Amador County – A bank robbery suspect was arrested Wednesday by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department, and reportedly implicated himself in an Amador County bank robbery.

Phillip Dale Selfa of Stockton was arrested in Stockton and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail, which confirmed that he is facing charges of first degree robbery, making a false bomb report, and sending a false bomb. He was booked on an open warrant on May 18 and his first court date was set for 1:30 p.m. today at the Stockton Courthouse.

Selfa reportedly was linked by DNA to a bank robbery and also implicated himself in an Amador County bank robbery, according to a report Thursday by the Lodi News-Sentinel. Amador County Undersheriff Jim Wegner said Thursday that he would release details next week “as they relate to our case.”

In late January, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office said a suspect from a mid-January bank robbery in Stockton could be linked to the Dec. 27, 2010 robbery of the Bank of Stockton in Pine Grove, in Amador County.

The suspect was in custody in San Joaquin County for the robbery of a bank in Lockeford, but reportedly was released for lack of evidence.

The Amador Sheriff’s Office in January said the “method used by the suspect in the robbery of the Bank of the West in Lockeford was strikingly similar to the method used by the suspect in the robbery of the Bank of Stockton in Pine Grove, including actions and/or facts withheld … to protect the integrity of the investigation.”

The Pine Grove Bank was robbed “by a white male suspect, carrying a bag, which he said contained explosives.” Images of the robber were captured by surveillance video, and tips identified nine people of interest related to the Pine Grove Bank robbery. Detectives interviewed all nine people, “and collected voluntary DNA samples from five.”

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Amador County – The Plymouth City Council last week discussed the city’s Arroyo Ditch water supply and discussed seeking a flat-rate monthly fee to help pay for continued operation of the ditch.

City Manager Jeff Gardner said it takes about $5,000 a year to operate the ditch, which was inspected by Gardner, Vice Mayor Jon Colburn and city staff went on a 7-mile hike of the ditch last week. Gardner said he took 280 photographs on the hike, during which maintenance workers and city officials did not find the damage they expected on the ditch, after the strong rainy season. He said there were no blowouts. Gardner said during the rainy season, water turnouts on every creek and tributary from the Arroyo Ditch were opened, and the water still crested in the ditch as it ran through town.

The Amador County Fair and the 49er Village mobile home facility have requested raw water service from the city, via the Arroyo Ditch, for the summer. In a report to the council, Gardner said he spoke with Fair CEO Troy Bowers, who “is very concerned that the Fair Grounds be properly landscaped and in prime condition in light of the budget cuts from the state and their need to attract new capital to keep the operations running.”

Gardner asked both Bowers and 49er Village owner Chuck Hayes if they “would be willing to pay in advance the amount we billed last year for Arroyo Ditch water.” He told the council that its budget has “$5,000 in funds earmarked for the Arroyo Ditch.”

He said the Arroyo Ditch is a “significant asset” for Plymouth and “maintaining the ditch and utilizing it on an annual basis is critical to maintaining the water rights for the city.” He said the water rights “potentially are worth millions of dollars.”

He recommended the Council direct staff to develop and implement a plan to run the Arroyo Ditch for the summer using “budgeted expenditures and any anticipated revenues.” The “fiscal impact will be limited to the revenues collected and the amount budgeted for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.”

In e-mail to Gardner May 5, Hayes said to “get a man in the field now, I would be receptive to making a 50% payment with future payments on the balance contingent on water delivery through the summer.” His needs are different than the fair, as the 49er Village needs water to flow up to mid-October.

Bowers in an e-mail May 4 said they planned to empty their tank starting that day, “with the hope that we can fill it up one more time. There is some urgency though. If ever we needed a green, successful Fair, this is the year.” The fair faces a state cut of 25% of its operating budget next fiscal year.

Gardner said after last Thursday’s meeting that Mayor Jon Colburn will speak with Hayes about the fees.

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Amador County – Amador Farmers’ Market will celebrate its 18th season this year when it opens its first branch Market Sunday in Jackson with a “Mediterranean flair.”

