Stockton – Juvenile offenders at the N.A. Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility in Stockton have donated $5,193 earned behind bars to Amador County’s witness and victim assistance center. Three other counties- San Joaquin, Tuolumne and Mendocino- will receive equal donations. According to Bill Sessa, state prison system spokesman, that amounts to 15 percent of the wages earned by those working for private companies inside the San Joaquin County youth prison system. The money is extracted from workers paid minimum wage and is given to charities. The Merit Corporation, a firm that recycles electronics, and Earthwise Recycling, which turns outdated baked goods into animal feed, both employ teenagers inside Chaderjian. Sessa said what makes this decision unique is that those locked up voted to give the money to groups that help crime victims and witnesses. Amador County’s Sheriff Department and Department of Emergency Services both thanked the boys and girls for their donation. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - Amador County Transportation Commission Transportation Planner Neil Peacock outlined traffic demands and recruited members for a Stakeholder Roundtable during the second of four Regional Transportation Plan Update meetings last Thursday in Jackson. The public outreach series is designed to inform the public about the agency’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), a long-term blueprint designed to anticipate “future levels of traffic congestion” and “address the county’s transportation system.” Peacock said the update is important because “we are an auto-dependent society” and “we are obligated to accommodate our fair share of new residents.” He said the plan is “somewhat analogous to a city or county plan.” Project goals include forecasting future development, determining community acceptance of improvements and impacts, investigating alternatives and innovative “best practices” to reduce transportation impacts, and planning “infrastructure needed to serve future growth, avoid congestion, and protect Amador’s rural quality-of-life.” Jackson resident Kathy Dubois questioned why the commission doesn’t “map where people go and then work from there.” This question was reiterated by Maureen Funk of the Amador Council of Tourism. Peacock said that was exactly the kind of thinking they wanted from participants in the Stakeholder Roundtable and encouraged both women to join. Peacock said they have a Regional Traffic Model that addresses just that issue, and “can tell us in several detailed columns where people go.” One Jackson resident asked if there is a cost benefit for “innovative planning and reduced transportation impacts” by planners employed to help craft the RTP. Peacock said “yes, if they could provide documentation, it reduces their fees and adds incentives down the road.” ACTC Director Charles Field and Peacock also touted the Circulation Mapping Exercise (CMX) as an invaluable tool in helping to visualize and project future traffic demands. Field said “a city or county may not even be reading the EIR and understanding (traffic projections)…so we made a picture of it - that’s what the CMX is.” Peacock said “we are mandated to update the plan every five years.” If you are interested in learning more about the Stakeholder Roundtable, or more about the RTP, contact ACTC’s Neil Peacock at 267-2282 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The third meeting in the series of “stakeholder roundtables” is 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 27th at the Pine Grove Town Hall. The fourth meeting is 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 28th at Ione City Hall. Peacock said it is “ACTC's primary responsibility to implement and regularly update the (regional transportation plan) in order to plan, prioritize, and fund transportation improvements of regional significance.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Plymouth – The Plymouth City Council last week authorized the advertisement for bids for improvement projects for its wastewater treatment plant and collection system, with several weeks expected to pass before that happens. Consultant Richard Prima told the city council he was confident that the city can maintain an aggressive schedule of work to be done to meet the deadline for a grant award of January 29, 2010. Prima said he asked for the approval of going out for bids last week because the council only has one regular meeting next month, on November 12th. Vice Mayor Greg Baldwin said for $2.25 million, the city council should be willing to work on a holiday or at least schedule a special meeting, if the need arises. Plymouth has qualified for a grant for its sewer system improvement, in the amount of $2.25 million. Prima said last Thursday that the deadlines and paperwork to qualify for the project, included a “report of waste discharge,” which was “being handled” and was due last Friday, along with a “sludge plan.” The city must remove sludge from some ponds in its sewer plant system, at its own expense. The job will be advertised by November 3rd or 10th. Prima said the bid package must be succinct because the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act grant allows changes, and “any change orders will be done on our own nickel.” A collection system pre-bid meeting is November 30th, and a wastewater treatment plant pre-bid walk-through is December 1st. The city council will open the bids December 15th. The award package must be submitted by December 31st, and if approved, the council has 2 regular January meetings in January to award the contracts. He said the projects should lift a wastewater system cease and desist order that dates back to 2005. The plant, located about two miles west of the city, treats, stores and disposes of up to 170,000 gallons a day of wastewater, and was issued a cease and desist order January 27th, 2005. After failing to submit certain technical reports in June of that year, the city paid a $20,000 fine. The city requested that $10,000 of its fine stay in Amador County, and it went to pay for a restoration project by the city of Sutter Creek, which repaired the stream banks of Sutter Creek, at Lions Park. The fine was paid in full by August of 2005. