Plymouth – The Plymouth City Council last week shelved a discussion of a city “right to farm” ordinance, and heard of a staff plan to put together a volunteer board to assess applicants for a new city planner contract. The council had a brief discussion on the “right to farm” issue, before reaching a consensus to shelve it, with Councilman Mike O’Meara suggesting 6 months. Councilwoman Pat Fordyce said the issue “doesn’t need to be dealt with,” because of state and county law that the city can use. City Attorney Steven Rudolph said that county ordinances generally don’t apply to cities, but the “city can pass an ordinance saying that the county law applies.” But Rudolph said “it is not automatic.” Vice Mayor Greg Baldwin said: “I don’t want Big Brother in the city, and I don’t want Big Sister, either.” He said if it can be resolved a better way, while protecting the city, he would support it. City Manager Dixon Flynn said before the issue comes back to the council, he would like to take it to the planning commission. He said city administration is now interviewing planning firms for the City Planner position. He said he will form a panel with 2 city council members, 2 planning commissioners, 3 developers, and public invitees. Flynn plans a September 26th meeting of the 3-panel assessment board, with each panel separately interviewing 3 finalist firms in the City Planner search. Flynn said he would have the panels rank the firms first, second and third, and then he would “probably come back with that recommendation.” Flynn said Mayor Jon Colburn volunteered to be on the assessment board. Councilwoman Pat Shackleton agreed to be the second member, with Baldwin as alternate. Flynn said he wanted to invite Stephanie McNair, of Plymouth Rock Partners LLC, to be a developer member of the panel. The city has sent out a Request For Proposals (RFP) from planning firms, and the city’s latest contractor, Development Impact Incorporated of Elk Grove sent a letter August 24th to the city saying that the company would not be answering the request. Paula Daneluk of Development Impact said the company “decided that responding to this RFP is not the direction that our firm should go at this time.” The firm had been working for Plymouth for 3 years, including work on the city General Plan update from start to finish. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – The Board of Supervisors addressed the question of how to divvy up funding Tuesday between the Amador Council of Tourism (ACT) and the Amador Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau (ACVB). The heated discussion highlighted what some present perceived as longstanding tensions between the agencies. County Administrative Officer Terri Daly said there is a total budget of $28,109 allotted for funding and county promotion in the current fiscal year budget, $20,000 of which is strictly relative to ACT and ACVB. In past years, the two organizations had split a funding budget of up to $47,000, but the economic depression combined with the closure of major business sponsors like Prospect Motors has strained funding limits. The Supervisors were presented with the options of giving the entire $20,000 to one entity or another, adding additional money to the expenditure line, or choosing to fund neither organization. Each of the competing organizations was given the opportunity to present their case for funding. ACVB Executive Director Jacqueline Lucido said hers is “recognized as the leading agency in the county, the mothership.” She said “over 86 percent of business in this county is affected one way or another by tourism.” She said ACVB only “requires recognition” and the “necessary financial support”, but instead they have to “negotiate a handout.” In reference to methods of advertising, she has chosen not to run ads in the newspaper because “print media is the low man on the totem pole.” Maureen Funk of the Amador Council of Tourism said over 60 percent of her organization’s budget is used to promote tourism. “For every advertising dollar, we get a six time return on our investment,” she said. The two presenters were followed by a parade of audience members involved with various aspects of local tourism who voiced their support for one or both agencies. Jack Mitchell, Publisher of the local newspaper, followed Lucido’s earlier comment about print media by saying, “I’ve put funding towards (ACVB) and ACT as well…we need to fund both organizations.” Supervisor Plasse said these were “two agencies that have had a rather contentious relationship over the years.” Supervisor Richard Forster agreed with Plasse’s assessment and said “both organizations play a valuable role.” He said that while he thinks the Chamber is valuable, ACT is doing a great job of keeping up relationships with everyone in the community. He proposed funding ACT with $20,000 and taking $10,000 out of the contingency fund to give ACVB. This spurred Lucido to stand up and ask Forster to what contention he referred, to which Forster replied: “If you want me to air dirty laundry, I can.” After being further pushed by Lucido, Forster gave a specific example of his complaint by stating he does “not believe chamber employees should be talking to people at events and using swear words.” Supervisor Plasse recommended an additional $5000 be drawn from the contingency fund for each organization. “I am about the most fiscally conservative of anyone in the room…but I see the value from an economic standpoint and I see the value in trying to encourage tourism,” he said. Forster agreed to the amendment of additional funding. The board passed the motion unanimously. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – At the stoop of the Amador County Courthouse, eight bystanders witnessed the apparent final chapter of the Wicklow Way Subdivision when a noon Tuesday public auction drew no qualified bidders and ended with a $1.48 million sale to the beneficiary. Umpqua Bank settled a debt of $4.8 million on the property by reverting to a purchase of the property at a price of $1,484,942 and 62 cents, the listed opening bid of the sale. The 201.37-acre property was in arrears, under owner John Lemke, who had taken the property through Environmental hearings with the Amador County Planning Department and fought legal battles in county courts. The latest was a defeat – a finding by the Amador County Planning Commission to reject the housing and commercial development’s Environmental Impact Report. Lemke had vowed to appeal, but the property instead fell to a public sale. Independent auctioneer Velma Slaven commenced the proceeding on the front sidewalk of the Argonaut Lane county courthouse, as the air horn blast from downtown Jackson marked the coming of the noon hour. Slaven asked if there were any “qualified bidders,” present with a check made out in the amount of the opening bid of $1.484 million. She found no bidders were present, and Slaven opened the auction at the opening amount, asking for a higher bid, closing the auction shortly thereafter and announcing that the property was “sold to the beneficiary.” Among the 8 attendees was Jon Hopkins, director of the county General Services Administration, who said the beneficiary in the sale was Umpqua Bank. Attendees included Jill North; self-proclaimed development fighter Susan Bragstad; Sally Trestrail; and Rebecca Brown; who said they had never attended a public auction before. County Tax Collector Mike Ryan also attended. Slaven said “the indebtedness of the property was $4,833,000, and it went for significantly less, due to economic reasons, I’m assuming.” She said they don’t tell her why they put a bid in at whatever rate. She said she works independently, with no contact from the owner or the beneficiary. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek Woman’s Club marks “100 years of service to the community” with “old fashioned refreshments and ambiance of days gone by” Saturday in Sutter Creek. Guest speakers and state, county and city politicians will be represented to recognize the 100-year-old “improvement club.” The club was established in 1909 with the original purpose to improve the cemetery, schoolyard, streets and general beauty of the town. Over the years, the club expanded its purpose to include social, educational, civic and philanthropic endeavors in Amador County. The club marks its official 100th year in existence on Friday, September 18, 2009. Georgia Fox, former Amador Museum curator, is club historian and program chairwoman. Fox said Bob Richards, born and raised in Sutter Creek, “will be speaking and telling a few fun stories of Sutter Creek.” His mother, Helen Richards was a member of the Sutter Creek Woman’s Club for 28 years before she passed away. Fox said former Amador County Archivist Larry Cenotto will tell the history of Sutter Creek. There is a fashion show, and models wearing fashions from eras of 1910 to 2009. For Saturday, Fox made programs with photos of the 18 past club presidents, including current SCWC President Sue Henner. Also Saturday, the club will give achievement awards for the longest memberships. Fox said West Point resident Dorothy Burnett is in her 90s and has been in the club 35 years. Burnett, will get an achievement award, as will Eunice Haslam, a 31-year member. Other long time members are Helen Potter, a 29-year member, and Fox, who has been in the club 28 years. She said: “Other than that, they are almost all new people” – as in having joined in the last 10 years or so. Fox said the group now has 40 to 45 members and can have up to about 50, and is seeking new member. The Sutter Creek Woman’s Club “100 Years of Service to the Community” social is 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, September 19th at the Sutter Creek Community Building, 33 Church Street. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – Amador County Animal Control and A-PAL representatives gained Supervisor approval Tuesday for an open house intended to help alleviate the growing number of adoptable cats under their care. General Services Association Director Jon Hopkins told the board there are 95 cats that currently need homes. Along with Susan Manning of the Feed Barn and Animal Control Director John Vail, Hopkins requested the board approve an open house where cats will be available for adoption at reduced fees. “In the last year we received 97 more cats and kittens than the same time the previous year,” said Vail. “The reason to reduce the adoption fee is to increase the draw and to get some of those animals into homes rather than potential euthanization,” he added. He said there were nine adopted animals at a similar open house last year held in conjunction with an event at the airport. Manning said the majority of attendees will likely “just want to see the animals.” Vail said there are currently close to 200 cats and kittens in A-PAL foster homes, a lot for a community this size. Supervisor Brian Oneto asked if they would also reduce the adoption fees on dogs. Manning said that finding homes for dogs hasn’t really been a problem. Vail also noted that picking up cats is exempted in the county ordinance and any cats they acquire are brought in. Supervisor Richard Forster asked why they had only recommended to reduce adoption fees by 50 percent. Hopkins said “we still want people who are responsible to adopt the pets.” Forster proposed a $20 reduced fee for cats and a $42 fee for dogs. Supervisor John Plasse felt that by reducing fees for only cats it would encourage more cat adoptions, but Forster compared it to a business model, saying it is better “the more product you can move.” The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the open house for Saturday, October 10 at 12340 Airport Road in Martell. It will include both cats and dogs. The adoption fee was set based on Forster’s proposal. A second open house will also occur at a to-be-determined date. 