Amador County – Amador County Supervisor Vice Chairman Richard Forster and Supervisor John Plasse testified in Sacramento last week in support of a portion of the governor’s budget bill to restore county “triple flip” funding, as the rider passed through appropriations subcommittees in the Senate and Assembly.

Plasse said Forster testified before the Assembly Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday in support of a portion of Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget that would restore $1.4 million to Amador County and its incorporated cities, in the form of “triple flip” funds that were used beginning in 2004 to replace Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund. Those funds were lost when Amador County Unified School District last year declared itself a “Basic Aid” district.

The Governor’s budget included language to restore that funding to Amador County, now the only county affected by being Basic Aid, because it is the only county with only one school district and no community college. Mono County was also affected, but will not be affected in the coming year. Plasse said Amador County hired Mono County’s lobbyist to continue lobbying for the budget fix for Amador.

Supervisors paid a settlement to the School District this year over a suit seeking further ERAF funds. The county paid $500,000 to settle the suit.

Plasse said he and County Administrative Officer Chuck Iley attended the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Thursday and testified, before that panel also passed the Brown budget item for the ERAF funds. Iley last week said he expected the Legislature to go the same way as the subcommittee decided the issue.

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Amador County – The Board members of Sutter Gold Mining helped mark the dedication of a cornerstone on their Lincoln Mine project near Sutter Creek on Friday, May 11 marking a 20-year effort to get the project open, and resuming hard rock gold mining in the Mother Lode for the first time in half a century.

Board members and officials of Sutter Gold Mining said they waited patiently for the opening and became major shareholders of the company a few years ago, when their predecessor sold shares in the company. President and CEO Doctor Leanne Baker said the passion of the team on this project and future projects shows in their integrity, respect, teamwork, accountability and excellence. She said the project is expected to be self-sustaining and work in Sutter Creek for a long time. 

Geologist Stephen Zahony said the Lincoln Mine will be the first underground, hard rock gold mining operation in the Mother Lode in 50 years. He said local families and land trusts kept the project alive by preserving the land and mineral rights.

David Cochrane, vice president of environmental health and safety said he has worked on 40 permits with over 20 agencies for the project, and he acknowledged help from many at the county level, including Planning Department Director Susan Grijalva, who has worked 20 years on the project. Grijalva attended the ceremony.

Sutter Gold Mining’s board of directors member Mark T. Brown from Vancouver, chairman of the company, was responsible for taking the project public. It now sells over-the-counter stocks. He said the project is made up of geologists, engineers, miners and investment bankers.

Rick Winters, president of RMB Resources, and member of Sutter Gold Mining’s board of directors, said RMB Resources Incorporated is a wholly owned unit of Rand Merchant Bank, a division of FirstRand Bank. Winters said RMB is a small group of miners-come-bankers, with offices in Sydney Australia, South Africa and Colorado. He said: “We sit here in California,” while their major shareholder is South African with a Colorado address. Winters said “there is indeed gold in them thar hills.”

The ceremony included a narrated physical display of “triple jack mining” from the 1800s by a group of the miners, using hammers, chisels, and fake dynamite. A “jack” or miner would hold a chisel, while the other miners would strike it with a hammer to put holes in the rock for blasting.

The man holding the chisel, and taking a few hits on his hand from the hammers, was mine manager Jim Smith, a fourth generation hard rock underground miner from Colorado.

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Amador County – Amador County Supervisor Vice Chairman Richard Forster appeared in Sacramento in support of legislation that would help the county, including a bill that would eliminate the State Responsibility Area “Fire Fee.”

Forster was scheduled to appear Friday, May 25 to represent the Regional Council of Rural Counties Board of Directors in support of Assembly bills regarding State Responsibility Area funds.

Forster and RCRC staff Cyndi Hillery, Paul Smith, and Staci Heaton, were to address the Assembly Appropriations Committee which was to hear two bills regarding State Responsibility Area Fees.

RCRC’s Jehan Flagg said Assembly Bill 2474 by Eureka Democrat Wes Chesbro “attempts to resolve some of the inequities in which fire prevention fees are imposed on structure owners” in the SRAs. And Assembly Bill 1506 by Riverside Republican Kevin Jeffries “repeals recently instituted fees on structure owners located within the SRA, commonly referred to as the ‘fire fee’.”

Flagg said: “People living in rural counties already pay for fire service. Rural counties believe these additional SRA fees are inequitable, result in double and triple taxation and don’t provide any additional benefit. Also, Cal FIRE’s most expensive activities are for fire suppression in highly urbanized areas, not rural areas.” 

The “SRA fees jeopardize fire and/or disaster management responses between the State, emergency responders and local governments,” Flagg said.