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel has reluctantly cancelled this year’s kids Christmas Pageant. The pageant, featuring performances by local youth, has become a holiday tradition in the area. Unfortunately the Grand Oak Ballroom, where the pageant has been held in recent years, is currently unavailable due to renovations at the hotel. After exploring other options within the community, it has been decided to cancel this year’s show. “We will definitely be back next year,” said Ron Olivero, Vice President of Marketing. “We know the community looks forward to this event and we’re sorry to disappoint the kids, but the Tribe is committed to continuing the tradition, so watch for the Pageant’s return next year.” The free Holiday Hay Rides will continue as usual. The Hay Rides feature a festive ride around the extraordinarily decorated Rancheria (over two million lights) followed by a visit with Santa for the kids and refreshments for everyone. This year the rides will be offered Monday through Thursday, December 7-17, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. beginning and ending at the Jackson Rancheria Fire Department on Dalton Road at the Public Safety Building. Dress warm and bring your camera for this great family photo opportunity. The Rancheria will also be collecting toys for the annual Jackson Rancheria - Amador Sheriff’s Office Christmas Toy Drive. Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel is located at 12222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson, CA 95642. For more information, call 800-822-WINN or visit JacksonCasino.com. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Plymouth – The Plymouth City Council hired a part-time community development director last week, as it prepares for the approaching end to a long-time building moratorium in the city, with its end as close as 10 months away. The council voted 3-1 to hire Barry Siebe as a 3-day-a-week community development director, for an annual salary of $85,000. Flynn prepared the job description for Siebe, who “will be responsible for planning; code enforcement and building inspections within the city.” He said Siebe has experience in both, working at Hughson, and for Pacific Municipal Consultants. Flynn said a “major planning effort was completed with adoption of the city’s general plan in August,” and a number of changes “remain to ensure the city may accommodate future development,” including the housing element, and zoning. Councilwoman Pat Fordyce voted against the hiring on the grounds that she thought City Manager Dixon Flynn should be responsible for hiring city employees. Flynn said the city has completed building its water pipeline that will link it to the Amador Water Agency system, to deliver treated water. The city only awaits permits from the California Department of Health to begin water delivery. Flynn said “we do have concern about the permits,” and staff estimated it may take 30-60 days. The city’s has a $2.25 million grant to improve its wastewater system and plant, which will lift a 2005 cease & desist order on the city barring new development. Flynn said the sewer projects should be completed by August 2010. Mayor Jon Colburn said he wanted the city to revive a Capital Improvement Projects list, for water and sewer rates. Flynn said the list needs to be updated. The city council last Thursday emerged from closed session with no announcement about discussions on the Arroyo Ditch. Flynn earlier in the meeting said the negotiation committee has had extensive discussion on the ditch, and city attorney Steven Rudolph would brief the council. Flynn said “We are close to the agreement.” Colburn said Councilwoman “Pat Shackleton has been involved in the Arroyo Ditch discussion and has been very helpful.” Shackleton said: “It sounds encouraging anyway, finally.” Flynn said the city is working with the Shenandoah Management Company to “market the city’s water on a short term basis.” He said the objective of the agreement is to reduce water and sewer bills for current Plymouth residents. Other goals are to improve water and sewer infrastructure and make other fixes, based on funding. