the position and was sworn in after the vote. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – A slight turnout for the Ione City Council Community Preservation Workshop had a bright side in letting the council share ideas last week. Mayor Lee Ard said council credibility was in jeopardy but he pledged support. Ard said the council will work with City Manager Kim Kerr on a brochure to recruit volunteers for the Main Street Program. Ard said: “I will go door-to-door to get volunteers, and I hope my peers will help too.” Kerr said staff was basically looking for council direction, but was “hoping to have a lot more comments” from the public. The 4 programs are for Main Street, downtown facades, an economic study and the creation of a redevelopment plan. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said she loved the new downtown, with the Mexican restaurant and her Clark’s Corner coffee shop drawing people from Upcountry and Volcano to Ione downtown. She said she spoke with people who are 80 years old and had not been to downtown Ione in 10 years. When they came, they ran into people they had not seen in 10 years. She commended Jack Brotherton on his work on the Main Street Program, and supported starting it and the Façade Program. Councilman David Plank counted 22 or 24 Ione residents at the meeting, and only 2 were downtown business or property owners. He encouraged people to comment in a letter to the council, or by stopping in City Hall to talk to Kerr, or City Planner Christopher Jordan. Councilman Skip Schaufel said the “façade program really makes sense.” He supported the economic study, which would look at Ione residents’ spending through credit card data, which Kerr said could help locate businesses here or help local shops carry saleable items. Schaufel said “we need businesses that will thrive” to move downtown, and the council “should start all of these programs.” Ard said he thought the Main Street program have the city council as its initial “governing board.” After it is “running smoothly,” they can start a non-profit and get a director. Plank said he would like to see the meeting continued, for the “crucial element” of getting downtown business and property owners involved. He said the city should send letters to all of them to tell them about the next meeting. Kerr said she will get more in depth information on the Main Street Program and bring it to the April 21st council meeting. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The joint panel updating the Amador County General Plan may conclude today with the start of a reception honoring Congressman Dan Lungren. The Amador County Board of Supervisors and the county Planning Commission were scheduled to reconvene today at 10 a.m. for an expected day-long meeting, which could end about the time a reception begins for Congressman Lungren. The Amador County Supervisors will host the 4 p.m. reception to honor Lungren by presenting him “with a resolution recognizing his role in securing a federal grant in the amount of $180,500 dollars” for the Highway 88 corridor in Pine Grove. The resolution will thank Lungren for “his federal allocations for the Pine Grove Corridor Project and for his continued support” of Amador County priorities. The reception will take place in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at 810 Court Street in Jackson, following the wrap-up of the joint General Plan update panel meeting. If needed, the panel will meet again Thursday, April 9th, from 1 to 5 p.m. County Planner Susan Grijalva said the items left for discussion are a decision regarding special designation requests, originally set for Day 2 of the meetings 2 weeks ago. Also, the panel will deliberate and make recommendations regarding a Preferred Alternative; then take public comment, originally set for Day 3 of the March meetings. For further information about the Lungren reception, call the Board of Supervisors Office at 223-6470. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador Air District Board of Directors hosts a public hearing on a rule change that would affect Amador County outdoor burning. Changes would occur to the “Rule 311.” District Administrative Assistant Kris Pierce said: “The rule change would be strictly for the Amador Air District.” Rule 311, “Miscellaneous Burning,” now says “material to be burned includes untreated wood, paper, plants, cardboard, tree trimmings, leaves, or lawn clippings.” Pierce said “by state rule, the only thing that can be burned is natural vegetation originating on the property where it is burnerd, so we are updating our rule to coincide with the state.” The new Rule 311 would say that “material to be burned shall consist only of natural vegetation originating on the property where it is being burned.” A complete copy of all the rule changes are available at the Air District office. The meeting is 1:30 p.m. April 28th in the Supervisors’ Chambers. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Plymouth City Council on Thursday will hold a public hearing to take comments on a federal grant and will also consider directing staff to apply for another grant, costing $80,000 to the city, for a potential of $80,000 dollars worth of work. The public hearing will be part of the final report for a Community Development Block Grant “Technical Assistance Grant,” to be submitted to the State Department of Housing and Community Development. Funded work was the preparation of sewer plans and specifications at a cost of $35,000 dollars, and the circulation element of the General Plan, also costing $35,000 dollars. The public hearing will include a staff report and a public comment period. The council will also consider applying for a “Safe Routes to School Grant.” The project cost would be $818,250.00, with the city’s 10 percent matching share of the grant to be $81,825. Staff will recommend authorizing submission of the application. A late addition to the Plymouth agenda is a closed session conference with property negotiators for discussion of the city’s Arroyo Ditch and related water rights. Plymouth’s negotiator, City Manager Dixon Flynn, will attend the meeting with Peter Smith, a representative for the Shenandoah Water Company, which is pursuing an agreement with the city to operate and also solidify water rights for the Arroyo Ditch. The closed session, which will follow the regular session, includes negotiation of the “price and terms of sale, lease or transfer” of the ditch. The council will also consider a resolution to approve a Wastewater Grant Application and a “Notice of Exemption” for rehabilitation and improvements to the city Wastewater Collection System. The council will also hear a report from Steven Rudolph on the “Redevelopment Plan Adoption,” with a presentation on procedural requirements and adoption of the budget allocation. The city General Plan Update and Project Review will also be discusses, and staff will recommend adoption of a resolution initiating adoption of the General Plan Update and a Zoning Ordinance Regulating Development in Plymouth. The council will also consider an ordinance amending the city municipal code relating to sewers, and will discuss a request from the city of Jackson asking Plymouth City Council to join them in urging the East Bay Municipal Utility District to increase its conservation levels instead of expanding Pardee Reservoir. The consideration includes a draft Resolution urging those sentiments. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council made 2 unanimous votes last night, one to name Linda Rianda the new city council member, the other to award the city trash hauling franchise to ACES Waste Service. The council fielded presentations and asked questions of 5 applicants for the city council seat vacated by the resignation last month of Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Hepworth, then made a 4-0 vote to select Linda Rianda for the position. Rianda is a former teacher and retired peace officer with 21 years’ service, including as Associate Warden. She worked at Mule Creek State Prison from 1987 to 1993 as a Correctional Counselor. In a standing-room-only crowd, Rianda and the other 4 applicants answered questions from the council in open session, including Mayor Gary Wooten’s identical question to each. Wooten asked what was the biggest issue facing Sutter Creek and what was each applicant’s solution. All 5 said finances or budget, or, in Rianda’s answer, the economy. She said loss of revenue and business closures were part of the problem. Her solution would be to meet with the city manager to get up to speed on the current budge. She would also “review long-term possibilities of revenue increases” and “work on ways to increase tourism.” She said “resolution to our budget is certainly work for more than 1 person and 1 council member.” After the 4-0 vote, City Clerk Judy Allen administered the oath of office and Rianda took a seat with the council. The council then heard presentations from 2 companies vying for the city’s garbage hauling franchise. Guy Davis of Amador Disposal and Paul Molinelli Sr. of ACES Waste Service both spoke and answered council and public questions. Molinelli said with his company, “every customer will see a reduction in their rates.” He said 56 percent of Sutter Creek commercial customers use 2-yard bins, and the ACES contract would save each of those customers $400 dollars a year. Molinelli said “those of you who know us can attest … We are a part of Sutter Creek.” The council voted 5-0 to direct staff to prepare a waste hauling contract with ACES and bring the paperwork to the council’s next meeting. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Among the array of topics at the Town Hall meeting hosted last week by Assemblywoman Alyson Huber, the common thread seemed to be finances. Huber fielded questions and told of her approaches to state budgeting, while “not defending” the lately passed budget. Huber said one suggestion from a constituent was to “fire all of the legislators,” which would “only save $133 Million Dollars,” in the face of the $8 Billion Dollar state budget deficit. Amador City olive farmer Susan Bragstad said “how about legalizing marijuana?” Huber said she has “actually gotten a lot of e-mails saying we should” legalize marijuana. But she said that was probably not the solution to generating revenue, and it would conflict with the federal government’s outlawing of marijuana. She suggested that the state could change the penalty for marijuana. Mike Delaney, president of the Amador Teachers Association asked about how the federal stimulus funding could be brought to the county, in a more stable and way. Huber said she did not think California had received the federal stimulus yet, and that the “money was supposed to go straight to the school.” She said for those changes in state funding allocation, “we need to start with a Constitutional Convention.” The Foothill Conservancy’s Katherine Evatt also asked about slow funding streams. Huber said it “takes revenue coming in to get that money out.” She said the California government’s poor credit rating – “triple-A” – due to the $8 Billion Dollar deficit – is “the reason for the cashflow problems.” Retired veterinarian Wendell Peart asked about the impact of immigration. Huber said the state must police its border with Mexico without federal funding assistance. “We are a donor state,” Huber said. “For every dollar we send to Washington D.C., we only get 77 cents back.” Huber said federal law also mandated that the hospitals must give medical aid to anyone who shows up at an emergency room, including illegal immigrants. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Members of the Amador Water Agency board of directors and the Plymouth City Council are expected to attend an official groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday to dedicate the Plymouth water pipeline project. The ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, and will included comments form AWA board President Terence W. Moore, who represents District 5. AWA last week announced the ceremony, which will be held at a Montevina vineyard on Fiddletown/Shenandoah Road, east of Plymouth, below the hilltop where the city of Plymouth’s water storage tank is located. The groundbreaking will included “distinguished guests.” Work of the $10 Million Dollar joint project between the AWA and the city of Plymouth project began last month, but weather postponed the groundbreaking. The project will link the city of Plymouth’s water storage tank with the Tanner Water Treatment Plant on Ridge Road in Sutter Hill. The 6-segment pipeline will use and refurbish existing water lines between Sutter Creek, Amador City and Drytown, and will install new lines on the route, to deliver potable water to Plymouth. The project will help lift a 3-decade-long building moratorium in the city, and has ushered in a wave of commercial and housing developments proposed in and around city limits, with more than 1,000 equivalent dwelling units, all told. The groundbreaking is expected to last an hour. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.