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Friday, 02 July 2010 01:46

CAL FIRE Cracks Down on Illegal Fireworks

Amador County - The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) announced Thursday it will be taking a “zero tolerance stand against anyone possessing, transporting or using illegal fireworks over the hot and dry Fourth of July weekend.” Officials are stressing that the penalties for using illegal fireworks can range from a misdemeanor up to felony charges depending on the severity of the damage and cost incurred for fire suppression. “Because our area is so dry and vulnerable to fire… plan instead to attend some of the excellent professionally-produced public firework displays in our area,” said CAL FIRE’s Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Chief Mike Noonan. Only fireworks that possess the approved “Safe and Sane” logo from the California State Fire Marshal on the packaging are considered legal. Illegal fireworks include such items as sky rockets, bottle rockets, and roman candles and are defined as fireworks that explode, leave the ground, or move about uncontrollably. CAL FIRE encourages citizens to contact their nearest CAL FIRE facility or local fire station if they are unsure whether their fireworks are illegal. “Use Safe and Sane fireworks responsibly, only where permitted, and never around dead or dying vegetation. Never allow children to use fireworks without adult supervision. Parents are liable for injuries or damages caused by their children’s use of fireworks. Check with your local fire department to see if Safe and Sane fireworks are legal to use in your area,” said CAL FIRE in a release. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Friday, 02 July 2010 01:45

Eldorado Forest Prepares for Big Recreation Weekend

Amador County - The Eldorado National Forest is preparing for one of the biggest recreation weekends of the year. Other than the Wrights Lake, Woods Lake and Blue lakes campgrounds all recreation facilities in the forest will be open. “It is important that we all take responsibility to keep wildfire out of the forest”, said Fire Prevention Officer Barbara Rebiskie. “Visitors need to know that all types of fireworks are illegal in a National Forest. Citations will be issued to violators that have any fireworks.” Wood, charcoal, and propane fires are allowed in the Eldorado National Forest with a 2010 California Campfire permit at this time. These permits are free and can be obtained at any U.S. Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), or Bureau of Land Management office. Visitors must completely extinguish their campfire if they are not in camp. They can also help by educating others about fire danger and reporting abandoned or illegal fires to 911 or to the nearest Ranger Station. The Eldorado will be staffing extra patrols and patrolling after dark this weekend. Motor vehicle use on the Eldorado National Forest is allowed only on the designated routes displayed on the free Motor Vehicle Use Map that is available at all Eldorado National Forest offices. Visitors planning to camp outside of developed campgrounds must park their vehicle on or within one vehicle length of a system route. More information on recreation opportunities and fire restrictions is available on the Eldorado National Forest website: www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado. A TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Friday, 02 July 2010 01:43

Federal Tan Tax Would Affect Local Tanning Salons

Amador County – A national tanning spa industry organization is urging its members to submit comments to the federal government on a temporary “Tan Tax,” which could become a permanent law. According to the Indoor Tanning Association, the so-called “Tan Tax” is a “10 percent excise tax on tanning services” which went into effect July 1st. The Tan Tax, on the indoor tanning service industry, was included in the federal health care bill, and was created to raise an estimated $2.7 billion over 10 years. One local Amador County hair salon with an old tanning booth that is primarily not used anymore was unaware of the Tan Tax, which went into effect Thursday. Another salon, What’A Beach Tan, in the Martell Business Park, was well aware of the Tan Tax taking affect, according to its clerks on duty Thursday. The Indoor Tanning Association said the Tan Tax “applies to returns that relate to calendar quarters beginning after June 30th, 2010.” The Internal Revenue Service “formally published the final and temporary regulations on June 15th,” and the ITA urged its members to review the regulations with their tax advisors. The IRS issued the “temporary” regulations “to provide guidance to users and providers of indoor tanning services,” the ITA said. “The text of the temporary regulations also serves as the text of the ‘proposed’ regulations. Before these regulations are final, the IRS is required to receive and respond to public comment.” ITA urged its industry members to voice concerns to the IRS, through written and electronic comments, which “must be received by September 13, 2010.” Instructions for submitting comments are in a “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,” in its first column on page 33740. Find information and links to those procedures at www.theita.com. Founded in 1999, the Indoor Tanning Association “represents thousands of indoor tanning manufacturers, distributors, facility owners and members from other support industries. The professional indoor tanning industry employs more than 140,000 people while promoting a responsible message about moderate tanning and sunburn prevention. The ITA’s website said it “was founded to protect the freedom of individuals to acquire a suntan, via natural or artificial light.” The group seeks “to work with federal and state governments to ensure that this freedom is not restricted. The “ITA tracks legislative developments across the country that potentially have a bearing on indoor tanning activities,” and “has formed a Political Action Committee to advocate on behalf of the indoor tanning industry at the federal level. Health advocates hope the Tan Tax will dissuade people from using indoor tanning, which has been linked to melanoma. The industry says it is unfairly targeted by a tax added to the health care bill only after the cosmetic industry forced removal of a 5 percent tax on elective surgeries. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Thursday, 01 July 2010 06:05