Forster, chairman of the RCRC board’s regulatory committee, also testified on behalf of RCRC and member counties May 16 in San Diego during the San Diego implementation hearing of the California Board of Forestry. He told them “RCRC has opposed SRA fees throughout this process, and we remain opposed,” and he encouraged repeal of the executive order that created the Fire Fee.

Flagg said “the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the California Board of Equalization said they need to hire more staff to administer SRA fees,” and AB 1506 redirects SRA money from fire prevention to pay salaries and benefits for new state workers.

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Amador County – The exciting summer of new restaurants at Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort continues with the scheduled opening of the Pacific Grill, and specialty grills that celebrates cuisine on two sides of the Pacific Ocean.

Pacific Grill is a combination of two venues. More than a food court, it features the culmination of cultures from both sides of the Pacific Ocean in a quick serve setting with a shared seating area.

The Asian Grill portion, scheduled to open Wednesday, May 30, will offer Southeast Asian wok specialties, Vietnamese style grilled meat and rice bowls, dim sum, pho noodle bowls, and family style dishes like a half chicken fried or poached and whole fish steamed or fried.

The California Grill portion, set to open June 6, will be the new home of Uncle Bud’s burgers, garlic fries, Indian tacos and fry bread, sandwiches, salads, and great pizzas. The Pacific Grill will open daily at 11 a.m.

Pacific Grill is the fourth of five new restaurants opening at Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort this year. Casino guests are already enjoying JoBo’s Junction, a coffee and pastry bar, the new Rancheria Buffet and the return of Lone Wolf Restaurant & Lounge. Next to open will be the 24 hour Margaret’s Café & Bakery later this year.

Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort is located at 12222 New York Ranch Road in Jackson. For more information visit JacksonCasino.com or call 800-822-WINN (9466).

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Amador County – The 131st Annual Italian Picnic and Parade is set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday June 1,2 and 3 at the Italian Picnic Grounds on Sutter Hill, Sutter Creek. 

Lisa Klosowski, director of the Sutter Creek Visitor Center gave a notice of the coming events. She said “this event will send you back 100 years in time, to a simpler, less stressful life where old fashioned fun is what it is about.”

Klosowski said since 1882, the Italian Benevolent Society has hosted its Italian Picnic and Parade on the first Sunday in June down Old State Highway 49. The picnic includes an All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti and Chicken Feed Saturday night.

A carnival, live band, dancing, and Bocce Ball for a buck. Friday night is kids’ night and Saturday is a 6 p.m. Italian dinner. The Italian Picnic Parade begins 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 3 in Sutter Creek, an old fashioned, huge parade. A Bocce Tournament is Sunday afternoon.

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Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-25-12 - TSPN's Tom Slivick talks with Supervisor John Plasse for an update on the Supervisor Budget Workshop held Tuesday. 

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-25-12

• Tourist Tax for camping discussed at Amador County Supervisors meeting

• Kennedy Mine Wheelhouse grant money will be on the California Transportation Commission’s June agenda

• A Sutter Creek man was arrested in Nevada for a March home invasion and battery on Shake Ridge Road.

• Cal-Fire announces this year’s fire season slated to open Monday, May 28.

• Adam Dalton’s weekly Amador Parks Restoration Project report includes smiles and new varnish in historic Volcano  

Amador County – Amador County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday discussed a camping tax and a Transient Occupancy Tax increase for hotels and motels, as staff asked for Supervisors’ preference on draft language for a potential ballot measure supported by local business groups.

Staff was directed to look at whether the county could charge a TOT tax on campgrounds operated by concessionaires on state, federal or utility-owned parks.

In public comment, Terry Nielsen said government is exempt and “maybe that’s the loophole you need to change?” Sherry Curtis said the tax on camping hurts families who can’t afford a hotel, and “businesses should not have public funds support them.” She urged Supervisors not to seek the initiative.

Supervisor Vice Chairman Richard Forster said Supervisors were asked by business groups to consider a TOT increase from 6 percent to 10 percent. He said Amador Business Council, Amador Council of Tourism, and Amador Chamber of Commerce supported the increase, and want the extra 4 percent to be used to promote the county. Forster said they believe the county would benefit from bringing more people here. Curtis said she camps here, and most important, “do not do the camping please.”

Chamber President Mark Borchin said state law excludes charging TOT on renters who stay for more than 30 days. He understood concerns and camps in Amador and Calaveras, but didn’t think more tourists would increase fire and police costs, as suggested by another speaker. Borchin said he thought all lodging should pay TOTs, including camping.

