By Jim Reece -

The Sutter Creek Planning Commission combed through six chapters of the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort’s Environmental Impact Report on Wednesday. About 40 people attended the meeting, which began with the land use chapter. City consultant Anders Hauge led the meeting, discussing general plan categories, their application to the Gold Rush EIR and any recommendations. Commission Chairman Robin Peters asked about custom lots being on a road designated a “collector” and whether they should front the road, Highway 104. Peters said “35 miles per hour — that’s a driveway every 4 or 5 seconds.” She noted that there must be a better location for the lots or they should be provided with other access. Peters said according to the general plan, lots should have frontage on local subdivision streets only. Peters noted that in several sections that Gold Rush’s EIR said road design should minimize grading by aligning with topography and existing grades. Peters called it an oversight – and a “little disingenuous” – noting that the EIR included severe “mass grading” for some of its large lots. Commissioner Mike Kirkley agreed, saying the policy should be consistent throughout the project. In public comment, biologist Terry Strange noted the use of ridges and valleys as natural byways for transportation and roads. Strange said that while preserving ridges and valleys can prevent erosion, having roads and circulation on ridge tops and valleys may cause problems. He said the EIR could consider more current environmental practices. Resident Sharyn Brown commented on another section that said cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets should be discouraged, while through-streets should be preferred. Brown said cul-de-sacs actually can improve the quality of neighborhoods, as in the Bay Area. The Commission, on staff recommendation from Assistant Manager Sean Rabe, decided to meet more often to address the EIR’s compatibility with the city general plan. The commission will meet the first Wednesday of each month strictly for the Gold Rush EIR. They will also meet the second and fourth Monday of each month for regular meetings. The commission next meets Oct. 14.

By Jim Reece -

A deluge of motorcyclists passing through Amador County this weekend translated into crashes and injuries for three people. Many bikers were making the trek to a Reno, Nevada “Street Vibrations” event. A Stockton couple riding a 1997 Harley Davidson motorcycle crossed the center line on dangerous Pioneer curves and crashed with an SUV Thursday on highway 88, east of Cooks Station. James Cook, 54, was driving the Harley and his passenger was Terry Cook. Both were seriously injured and were air-lifted to Sutter Roseville Medical Center with major injuries. A spokeswoman at Sutter Roseville Medical Center said the Cooks were in fair condition at the hospital Friday. California Highway Patrol reported that the Cooks were east-bound on Highway 88, approaching Nobb Hill at about 45 mph, when their Harley rounded a right-hand curve and Mr. Cook allowed the motorcycle to cross over into the west-bound lane. An approaching 2003 Dodge Durango veered to the right but was unable to avoid being side-swiped by the motorcycle. James and Terry Cook were ejected from the Harley. Craig Ziglar, 54, driver of the Durango, and his passenger, Stacey Ziglar, 52, both of Gardnerville, Nevada, were unhurt in the crash. Both left tires of the Durango were punctured in the crash. The collision occurred East of Mace Meadow Golf Course in a series of infamous curves that have been the scene of many motorcycles, automobiles and trucks crashes in the past. There was no clear reason why the motorcycle crossed the center line and CHP were still investigating the accident. On Thursday, another motorcycle crash resulted in major injury. CHP reported that Robert Lockwood, 66, of San Jose was riding his 2009 Harley Davidson east-bound on Highway 88, east of Cooks Station at about 3:30 p.m., when he failed to maintain the motorcycle within the east-bound lane. The Harley left the roadway at the south road edge. Lockwood was ejected from the motorcycle as it rolled over multiple times. He sustained major injuries and was transported by helicopter to Sutter Roseville, where he remained in good condition Friday.

By Jim Reece -

The Boy Scouts of America’s Amador County District will be filling Howard Park in Ione today through Sunday for its 2008 Fall Camporee. Some events are open to the public. The Scouts’ Amador District will hold the camporee to earn Emergency Preparedness Merit Badges, as scouts work through each required event. That includes a Saturday night campfire and show. The Ione and Jackson Fire Departments, California Highway Patrol, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office, the Amador Office of Emergency Services, the Cal-Fire, Civil Air Patrol and other agencies will be helping with events and putting on a midway display on Saturday afternoon. The public is invited to visit Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. to see the Midway Displays, as well as emergency vehicles, helicopter and police and ambulance displays.