AWA Board Meeting Heats Up Over Budget Discussions

Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors asked for more study on potential budget cuts Tuesday before deferring action until July. The board could resume discussion today. After several hours of discussion and 3 different motions yesterday, Director Terence Moore stormed out, saying the board should take action and was afraid to do its job. Moore said if they did not do a combination of recommendations by staff, they could lose 2 months of summer income that could be increased by a recommended 4 percent increase of rates in the Amador Water System. Moore said “I can’t believe you are still listening to these local gadflies who are always against the agency and never say anything positive.” Audience member David Evitt and Moore had a heated exchange, and Evitt and Ken Berry spoke against the rate increase and agency pursuit of the Gravity Supply Line. Vice President Debbie Dunn insisted staff look at a pipeline bond payment to see if it could change. President Bill Condrashoff sided with Dunn, and wanted to continue talking about options. Moore said the AWS system could have its rates raised because it was approved to do so in 2008 by the board, which only raised rates by 8 percent. The board could raise it another 4 percent. Moore said they were in error by not raising rates the entire amount. Dunn said she didn’t “feel like we made a mistake,” and pledged to protect ratepayers. General Manager Gene Mancebo said to correct the budget they would also need to make 4 to 6 layoffs. Employee negotiator Karen Gish said that without the 4 percent rate increase, the agency would need 6 to 8 layoffs to balance the budget. Finance Manager Mike Lee said the agency’s cash was at $500,000, and Mancebo said bluntly that cash problems mean “we are in trouble.” He said the budget took shape in the last week or so, as staff realized the rate increase in the Central Amador Water Project may fail. During public comment, Ken Berry said the AWA should expect 1,600 Proposition 218 protests at the CAWP rate hearing today (July 1st), though all of those might not be valid. Mancebo, Gish and Board Clerk Chris Thompson said the board should act now, and that department heads came together Monday, looked at numbers and found that 4 “full time equivalent” layoffs and the 4 percent rate increase would come $140,000 short. Mancebo said employee union negotiators had to know whether the rate hike was activated, and they “need to talk to bargaining units about putting a freeze on salaries and raises, which would almost equal the final $140,000 in cuts. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Thursday, 01 July 2010 06:11

Two Suspects Arrested for Copper Wire Theft

Amador County - The Amador County Sheriff’ Department announced Tuesday the arrest of two male suspects for the theft of copper wire, among other charges. Jeffrey Scott Perry, 43, of Pioneer and John Wirth IV, 27, of Pleasanton, were arrested after an investigation stemming from a initial report of a suspicious vehicle parked on Highway 88, near property containing several abandoned residences. The Sheriff’s Office got the call on June 22 at 8:30 p.m. and arrived on scene to discover Perry on the property. “Upon further investigation, deputies located a bag concealed near the suspect’s vehicle which contained several rolls of copper wire and several electrical panel boxes,” said Amador County Undersheriff Jim Wegner in a release. He said a search of the property by the deputies on scene revealed several buildings had been stripped of copper wire. A backpack “containing additional burglary tools and drug paraphernalia was located within one of the abandoned residences.” He said, “A search of the suspect’s vehicle revealed miscellaneous burglary tools, evidence of other wire thefts, suspected stolen property including cell phones and jewelry, and a box of unexpended 9mm ammunition.” Wegner said, “The suspect ultimately revealed that he had not been alone and that a subject named John had been present with him but had fled into the woods upon our arrival and that he too was involved in the burglaries.” When deputies returned the next day, they discovered the second suspect, Wirth, hiding in a bathroom on the property where the wire thefts had taken place. Wirth was detained and during subsequent interviews admitted to advising Perry of the location of the abandoned buildings and the wire within. He denied involvement in actually stealing the wire. Jeffrey Scott Perry was arrested on scene and charged with burglary, possession of burglary tools, and being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition. John Wirth was also arrested on scene and charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools. He was also booked on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. Wegner said, “Amador County Sheriff’s Detectives are conducting supplemental investigations to determine if these subjects can be connected to any other area burglaries or thefts.” A TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Thursday, 01 July 2010 06:09