Supervisor John Plasse said he knows from operating his family’s former resort that people would come in with $300,000 motor homes and want their “Good Sam’s discount,” and it was hard to see that they needed it. But he was torn because some families need the camping site. He also noted the fee on a $40 camp rental would go up only 2 dollars and 60 cents, in a 4 percent increase.

Business Council Executive Director Jim Conklin said the county “needs to do more self-help.” The TOT would generate revenue and advertising would generate an increase in tourism. It is a “long-term goal to increase the coffers here, so we do not have to rely on the state and federal government.”

Conklin in early May presented a timeline to get the measure on the November ballot. Supervisors return to discuss the issue June 12.

Supervisor Ted Novelli said it would be good to get all cities and the county on the same chart, charging the same rates for tourist taxes.

Sutter Creek and Jackson already charge 10 percent TOTs. And Plymouth City Council on May 10 voted to place a TOT tax measure on their ballot for November, raising it from 6 to 10 percent, with an advisory vote question on the ballot, to decide how to use the extra funding.

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Amador County – The Kennedy Mine Wheelhouse project funding could be considered by the California Transportation Commission in June, with construction tentatively set to start in August or September.

Jackson City Councilman Keith Sweet told the City Council last week that the Save the Wheel Committee had raised $78,000 toward matching funds needed get grant funding to build a new wheelhouse, and were $3,000 shy of the amount needed.

Sweet, chairman of the Committee reported from last week’s Committee meeting. He said Jackson City Manager Mike Daly gave a report on the grant status. The environmental report has been submitted and tentatively approved although there are several signatures that still need to be obtained from the state.

Daly said the Kennedy Mine Save the Wheel project appears to be scheduled for a request for construction funds on the June California Transportation Commission agenda with construction beginning in August or September.

Weber-Ghio Engineering displayed the layout of the roads, parking and fencing. Sweet said to pass the environmental review, parking in front of Wheel Number 4 had to be eliminated. Black chain link fence can be used instead of decorative fencing to save $10 per foot.

There was also discussion of a gate at the bottom of the road and the installation of at least three speed bumps on the road. Sweet said it was also confirmed that a fence on the retaining wall was probably a good idea.

Sweet said Kevin Fritson “displayed the 95 percent done construction drawings which became 90 percent drawings almost immediately after the discussion regarding ceiling insulation to prevent moisture accumulation and the need for electricity to the site in order to install ventilating fans for heat and humidity control.”

Consensus was not reached on corrugated siding to be used, he said. Some preferred painted look, the rusted look, or the galvanized look. More information will be available at the next meeting.

A final version of information for the kiosk panels was submitted. Art work will be reviewed to complement the description. It has been suggested the committee look into an audio enhancement utilizing smart phone scanning technology and website links for the enhanced version of the kiosk info.

Sweet said the city will be able to use in-kind donations of material or labor with few restrictions. A list of material and projects will be completed and given to various groups and organizations.

Also, six raffle prizes were not picked up at the benefit dinner, and unclaimed prizes may be used in another fundraiser. The committee next meets July 10 at Jackson Civic Center.

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Amador County – A Sutter Creek man was arrested in Nevada for a March home invasion robbery and assault in Amador County in which a man was severely beaten in his residence on Shake Ridge Road.

Amador County Undersheriff Jim Wegner released details of the arrest after the extradition of Bevan Andrew Price, 23, of Sutter Creek. Price was transported and booked into the Amador County Jail on Wednesday, May 23, to face the allegations of robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, mayhem, battery causing great bodily injury and numerous special allegations. Bail was set at $290,000.

Price had been in custody at the Pershing County Jail in Nevada during the extradition process. On April 24, 2012 an Amador Superior Court Arrest Warrant was issued for Bevan Andrew Price alleging the charges.

Wegner said the allegations stem from a March 25 incident, when Amador County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the report of a 60-year-old male victim that had been attacked and beaten at his residence on Shake Ridge Road by suspects seeking to steal his prescription narcotics.

The victim was subsequently transported by helicopter to Sutter Roseville Hospital for treatment. No suspects were located at the scene.

Amador County Sheriff’s Detectives conducted an investigation into the crimes perpetrated against the victim. The investigation determined that Bevan Andrew Price, 29, of Sutter Creek was responsible for the attack on the victim.

The Amador County Sheriff’s Office investigative report was submitted to the Amador County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution on April 2. Based upon that report, the District Attorney’s Office filed a complaint with the Amador County Superior Court.

At bout 10 p.m. on May 14, Price was contacted by a Lovelock, Nevada Police Officer in relation to a reckless driving incident. Upon conducting a warrant check, the officer learned Price was wanted in Amador County. Price was arrested and booked into the Pershing County Jail.

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