By Jim Reece -

Amador County Supervisors last week approved a request by ACES Waste Service to switch transfer stations for the deposit of its Jackson garbage routes. The switch will allow ACES to take 40 tons of waste a week to a Pine Grove transfer station, instead of to the Buena Vista Landfill. Jason Craft of Amador Disposal Service Inc. said the loss of tonnage could cause a fee hike at his landfill, but the hike could mean out-of-county haulers would simply take their waste elsewhere. Supervisor Brian Oneto asked Craft if Amador Disposal also took its hauled waste to a different location, from El Dorado to Calaveras County, because it was more convenient. Craft acknowledged that was true. ACES owner Paul Molinelli Sr. said his company “was just trying to increase our cash flow,” with high fuel prices causing the need to make the hauling changes. The change would affect only waste picked up from customers in Jackson. A resident asked if the change would increase the number of trucks at the Pine Grove transfer station. Molinelli said it would increase trucks going out by 2 per week – that is, two 20-ton truck going out per week. He said it would have no additional trucks going into the station. The board passed the contract amendment with a 5-0 vote.

By Jim Reece -

The Amador Measure M Campaign Committee selected Paul Molinelli Jr. as its chairman last week, and tabbed Amador County Planning Commissioner John Gonsalves at its co-chairman. Molinelli is a recent past president of the Amador Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Amador County Solid Waste Local Task Force. Members of the committee made the officer and core campaign committee selections at the group’s meeting Sept. 11 at the American Legion Hall in Martell. Joining Molinelli and Gonsalves, Bob Long was selected as committee treasurer and Holly Boitano was named as secretary. Core Campaign Committee members that were selected were Andrea Jones of Lockwood, Hal Gambel of Sutter Creek, Debbie Dunn of Upcountry and Lynette Lipp of Pine Grove. The Campaign Committee will also be looking to get someone from Ione and Jackson Valley area.

The committee last week reported that up next, it is now looking for campaign donations, putting together a mailer; gathering a coalition of organizations and individuals; formulating a campaign plan; and working on a regional representative, key messages and a calendar. Firefighters will be walking the streets to campaign and the committee said its big task will be getting the city of Ione to sign on. The biggest loss for the previous paid firefighter referendum item, Measure L, was in the city of Ione. 54 percent voted yes, 46 percent voted no. Ione plans to get paid fire personnel with or without Measure M.

Congressman Dan Lungren will be in Amador County today at a local pharmacy on a fact-finding visit. Lungren will be at Ione Pharmacy at 307 Preston Avenue at 10:30 AM to talk with owner and pharmacist John Stremfel. Specifically, the Congressman wants to discuss “the valuable services independent community pharmacies provide their patients,” and discover some of “the challenges facing the industry” that might be helped by the passing of two bills pending in the U.S. House of Representatives. The first, H.R. 3140, called the “Saving Our Community Pharmacies Act of 2007,” will hopefully remedy the reimbursement shortfalls being experienced in our nation’s small pharmacies.

According to Brian Anderson, State Relations Manager for the National Community Pharmacist Association, pharmacies have been shorted an average of 36% in prescription drug reimbursements. “This bill is basically the plight of the small business (owner),” says Anderson. The second bill up for discussion is H.R. 971, which is also referred to as “the Community Pharmacy Fairness Act of 2007.” This bill will bring fairness to the relationship between community pharmacies and the “giant administrators of the prescription drug plans” by allowing these small pharmacies to “band together in buying groups” says Anderson, an action that is now currently not allowed. Stremfel says he “is looking forward to Lungren’s visit.” We’ll have more on the outcome of that visit later this week.

Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors heard an impressive presentation Tuesday outlining an ambitious Eagle Scout project to take place at Westover Field Airport. Airport Manager Dave Shepard introduced Boy Scout Austin Thorne, who has volunteered to restore and mount for display a classic F-86 Sabre Jet on loan from the Department of the Navy. Eagle Scout applicants have traditionally had to complete a volunteer project as part of the ranks requirement. Thorne outlined the history of the aircraft, which was best known for its role as an interceptor during the Korean War. Only about 24 are left in existence. He said the aircraft needs extensive body and fiberglass work. Funding will come from a variety of private sources. The project’s main goals will be completing the large amount of paperwork associated with the loan, restoring the body to prime condition and mounting it for display at the airport. The Supervisors complemented Thorne on his presentation and the ambitious task that lies ahead. Supervisor Ted Novelli said that “most importantly, we’re restoring an important part of our history.” Supervisor John Plasse said “Eagle Scouts have always stepped up to the plate when it comes to helping out this county.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Consultants for the East Bay Municipal Utilities District, or EBMUD, say raising the Pardee Reservoir will have no significant impact on kayaking or whitewater rafting, despite concerns expressed by river recreation organizations and conservationists. At a workshop last Monday evening in the Amador Water Agency, an overflowing crowd listened intently as EBMUD consultant David Blau, among others, said that raising the dam another 33 feet would have no significant impact on the Mokelumne’s whitewater rapids. Blau expressed the same belief to a crowd of 30 at a workshop in Lodi on Monday afternoon. He said that water would be released during rainy winters and water levels adjusted accordingly. However, many opponents to the proposed expansion are still skeptical, including one Lodi official in attendance who calls Blau’s assessment, “a whitewashing designed to appeal to those who are creating EBMUD’s 2040 Water Plan.” During Amador’s workshop, opponents from diverse backgrounds claimed that higher water levels would not only destroy existing recreation areas, but cause significant environmental damage as well. Councilman Keith Sweet read a Jackson City Council resolution passed unanimously last week in opposition to Pardee’s expansion. The City of Jackson has made significant investments in river recreation through the years. Perhaps the biggest opponent to the proposal is the Foothill Conservancy, which considers preservation of the Mokelumne River one of its top priorities. “We don’t feel we should have to give up more of our river so people in the east bay can take longer showers and water their lawn,” said Katherine Evatt, Board Director for the Foothill Conservancy. The proposed dam expansion is part of EBMUD’s 2040 Water Plan. EBMUD Spokesman Charles Hardy says it will still take 10 to 15 years for district officials to decide the feasibility of the project. EBMUD supplies water from the Mokelumne to customers throughout the East Bay Area. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador County Transportation Commission considered Plymouth’s proposed Sphere of Influence Wednesday, then approved a $90,000 dollar study of traffic on Highway 49. The ACTC board got a motion from Plymouth Councilman Greg Baldwin that failed for lack of a second, before the board eventually voted 4-1 with 1 abstention to approve the Plymouth Circulation Improvement Project, at a cost of $89,105 dollars. Neil Peacock, planner and program manager, said the Plymouth project included a schedule, starting with forming an oversight committee and a developing public participation program in April and eventually concluding next May. Board Member Richard Forster said that Plymouth’s study, based on its proposed Sphere of Influence would be a waste of money because he doubted that the Local Agency Formation Commission would approve that sphere. Baldwin said 2 development projects touch the city of Plymouth boundary line and expand into the unincorporated areas around town, and he would “be surprised if LAFCO did not approve” the city’s request. ACTC Chairman Louis Boitano asked if there was any way they could table the item, so ACTC staff could discuss the study with Plymouth staff. Peacock said delaying the scoping might delay some of the scheduled work and reviews. Baldwin said “we are looking at May or June to have our General Plan wrapped up so we need this.” Forster said “it appears that your Sphere of Influence should be part of your fatal flaws.” ACTC Executive Director Charles Field said “it’s not up to transportation planners to consider Spheres of Influence and LAFCO’s opinion of them.” Field said cities have certain powers and “it would be awkward for ACTC staff to discuss with the city” whether it can support its Sphere of Influence. Baldwin said “we just want the county to be aware that this is an area we are concerned about.” Peacock said “this is a programmatic grant for the city” and the decisions and operation are “really in their lap.” Baldwin motioned to pass the project again, Councilman Pat Crosby of Sutter Creek seconded it, and it passed 4-1. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – An outpatient program at Sutter Amador Hospital in Jackson received national recognition recently for educating patients about diabetes. The Outpatient Diabetes Education Program at Sutter Amador Hospital was recently awarded continued recognition from the American Diabetes Association. Jody Boetzer of Sutter Amador Hospital said the program was originally recognized in May 2000, and it offers high-quality diabetes education services to patients from Amador County and surrounding areas. She said such programs apply for ADA recognition voluntarily, and the “ADA Education Recognition Certification assures that education programs, like the one at Sutter Amador Hospital, have met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs.” SAH’s program director, Dr. Geraldine O’Shea said: “Through our diabetes education program, patients with diabetes are taught the skills they need to manage their own diabetes.” She said “because we are recognized by (ADA), patients and providers can be confident knowing they are being cared for by professionals who have met and comply with National Standards.” Kim Vagt, director of the program and Food and Nutrition Services said: “Assuring high-quality education for patient self-care is one of the primary goals of our program. With the knowledge, expertise, and commitment of our diabetes educators, patients are increasing their knowledge and awareness of diabetes allowing them to assume a major part of the responsibility for their diabetes management.” Patients from both Amador and Calaveras counties can take advantage of SAH’s ADA-recognized diabetes program by being referred by their health care provider. A monthly diabetes support group, which meets the fourth Thursday of each month at the hospital, is also available and is offered free to all members of the community. The program offers the newest up-to-date information on how to manage diabetes. For more information, call (209) 223-7448. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.