Michelle Grondin, Market Manager said the Amador Farmers’ Market’s 2011 season begins Sunday in Jackson by welcoming special guests with a “Mediterranean Flair,” including Vino Noceto of Shenandoah Valley, which will be pouring tastes of their famous Italian-varietal wines and selling their estate olive oil. Richard Calhoun will discuss and sign his book, “California Olives, Olive Oils, and Vinegars.” There will be olive oil tasting, and Andrae’s Bakery artisan bread will be for sale.

Gardening customers can purchase “a myriad of herb and vegetable plants to start their own Mediterranean-style kitchen garden,” Grondin said.

For the kids, there will be ceramic painting, and children can glaze a ceramic tile, which will be fired and can be picked up the following Sunday. Harry Jordan will provide the music for opening day, to get the season off to a festive start.

The Jackson market is open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Busi Municipal parking lot, behind Mel and Faye’s Diner.

Children’s activities come to the market with returning vendors Dewey Turner and Zella Redus of Five Brothers Farm, who have scheduled weekly activities for children at the Jackson and Pine Grove markets this year. Turner and Redus “will be supplying the materials and the instruction, so the kids can just show up and create a project to either take home that day or pick up the next week,” Grondin said.

The schedule in Jackson so far is Ceramic Painting May 22 & 29, with Paper Making on June 5; and Card & Envelope Making on June 12.

The Market Association Board of Directors held a meeting to welcome two new directors Robert Renfro Senior, and Mary Culver, both residents of Sutter Creek. Grondin said “Renfro is a farmer who joined the market last season, and Culver is a long-time customer who was named to the board to represent customer views.” The Board of Directors meeting included discussion of localized market opening dates and this year’s special events.

Other localized opening dates for Farmers’ Markets follow later in the season in Sutter Creek, Pine Grove and Plymouth. Dates are Saturday, June 11 in Sutter Creek; Wednesday, June 15 in Pine Grove; and Thursday, August 4 in Plymouth. Grondin said “opening days with any luck will signal the start of spring for our area.”

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Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-20-11 - TSPN's Kam Merzlak speaks with Job Stauffer about the upcoming Gold Cartridge Video Game Art Show in Sonora.

Amador County – The Amador Water Agency last week approved a tentative internal reorganization of the agency, but also said that rate increases are needed and will be forthcoming.

General Manager Gene Mancebo said the savings will be realized over three years, including $232,000 the first year, $428,000 the second, and $450,000 the third, for $1.1 million in overall reductions.

The reorganization would eliminate a human resources technician position and create a human resources and risk position from the human resources coordinator position.

An information systems manager position would be eliminated, Mancebo said, and the duties would either be distributed to other employees in the agency, or handled by contract.

Mancebo said the plan also called for elimination of the finance manager position, with finance duties taken over by the controller. The position of customer service manager would be taken over by an Office Manager, who would oversee the controller, accountants and customer service reps.

Three departments of construction, operations and engineering, each now headed by managers, would be consolidated into one department, under a Field Operations Manager, with two administrative assistants. Six divisions under separate leaders, include the largest division, under the Canal and Distribution Supervisor, who would oversee 5 distribution, 2 utility, 1 construction and 1 inspection technicians.

There would also be a Construction Foreman over utility techs, and a Supervising Engineer, over an assistant engineer and a tech. A Water Production Supervisor would oversee three operators, a Wastewater Supervisor would have three operators, and an Installation and Electrical Supervisor would oversee two techs.

Mancebo recommended approval, due to the current economy, the “lack of rate increases in some systems during the past five years, increased operation costs and the overall agency financial condition.” The agency identified a $750,000 shortfall, which it discussed two weeks ago, when four of the five members voted 4-0 to approve the draft reorganization plan, and have the board’s specially assigned Ad Hoc Committee look it over, along with comments from the public and employees.

Past AWA President Bill Condrashoff last week said a change in makeup of the Ad Hoc Committee may be a violation of the Brown Act, and they should be leery of actions that the committee takes. Director Paul Molinelli replaced Director Robert Manassero on the Ad Hoc Committee because Manassero was on vacation last week. Molinelli said it may be questionable, but it “doesn’t change the numbers.”

