Amador County - And remember, Amador Regional Transit System offers bus rides to the Kirkwood Mountain Resort, departing at 6:45 a.m. from the ARTS terminal on Airport Road in Martell. Additional pickup points will be: the nearly completed Sutter Creek Transit Center on Valley View Dr. at 6:50 a.m.; Busi Parking Lot at Mel and Faye's at 7 a.m.; Pine Cone Drug Store in Pine Grove at 7:15 a.m.; and, IGA Grocery Store in Buckhorn at 7:30 a.m. Arrival at Kirkwood is scheduled for 8:35 a.m. The returning bus will leave Kirkwood at 4 p.m. Round-trip bus fare is $10. Reservations are highly recommended and may be made through the Amador County Recreation Agency at 223-6373. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador Water Agency closed the book on 2009 with approval of a study to look at tiered water rates in the Amador Water System, which they say would encouraged conservation and base rates more on actual use. The board approved a $34,950 study by regular AWA consultant Bob Reed and The Reed Group to “as part of a regular periodic financial plan and water rate study.” Reed look at the Amador Water System see how tiered water rates could help the AWA “meet water conservation goals.” A tiered water rate schedule is one of the state’s mandated “best management practices” that “gives a financial incentive for the biggest water users to cut back,” AWA Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said in a release last week. The “study will also consider the option” of “agricultural rates” for current raw water customers if a treated water pipeline replaces the Amador Canal. The study also may look at the “impact of consolidating the 60-customer La Mel Heights water system into the AWS.” Reed “will make study recommendations at a board workshop to be scheduled in February, 2010,” Mancebo said. The last financial plan and water rate study for the Amador Water System was prepared in 2007. District 5 Director Terence Moore said after the meeting December 10th that the AWS study “may lead to a rate increase or adjustment.” He said the tiered rates will look at conservation rates based on water usage. Currently, the AWA has a “service charge,” then has a “commodity rate” based on what the customer uses. Moore said the service charge is too high, and people can greatly reduce their water usage and still not see much of a change in what they pay. The study would “look at substantially lowering the service charge and raising usage rates,” then as a customer, if people “don’t use as much water,” they can have a way of reducing their bills. Moore said more emphasis in billing on usage is already in place in the Central Amador Water Project district, and in the Camanche groundwater system. He said if the AWA board does implement that type of system in the Amador Water System, they must have the study by Reed to support it.” Also in its last meeting of 2009, the AWA set a public information session in the Upcountry regarding the Gravity Supply Line, and proposed improvements in the Central Amador Water Project. The meeting is 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 6th, at the AWA office on Ridge Road. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - El Dorado Irrigation District is cautioning winter-time visitors to take care if they venture onto the ice at Echo, Silver, and Caples lakes. The district’s winter drawdown schedule at the lakes is in effect, which means that water levels under the ice will fluctuate. This can cause potentially dangerous conditions. “What may look and feel like a solid surface often is not,” said EID director of operations Tom McKinney. “People who choose to walk, skate, and ski on the ice or to cut holes for fishing should be aware that they are taking a risk. The safest thing to do is avoid recreation on these frozen lakes.” The three lakes, along with Lake Aloha in Desolation Wilderness Area, are part of the high-Sierra water supply system that provides drinking water for EID customers and also for energy production at the district’s 21-megawatt powerhouse. All four of the lakes are popular recreation destinations throughout the year. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Plymouth City Council earlier this month released a federal loan house to escrow on staff recommendation, and the city likely will lose about $125,000 in future revolving home-buyer loan funds. In a staff report December 10th, City Finance Director Jeff Gardner said the home owned by Jaime and Laura Lozano “has gone into foreclosure and a short sale is pending with the bank.” The “city is in second position on the property” and the home “originally sold at $250,000 and now is valued at $140,000,” and is owned by the bank. Vice Mayor Greg Baldwin said “the sickest thing is, you can’t build a house for that price now.” Mayor Jon Colburn said a friend of “bought a house in River Pines for $39,000” and “that’s less than our impact fees” in the city of Plymouth. Gardner said the reduction in value effectively eliminated “the city’s share of equity in the property,” under the Housing and Urban Development funding program. HUD’s “settlement statement” included $3,000 “as a payoff to the city to sign off on the loan.” He said it could result in the loss of grant money for future revolving loans, with no “immediate” fiscal impact, but a “long term loss of $125,415 in revolving loan funds.” On Gardner’s recommended, the city council voted 5-0 to acknowledge the foreclosure and short sale and direct staff to send a letter of release to the escrow company. Lilly Greathouse, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Sutter Creek, in a November e-mail to Gardner said the release letter would allow Bank of America to pay the $3,000 sign-off funds to Plymouth. The Lozanos wrote a letter asking for a short sale on their home, at 18904 Wheeler Way in Plymouth. They said it was their first home and they were not able to make payments due to the cost of gasoline and health insurance, and Jaime Lozano’s mother is very ill and needs financial help. The council discussed city water and sewer fees in relation to the cost of building the Plymouth Pipeline. Gardner said consultant Bob Reed would have the new numbers and costs “dialed in” once they “have the final numbers” in construction costs. Baldwin said they will reevaluate rates then. Maria Nunez Simon said the already rising bills in the city have caused a decrease in the value of her home from $345,000 to $165,000. Baldwin disagreed, saying: “I just built by house for $375,000, at least, plus 2,000 hours of my labor,” and it has fallen to $250,000, “at least.” Baldwin said: “Our heart is here as well as yours.” Agreeing, Councilwoman Patricia Shackleton said: “We pay bills too.” Baldwin said: “We’re going to do the utmost to bring the rates down.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Two young philanthropists are heading up their second fundraiser for the Interfaith Food Bank. Last Saturday, Jackson residents Hannah Williams, age 8, and Arianna Madrigal, age 9, set up a mistletoe sale on the corner of HWY 49 and 88 in Jackson at the Amador County Properties real estate office. Last August, the girls came up with the idea of having a lemonade stand to help support both the Interfaith Food Bank and the Amador County Animal Shelter. In total, they raised $75 for the Food Bank and $36 were raised for the Animal Shelter. This year, the girls are hoping to raise at least $500. On day one of their mission they raised over $225. Once that is accomplished, they plan to double the money through Raley’s Food for Families program, resulting in $1000 to the food bank. They are planning a second day of mistletoe sales on Wednesday, December 23, from 10-5 at Amador County Properties. The holiday decorated mistletoe is $3 per bagged bundle. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Battalion 20 helped dozens of local families with Christmas dinner donations Friday at Plymouth City Hall Friday, helped by members of the Lodge Hill Committee and area businesses and politicians. Organizer and firefighter Brian Thornton, of Plymouth, and his wife Misty and daughters helped hand out turkeys to families, each coming with fixings, including fruit, vegetables and potatoes. Families were also treated to sandwiches, vegetable trays, deserts and refreshments. Amador High School students helped with food and refreshments, with Lodge Hill Committee members, including Barbara Nichols, Maria Nunez Simon, and Raymond Estey. Youngsters stood in line to sit on Santa’s lap, and each was given a gift-wrapped, age-appropriate present. Some opened their toys and played on the big tables filling the Plymouth City Council chambers, which was decorated for Christmas last week by City Clerk Gloria Stoddard and staff. Thornton said the turkey dinners and toys for children were given to invited members of the community, because they could not openly advertise the program, due to the limited number of meals they had. Local developers and politicians contributed, including Plymouth Rock LLC and local partner, Stephanie McNair of Cottage Noll. Simon told the Plymouth City Council earlier this month that Tony Zeider of Plymouth Rock was going to cover any turkey costs not covered by donations. She said Pastor Cruz Fragoza of Plymouth Pentecostal Church of God gave $100, and City Finance Director Jeff Gardner handed Simon some cash, saying that more would follow. Thornton said the Ione Band of Miwok Indians also donated, as did Bob Reeder