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 opened its review of Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort plans and environmental documents Tuesday with a Planning Commission report, and a presentation from project principal, Bill Bunce. 4 hours later, Mayor Gary Wooten opened up the public hearing and took comments from some of the dozens in attendance. After 5 hours, the meeting was continued to 6 p.m. today. Planning Commission Chairman Robin Peters gave an overview of what the commission had done in recommending the project’s specific plan, with sticking points that it recommended for changes, and that were contested by the developer. Bunce and Gold Rush sought different ways to handle issues, which will have to be worked out by the council and the applicant, in the “conditions of approval” and “development agreement.” Peters said in General Plan consistency work, it was easiest to modify the specific plan to fit the city’s document. Peters said the commission’s last meeting included comments from Gold Rush that the commission went through, line by line, changing some, ignoring others for the council to settle. Peters said changes the commission recommended to the city General Plan were mostly “housekeeping,” largely clearing up related maps, and they “were not amendments made in Gold Rush’s favor.” Peters said they did not know if the traffic impacts were fully evaluated, and that fair share evaluators could help do that. Bunce said the areas of disagreement with the commission should in no way mean the developer does not see the commission’s perspective. He called up support in his presentation, from partner, Troy Claveran, who said from the beginning, this was a project to help build a golf course and help Amador Regional Sanitation Authority and the city solve wastewater problems. Claveran said the city and ARSA combined in the Gold Rush Ranch project, putting in $700,000 total, and gold Rush put in $2.5 million, toward the gold course. Claveran said “I’ve always believed this will be a quality project to help Sutter Creek.” The public hearing resumes 6 p.m. today in the auditorium. Staff will answer some questions raised and answer some written comments. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – Pioneer resident Kerry Lynn Cook, 45, was sentenced to state prison Tuesday for 16 years and 4 months after violations of probation for a previous conviction of vehicular manslaughter, according to a release from Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe. The initial incident took place on April 28, 2004. According to reports from the California Highway Patrol, Cook, then 39, was travelling westbound on Highway 88 when she collided head-on with a vehicle driven by Amador school teacher Suzette Arnese. It was later discovered that Cook had drifted into oncoming traffic while under the influence of prescription medications. Cook, who suffered a fractured leg, was flown via air ambulance to the University of California, Davis, Medical Center and subsequently listed in fair condition. Her five-year-old daughter was also in the vehicle and survived the crash. Arnese, who died shortly after the crash, was popular and well-known throughout the community. She taught English at Jackson Junior High school for 26 years. After pleading guilty, Cook was sentenced to 13 years and 8 months in state prison, but her sentence was suspended and she served only a year in county jail and was placed on probation. Cook was arrested again on June 18, 2009 in Sonora for suspicion of possession of a controlled substance. She again pled guilty, this time for the transportation of a controlled substance and felony DUI, as well as admitting to a prior strike under California’s Three Strikes law. Amador’s Probation Department filed a revocation of Cook’s probation and Cook admitted in court that she had once again violated the law. According to Riebe, Chief Deputy District Attorney Melinda Aiello told Amador County Superior Court Judge Susan Harlan on Wednesday that Cook had “blown her opportunity to change her criminal behavior and, to protect the public…requested that Judge Harlan lift the suspension and sentence Cook to the maximum sentence allowed. Riebe said Cook sat “impassively with her attorney.” Arnese’s twin sister read a poem written by Arnese and reminded the court of the “positive impact that her sister had in shaping the lives of so many people.” Judge Harlan said the only good thing resulting from this matter was that Cook will be taken off the streets for a long time. Harlan lifted the original prison sentence suspension and re-sentenced Cook on her convictions in Sonora, resulting in 16 years and 4 months in prison. Cook must serve 85 percent of that sentence before she is eligible for parole. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The unofficial tally topped $90,000 Wednesday as volunteers continue to count the proceeds from last weekend’s Camp Out for Cancer. The totals were tallied and the 6th Annual Amador County Camp Out for Cancer did an amazing thing, said event Chairwoman Ginger Rolf. She said more than “$90,000 were raised, in our little, tiny community, even during these tough economic times, and the donations are still coming in.” She said “people in Amador County, believe in Amador (Support Transportation and Resource Services) and in serving our local cancer patients on their cancer journey.” She said together, we can make a difference in the life of a cancer patient and their family.” She thanked Amador County “for believing in local funds for local cancer patients. Rolf and the volunteers saw a cloudy start to the event Saturday, when wind gusts blew a few small tents away from their camp sites. Rolf opened the festivities with a $20,000 check that she gave to Dr. Vincent Caggiano of the Sutter Cancer Research Center. Rolf said the $20,000 donation is the percentage from the previous two Camp Outs, and it was donated to research. She said the $90,000 counted as of Wednesday was money raised from just this year’s volunteer work. 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 opened its review of Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort plans and environmental documents Tuesday with a Planning Commission report, and a presentation from project principal, Bill Bunce. 4 hours later, Mayor Gary Wooten opened up the public hearing and took comments from some of the dozens in attendance. After 5 hours, the meeting was continued to 6 p.m. today. Planning Commission Chairman Robin Peters gave an overview of what the commission had done in recommending the project’s specific plan, with sticking points that it recommended for changes, and that were contested by the developer. Bunce and Gold Rush sought different ways to handle issues, which will have to be worked out by the council and the applicant, in the “conditions of approval” and “development agreement.” Peters said in General Plan consistency work, it was easiest to modify the specific plan to fit the city’s document. Peters said the commission’s last meeting included comments from Gold Rush that the commission went through, line by line, changing some, ignoring others for the council to settle. Peters said changes the commission recommended to the city General Plan were mostly “housekeeping,” largely clearing up related maps, and they “were not amendments made in Gold Rush’s favor.” Peters said they did not know if the traffic impacts were fully evaluated, and that fair share evaluators could help do that. Bunce said the areas of disagreement with the commission should in no way mean the developer does not see the commission’s perspective. He called up support in his presentation, from partner, Troy Claveran, who said from the beginning, this was a project to help build a golf course and help Amador Regional Sanitation Authority and the city solve wastewater problems. Claveran said the city and ARSA combined in the Gold Rush Ranch project, putting in $700,000 total, and gold Rush put in $2.5 million, toward the gold course. Claveran said “I’ve always believed this will be a quality project to help Sutter Creek.” The public hearing resumes 6 p.m. today in the auditorium. Staff will answer some questions raised and answer some written comments. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – Amador County Animal Control and A-PAL representatives gained Supervisor approval Tuesday for an open house intended to help alleviate the growing number of adoptable cats under their care. General Services Association Director Jon Hopkins told the board there are 95 cats that currently need homes. Along with Susan Manning of the Feed Barn and Animal Control Director John Vail, Hopkins requested the board approve an open house where cats will be available for adoption at reduced fees. “In the last year we received 97 more cats and kittens than the same time the previous year,” said Vail. “The reason to reduce the adoption fee is to increase the draw and to get some of those animals into homes rather than potential euthanization,” he added. He said there were nine adopted animals at a similar open house last year held in conjunction with an event at the airport. Manning said the majority of attendees will likely “just want to see the animals.” Vail said there are currently close to 200 cats and kittens in A-PAL foster homes, a lot for a community this size. Supervisor Brian Oneto asked if they would also reduce the adoption fees on dogs. Manning said that finding homes for dogs hasn’t really been a problem. Vail also noted that picking up cats is exempted in the county ordinance and any cats they acquire are brought in. Supervisor Richard Forster asked why they had only recommended to reduce adoption fees by 50 percent. Hopkins said “we still want people who are responsible to adopt the pets.” Forster proposed a $20 reduced fee for cats and a $42 fee for dogs. Supervisor John Plasse felt that by reducing fees for only cats it would encourage more cat adoptions, but Forster compared it to a business model, saying it is better “the more product you can move.” The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the open house for Saturday, October 10 at 12340 Airport Road in Martell. It will include both cats and dogs. The adoption fee was set based on Forster’s proposal. A second open house will also occur at a to-be-determined date. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.