AWA President Don Cooper was aware of the vacation plans, which was why he called the special meeting two weeks ago. Cooper said “this is a critical element for out budget to move forward.”

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Amador County – The presence of an Amador Sheriff’s K9 led to the arrest early this month of a parolee at large surrendering in Camanche.

The Amador County Sheriff’s Office reported that the arrest occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, when the “Sheriff's Office received information that Robert James Ramsey, 31, of Ione was possibly seen near the residence at 4081 Zumi Court in the community of Camanche.”

The Sheriff’s officer report said “Ramsey was wanted by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for being a Parolee at Large. Ramsey was also wanted on active Amador Superior Court arrest warrant” for violations of inflicting “a traumatic injury upon a spouse or cohabitant” and for “battery of a spouse.” ACSO said the bail was set at $50,000 on the Amador warrant and the Corrections warrant was “no bail.”

The report said “Amador County Sheriff's Deputies assisted by Amador County Probation Officers responded to the residence. Upon arrival, Ramsey was observed running from the front of the residence toward the rear bedrooms.”

The “presence of perimeter units kept Ramsey from exiting the residence” and “deputies entered and conducted a search,” the Sheriff’s report said. “During the search it was determined that Ramsey had barricaded himself in the attic. Ramsey was given numerous orders to surrender and exit the attic,” and “refused to surrender. Upon the arrival of an Amador County Sheriff's Canine, Ramsey was advised that the canine would be deployed into the attic via a crawl space. Ramsey immediately surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.”

The report said “Ramsey was processed into the Amador County Jail on the active Amador Superior Court Warrant and CDCR Parole hold.”

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Amador County – The Jackson Business and Community Association will host its first annual Mother Lode Cruise antique car show Saturday in historic downtown Jackson, with music, food, vendors and lots of great cars.

Set up starts at 8 a.m. and the car show starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. Awards will be presented in different classes and categories, and the show is open to all cars that were issued in 1975 and older. There is a limit of 200 cars. Pre-registration is $20, and registration at the gate is $25. The Mother Lode Cruise will give dash plaques and goody bags to the entrants.

The Mother Lode Cruise is sponsored by the Jackson Business & Community Association, the Jackson Rancheria and AAA Insurance, and the show is hosted by the Mother Lode Cruisers. The Jackson Rotary Club will be hosting its margarita bar during the Mother Lode Cruise Car Show.

Entries may include cars or motorcycles. Organizers said parking will start at 8 a.m. and spaces are given on a first come, first served basis. There will be no parking allowed on Main Street before 8 a.m. Entry will be at Main Street and Broadway only. Motorcycles will park on Upper Level parking at the Jackson City Hall.

For information, contact Walt Hoeser at (209) 223-2026.

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Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors took action on three Williamson Act contracted lands in the county last week, keeping the designation in place, but pointing out that they should discuss the program, and its lack of state support.

Supervisor Richard Forster said they are still using the Williamson Act language, but the state is not continuing the program, so the county must decide if it wants to continue with Williamson Act contracts. Supervisor Ted Novelli agreed they should discuss it in the future, and Board Chairman, Supervisor John Plasse said “the demise is imminent” for the Act.

Supervisors approved line adjustments for the Bamert family on Cook Road; Renwood Vineyards on Votaw Road; and Ruth Crain’s property on Courier Road. County Planner Heather Anderson said the Renwood change would make several acres of vineyards on parcels of 75 and 85 acres, with cattle grazing also on both. She said the project would need easements for a well and roads to maintain viability. Plasse asked about the size of easements, and Anderson said specifics would not be known until the parcels were mapped.

The Crain property was OK’d for 20 acres of vineyard on a 92-acre parcel, and made a 99-acre parcel already grazing cattle. Both would graze cattle. Anderson said the intensive use of the property meets requirements of county code. She said they will be looking at grafting in an orchard, or planting new trees, so they can start to make income from the property. The applicant requested a 5-year extension of the contract, which allows the land, under the Williamson Act, to have its property tax assessed based on its actual use, rather than its potential market value.

Novelli said: “If something goes wrong with the trees, would they come back and tell us?” Forster said the applicant should “come back with a few sentences” if they need an extension.