Jackson Foresees Significant Costs Associated With Wastewater Fund

Amador County – The Jackson City Council’s review and subsequent approval of the annual budget Monday revealed how tough economic times have affected key services, in particular the wastewater enterprise fund. “The General Fund continues to be the focus and driver behind most City services, although some other key budgetary issues are looming in the wastewater enterprise fund this fiscal year,” said City Manager Mike Daly in a report to the council. The Wastewater Fund is dependent on revenue derived from residential and commercial customers. During fiscal year 2009-10, sewer rates were increased in February and July for a cumulative total of 23 percent, yet revenues only increased 7.4 percent. Daly said “this is reflective of a higher vacancy rate for both residential and commercial customers, and lower water consumption by commercial customers whose sewer bills factor in water use.” Other factors could add significant costs for the City in the coming year, including regulatory compliance issues related to stricter water quality standards, and the implementation of a state regulated wastewater effluent discharge permit. A regulation in the City’s permit also requires an eventual reduction in the effluent discharge into Jackson Creek so that the percentage it contributes to effluent in Lake Amador is less than 5 percent. In addition, he said the City’s 25-year-old treatment plant is having trouble keeping up with demand. Daly said: “An intensive public education process will be required to explain the need for rate increases given the level of citizen interest in previous rate increases and the requirements associated with Proposition 218.” The newly-approved budget has yet to include costs associated with any of these issues or the water rights petition that will need to be circulated should the City move forward with removing effluent from Jackson Creek. In July, the City Council will consider an alternative analysis of the Wastewater Fund that includes financing options and detailed cost estimates. Jackson’s General Fund is expected to finish with a positive balance this year, and revenues are expected to exceed expenditures by $88,955. When considering the projected mid-year budget deficit of $264,000 and implemented reductions, the final deficit for fiscal year 2009-10 was reduced to $40,574. Daly said severe cuts over the last year mean the City is “in the black” for now. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Thursday, 01 July 2010 06:12

Grand Jury Report Pores Over Sutter Creek Practices

Amador County – Sutter Creek underwent detailed scrutiny by this year’s Amador County Grand Jury, whose report was delivered Tuesday (June 29th) to the Board of Supervisors. Sutter Creek underwent several studies by the grand jury, whose foreman Michael Phalen reported the findings June 21st. Jurists looked at five areas of Sutter Creek business. They were finance, administration and policy; the sanitary sewer management plan; the wastewater treatment plant; the Sutter Creek Police Department; and animal issues within city limits. Findings included that City Manager Rob Duke “was out of compliance” with state code pertaining to emergency actions by the city council, formal bidding procedures, and public contracts. The jury also found that “city ordinances and municipal codes are out-of-date by 4 to 5 years,” and “hard copies of minutes are months out-of-date.” The finance department was found to have “inconsistencies and the changing of figures” in financial status reports. The jury also found it unclear whether a police officer who was being paid while on medical leave suffered from a work-related injury. The jury also found that in “December 2007, the city council authorized the cash purchase of a Toyota hybrid,” which was used to obtain a loan in April 2008, “without the approval of city council,” and then in “December 2008, the vehicle was sold without advertising.” The report also noted that “Grand Jurors attending city council meetings observed some members of the city council managing by intimidation and being unresponsive to citizens’ concerns.” The report made 23 recommendations to the city and one to citizens, the latter urging people to “become actively involved with the city council to ensure positive change, without being intimidated by any individual member. This commitment will help city government avoid defaulting to continued mismanagement.” The jury also recommended following proper code by the city manager, and circulating and updating city personnel policies and handbooks. Jurists recommended discontinuing the practice of “paying for or accepting meals or gifts from consultants,” and suggested city staff “submit all contract agreements to the city council for review and approval.” The report urged that the city should “not allow one person to hold multiple positions if those positions have inherent conflicts.” A finding of fact listed that Duke was city manager, chief of police, director of the Amador Regional Sanitation Authority, and manager of the city sewer plant. The report said Duke was not qualified to be the plant manager for a number of reasons. The city council must respond to the grand jury report in 90 days. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Thursday, 01 July 2010 06:16