Tom
Tuesday, 21 September 2010 07:06
JVFD rummage sale raises much-needed funds
Amador County – The Jackson Volunteer Fire Department held a rummage sale over the weekend as a way to generate additional funds to pay for firefighting supplies and equipment. The effort was coordinated by various wives and girlfriends of the firefighters as a way to supplement the meager funding the department receives. Genny Tremaine, an event volunteer who spoke with TSPN on Friday, said the amount of donations received was “better than expected.” All throughout Friday and Saturday, fire department supporters and walk-in customers made a steady stream of purchases. During our conversation, Tremaine was politely interrupted several times with price inquiries from potential customers. In a follow-up Monday, she said the total profit was $1,345 after subtracting the $140 spent on advertising. Considering the success of the event, Tremaine said they may organize another sale next June. “Please remember to save things you think we could sell during the event next year,” she said. The money from this latest sale was deposited in the Jackson Firefighters Association account. What the funds will be used for has yet to be determined. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Tuesday, 21 September 2010 07:03
State says Ione must study pond's hydrology affects
Amador County – Staff this week will update the Ione City Council on changes recommended to plans for the city’s proposed wastewater plant, including urging the city to move closer to the designing stage. California Regional Water Quality Control Board sent letters in June and August regarding a cease and desist order and related “Report of Waste Discharge” the state found to be incomplete. Concerns included the need for “an engineering or geotechnical analysis, and a groundwater model demonstrating that percolation from the proposed ponds will not impact surface water quality.” The city proposes closing storage ponds 1-3, partially filling ponds 5 and 6, and building a new Pond 8. The letter in June said the “proposed Pond 8 will potentially cause flooding” because its design “would raise groundwater levels further at the city wastewater treatment plant site and in surrounding areas,” potentially raising the groundwater level by as much as two feet. The letter said “Pond 8 would increase risks of spillage or surfacing on-site due to percolation of treated effluent.” It said the site was not ideal for the pond as designed. The letter said seepage has been shown to enter Sutter Creek from ponds 5 and 6. Senior Water Resource Control Engineer Ann Olson in an August letter said as of August 16th, the “maximum liability for the failure to submit a (Report of Waste Discharge)” by the city – at $5,000 per day since the 2003 infraction – was $4.4 million. Olson said staff will not recommend issuance of a civil liability complaint if the agency receives a Report of Waste Discharge by October 1st, including all information requested in June. City Manager Kim Kerr in a report for the city council’s meeting today (September 21st) said the city council approved a contract with Condor Earth Technologies for $17,500 to make the “groundwater modeling study to address issues raised by the Regional Board regarding the proposed Pond 8 site and rainfall accumulation.” Kerr said the “Regional Board visited the wastewater treatment plant on September 8th and focused on the possible seepage along Sutter Creek.” Kerr said wastewater engineer Bob Godwin, city engineer John Wanger and regional board staff “inspected the Sutter Creek bank for seepage and none was observed.” They also visited the Pond 8 proposed site. A “Request for Proposals” continues with the city trying to find a company to design, build, finance and operate the proposed new tertiary-level wastewater treatment plant, as a solution to the cease and desist order. Kerr noted that the RFP’s are due September 28th. She also noted that two companies had withdrawn interest in submitting proposals. They are Auburn Construction and Tiechert Construction of Sacramento. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Water
Tuesday, 21 September 2010 06:33
Sheriff's Office, Waste Managment participate in “Nationwide Take Back Initiative”
Amador County - On Saturday September 25, 2010 the Amador County Sheriff’s Office, with support from Amador County Waste Management, will be participating in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s “Nationwide Take Back Initiative”. This program is a one day collaborative effort between state and local law enforcement agencies providing citizens the opportunity to surrender and dispose of unwanted, expired and unused pharmaceutical controlled substances for destruction. This service is free of charge and participants are insured anonymity. Law enforcement, through this program, hopes to bring national attention to the issue of pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse. This program addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many citizens are not aware that pharmaceuticals that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are increasing at alarming rates. The Amador County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the importance of community involvement and urges the citizens of Amador County to take a stand against illegal pharmaceutical use and abuse by using this opportunity to dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Staff from the Amador County Sheriff’s Office will staff two drop off locations between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on September 25th. The locations will be the Amador County General Services Administration parking lot, located 12200 B Airport Road, in Martell; and the Volcano Telephone parking lot, located at 20022 Highway 88, in Pine Grove. Anyone with questions may contact the Amador County Sheriff’s Office at (209) 223-6500 or refer to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s website at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/takeback/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Monday, 20 September 2010 06:38
Amador County News TSPN TV with Alex Lane 9-20-10