Supervisor Louis Boitano said they “need a discussion on the entirety of the issue, including non-conforming uses of Williamson Act land.” He said: “I just think annual reporting is the way to go.”

Plasse said: “This is for the rehabilitation of a walnut orchard.” Anderson said the “trees just aren’t producing like they used to.” Boitano said the trees “have a life span,” and they “could take out the trees and replant.”

Supervisors all agreed to the 5-year extension of the contract, a term Forster said they have given in the past.

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Amador County – The Ione City Council for the second time in recent months has approved a reworking of a request for bids on a city work project, this time to rebid the replacement of sewer pipelines under Preston Avenue.

City Engineer John Wanger told the council at its May 3rd meeting that bidders are required to have insurance and to also have that insurance be provided by an admitted carrier in the state of California. He said they opened the bids April 12. However, the apparent low bidder, Casadores Construction, was not qualified to be covered by such California insurance carriers because he “has been licensed for less than a year.”

Wanger said the engineer’s estimate of the project was $116,000, and Casadores’ low bid was $104,983. The high bid was $188,000 from Wunschel & Sons Incorporated, and also bidding was GroundWorks Construction Incorporated.

The other bids seemed to over-estimate the cost of encountering potentially contaminated soil, between Shakely Lane and the Creek, Wanger said. The soil there was contaminated by a Chevron fuel tank leak several years ago, Wanger said, but the site was cleaned and the case was closed. He said if contaminated soils are found by excavation, several things would occur. First they would take the soil to store at the city corporate yard, then test it to see if it needs to be specially disposed.

He said the companies “threw a significant amount of money at that line item” for fuel contamination. Wanger recommended they reject all of the bids, and do a minor change in bid requirements regarding the soil issue, to instruct bidders to use an industry schedule to set costs. Wanger said then they could re-advertise the project and go out for bids again.

Mayor David Plank asked if Chevron could be asked to pay for remediation and hauling off soil, if more contamination was found. Wanger said Chevron would be responsible for paying such costs. He said they could also get funds from the state’s “underground tank fund.”

The council voted 5-0 to follow Wanger’s suggestion to reject the bids, and prepare for a rebid, with an amendment by Councilman Daniel Epperson to notice Chevron about the project and the potential issue.

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Amador County – Amador County Assessor Jim Rooney released property assessment reduction information in early May, saying that over the past year, property values apparently “have continued to decline, resulting in further reductions in assessments for many of Amador County property owners.”

Properties that may be more directly affected are ones that “had a change in ownership (by purchase) or had new construction as far back as about 2002,” Rooney said, but “if a property owner feels that the fair market value for their property is less than the current assessed value, they can certainly request an assessment review.” If reviewed, “only two things can happen,” those being that “the value may be lowered, or it would remain the same. Proposition 13 value will not be raised as a result of an assessment review.”

Rooney said the Assessors “are obligated to reduce assessments when the fair market value of a property is less than the original adjusted assessment, more commonly known as the Prop 13 value.”

He said the Assessor’s office “has been proactive in the reduction of assessments, however, more may be achieved with help from individual property owners who feel that their assessment may need to be reviewed.”

Rooney said: “Over the past ten years, the increases and decreases in assessments in Amador County appear to be small when compared to rising and falling property values and this can be attributed to Proposition 13, which has had very stabilizing effects on the assessments of Amador County.” ¶ He said a goal of his office is “to have no property in the county assessed higher than its fair market value and with the help of taxpayers reviewing their own assessments, we hope to achieve this goal.”

People who believe they are eligible for a reduced assessment should contact the Assessor’s Office to request an assessment review.

After the request, he said, “we’ll do the research. However, if a property owner wishes to provide comparable sales data on the form, or attach specific data for us to consider, they may do so.”

Rooney’s office is just starting review of 2011-2012 tax year assessments “that we feel may be too high. He said “for the rest of the properties in the county that have assessed values less than fair market values, assessments will have a change of less than a percent. In the coming year all properties in Amador County that have been assessed at their original, adjusted value, will see a very small increase in their assessed value due to the California Consumer Price Index going up three quarters of one percent.”

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