Tom
Friday, 18 June 2010 06:22
Supreme Court Considers Legality of Federal Order
Amador County – The U.S. Supreme Court is considering the legality of a three-judge panel’s decision to put a cap on prison populations in California. The nation’s highest court agreed Monday to hear an appeal by the Schwarzenegger administration to reconsider whether the federal judiciary can force a reduction in population in order to improve inmate health care. “We continue to believe federal judges do not have the authority to order the early release of prisoners in our state,” said the governor in a statement. “California should be able to take action on its own to keep its citizens safe without interference from the federal courts.” The special federal court panel ordered the ruling last year, saying current overcrowding conditions are unconstitutional and amount to “cruel and unusual punishment.” They ordered California to reduce its prison population by nearly a quarter in two years. The Governor tried to address the court’s order last November by proposing a series of steps, including construction of new prison space, shortening sentences, the early release of non-violent offenders, and shipping some inmates out of state or to county jails. The state legislature passed a trimmed-down plan, but the panel said it did not go far enough to reduce overcrowding. That plan is on hold while the state pursues the appeal. Mule Creek State Prison near Ione is a prime example of the conditions that led to the panel’s decision. For years now, inmates there have been sleeping in three-tiered bunks in the gymnasium. The facility was originally built for 1700 inmates, but currently is holding over 4000. California’s prison population is now about 158,000, well above the 84,000 for which it was designed. Opponents of the panel’s decision worry what will happen if the Supreme Court decides to uphold the ruling. Tuolumne County Sheriff Jim Mele, who presides over the region near the Sierra Conservation Center, wonders who will take over the monitoring of parolees. Supporters of the decision say the estimated $35,000 it costs to house an inmate for one year is money being thrown away, and there has been no reduction in the crime rate. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the population cap this fall, with a ruling expected by early next year. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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National
Friday, 18 June 2010 06:20
Sutter Creek Sinkhole Compounded Problems, Should Open Soon
Amador County – Sutter Creek Acting City Manager Sean Rabe last week reported on the sinkhole that has kept part of Spanish Street closed for 3 months. The March 16th collapse of the Gopher Creek Canal left a 5-foot wide, 6-foot deep hole in the asphalt in the center of Spanish Street, he said, and it was created by the collapse of the metal roof of the canal. The hole exposed several utility pipelines, including an old Knight Foundry water line, and a 3-inch PG&E natural gas line. Rabe said the canal’s “metal roof collapsed and was sitting on top of the gas line. That’s why the council declared an emergency.” The Sutter Creek City Council sent Rabe to the board of directors of the Amador Water Agency, and a cost-sharing agreement was made with AWA, which also had service lines exposed by the sinkhole. Rabe said heavy April and May rains delayed repairs, but it was now finished, except for curing of the concrete, which he said June 7th could take a couple of weeks, then people should be able to drive on it. In part of the repairs, 45-degree bends were put in the water pipe, to make it go under the underground canal, which carries Gopher Creek across town. Metal decking was used to keep down concrete costs. The city council last week also heard a report from ACTC consulting engineer Matt Griggs on work to realign Prospect Drive to meet in a T-intersection with Bowers Drive, to cross Highway 104 in Sutter Creek. The project will build a cul-de-sac at the end of the existing intersection of Bowers Drive and 104, and build a new extension of the road past the Italian Picnic Grounds to Bowers Drive. Griggs said construction was estimated at $1.8 million, and would use about $600,000 gathered in the Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee Program. He said they may be able to fund 70 to 90 percent of what they want to do in the project. In the future, the intersection will install signals, and they may be able to set poles on foundations, depending on how bids come in. The council approved a mitigated negative declaration of impact for the project. Vice Mayor Tim Murphy said the project had been before the council several times and it has “always been a real priority for the city.” Griggs said it would move Prospect Drive about 230 feet to align with Bowers Drive, and should help with traffic flow. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Transportation
Friday, 18 June 2010 06:19
LAFCO Considers New Sphere for PGCSD, LFPD
Amador County - The Local Agency Formation Commission, also known as LAFCO, will consider a number of proposed changes to local spheres of influence next week, as well as vote on a proposed CALAFCO Board Regional Reorganization. Locally speaking, Spheres of Influence are considered to be a region or area over which a city has a significant impact, both politically and economically. It is also considered a county area that is subject to the influence of city planning because it is destined to become annexed.
