Congressman Dan Lundgren will be holding the second of two town hall meetings in his home district, which includes Amador County. His website says he will be happy to field any questions constituents have and is encouraging citizens to attend.  The upcoming meeting will be held at the Galt City Council Chambers on February 4 between 7 and 8:30pm. Maps to these locations are located at the Congressman’s website, www.lungren.house.gov.

Today on TSPN news, our continuing look at what’s on the February 5th Presidential Primary Ballot. Yesterday we reviewed Propositions 91 and 92. Today’s topic, Proposition 93, concerns legislature term limits. Under the state's 1990 term limits law, legislators are limited to six years in the Assembly and eight years in the Senate. Proposition 93 would change this formula by reducing the total time legislators could serve from 14 years to 12 years. Furthermore, it would allow them to spend all of those 12 years in a single chamber.

Amador County is between a rock and a hard place on the matter of the proposed Buena Vista Rancheria Casino. Richard Forster, Chair of the Amador County Board of Supervisors announced yesterday that the county has reached a crossroad in its battle to keep the casino out of the county. Forster went on to say that the county has negotiated a proposed agreement with the tribe and wants to hear from county citizens on whether to approve the agreement or continue to fight the tribe in Federal court.

Icy conditions contributed to the downfall of a 1971 Volkswagon Beetle Monday night. A Pioneer man was driving eastbound on Hwy 88 west of Carson Drive at about 35 – 40 mph – according to the Highway Patrol report, too fast for the icy roadway. The driver lost control of his car and began sliding back and forth over both lanes. Ultimately, the VW Bug hit the ditch and rolled onto its side. The CHP report says the driver complained of pain to his shoulder and back – he was taken to SutterAmador Hospital for treatment. The Bug looks to have suffered moderate injuries as well.

Also at Monday night’s meeting, the Jackson City Council ruled to allocate zero Housing Equivalent Units - or HEUs - for this year. In other words, no new housing allocations for subdivision applicants in 2008. There were a number of factors considered in this decision, resulting in public debate that questioned whether or not all the proper steps had been taken to make an accurate decision. City Planner Susan Peters, speaking on behalf of the Planning Commission, recommended not allocating any more HEUs, based on the desire to see the impacts of already-approved projects, since none have been built and occupied to date.

The appearance in Northern California of an alien mussel, which multiplies so fast it chokes out native species, prompted the East Bay Municipal Utility District Thursday to ban some boats from its reservoirs. The restrictions will affect Pardee and Camanche Reservoirs; as well as the San Pablo, Lafayette, Chabot and Briones reservoirs in the East Bay. The ban prevents all boats from Southern California, San Benito County, Santa Clara County and any boat from outside California, from boating in any of the district's reservoirs. All other boats will be forced to undergo inspections before entering the water at lakes managed by the utility district, including Pardee and Camanche reservoirs.

Any questions about obtaining official and updated voting ballots in time for the election can be laid to rest. According to the Election Department, official ballots for the upcoming election have been reprinted at the cost of the vendor and will be waiting for voters at their precinct locations on Election Day. It was brought to the attention of Registrar Sheldon D. Johnson last week that Amador County is one of six counties with ballots bearing insufficient watermarks and tinting.

Jackson City Council will consider several key issues at tonight’s city council meeting. Last week the Jackson Planning Commission approved sending a recommendation that the City Council allocate zero Housing Equivalent Units for 2008 – in other words, no new housing allocations for subdivision applicants. The council may go along with the planning commission’s recommendation, or choose a different allocation number. New councilman Wayne Garibaldi will be sworn in tonight and the council will begin accepting applications for those interested in serving out Garibaldi’s vacated seat on the Jackson Planning Commission. Letters of interest will be accepted until Wednesday Feb 6, for selection at the February 11 City Council meeting. Looking at one of Jackson’s most pressing issues, the council will conduct a public hearing on a Sewer System Management Development Plan, and may take action on the plan. The agenda also includes reviewing Regional firefighting proposals, and completing appointments to the city’s Oro de Amador Property Planning Committee. Tonight’s city council meeting will start at 7 pm at Jackson City Hall.

Jackson’s new Economic Development Committee will hold its first meeting on Thursday. The committee was appointed by Jackson City Council to improve the economic viability of Jackson’s downtown areas. This first meeting will review a report of the Economic Development Workshop held earlier this month, establish goals and set up subcommittees for research between committee meetings. Thursday’s meeting will be held at 6 pm in Jackson City Hall.