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Plymouth – The Plymouth City Council hired a part-time community development director last week, as it prepares for the approaching end to a long-time building moratorium in the city, with its end as close as 10 months away. The council voted 3-1 to hire Barry Siebe as a 3-day-a-week community development director, for an annual salary of $85,000. Flynn prepared the job description for Siebe, who “will be responsible for planning; code enforcement and building inspections within the city.” He said Siebe has experience in both, working at Hughson, and for Pacific Municipal Consultants. Flynn said a “major planning effort was completed with adoption of the city’s general plan in August,” and a number of changes “remain to ensure the city may accommodate future development,” including the housing element, and zoning. Councilwoman Pat Fordyce voted against the hiring on the grounds that she thought City Manager Dixon Flynn should be responsible for hiring city employees. Flynn said the city has completed building its water pipeline that will link it to the Amador Water Agency system, to deliver treated water. The city only awaits permits from the California Department of Health to begin water delivery. Flynn said “we do have concern about the permits,” and staff estimated it may take 30-60 days. The city’s has a $2.25 million grant to improve its wastewater system and plant, which will lift a 2005 cease & desist order on the city barring new development. Flynn said the sewer projects should be completed by August 2010. Mayor Jon Colburn said he wanted the city to revive a Capital Improvement Projects list, for water and sewer rates. Flynn said the list needs to be updated. The city council last Thursday emerged from closed session with no announcement about discussions on the Arroyo Ditch. Flynn earlier in the meeting said the negotiation committee has had extensive discussion on the ditch, and city attorney Steven Rudolph would brief the council. Flynn said “We are close to the agreement.” Colburn said Councilwoman “Pat Shackleton has been involved in the Arroyo Ditch discussion and has been very helpful.” Shackleton said: “It sounds encouraging anyway, finally.” Flynn said the city is working with the Shenandoah Management Company to “market the city’s water on a short term basis.” He said the objective of the agreement is to reduce water and sewer bills for current Plymouth residents. Other goals are to improve water and sewer infrastructure and make other fixes, based on funding. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - Amador County Transportation Commission Transportation Planner Neil Peacock outlined traffic demands and recruited members for a Stakeholder Roundtable during the second of four Regional Transportation Plan Update meetings last Thursday in Jackson. The public outreach series is designed to inform the public about the agency’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), a long-term blueprint designed to anticipate “future levels of traffic congestion” and “address the county’s transportation system.” Peacock said the update is important because “we are an auto-dependent society” and “we are obligated to accommodate our fair share of new residents.” He said the plan is “somewhat analogous to a city or county plan.” Project goals include forecasting future development, determining community acceptance of improvements and impacts, investigating alternatives and innovative “best practices” to reduce transportation impacts, and planning “infrastructure needed to serve future growth, avoid congestion, and protect Amador’s rural quality-of-life.” Jackson resident Kathy Dubois questioned why the commission doesn’t “map where people go and then work from there.” This question was reiterated by Maureen Funk of the Amador Council of Tourism. Peacock said that was exactly the kind of thinking they wanted from participants in the Stakeholder Roundtable and encouraged both women to join. Peacock said they have a Regional Traffic Model that addresses just that issue, and “can tell us in several detailed columns where people go.” One Jackson resident asked if there is a cost benefit for “innovative planning and reduced transportation impacts” by planners employed to help craft the RTP. Peacock said “yes, if they could provide documentation, it reduces their fees and adds incentives down the road.” ACTC Director Charles Field and Peacock also touted the Circulation Mapping Exercise (CMX) as an invaluable tool in helping to visualize and project future traffic demands. Field said “a city or county may not even be reading the EIR and understanding (traffic projections)…so we made a picture of it - that’s what the CMX is.” Peacock said “we are mandated to update the plan every five years.” If you are interested in learning more about the Stakeholder Roundtable, or more about the RTP, contact ACTC’s Neil Peacock at 267-2282 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The third meeting in the series of “stakeholder roundtables” is 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 27th at the Pine Grove Town Hall. The fourth meeting is 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 28th at Ione City Hall. Peacock said it is “ACTC's primary responsibility to implement and regularly update the (regional transportation plan) in order to plan, prioritize, and fund transportation improvements of regional significance.