According to state government code, LAFCO must take into account a number of factors when considering amendments to spheres of influence, including the present and planned uses in the area, including agricultural and open-space lands; the need for public facilities, and the existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area. In a 1977 opinion, the California Attorney General stated that sphere of influence should “serve like general plans, serve as an essential planning tool to combat urban sprawl and provide well planned efficient urban development patterns, giving appropriate consideration to preserving prime agricultural and other open-space lands.” On Thursday, LAFCO will consider adoption of a Sphere of Influence for the Pine Grove Community Services District and the Lockwood Fire Protection District. They will also consider amending the Sphere of Influence of the City of Sutter Creek, specifically in the Sutter Hill East Area. That reorganization includes annexation to the City and detachment from the Amador Fire Protection District. The reorganization area is located near Ridge Road east of State Route 49 and north and south of Ridge Road. LAFCO has sole responsibility for establishing a city's sphere of influence. In a related matter, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday discussed the contents of an agreement between the City of Jackson and Amador County regarding development in the City’s Sphere of Influence. At least one LAFCO member is expected to participate in that meeting.
The regular LAFCO meeting takes place next Thursday, June 24 at 7 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors chambers in the County Administrative Building in Jackson. The public is welcome to attend. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Friday, 18 June 2010 06:17
Jackson Rancheria Donates $7,535 to the Friends of the Amador County Library
Amador County - Jackson Rancheria has donated $7,535 to the Friends of the Amador County Library (FACL) to help pay for new shelves in the children’s section of the Jackson Library. FACL President Susan Staggs says the existing shelves were installed when the library was built 45 years ago and are unstable and limited in their uses. “We really appreciate this generous donation from Jackson Rancheria,” she added. The donated funds are from the Dennis Dalton Fund, which has been dissolved with half of the money going to the Library and the other half to the Upcountry Community Center. TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Thursday, 17 June 2010 06:12
Gravity Supply Line Discussion Heats Up Over Fire, Water Issues
Amador County – Gravity Supply Line supporters say water will indirectly help fire suppression Upcountry, while opponents, including AWA Vice President Debbie Dunn say it is not a concern for the agency, and the GSL would over-commit the agency and be bad for ratepayers. She got support last week from the Concerned Citizens of Jackson, who urged the board to not follow its Gravity Supply Line plans. AWA is seeking a USDA grant for the GSL, which was approved to apply for in March, with Dunn and Board President Bill Condrashoff on the losing end of the 3-2 approval. Sherry Curtis urged the agency to keep pursuit of the GSL for its increase of water “pressure requirements to new development,” to help firefighting. Vice President Debbie Dunn said “there are 1,000 agencies out there that do fire. We don’t do fire.” Developer Ciro Toma said when the storage increases Upcountry, “we have to improve facilities beyond our project.” He said the Pine Acres project must build a 300,000-gallon water tank, and increase water mains from 3- and 4-inch lines (which are no good for fire) to a 10-inch line. Toma said it is required “to increase fire flow for the entire area,” and the improvements are made in addition to participation fees. He said those fees are based on figures that AWA staff came up with for improvements in the future. Martell resident Ken Berry said the agency has 50 “equivalent dwelling units” of capacity tied up in will-serves at Buckhorn, where “meters are in the ground but there is no house.” He said “you’ve got more of those than you have capacity.” Rich Farrington, a Central Amador Water Project customer, said he supported the up-front will-serve fee payments and he also supported the GSL. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Thursday, 17 June 2010 06:13
AWA Hears From Jackson Prop 218 Backers