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Video
Monday, 20 September 2010 06:34
Board of Supervisors Pre-Agenda Report with Richard Forster 9-20-10
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Amador County Board of Supervisors Reports
Monday, 20 September 2010 06:30
Amador Regional Planning Committee loses Ione, Supes; seeks new members
Amador County – The Amador County Regional Planning Committee lost two members in the last two months, but its chairman has made an outreach to other groups and entities around the county. On August 5, Ione Mayor Chester “Skip” Schaufel broke the news to Regional Planning Committee Chairman Keith Sweet that the Ione City Council “voted unanimously to discontinue participation in the Amador Regional Planning Committee.” Schaufel said in the August 3rd vote, the council determined that it felt “that the mayor/chair forum and other forums are a better place to address the issues facing the county and cities in Amador County.” Schaufel asked Sweet to accept the letter as Ione’s “90-day notice to discontinue participation in the Amador Regional Planing Committee pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding.” Sweet returned a letter asking the council to reconsider, but Ione City Council at its September 7th meeting “affirmed their unanimous vote to discontinue their participation.” Sweet at the end of July also received a letter from Amador County Board of Supervisors Chairman Brian Oneto, who also gave a 90-day notice of quitting the MOU and the regional planning committee. Oneto said “Supervisors met and voted unanimously to discontinue their participation in the Amador Regional Planning Committee.” Oneto said the “board feels that planning-related issues are represented in other forums and that participation in this committee seems somewhat redundant.” Ione’s withdrawal becomes effective October 27th, and the Board of Supervisors’ withdrawal is effective November 24th. Regional Planning Committee Chair Keith Sweet in late August sent a letter to Andy Byrne, moderator of tthe Pine Grove Civic Improvement Club. The letter asked if the Pine Grove group would be interested in participating on the county Regional Planning Committee. Sweet sent similar letters to Amador City and other organizations in Pine Grove and Pioneer. In the letter to Byrne, Sweet told that Supervisors and the Ione City Council had both withdrawn. He said he hoped they would be rescinded, but withdrawals “created a discussion resulting in an interest in and an overdue need to expand participation to other groups interested in regional cooperation.” Remaining member entities are the city councils of Jackson, Sutter Creek, and Plymouth, as well as two at-large citizen members. Committee members are Sweet, Tim Murphy, Pat Fordyce and Renee Chapman. Alternates are Connie Gonsalves, Sandra Andreson, Greg Baldwin and Brian Jobson. The Amador Regional Planning Committee next meets 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 22nd at the Jackson Civic Center. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Monday, 20 September 2010 06:26
AWA Finance, PR committees to take different angles on GSL task
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency set an October 7th workshop to go through a list of conditions it will have to meet to get a federal loan and grant for its Gravity Supply Line project, proposed for upcountry in the Central Amador Water Project service area. The AWA board of directors on September 7th tabled a discussion of conditions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the AWA’s grant for $5 million and an $8 million loan. Top on the USDA list was “reserves,” which was among 10 items listed as to be completed if approval is issued. Vice President Debbie Dunn asked about the make up of the reserves, and how soon the agency would have reserves sufficient to do the project. She also asked about permits, which listed a zero for cost, so she assumed it would cost them “zero dollars.” Engineering Manager Erik Christeson said some fees were already paid, while others, like county permitting, would be a percentage based on the winning bid amount. Dunn complained about staff not giving enough information, and said it was “the third time we requested a road map to get through these conditions.” General Manager Gene Mancebo said it would help to be clear about what they wanted to have more detail about. President Bill Condrashoff cut off the discussion, and said he would rather not go through the list because it did not show enough detail. Director Don Cooper of District 3 said last week that the overall time frame is 12 months to meet all conditions of the USDA. He said two board committees would be handling separate areas of the GSL. It will include a new financial plan, worked on by the finance committee, of which Cooper is a member. And last week Dunn’s public relations committee started work on the “public education and communications plan” for the GSL. The finance committee starts on the financial plan October 6th. Cooper said the communications plan is about “being able to educate customers in such a way that we’re not really marketing or selling them on one alternative or the other.” It will look at building new pump stations or building the GSL, presented “so that neither one has a sales pitch on it.” He said it will “eventually have to include financial aspects,” but the “communication plan at this juncture is kind of separate from the financial plan.” He said the financial plan likely would not come out before the end of year. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Water
Monday, 20 September 2010 06:24
Kirkwood announces record profits for 2009-10 fiscal year