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Plymouth – The Plymouth City Council last week authorized the advertisement for bids for improvement projects for its wastewater treatment plant and collection system, with several weeks expected to pass before that happens. Consultant Richard Prima told the city council he was confident that the city can maintain an aggressive schedule of work to be done to meet the deadline for a grant award of January 29, 2010. Prima said he asked for the approval of going out for bids last week because the council only has one regular meeting next month, on November 12th. Vice Mayor Greg Baldwin said for $2.25 million, the city council should be willing to work on a holiday or at least schedule a special meeting, if the need arises. Plymouth has qualified for a grant for its sewer system improvement, in the amount of $2.25 million. Prima said last Thursday that the deadlines and paperwork to qualify for the project, included a “report of waste discharge,” which was “being handled” and was due last Friday, along with a “sludge plan.” The city must remove sludge from some ponds in its sewer plant system, at its own expense. The job will be advertised by November 3rd or 10th. Prima said the bid package must be succinct because the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act grant allows changes, and “any change orders will be done on our own nickel.” A collection system pre-bid meeting is November 30th, and a wastewater treatment plant pre-bid walk-through is December 1st. The city council will open the bids December 15th. The award package must be submitted by December 31st, and if approved, the council has 2 regular January meetings in January to award the contracts. He said the projects should lift a wastewater system cease and desist order that dates back to 2005. The plant, located about two miles west of the city, treats, stores and disposes of up to 170,000 gallons a day of wastewater, and was issued a cease and desist order January 27th, 2005. After failing to submit certain technical reports in June of that year, the city paid a $20,000 fine. The city requested that $10,000 of its fine stay in Amador County, and it went to pay for a restoration project by the city of Sutter Creek, which repaired the stream banks of Sutter Creek, at Lions Park. The fine was paid in full by August of 2005. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel has reluctantly cancelled this year’s kids Christmas Pageant. The pageant, featuring performances by local youth, has become a holiday tradition in the area. Unfortunately the Grand Oak Ballroom, where the pageant has been held in recent years, is currently unavailable due to renovations at the hotel. After exploring other options within the community, it has been decided to cancel this year’s show. “We will definitely be back next year,” said Ron Olivero, Vice President of Marketing. “We know the community looks forward to this event and we’re sorry to disappoint the kids, but the Tribe is committed to continuing the tradition, so watch for the Pageant’s return next year.” The free Holiday Hay Rides will continue as usual. The Hay Rides feature a festive ride around the extraordinarily decorated Rancheria (over two million lights) followed by a visit with Santa for the kids and refreshments for everyone. This year the rides will be offered Monday through Thursday, December 7-17, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. beginning and ending at the Jackson Rancheria Fire Department on Dalton Road at the Public Safety Building. Dress warm and bring your camera for this great family photo opportunity. The Rancheria will also be collecting toys for the annual Jackson Rancheria - Amador Sheriff’s Office Christmas Toy Drive. Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel is located at 12222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson, CA 95642. For more information, call 800-822-WINN or visit JacksonCasino.com. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - The Amador County Transportation Committee on Wednesday heard an update on the Sutter Hill Transit Center, the foundation of which was to be poured Thursday. Matthew Boyer, Director of Funding and Program Management for Dokken Engineering, said many aspects of the project are “ready to go,” but sought approval for the pursuit of additional grant funding and various Notices of Acceptance that would allow Wolin & Sons, Inc. to go ahead with aspects of construction, and to ensure legal time frames for guarantees and a lien period. Specific to grant funding, Boyer sought authorization to “submit a grant application to Caltrans in the amount of $49,927 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Transportation Enhancement funds for the Sutter Hill Transit Center Phase V project.” The Transit Center is a project proposed by the Amador Regional Transit System, or ARTS, in conjunction with the Amador County Transportation Commission. It will be constructed near the intersection of Bowers Road and Valley View Way and will eventually. Included in the original project components are a transportation center building that will house the ACTC offices, a 1.2 acre plot of land to be dedicated to the city as a public park, and a 50-75 space park-n-ride lot with a solar electric shade structure. The original cost estimate for the project was approximately $2.5 million, but with the increasing costs for all things associated with construction, modifications were necessary. Boyer said project funding has so far come from “a casserole of different funding sources.” ACTC recently received an additional $48,000 grant from the State of California’s Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation grant program for additional landscaping at the site. ACTC Executive Director Charles Field said that the necessary funds needed for phase 1 of the project were not fully raised and are “in process.” The contract for phase 1 of the project was initially approved on October 22. All requests by Boyer were approved. Phase 1 of the project is expected to be completed in late October. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.