Ione Approves Solid Waste Rate Increase
The Ione City Council held a special meeting Tuesday evening which included a public hearing, a workshop, and a few updates from staff regarding various projects currently underway in the City. The Public Hearing, which pertained to the approval of a rate increase for a solid waste permit from ACES, had previously been placed on an April agenda, but was subsequently rescheduled pending a decision on the Downtown Jackson’s Familiar Whistle
If you happen to be near downtown Jackson and with a timepiece, have no fear. Locals have relied on Jackson Cleaner’s reliable noon whistle to sound off at 12pm for the last six years. Owners John and Tami Trevaskis were inspired to purchase a whistle of their own based on a tradition originally practiced by the old Amador Steam Laundry in Sutter Creek. Six years ago this month, the Trevaskis purchased a new boiler to power two steam-pressure whistles. The whistles have a history of their own. One was originally used at an old sawmill in Martell. The other was used as a fire whistle on Mare Island near San Francisco. Alone or in combination, the whistles pack an audible punch. The tradition of using steam whistles to mark time has been a relatively blue collar tradition for hundreds of years. Steam whistles were often used to notify factory and industrial workers of meal breaks and shift times before many could afford their own timepiece. The next time you’re in the Jackson area, listen for the reliable shrill from atop Jackson Cleaners, keeping blue collars clean since 1938.
New Jail Site Raises Questions
The proposed site for Amador County’s new jail was the source of much eyebrow raising at the Sutter Creek City Council meeting Monday night. The city recently received an application referral from the County of Amador for the purchase of 8.2 acres of property in the Amador Central Business Park, near the new Health and Human Services building off of Lower Ridge Road/ Highway 104. The County is proposing to build a 165-bed, 60,800 square foot jail on the site, to replace the county’s current 100-bed jail, which is quickly becoming obsolete. Council members reviewed a recommendation from city staff to write a letter to the County expressing the City’s concerns about the location of the new jail, which included “potential negative impacts on the City,” in the areas of Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Quality of Life.
Council members discussed the possibility of increased crime in Sutter Creek, the closest municipality to the proposed jail, due to the release of the jail’s clients who have nowhere to go. Other concerns centered on impacts to the wastewater system and local roads, as well as the location of the facility across from the proposed Gold Rush Ranch Golf Course Project. After reviewing the recommendation, councilman Pat Crosby noted that the project’s environmental report does not comment on the proposed Gold Rush Ranch or Wicklow Way subdivisions. “I don’t have a problem with the location, but I would like to see those projects included in the EIR,” he stated. Councilman Brent Parson’s inquired whether there was a better site for the facility, but also stressed the need to be realistic, and not to fall back on “Not In My Backyard,” or “NIMBY” rhetoric. One resident suggested an alternative location off of Hoffmann Street in Jackson, close to the local court system, but down the hill and away from Argonaut High School. In the end, the council voted to draft a letter to the County outlining their concerns, as well as their desire for an alternative location for the proposed jail site on Ridge Road.
Celebrate Our Children Event
Saturday was the day of the annual Celebrate Our Children event at the Italian Picnic Grounds. This is a fun, interactive, informative opportunity for moms, dads, child care providers and care givers to learn about the various services available to children in Amador County. From child safety to nutrition, health care to education, there were booths set up for sharing information and providing handouts, crafts and healthy snacks. Kids had a chance to exercise, make crafts, learn about good nutrition and try new activities. For more information on this yearly event contact Joyce Stone at the Amador County Child Care Council.
Former Mule Creek Guard, Subject Of Ongoing Investigation
A former Mule Creek State Prison guard is now facing multiple charges of sex with a minor. According to Mule Creek Spokesman Chris Weathersbee, the continuing investigation is a cooperative effort between the prison, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney Todd Reibe. Former guard Danny James Akemon, a 28 year old Volcano resident is accused of multiple counts of sex with a 14 year old male. The purported crime has sparked further investigation into Akemon’s conduct while working as an Ione prison guard for less than nine months. “What I can tell you is limited…(but) I will say we are in full cooperation with the District Attorney’s office,” said Weathersbee. The prison is also conducting its own internal investigation. Akemon’s preliminary hearing is scheduled at Amador Superior Court on June 6th. He is pleading not guilty to two counts of both oral copulation of a person under 16 and lewd acts with a child. Akemon was booked at the Amador County Sheriff's office on February 4th. His tenure as a prison guard lasted from June 11, 2007 to March 31, 2008. He was purportedly let go due to inappropriate conduct.
Ione’s Tax On Hotel Residents
At their meeting Monday night, the Ione City Council conducted the first reading on Ordinance Number 412 for amending the Ione Municipal Code regarding Transient Occupancy Tax. In 1988, Ione voters approved a measure that imposes a tax on people living in local hotels. In 2004, citizens voted to increase that tax to 10%. It is the responsibility of hotel owners to collect the tax, and then pass the funds onto the city. The city is now in the process of updating their Municipal Code to reflect the increase, although they have been collecting the tax since voters approved the measure.
City Manager Kim Kerr said she expects the process to be finalized by April 15th. In other news, the council heard a generally favorable report on Ione’s Audited Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2007. Certified Public Accountant Larry Bane gave a brief overview of the city’s finances, stating that Ione’s financial position is improving, as records are becoming more organized and things are being done to address weaknesses. The council members, who had already reviewed the report, thanked Bane for his thoroughness and timeliness on the audit, and also voted to extend his contract for an additional three years.
Historic Signs For Downtown Jackson
Downtown Jackson will be getting three new signs that direct motorists to historic Main Street. The signs will be posted on northbound Highway 49 near Amador Realty, on southbound Highway 49 between Martell and Jackson, and on westbound Highway 88, just before the Highway 49 stoplight near Broadway. The signs will have the traditional brown background with white lettering, characteristic of historic signs, and will be approximately 102 inches wide by 42 inches tall. The addition of these directional signs will hopefully steer travelers to historic downtown Jackson, with its abundance of shops, restaurants, and historic spots. “It also helps even the locals with awareness that Downtown Jackson is officially designated as a historic district,” said Jackson City Manager Mike Daly. For more information on those historic places, you can visit the City of Jackson’s website at CI.JACKSON.CA.US, and click on “Walking Tours.”
CalTrans Goes Fishing
Jackson Library Gets A Facelift
When the Jackson Branch of the Amador County Library re-opens today, patrons can expect a cleaner, more accessible and inviting atmosphere. The Library has been closed the past two days for administrative activities such as maintenance, cleaning and upgrades to the phone system from analog to digital, making it consistent with the other county departments. But it also got a bit of a facelift as employees shifted the Audio Books, New Books and Reference materials to a more easily accessible layout. Library employees say children and parents will be excited by the new collection of children’s book that will occupy the children’s section.
Flu Epidemic
Flu season is in full swing, and with packed emergency rooms across the country, the CDC has declared epidemic status in 49 out of 50 states. That's up from 44 states last week. Karen Woods, Emergency Department Director at Sutter Amador Hospital, is in a unique position to observe how the flu has affected the local population. “We usually have only so many beds and staff and we have to plan for surge capacity,” said Woods. “This (season) we’re receiving 20 percent above our normal volume.” Many experts blame the increase in patients on this season’s flu shot. The vaccine only covered two of the three major strains.
