Jackson - The Friends of the Amador County Library (FACL) pulled in profits and new members during their fall used book sale to benefit Amador County libraries. In total, approximately $1,784.10 was raised and the group recruited 26 new members. All proceeds, together with funds collected previously, will go towards the purchase of books and computer-related items on the 2009 “library wish list.” These include two early-literacy computer stations with software through children in kindergarten through fourth grade, a new computer for the children’s section, additional shelving for the adult non-fiction area and an $850 World Book Encyclopedia collection. The biggest challenge will be a new children’s section, describes as a “multi-year challenge.” The event took place at the American Legion Hall, who donated their space, along with assistance from the Pine Grove Youth Conservatory Camp and Altera Realty, who provided a truck. “We are very grateful to all our supporters for making this event possible,” said FACL President Susan Staggs in a monthly bulletin. One big supporter was Umpqua Bank, who donated and prepared hotdogs for FACL members at the event. Fall has so far been a big season for FACL. The group was designated by the Mother Lode Newcomers Club as one of two recipients for their annual philanthropy award. “It is quite an honor given the large number of worthy non-profits in Amador County,” said Staggs. The award includes an as yet unspecified donation, to be awarded in May 2010. It will further assist in purchasing items on the wish list. Another book sale is scheduled for May 14-16, 2010. Another upcoming event will be the “Tellabration” at the Main Library in Jackson on November 21 from 11 am until 2 pm. It is described as “a worldwide storytelling event.” For large donations of books, call Susan Staggs at 296-0940 or Helen Bierce at 267-0855. Visit www.co.amador.ca.us/depts/library for more information on library services and the Friends of Amador County Library group. A TSPN TV Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ione – The Ione City Council discussed planning grants totaling $70,000 to plan for fighting blight Tuesday, directing staff to work toward getting grants for a reclaimed water master plan and also work infrastructure work at Howard Park. City Manager Kim Kerr said the city could apply for 2 grants for “Planning and Technical Assistance” from the Community Development Block Grant program. The maximum for each grant is $35,000, and funds would have to be used for planning and technical work and must be directed at ending blight in the city. She said the program is “first come, first served,” and the city was a “week late last year and they ran out of money. We will be waiting at the door” this year. Kerr said: “Our goal is to have it all ready to go when their doors open.” The council discussed areas to address. Mayor Lee Ard wanted to improve “the older part of Ione.” Kerr said it can only be used to develop plans, and the council should identify how it can help the most people, “then we can go for a Community Development Block Grant,” after the plans are made. She said they can find out how they can enhance buildings, both inside and out. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham asked if they can use the grants for engineering, but she did not want to write plans that were not used. Planner Christopher Jordan said it may be possible. Bonham wanted to use a grants for planning development at Howard Park, and aim at long-term investment that gets the best bang for the buck. Councilman David Plank said it could include finding a location for a new play station, and long-range planning. Kerr said that would include looking for land, finding sewer and water service and seeing how to connect. Councilman Jim Ulm suggested planning for a reclaimed water system. Kerr said that could be used to write a “reclaimed water and wastewater master plan.” She said part of that would be to look at areas that use potable water for toilets and irrigation, and find where reclaimed water can be used instead. The council also listed a new police station, improving low-income housing and park planning facilities. They rated the reclaimed water and wastewater plan as the top priority. Kerr said it could especially help Howard Park, which irrigates with raw water. The applications will be prepared by Jordan and brought back to the city council later. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sacramento – A bill and amendments by Assemblywoman Alyson Huber failed to get support this week in her effort to put limits on a “Peripheral Canal” that would circumnavigate the Delta and take Northern California water to Southern California. Huber said she was “disheartened by the choice made by many” of her colleagues to ignore her “bill to ban a canal without a Legislative vote as part of the water package passed by the Legislature.” Huber said she “opposed the water package because it creates a new layer of bureaucrats who will make decisions on water that will impact the communities I represent, without allowing us to have a voice.” Huber opposed the bond, she said, “especially because of the billions (of dollars) in pork for (Los Angeles),” adding that “this dead of night pork giveaway is exactly why voters give us low marks.” The 10th District Assemblywoman said she “offered up a simple bill – one to require a full analysis of the peripheral canal and require legislative approval – a common sense approach. Unfortunately, my bill was killed without a hearing.” She said she “will be resubmitting this bill so it will have a full debate.” Huber said her bill, AB 13 7x, “would have prohibited the construction of a peripheral canal around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta without a full fiscal analysis and a vote of the state legislature.” She said the water package left “the path clear for the construction of a canal,” without analysis or local decision-makers’ input. She said her bill “was held hostage,” and killed by leadership to keep the package of water proposals from being broken apart. She said the water package was “negotiated behind closed doors, with Southern California water interests.” Huber said she “fought to move it to the floor so it could be debated but, despite the support of many from both sides of the aisle, my bill was held.” She said she “introduced amendments to alter the main water policy bill to include the terms for building a canal but again, they were killed before a vote was even taken.” She said she “will continue to fight for legislative oversight and fiscal analysis for a canal through other avenues.” Huber told members of the Amador County Business Council that if her alternative bill or amendments do not affect the water bill’s creation of a peripheral canal, then “we can undo it at the ballot box if need be.