of Reeder Sutherland, of the Zinfandel and Shenandoah Ridge development projects in and around Plymouth. District 5 Supervisor Brian Oneto contributed $200 from his district discretionary fund. Oneto attended Friday night and sat eating with a volunteer of Battalion 20, a branch of the Amador Fire Protection District, with stations in Fiddletown and Plymouth. Oneto said he arrived late because he was playing doctor for one of his cows, sick with pneumonia. As the stack of frozen turkeys near the back of City Hall grew lower, the uniformed volunteer firemen in attendance scrambled toward their trucks when a “tone out” – or call to duty – was sounded on the dispatch radio, leaving the Lodge Hill Committee to finish up the dinner. Firefighters and donors distributed about 70 full dinner packages. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Battalion 20 helped dozens of local families with Christmas dinner donations Friday at Plymouth City Hall Friday, helped by members of the Lodge Hill Committee and area businesses and politicians. Organizer and firefighter Brian Thornton, of Plymouth, and his wife Misty and daughters helped hand out turkeys to families, each coming with fixings, including fruit, vegetables and potatoes. Families were also treated to sandwiches, vegetable trays, deserts and refreshments. Amador High School students helped with food and refreshments, with Lodge Hill Committee members, including Barbara Nichols, Maria Nunez Simon, and Raymond Estey. Youngsters stood in line to sit on Santa’s lap, and each was given a gift-wrapped, age-appropriate present. Some opened their toys and played on the big tables filling the Plymouth City Council chambers, which was decorated for Christmas last week by City Clerk Gloria Stoddard and staff. Thornton said the turkey dinners and toys for children were given to invited members of the community, because they could not openly advertise the program, due to the limited number of meals they had. Local developers and politicians contributed, including Plymouth Rock LLC and local partner, Stephanie McNair of Cottage Noll. Simon told the Plymouth City Council earlier this month that Tony Zeider of Plymouth Rock was going to cover any turkey costs not covered by donations. She said Pastor Cruz Fragoza of Plymouth Pentecostal Church of God gave $100, and City Finance Director Jeff Gardner handed Simon some cash, saying that more would follow. Thornton said the Ione Band of Miwok Indians also donated, as did Bob Reeder of Reeder Sutherland, of the Zinfandel and Shenandoah Ridge development projects in and around Plymouth. District 5 Supervisor Brian Oneto contributed $200 from his district discretionary fund. Oneto attended Friday night and sat eating with a volunteer of Battalion 20, a branch of the Amador Fire Protection District, with stations in Fiddletown and Plymouth. Oneto said he arrived late because he was playing doctor for one of his cows, sick with pneumonia. As the stack of frozen turkeys near the back of City Hall grew lower, the uniformed volunteer firemen in attendance scrambled toward their trucks when a “tone out” – or call to duty – was sounded on the dispatch radio, leaving the Lodge Hill Committee to finish up the dinner. Firefighters and donors distributed about 70 full dinner packages. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Two young philanthropists are heading up their second fundraiser for the Interfaith Food Bank. Last Saturday, Jackson residents Hannah Williams, age 8, and Arianna Madrigal, age 9, set up a mistletoe sale on the corner of HWY 49 and 88 in Jackson at the Amador County Properties real estate office. Last August, the girls came up with the idea of having a lemonade stand to help support both the Interfaith Food Bank and the Amador County Animal Shelter. In total, they raised $75 for the Food Bank and $36 were raised for the Animal Shelter. This year, the girls are hoping to raise at least $500. On day one of their mission they raised over $225. Once that is accomplished, they plan to double the money through Raley’s Food for Families program, resulting in $1000 to the food bank. They are planning a second day of mistletoe sales on Wednesday, December 23, from 10-5 at Amador County Properties. The holiday decorated mistletoe is $3 per bagged bundle. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Plymouth City Council earlier this month released a federal loan house to escrow on staff recommendation, and the city likely will lose about $125,000 in future revolving home-buyer loan funds. In a staff report December 10th, City Finance Director Jeff Gardner said the home owned by Jaime and Laura Lozano “has gone into foreclosure and a short sale is pending with the bank.” The “city is in second position on the property” and the home “originally sold at $250,000 and now is valued at $140,000,” and is owned by the bank. Vice Mayor Greg Baldwin said “the sickest thing is, you can’t build a house for that price now.” Mayor Jon Colburn said a friend of “bought a house in River Pines for $39,000” and “that’s less than our impact fees” in the city of Plymouth. Gardner said the reduction in value effectively eliminated “the city’s share of equity in the property,” under the Housing and Urban Development funding program. HUD’s “settlement statement” included $3,000 “as a payoff to the city to sign off on the loan.” He said it could result in the loss of grant money for future revolving loans, with no “immediate” fiscal impact, but a “long term loss of $125,415 in revolving loan funds.” On Gardner’s recommended, the city council voted 5-0 to acknowledge the foreclosure and short sale and direct staff to send a letter of release to the escrow company. Lilly Greathouse, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Sutter Creek, in a November e-mail to Gardner said the release letter would allow Bank of America to pay the $3,000 sign-off funds to Plymouth. The Lozanos wrote a letter asking for a short sale on their home, at 18904 Wheeler Way in Plymouth. They said it was their first home and they were not able to make payments due to the cost of gasoline and health insurance, and Jaime Lozano’s mother is very ill and needs financial help. The council discussed city water and sewer fees in relation to the cost of building the Plymouth Pipeline. Gardner said consultant Bob Reed would have the new numbers and costs “dialed in” once they “have the final numbers” in construction costs. Baldwin said they will reevaluate rates then. Maria Nunez Simon said the already rising bills in the city have caused a decrease in the value of her home from $345,000 to $165,000. Baldwin disagreed, saying: “I just built by house for $375,000, at least, plus 2,000 hours of my labor,” and it has fallen to $250,000, “at least.” Baldwin said: “Our heart is here as well as yours.” Agreeing, Councilwoman Patricia Shackleton said: “We pay bills too.” Baldwin said: “We’re going to do the utmost to bring the rates down.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador Water Agency closed the book on 2009 with approval of a study to look at tiered water rates in the Amador Water System, which they say would encouraged conservation and base rates more on actual use. The board approved a $34,950 study by regular AWA consultant Bob Reed and The Reed Group to “as part of a regular periodic financial plan and water rate study.” Reed look at the Amador Water System see how tiered water rates could help the AWA “meet water conservation goals.” A tiered water rate schedule is one of the state’s mandated “best management practices” that “gives a financial incentive for the biggest water users to cut back,” AWA Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said in a release last week. The “study will also consider the option” of “agricultural rates” for current raw water customers if a treated water pipeline replaces the Amador Canal. The study also may look at the “impact of consolidating the 60-customer La Mel Heights water system into the AWS.” Reed “will make study recommendations at a board workshop to be scheduled in February, 2010,” Mancebo said. The last financial plan and water rate study for the Amador Water System was prepared in 2007. District 5 Director Terence Moore said after the meeting December 10th that the AWS study “may lead to a rate increase or adjustment.” He said the tiered rates will look at conservation rates based on water usage. Currently, the AWA has a “service charge,” then has a “commodity rate” based on what the customer uses. Moore said the service charge is too high, and people can greatly reduce their water usage and still not see much of a change in what they pay. The study would “look at substantially lowering the service charge and raising usage rates,” then as a customer, if people “don’t use as much water,” they can have a way of reducing their bills. Moore said more emphasis in billing on usage is already in place in the Central Amador Water Project district, and in the Camanche groundwater system. He said if the AWA board does implement that type of system in the Amador Water System, they must have the study by Reed to support it.” Also in its last meeting of 2009, the AWA set a public information session in the Upcountry regarding the Gravity Supply Line, and proposed improvements in the Central Amador Water Project. The meeting is 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 6th, at the AWA office on Ridge Road. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.