Amador County - Despite being in the middle of one of the worst economic recessions in our nation’s history, Kirkwood Mountain Resort recently announced record profits for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The resort, located within the eastern border of Amador County, reported last week that net profits were 25 percent higher than any previous year in its history. This marks the second year in row that the resort saw a 50 percent gain in profitability. Julie Koster, Kirkwood Director of Sales and Marketing, said in a release that “operating results were buoyed by a strong winter performance along with a noticeable increase in summer revenues.” Also last fiscal year, Kirkwood’s real estate sales exceeded the three prior years combined nearing over $30 million in finished products. “We are extremely pleased with the results from last year,” commented David Likins, CEO of Mountainspings Kirkwood LLC and Kirkwood Mountain Resort. “This level of performance clearly demonstrates what we have understood all along – namely that skiing provides such a great family value that it will not only survive but even thrive in the face of the very challenging macroeconomic climate gripping California today.” A recent report from Ski Lake Tahoe, a marketing cooperative consisting of the seven major ski resorts in the region, indicated a 17 percent increase in skier visitation last season. The National Ski Area Association announced that the 2009-10 winter season was the second busiest on record. “Kirkwood managed to stay out in front of the economic downturn in late 2008 through its innovative mid-season vacation packages and discounted pass programs, both of which yielded strong results,” said Likins. “The resort plans to continue to find ways to offer added value for its guests along with ushering in a number of off-season improvements both on and off the mountain.” This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Recreation
Monday, 20 September 2010 06:22
Public Health to hold second free Tdap clinic
Amador County - Amador County Public Health Department will hold another free Tdap clinic in response to a whooping cough epidemic in California which health officials are calling the worst in 50 years. So far, seven infants have died in the state. Three cases have been confirmed in Amador County. In response, Amador County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Hartmann is spreading the word about awareness and prevention. “The number of whooping cough cases reported this year is seven times greater than last year in the state,” said Hartmann recently. “All seven deaths reported in California were infants under three months old.” Hartmann said whooping cough is the leading vaccine-preventable disease. Known medically as pertussis, the disease is considered incredibly contagious, affecting close to 90 percent of those exposed to it, says the CDC. Close to 70 percent of infants under a year old are hospitalized. Babies are particularly susceptible because they have no natural immunity to whooping cough. According to state reports, the number of whooping cough cases tends to peak every two to five years. “We usually see an up tick in the number of whopping cough cases every 2 to 5 years,” said Joanne Hasson, Amador County Public Health Nurse. “It’s cyclical and not unusual.” In anticipation of the outbreak, Amador County has stocked up on Tdap, the most common vaccine for the highly contagious disease. Hasson said the youngest children get a slightly different formulation. She said a lot of people have been coming in for vaccinations recently, mostly for what is known as “cocooning.” The “cocoon” strategy aims to protect newborn infants from becoming infected by administering the Tdap vaccine to women who have just had babies and family members and friends who make frequent contact with the newborn. In order to successfully avoid infection, Hasson said children should receive vaccinations at 2, 4 and 6 months, 15 to 18 months and a final shot between 4 to 6 years old. “Basically, kids should get five valid doses before the age of seven,” she said. A free “Tdap” (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine clinic is scheduled from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 22 at the Health and Human Services Building in Sutter Creek for people 17 years old or older. A parent or guardian must be present with minors under age 18. For other regularly scheduled immunization clinics, call Amador Public Health Immunization Line at 223-6697. For Spanish, call 223-6642. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Health
Friday, 17 September 2010 06:15
Sierra Business Council offers free energy audits, retrofits
Amador County - Local governments and businesses in Tuolumne County will have new access to cutting edge energy efficient technology through a new collaboration between Sierra Business Council and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. From 2010 to 2012, Sierra Business Council, a non-profit organization with a new office in Sonora will be offering free energy audits and low-cost retrofits to commercial PG&E customers in the Sierra Nevada (including Amador County) through a new program called the Sierra Nevada Energy Watch. “During this tough economic downturn, we are excited to be able to support our local businesses and governments by offering cost-cutting energy efficiency services,” said Steve Frisch, President of the Sierra Business Council. “This project embodies our long-standing mission of demonstrating that environmental quality and economic prosperity are compatible goals.” Many of the Sierra Nevada Energy Watch installations are performed at highly reduced costs to participating small businesses. Rebates are also offered through the program for measures such as facet aerators, low flow showerheads, and door gaskets for reach-in and walk-in coolers and freezers. In the case of Tuolumne County’s Sierra Outdoor School, a rebate of over $14,000 at a total cost to the school of $3,600 enables them to save nearly $13,000 annually. Their return on investment is nearly 250 percent with payback occurring in just under four months. Visit www.sbcouncil.org to fill out an electronic form and an Energy Associate will contact you. Or visit SBC’s new office location at 85 North Washington Street in downtown Sonora. Walk-in hours are every Wednesday and Thursday, 9am - 5pm. You may also call to make an appointment at 209-532-7200. For more information about the Sierra Nevada Energy Watch Program, and to see tips on saving energy at home and the workplace, see www.sbcouncil.org/energywatch. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
