Amador County – ACES Waste Service of Pine Grove official took over the recycling and garbage routes of Sutter Creek this week, with weekly collection of trash and biweekly recycling pickups. ACES operates from rented property on Sutter Hill Road and hauling in residential areas may start as early as 6 a.m., while commercial pickups must occur prior to noon, according to the franchise agreement signed by the City Council with ACES owner Paul Molinelli Senior, and approved May 18th. The service will include an “annual cleanup week at no additional cost,” and will notify the city and service subscribers with literature when that special haul date comes. All waste collected will be hauled to the ACES transfer station in Pine Grove, and will be deposited at Sacramento County’s Keifer Landfill. Rates are controlled by a “rate adjustment methodology.” The contract says that the “rate adjustment process will be on a 3-year cycle with a cost-based adjustment in Rate Year 1, followed by Indexed Rate Adjustments in Rate Year 2 and Rate Year 3,” followed by a detailed adjustment in Year 4. Rate adjustments must be applied for at the city by March 15th each year, completed by May 1st and effective July 1st. The agreement requires ACES to exclude from its rate structures any franchise fees owed to the city. The contract requires quarterly financial statements showing profit or loss, and separate line items for profits from the sale of recycle materials. It also requires an annual reports within 120 days after the close of ACES fiscal year, December 31st. The rates, approved by the city council June 15th, include a 10 percent Senior Discount. Monthly residential rates include $11 dollars for 32 gallon cart, $15 dollars for 64-gallon cart and $20 dollars for a 96-gallon cart. In its proposal to Sutter Creek, ACES listed its Amador County customer base at 7,375, including both waste and recycling services. Those include 1,495 residents and 251 businesses in Jackson, 413 residents and 33 businesses in Ione, and 4,767 residents and 316 businesses in unincorporated areas. Molinelli in his proposal to Sutter Creek said ACES has served Amador wince 1973 and “meets the minimum qualifications by having provided residential and commercial solid waste collection service for at least 1,300 accounts for the past 33 years.” ACES likely could have about 1,200 customers in Sutter Creek. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Amador County residents now have fast access to custody information on offenders throughout California. Sheriff Martin Ryan recently announced the launch of Victim Information and Notification everyday or VINE, a free automated service citizens can access, 24-hours-a-day either by telephone or Internet. “Protecting the citizens of Amador County is always my highest priority,” said Sheriff Ryan, adding: “VINE provides an added level of protection because it gives everyone access to timely and accurate information on offenders in our county, and throughout the state. I am delighted to make this important service available to Amador County residents.” Callers are asked to provide an offender’s name or booking number. After the system has provided the relevant custody information, it asks the caller if they would like to register to be automatically notified when the offender is released or transferred. Those choosing to register provide a phone a phone number which they will later use to confirm the notification call. “What makes it special is the automatic notification feature - as long as you’ve got a telephone or computer, you can receive an automated alert anytime of the day or night. That kind of protection is critically important to anyone who is concerned about the whereabouts of an offender,” said Ryan. VINE was made possible through the US DOJ Bureau of Justice Assistance grant for Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification. People calling 1-877-411-5588 can access VINE. Citizens can also go online at www.vinelink.com to locate offenders and register for this free service. Staff Report, Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SPECIAL PSA ANNOUNCEMENT - Amador County, like most Sierra Nevada counties, is at a very high risk of experiencing catastrophic wildfires. Martin Ryan, Sheriff of Amador County and Director of Emergency Services, is spreading the word about evacuation methods should a catastrophic fire occur in your area. “Each year we also hear about people who have died during a wildfire either by refusing to evacuate or who decided to evacuate too late in the game. So, when a wildfire occurs here at home, are you prepared for a quick evacuation?” said Ryan. He said there are two types of evacuation terms used in Amador County that citizens should be familiar with. An Emergency Evacuation means you must leave the area immediately because your life is in danger and there is an immediate threat to your life and property. “Under these circumstances the situation is severe and you may not have time to gather special belongings and paperwork because every minute you delay could increase your danger,” said Ryan. In a Voluntary Evacuation, officials will encourage able-bodied residents to leave an area because they believe there will be a threat. “Remember, by leaving early, you will give your family the best chance of surviving a wildfire,” said Ryan. For more information on preparing for evacuations, please contact his Office of Emergency Services at 223-6384 or visit the Amador County Sheriff’s web page. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - California is now in the middle of its third year of a drought and recent warm temperatures increase fire danger even more. In preparation for the holiday weekend, local law enforcement, CALFIRE and firefighting agencies are working together to seize illegal fireworks and prosecute those found in possession of them. Under California law, illegal fireworks include sky rockets, bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers and other miscellaneous types that explode, go up in the air, or move about the ground in an uncontrollable fashion. In 2007, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 839, which took effect Jan. 1, 2008 establishing harsher penalties for those who buy and sell illegal fireworks. Those convicted could be fined up to $50,000 and/or sent to prison or jail for up to one year. “Illegal fireworks pose a major danger to Californian’s safety,” said Acting State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover. “We will not tolerate the use or sale of illegal fireworks here in California.” In over 270 communities in the state, safe and sane fireworks are permitted. State fire officials want to remind those who choose to purchase legal fireworks this year, to make sure they purchase only those with the “Safe and Sane” State Fire Marshal seal. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Nearly 100 clients, volunteers and professionals interested in mental well-being filled the conference room of the Amador County Behavioral Health Services Department Tuesday for a planning “kickoff” meeting, to start a planning process to prepare the county for state income tax funding due over the next few years from Proposition 63. Senior program associate Kayce Rane said “the turnout is indicative of the interest in behavioral health services” in the community, and the interest in the “opportunity to transform the system of care available to be more integrated, wellness-centered, and responsive to behavioral health issues.” She said about half of those attending had previously worked on planning for Mental Health Services Act funding. But about 1/4th of attendees said it was their first involvement in the process. Rane and Jennifer Susskind led the workshop, in which smaller groups work on visions and told of strengths and weaknesses they saw in Amador. Susskind said: “You are the experts. We are here to listen as you provide us with good ideas.” Susskind said she appreciated one lofty goal of having unlimited funding in 10 years, noted that others were also realistic. She said the next step is to “provide a nexus for need” and “create strategies that respond to needs.” She said “it’s not good enough to have good ideas. (They) have to show that these good ideas really work.” One attendee said “peer-based counseling” works, and hoped consultants could “change from needing evidence-based practices to practice-based evidence.” The RDA timeline includes an August needs assessment, a document review, focus groups, interviews and surveys. In September, they’ll work on strategy development, with round-tables and work-groups, and do “best practice research.” In November, they plan strategy prioritization with community meetings, and in December they will draft the plan for: workforce development activities, new information technology systems, behavioral health facilities, supportive housing and unique and innovative behavioral health practices. They will also fast-track a plan for “Prevention and Early Intervention program” funding, Susskind said, because the funding from 2006-2007 reverts back to the state on June 30th of 2010. Amador County needs a plan in place to receive the funds. She said the county is due about $5.7 million dollars in Proposition 63 funding over the next 3 years, for the different areas mental health services. She said Amador has not yet lost any funds. The PEI fast-tracking will have separate meetings and should begin shortly, as the plan must be submitted by December. For information, call 223-6814. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dan Lungren released a statement Friday opposing what he called “the majority’s ill-conceived Cap and Trade legislation,” which he said “will put a cap on the amount of carbon which can be emitted. Companies then buy and sell permits which allow them to emit carbon dioxide.” In a release by e-mail, Lungren, a Republican who represents (District 3, including Amador County), said: “We all can agree that the health of our environment is important. However, this cap and trade bill is not the answer to weaning ourselves off foreign oil or stopping greenhouse gasses.” Lungren said: “Depending on how the system is structured, the Tax Foundation estimates cap and trade could reduce U.S. employment by 965,000 jobs, household earnings by $37.8 billion (dollars), and economic output by $136 billion (dollars) per year or roughly $1,145 (dollars) per household.” Lungren pointed out that Warren Buffet last week repeated criticism of cap and trade as a method to control pollution, saying it would be “a huge, regressive tax.” Lungren said: “President Obama himself explained in 2008” that under his “plan of a cap and trade system, the electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket. Coal power plants, natural gas, you name it, whatever the industry was, they would have to retrofit their operations. That will cost money. That money will be passed on to their consumers.” Lungren said “Manufacturers will ship their plants to countries with less stringent environmental safeguards, hurting American workers and the environment.” He said “During these difficult economic times, higher energy prices and massive job losses are the last thing American families need.” He said “The United States has the technological know how to create cleaner ways to power our economy. We can increase our use of nuclear power, produce more natural gas and find a cleaner way to use our most abundant natural resource, coal.” Lungren said his “constituents deserve better than this massive national energy tax,” and he said he would “continue to fight for a comprehensive energy solution that creates jobs, makes energy more affordable, helps clean up the environment, and ensures our energy independence.” He said he would “oppose any effort to impose a national energy tax on working families.” Congressman Dan Lungren serves as Ranking Member on the House Administration Committee in addition to serving on the Judiciary and Homeland Security committees. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – A fire broke out in a golf cart shed at Mace Meadow Golf Course & Country Club Tuesday night in Pioneer, damaging several golf carts. Fire and emergency personnel responded to a call around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday to Mace Meadow, at Highway 88 and Fairway Drive. When fire fighters arrived on the scene, the building was in flames and a wildland fire reportedly was eminent. A witness said quick action by firefighter crews from the Amador Fire Protection District and the California Department of Fire Protection prevented any spread to the wildland. The fire was contained to the cart shed in which dozens of golf carts were being stored. Several of the 56 golf carts were damaged. Once the flames were knocked down, firefighters had to remove all of the golf carts from the building to fully extinguish the fire. Firefighters were still investigating the cause of the fire, and no dollar value had been assessed of the damages resulting from the fire. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador Joint Water Committee on Monday heard an update on the Plymouth pipeline project and also discussed water supply options for developments. Two board members each from the Amador County Board of Supervisors and the Amador Water Agency Board of Directors nudged toward the revision and clarification of the “notice of availability letters” that the agency gives out, but which Engineering Manager Gene Mancebo said does not guarantee water. He said it comes at a “very speculative point in development, and for us, it’s not an issue.” But he admitted others may see the notice differently. Amador County Planner Susan Grijalva was concerned that some property owners in the Camanche area seemed to think the “notice of availability” was a guarantee, and she was concerned that the notice did not have an expiration date. Mancebo said the letter of availability explains the process. Grijalva suggested that the notice tell the holder to check in with the AWA periodically. Mancebo said a “will-serve letter” is the guarantee of water capacity, but it contains a “provision that says they must take service within 2 years.” District 1 Director Bill Condrashoff noted that the AWA board extended will-serve letters by 1 year recently, due to the economic climate. District 1 Supervisor John Plasse said it was important to note that a will-serve letter does not lock in rates. He said it is bad for development when AWA still cannot say what wastewater service rates will be in some areas. AWA’s John Griffin said the agency’s committed conditional will-serves included just under 7-10ths of a Million Gallons a Day for the city of Plymouth, through its water pipeline. Griffin said the AWA has committed 670,000 gallons a day to serve Plymouth, once the pipeline comes online. That could be early to late fall, Mancebo said. He reported the Plymouth Pipeline was a month ahead of schedule, on budget and with very few “change orders.” It is about 50 percent completed, including all of the pipeline of “Segment 6,” which has been installed between Amador City, north to the Plymouth treatment plant on Fiddletown Road. Mancebo said the agency was very happy with the work of Mountain Cascade, and AWA’s inspector on the project, Bob Valdez, has been seen as a good reason for the efficiency on the project. Mountain Cascade was working on the pipeline this week, south of Amador City. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Reports of an elderly man threatening his wife and son with a firearm resulted in an all-night standoff between Amador County SWAT teams in the Pioneer/Volcano area last Friday. An 82-year-old female victim reported at approximately 3:07 am that her husband, 88-year-old Samuel Jackson Cooper, Jr., had an argument with her 59-year-old son regarding yard work he had not performed. The Amador County Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls that were disconnected, but were able to establish that the emergency calls came from 23750 Shake Ridge Road in Pioneer. Cooper’s wife reported that the calls had been disconnected because Cooper had torn the line out of the wall. She reported that Cooper had pushed her when she intervened in the dispute, then obtained his .22 caliber revolver and threatened to “kill” both her and his step-son. As she and her son fled the residence, they reported hearing a single gun shot. After arriving on scene, Amador County Sheriff’s SWAT and Critical Incident Negotiations Teams established a perimeter when it became apparent that Cooper would not leave his residence. “Sheriff’s personnel used various techniques in an effort to make contact with Cooper and stimulate negotiations,” reports Undersheriff Jim Wegner. Cooper agreed to leave the residence and was taken into custody at 12:10 the next day. Due to age and medical condition, Cooper was transported to Sutter Amador for medical clearance prior to booking. He was charged with Battery upon a spouse; negligent discharge of a firearm; Criminal Threats; Dissuading a witness with force; and resisting a peace officer. Bail was set at $150,000.00. Amador County Sheriff’s Detectives subsequently executed an Amador County Superior Court Search Warrant at the residence for evidence of the crimes committed by Cooper. Several firearms were recovered, along with expended ammunition. Wegner said the California Highway Patrol, American Legion Ambulance and Lockwood Fire Department assisted the Amador County Sheriff’s Office with this incident. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Joint Water Committee heard a report Monday that the Amador Water Agency has backpedaled in its seeking a water and wastewater sub-element in the Amador County General Plan update. The joint committee’s Amador County supervisors heard an update of the AWA’s wishes, from Engineering & Planning Manager Gene Mancebo, who said a subcommittee of the board looked at all the draft General Plan’s public comments on water and wastewater. He said Amador County Planner Susan Grijalva gathered all of the notes, and gave them to the subcommittee, including AWA Chairman Terence Moore, Director Debbie Dunn (District 4), Mancebo and AWA staffer John Griffin. Grijalva said policies and goals related to water and wastewater came from various elements, including conservation, land-use and open space elements in the draft plan. She said a similar compilation of reference points can be given for businesses attempting to get general plan information on the county. She said the compilations “will be helpful to us as we evaluate applications.” She said they could those water and wastewater policy compilations as “hand-outs” at the planning department for businesses. Dunn, who was sitting on the Joint Water Committee in Moore’s absence, said that when Moore “heard people could come up and get all the information in one fell swoop,” he said “boy, let’s leave it where it is.” He was convinced to not pursue a separate water or wastewater element. Supervisor John Plasse asked about AWA’s wish to have a separate sub-element, with an offer of staff assistance to do that. AWA board Vice President Bill Condrashoff said “we pulled back completely from our sub-element.” Grijalva also asked that a Calaveras County draft water and wastewater element be marked to show changes made by the AWA subcommittee, including changing of words and adding of sentences. Dunn said it was decided that, rather than underlining all the changes they made, that they should give the county “a clear copy” of the document. Plasse said for the Supervisors and county planning commissioners, it would be best to have a redacted copy. Grijalva suggested strikethroughs, underlines and font changes to show the changes. Supervisor Chairman Ted Novelli said he would like to see someone attending the county General Plan update meetings who can speak to the panel on behalf of the Amador Water Agency. The Amador joint General Plan committee meets again July 8th. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.