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – The Amador County Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 on Tuesday to approve a request to allow hauling outside the current Jackson Valley Quarry Use Permit limitations. According to a memo from Planner Nathan Lishman, this will allow the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) to “load and haul (using their private contractor) pre-processed/stockpiled material from the Jackson Valley Quarry on Saturdays from 6 am to 6 pm.” Material will be hauled to the American and Feather Rivers to be used in current Army Corp erosion control projects. The request was made by the USACE in order to complete these projects “in advance of winter salmon runs.” Jeff Welch of George Reed, Inc. represented his company in the discussion. He said the expansion shouldn’t have much additional impact. Lishman said the request “will not trigger the need for George Reed. Inc. to seek any additional exceptions to their Use Permit.” Supervisor Richard Forster, who represents District 2 in which the quarry is located, said he regularly receives complaints from residents who don’t like the truck traffic, noise and dust created by quarry operations. Forster was adamant about not allowing expanded work hours that could help contribute to “weekend traffic.” During public comment, Bill May thanked Forster for his position, saying “Jackson Valley residents feel they’re being dumped on.” In the past, residents who live adjacent to the quarry have complained of potholes in the roads, noise disturbances and flying debris. This is not the first request by George Reed, Inc. for an expansion of hours. In August of 2008, the board reluctantly approved emergency status in order to bypass CEQA requirements and expand quarry operations. The move was urged by Governor Schwarzenegger in order to help provide materials for the continuing construction and repair of the Sacramento Delta. According to quarry representatives, the emergency status would be ongoing depending on what provisions are needed in the ongoing repairs of Delta levies. Supervisor Ted Novelli said he was OK with the latest request, but said he understood Forster’s position because he “gets phone calls on this” from his constituents. The board approved the request 3-1, with Forster against. Extended haul days will take place from the time of approval through January 16, 2010. Supervisor John Plasse was absent from the meeting. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek City Council approved an unbalanced 2009-2010 budget amid criticism Monday, and also looked at grading plans for the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort. Ed Arata criticized the city for paying for 88 percent of city employees out of its sewer funds. And Dan Riordan asked why the city council would consider approving a budget with a $250,000 deficit, and why it is not balancing the budget. Mayor Gary Wooten said the city is in the process of balancing it, and “a lot of employees are no longer here.” He said “we don’t want to operate in a deficit and we’ve taken some drastic steps, personnel-wise,” which “will pay off in the long run.” Finance Director Jeff Gardner said the budget included “an extraordinary item,” a “1-time buyout of 2 employees,” for $105,000. Arata criticized the city council for borrowing from its General Fund, which he said has an $800,000 deficit. Mayor Pro Tem Tim Murphy said he would like to add to the resolution passing the budget the notation that the city is looking into contracting for services and “collaborating with other agencies” to save money. Councilman Pat Crosby said he opposed to the original budget, which had only minor changes, and he will “continue to vote ‘no’ on an unbalanced budget.” He opposed it in the 4-1 vote to approve the budget. In other Sutter Creek news, City Council Grading subcommittee members Crosby and Councilwoman Sandy Anderson recommended changes in grading, which were added to the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort specific plan. The changes, based on grading maps provided by Gold Rush, included a section on “land form grading,” and pointed out commercial grading areas, for the golf course and clubhouse. Crosby said: “I think we’ve made giant strides since we started a couple of weeks ago,” and “the developer should be commended.” Consultant Anders Hauge said the grading included for utilities, water and sewer, in limited areas of designated open space in the project. Anderson said both Planning Commissioners, Chairman Robin Peters and Frank Cunha agreed with suggestions, but said they “did not represent the commission.” Peters said the amendments added about 150 acres to the “general grading” category, which includes single-family detached residential areas. Anderson said: “If we approve this project, we want it to work.” Cunha said they “would like to have had those maps at the planning commission level.” Murphy said the committee did a great job. With a consensus, the council directed staff to make changes to the specific plan. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek City Council approved an unbalanced 2009-2010 budget amid criticism Monday, and also looked at grading plans for the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort. Ed Arata criticized the city for paying for 88 percent of city employees out of its sewer funds. And Dan Riordan asked why the city council would consider approving a budget with a $250,000 deficit, and why it is not balancing the budget. Mayor Gary Wooten said the city is in the process of balancing it, and “a lot of employees are no longer here.” He said “we don’t want to operate in a deficit and we’ve taken some drastic steps, personnel-wise,” which “will pay off in the long run.” Finance Director Jeff Gardner said the budget included “an extraordinary item,” a “1-time buyout of 2 employees,” for $105,000. Arata criticized the city council for borrowing from its General Fund, which he said has an $800,000 deficit. Mayor Pro Tem Tim Murphy said he would like to add to the resolution passing the budget the notation that the city is looking into contracting for services and “collaborating with other agencies” to save money. Councilman Pat Crosby said he opposed to the original budget, which had only minor changes, and he will “continue to vote ‘no’ on an unbalanced budget.” He opposed it in the 4-1 vote to approve the budget. In other Sutter Creek news, City Council Grading subcommittee members Crosby and Councilwoman Sandy Anderson recommended changes in grading, which were added to the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort specific plan. The changes, based on grading maps provided by Gold Rush, included a section on “land form grading,” and pointed out commercial grading areas, for the golf course and clubhouse. Crosby said: “I think we’ve made giant strides since we started a couple of weeks ago,” and “the developer should be commended.” Consultant Anders Hauge said the grading included for utilities, water and sewer, in limited areas of designated open space in the project. Anderson said both Planning Commissioners, Chairman Robin Peters and Frank Cunha agreed with suggestions, but said they “did not represent the commission.” Peters said the amendments added about 150 acres to the “general grading” category, which includes single-family detached residential areas. Anderson said: “If we approve this project, we want it to work.” Cunha said they “would like to have had those maps at the planning commission level.” Murphy said the committee did a great job. With a consensus, the council directed staff to make changes to the specific plan. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sacramento – A bill and amendments by Assemblywoman Alyson Huber failed to get support this week in her effort to put limits on a “Peripheral Canal” that would circumnavigate the Delta and take Northern California water to Southern California. Huber said she was “disheartened by the choice made by many” of her colleagues to ignore her “bill to ban a canal without a Legislative vote as part of the water package passed by the Legislature.” Huber said she “opposed the water package because it creates a new layer of bureaucrats who will make decisions on water that will impact the communities I represent, without allowing us to have a voice.” Huber opposed the bond, she said, “especially because of the billions (of dollars) in pork for (Los Angeles),” adding that “this dead of night pork giveaway is exactly why voters give us low marks.” The 10th District Assemblywoman said she “offered up a simple bill – one to require a full analysis of the peripheral canal and require legislative approval – a common sense approach. Unfortunately, my bill was killed without a hearing.” She said she “will be resubmitting this bill so it will have a full debate.” Huber said her bill, AB 13 7x, “would have prohibited the construction of a peripheral canal around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta without a full fiscal analysis and a vote of the state legislature.” She said the water package left “the path clear for the construction of a canal,” without analysis or local decision-makers’ input. She said her bill “was held hostage,” and killed by leadership to keep the package of water proposals from being broken apart. She said the water package was “negotiated behind closed doors, with Southern California water interests.” Huber said she “fought to move it to the floor so it could be debated but, despite the support of many from both sides of the aisle, my bill was held.” She said she “introduced amendments to alter the main water policy bill to include the terms for building a canal but again, they were killed before a vote was even taken.” She said she “will continue to fight for legislative oversight and fiscal analysis for a canal through other avenues.” Huber told members of the Amador County Business Council that if her alternative bill or amendments do not affect the water bill’s creation of a peripheral canal, then “we can undo it at the ballot box if need be.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – The Amador County Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 on Tuesday to approve a request to allow hauling outside the current Jackson Valley Quarry Use Permit limitations. According to a memo from Planner Nathan Lishman, this will allow the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) to “load and haul (using their private contractor) pre-processed/stockpiled material from the Jackson Valley Quarry on Saturdays from 6 am to 6 pm.” Material will be hauled to the American and Feather Rivers to be used in current Army Corp erosion control projects. The request was made by the USACE in order to complete these projects “in advance of winter salmon runs.” Jeff Welch of George Reed, Inc. represented his company in the discussion. He said the expansion shouldn’t have much additional impact. Lishman said the request “will not trigger the need for George Reed. Inc. to seek any additional exceptions to their Use Permit.” Supervisor Richard Forster, who represents District 2 in which the quarry is located, said he regularly receives complaints from residents who don’t like the truck traffic, noise and dust created by quarry operations. Forster was adamant about not allowing expanded work hours that could help contribute to “weekend traffic.” During public comment, Bill May thanked Forster for his position, saying “Jackson Valley residents feel they’re being dumped on.” In the past, residents who live adjacent to the quarry have complained of potholes in the roads, noise disturbances and flying debris. This is not the first request by George Reed, Inc. for an expansion of hours. In August of 2008, the board reluctantly approved emergency status in order to bypass CEQA requirements and expand quarry operations. The move was urged by Governor Schwarzenegger in order to help provide materials for the continuing construction and repair of the Sacramento Delta. According to quarry representatives, the emergency status would be ongoing depending on what provisions are needed in the ongoing repairs of Delta levies. Supervisor Ted Novelli said he was OK with the latest request, but said he understood Forster’s position because he “gets phone calls on this” from his constituents. The board approved the request 3-1, with Forster against. Extended haul days will take place from the time of approval through January 16, 2010. Supervisor John Plasse was absent from the meeting. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ione – The Ione City Council discussed planning grants totaling $70,000 to plan for fighting blight Tuesday, directing staff to work toward getting grants for a reclaimed water master plan and also work infrastructure work at Howard Park. City Manager Kim Kerr said the city could apply for 2 grants for “Planning and Technical Assistance” from the Community Development Block Grant program. The maximum for each grant is $35,000, and funds would have to be used for planning and technical work and must be directed at ending blight in the city. She said the program is “first come, first served,” and the city was a “week late last year and they ran out of money. We will be waiting at the door” this year. Kerr said: “Our goal is to have it all ready to go when their doors open.” The council discussed areas to address. Mayor Lee Ard wanted to improve “the older part of Ione.” Kerr said it can only be used to develop plans, and the council should identify how it can help the most people, “then we can go for a Community Development Block Grant,” after the plans are made. She said they can find out how they can enhance buildings, both inside and out. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham asked if they can use the grants for engineering, but she did not want to write plans that were not used. Planner Christopher Jordan said it may be possible. Bonham wanted to use a grants for planning development at Howard Park, and aim at long-term investment that gets the best bang for the buck. Councilman David Plank said it could include finding a location for a new play station, and long-range planning. Kerr said that would include looking for land, finding sewer and water service and seeing how to connect. Councilman Jim Ulm suggested planning for a reclaimed water system. Kerr said that could be used to write a “reclaimed water and wastewater master plan.” She said part of that would be to look at areas that use potable water for toilets and irrigation, and find where reclaimed water can be used instead. The council also listed a new police station, improving low-income housing and park planning facilities. They rated the reclaimed water and wastewater plan as the top priority. Kerr said it could especially help Howard Park, which irrigates with raw water. The applications will be prepared by Jordan and brought back to the city council later. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - The Amador County Board of Supervisors considered sending letters of support to prominent elected officials relative to the construction of a compressed natural gas (CNG) station, with the discussion tabled until the matter is addressed further by the Amador County Transportation Commission (ACTC). The proposed station would provide fuel for Amador Regional Transportation System (ARTS) vehicles and other potential future fleets. In a letter to the board, ARTS Transit Manager James Means said they are planning an expansion and possible purchase of the closed Ford auto complex and maintenance facility in Martell in order to convert it into a “regional service, maintenance and vocational education center.” Means said a local natural gas station will “position Amador County Transportation and ARTS as leaders in environmental responsibility and provide local impetus and infrastructure to support conversion of county, school district and other public fleets to clean, inexpensive CNG fuel.” Representing ARTS at Tuesday’s meeting was Media Relations Manager Terry Grillo, who said “funding for all this is going to have to come through the federal government one way or another.” He reiterated Means’ request to send letters to Assemblymember Alyson Huber, Senator Dave Cox and Congressman Dan Lungren to solicit support for the project. Supervisor Richard Forster disagreed with some of the wording in Means’ request, and called any implication that the county will consider buying the Ford facility a case of “putting the cart before the horse.” “I have not heard we are moving forward with the Ford facility because of the cost involved,” he said. Grillo said he will be happy to consult Means and redraft the request. Supervisor Brian Oneto was skeptical about the proposed purchase, saying, “I don’t know how big we want to see public transit get.” He said that expansion could potentially take money from roads funding. Forster said “county lobbyists will be the ones to make the in-roads immediately” in terms of acquiring funding and said a request for support should first be made to Senators Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein. County Administrative Officer Terri Daly said David French, Amador County’s Federal Lobbyist, will be coming later in the month to “hash this out” in a meeting with ARTS and ACTC. She suggested holding off on the letter. Supervisors agreed to table discussions until after that meeting takes place. “I would hate to confuse our state legislators about what our priorities are,” said Daly. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.