Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $25,000 budget for the Amador Council of Tourism Sept. 27.

Funds were taken from the tourism and promotions budget line item. Supervisor Chairman John Plasse said ACT has done a great job, told Executive Director Maureen Funk: “I like the job you do.”

Supervisors Richard Forster said ACT was allocated $25,000 last year, and “the return of investment is good.” Funk said ACT appreciates the opportunity to apply for these funds. She said they have a marketing committee and “take very seriously” the use of the funds. She said the Amador Council of Tourism multiplies its county funding by six-and-three-quarters per dollar.

Supervisor Ted Novelli said he even sees Funk working at the grocery store, and he asked her how much she works. Funk said: “I work what it takes to get the job done. To be fair, when it’s slow, I do take time for myself.” She said ACT is “committed to keep that visitor’s center open seven days a week.” The Council and volunteers staff the new visitors center in the ACTC building on Sutter Hill.

Forster asked about the voluntary fee program. Funk said they are getting participation in the program, and by 2012 it will “make a difference to our bottom line.” Some businesses say they cannot give a dollar per night, and say they will give a certain amount per quarter.

Plasse said cities get the lion’s share of Transient Occupancy Tax, and asked how successful she has been approaching cities about funding. Funk said Plymouth will allow ACT to apply for funds. Jackson is considering it, and Ione has been supportive and told them to apply.

ACT director Lisa Bolton said Supervisors have “complete accountability of your investment.” She said she works with other agencies and is also on the Calaveras Council of Tourism and the California Travel & Tourism Commission.

Supervisor Brian Oneto said he was at the Regional Council of Rural Counties conference in Lake Tahoe the previous week, and while there, saw brochures on Black Chasm in Pine Grove. He said: “I like to get our name out there.”

Tracey Berkner, ACT President said in Amador County, tourism is one of the top five economic drivers, and agri-tourism is one of the top drivers. She said as a business owner, you look at return of investment, and our “return of investment is higher than Wall street in some cases.”

Funk said ACT is partner on an app, which had 7,500 downloads, and about 25 percent of those look at Amador County.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Buena Vista Rancheria of Me’Wuk Indians last month received a notice to proceed with building its casino, following denial of appeals on its wastewater plant permit, which could mean a November groundbreaking for the facility.

Buena Vista Me-Wuk Chairwoman Rhonda Morningstar Pope said last week of the ruling: “As of this moment, I am extremely delighted that Justice has prevailed!” Pope said: “I would also like to state that I am encouraged and pleased by the recent dismissal of Friends of Amador County lawsuit. Hopefully, this will send a message to those who continue to oppose and question our Tribe’s legal status.”

The tribe in a release early in September said it had received a notice to proceed with the casino construction, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9, saying the “EPA found that the Tribe has satisfied the conditions and its responsibilities” of a Memorandum of Agreement under the National Historic Preservation Act. The notice followed a Sept. 6 ruling by the EPA Appeals Board to deny appeals of a federal wastewater plant discharge permit issued to the tribe last year. The appeals were filed by Amador County, Glen Villa Junior, and Friends of Amador County.

Pope in the release on the tribe’s website said the “decision clearly demonstrates that the Tribe has continued to fulfill our obligations.” She said the “refusal to review the petitions reaffirms our right to move forward with this project on our tribal land.”

General tribal counsel Arnold Samuel said the appeals’ denial “is a great victory for the tribe in its continued effort at achieving its ultimate goal of tribal self-reliance and self-sufficiency.”

The EPA Appeals Board ruling noted that Amador County challenged the Region’s authority to issue the permit, saying the facility is mistakenly classified as Indian Country. The ruling found that the Region “properly issued the Permit because a class action settlement restored the original boundaries of the Buena Vista Rancheria and established that all land within the restored boundaries is declared ‘Indian country’.” The Region also cited a letter from the National Indian Gaming Commission declaring the Rancheria property “Indian lands.”

The ruling noted that Friends of Amador County’s comments on the discharge outfall area, receiving water and areas requiring erosion protection “were not raised during the public comment period,” so the group is precluded from raising the issues in an appeal.

The ruling said “Friends of Amador County has not established that these concerns were identified prior to the Region’s issuance of the Permit, and thus Friends of Amador County cannot demonstrate that the Board should review these issues.” The Region did respond to the comments, and the ruling noted that it would have clarified monitor locations but “would not have modified the permit terms.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 10-10-11 - Supervisor Brian Oneto sits down with Tom Slivick to discuss the agenda for the upcoming board of supervisors meeting.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 10-10-11

·       Buena Vista Me-Wuk tribe gets notice to proceed with casino, which could mean a November groundbreaking.

·       Supervisors approve $25,000 budget for Amador Council of Tourism.

·       Amador County, Cities approve vehicle abatement fee.

·       Tuolomne Economic Development Corporation restarts Junior Achievement program for youths.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 10-10-11

·       Buena Vista Me-Wuk tribe gets notice to proceed with casino, which could mean a November groundbreaking.

·       Supervisors approve $25,000 budget for Amador Council of Tourism.

·       Amador County, Cities approve vehicle abatement fee.

·       Tuolomne Economic Development Corporation restarts Junior Achievement program for youths.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 10-10-11 - Supervisor Brian Oneto sits down with Tom Slivick to discuss the agenda for the upcoming board of supervisors meeting.

Amador County – The Buena Vista Rancheria of Me’Wuk Indians last month received a notice to proceed with building its casino, following denial of appeals on its wastewater plant permit, which could mean a November groundbreaking for the facility.

Buena Vista Me-Wuk Chairwoman Rhonda Morningstar Pope said last week of the ruling: “As of this moment, I am extremely delighted that Justice has prevailed!” Pope said: “I would also like to state that I am encouraged and pleased by the recent dismissal of Friends of Amador County lawsuit. Hopefully, this will send a message to those who continue to oppose and question our Tribe’s legal status.”

The tribe in a release early in September said it had received a notice to proceed with the casino construction, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9, saying the “EPA found that the Tribe has satisfied the conditions and its responsibilities” of a Memorandum of Agreement under the National Historic Preservation Act. The notice followed a Sept. 6 ruling by the EPA Appeals Board to deny appeals of a federal wastewater plant discharge permit issued to the tribe last year. The appeals were filed by Amador County, Glen Villa Junior, and Friends of Amador County.

Pope in the release on the tribe’s website said the “decision clearly demonstrates that the Tribe has continued to fulfill our obligations.” She said the “refusal to review the petitions reaffirms our right to move forward with this project on our tribal land.”

General tribal counsel Arnold Samuel said the appeals’ denial “is a great victory for the tribe in its continued effort at achieving its ultimate goal of tribal self-reliance and self-sufficiency.”

The EPA Appeals Board ruling noted that Amador County challenged the Region’s authority to issue the permit, saying the facility is mistakenly classified as Indian Country. The ruling found that the Region “properly issued the Permit because a class action settlement restored the original boundaries of the Buena Vista Rancheria and established that all land within the restored boundaries is declared ‘Indian country’.” The Region also cited a letter from the National Indian Gaming Commission declaring the Rancheria property “Indian lands.”

The ruling noted that Friends of Amador County’s comments on the discharge outfall area, receiving water and areas requiring erosion protection “were not raised during the public comment period,” so the group is precluded from raising the issues in an appeal.

The ruling said “Friends of Amador County has not established that these concerns were identified prior to the Region’s issuance of the Permit, and thus Friends of Amador County cannot demonstrate that the Board should review these issues.” The Region did respond to the comments, and the ruling noted that it would have clarified monitor locations but “would not have modified the permit terms.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $25,000 budget for the Amador Council of Tourism Sept. 27.

Funds were taken from the tourism and promotions budget line item. Supervisor Chairman John Plasse said ACT has done a great job, told Executive Director Maureen Funk: “I like the job you do.”

Supervisors Richard Forster said ACT was allocated $25,000 last year, and “the return of investment is good.” Funk said ACT appreciates the opportunity to apply for these funds. She said they have a marketing committee and “take very seriously” the use of the funds. She said the Amador Council of Tourism multiplies its county funding by six-and-three-quarters per dollar.

Supervisor Ted Novelli said he even sees Funk working at the grocery store, and he asked her how much she works. Funk said: “I work what it takes to get the job done. To be fair, when it’s slow, I do take time for myself.” She said ACT is “committed to keep that visitor’s center open seven days a week.” The Council and volunteers staff the new visitors center in the ACTC building on Sutter Hill.

Forster asked about the voluntary fee program. Funk said they are getting participation in the program, and by 2012 it will “make a difference to our bottom line.” Some businesses say they cannot give a dollar per night, and say they will give a certain amount per quarter.

Plasse said cities get the lion’s share of Transient Occupancy Tax, and asked how successful she has been approaching cities about funding. Funk said Plymouth will allow ACT to apply for funds. Jackson is considering it, and Ione has been supportive and told them to apply.

ACT director Lisa Bolton said Supervisors have “complete accountability of your investment.” She said she works with other agencies and is also on the Calaveras Council of Tourism and the California Travel & Tourism Commission.

Supervisor Brian Oneto said he was at the Regional Council of Rural Counties conference in Lake Tahoe the previous week, and while there, saw brochures on Black Chasm in Pine Grove. He said: “I like to get our name out there.”

Tracey Berkner, ACT President said in Amador County, tourism is one of the top five economic drivers, and agri-tourism is one of the top drivers. She said as a business owner, you look at return of investment, and our “return of investment is higher than Wall street in some cases.”

Funk said ACT is partner on an app, which had 7,500 downloads, and about 25 percent of those look at Amador County.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.