Amador County – The group Concerned Citizens of Jackson last week urged the Amador Water Agency board to support President Bill Condrashoff’s original will-serve fee payment plan, with a first payment of 10 percent. That was changed to 5 percent by the board on a 3-2 vote. The Jackson group reported on a drive to stop a rate increase in the Central Amador Water Project, with a Proposition 218 protest. Jack Georgette said he and Thornton Consolo formed Concerned Citizens of Jackson because cities were “greasing the skids for developers.” Georgette said the group plans to circulate an initiative to force a referendum that would enact Condrashoff’s 10 percent up-front will-serve fee. He said if they did not change it at last week’s meeting, he might try to write the initiative to enact a 15-20 percent first payment instead. Georgette said the group has a capable flier author in Consolo, whose fliers have been “deadly” to projects stopped in or near Jackson, such as the Wicklow Way Subdivision and Home Depot. District 2 Director Gary Thomas said such large payments were typically made in development agreements, such as JTS Communities’ $2 million water system improvements. Consolo criticized local television, newspaper and radio news coverage, saying the media ignored his group’s fights against development, especially Jackson Hills. He said “our system is paying for other systems,” and “these people are (ticked) off.” Martell resident Ken Berry said “there is a 95 percent signing rate of people contacted” about Proposition 218 to protest the CAWP rate increase. Berry also urged the board to look into the 1,705 households in CAWP, to see “who is eligible to do the Prop 218.” Condrashoff asked: “Did you tell us you believe you are going to be successful on the Prop 218 in the Upcountry?” Berry said he had “no doubt” it will succeed. Vice President Debbie Dunn said Prop 218 is getting support and will pass. She said “people stood up against Gold Rush Ranch, and people are standing up in this community.” Dunn said she wants to protect the ratepayers. Director Don Cooper said he has “heard this speech many times,” but it is AWA’s “duty to make plans relative to serving the people,” and to meet needs and replace infrastructure as it wears out. He said “we have a responsibility to serve the customers.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Thursday, 17 June 2010 06:17
Trio Arrested For a Year-Long Series of Burglaries
Amador County – The Amador County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of a Sutter Creek man and 2 men from Citrus Heights in relation to a string of burglaries that occurred over more than a year. Sheriff Martin Ryan said in a release today that the series of burglaries occurred in the unincorporated county area off Shake Ridge Road and in the area of Willow Creek Road, between April 4, 2009 and April 13, 2010. Amador Sheriff’s “detectives conducted the investigation which connected the burglaries based in part, upon the time of day, method of entry and type of property targeted,” Ryan said. Based on the investigation conducted by ACSO detectives, arrest warrants were obtained for James Anthony Guerrero, 18, of Citrus Heights; Brandon Taylor Neuman, 19, of Citrus Heights; and Casey Robert Clark, 19, of Sutter Creek. All 3 have been arrested and charged with residential burglary. During the week of June 7th, Amador detectives arrested Guerrero, who was also charged with possession of stolen property. Guerrero’s bail was set at $60,000. Detectives also arrested Neuman, whose bail was set at $50,000. Sutter Creek Police Department arrested Clark on the burglary warrant during an unrelated traffic detention. Clark’s bail was set at $50,000. Ryan said to date more than $17,000 worth of stolen property has been recovered” by ACSO detectives. The stolen property primarily consisted of jewelry, computers and other electronics. Information obtained during the investigation indicates the suspects may be responsible for as many as 37 residential burglaries within unincorporated areas of Amador County and Citrus Heights, however, at this point the suspects have only been positively linked to 10 burglaries within Amador County. “During the course of the investigation, which included neighborhood canvases, interviews and surveillance operations, detectives obtained descriptions of 3 possible suspects and a possible vehicle used in the commission of the crimes.” A follow up investigation led to Citrus Heights, and with assistance from the Citrus Heights Police Department, some property stolen from burglaries in the Willow Creek area was recovered, dumped in a vacant lot, near one of the suspect’s residences. Ryan said that as the “burglary investigation continued, it was determined that 2 of the burglary suspects, were also the focus of a narcotics investigation being conducted by the Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Taskforce.” Investigators found more stolen property that had been “hidden, pawned and/or dumped, within Amador County and within the city of Citrus Heights.” TSPN News Report. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Thursday, 17 June 2010 06:10
Amador Voter Turnout is 7th Highest in State
Amador County – Party turnouts in Amador County ranked 7th overall of the 58 counties in California in last Tuesday’s Primary Election, according to information collected by the Amador County Elections Department. That accounts for over half of the registered voters in the County. The department lists 7,156 Democrats voters representing 34.18 percent of the all registered voters in the county, 4,195 of which voted in the latest election. Registered Republican voters equal a total of 9,404, or 44.92 percent of the overall total. Of those, 5,887 Republicans participated in Tuesday’s election. 18.75 percent of the County’s 3,381 registered nonpartisan voters cast 634 ballots on Tuesday. Another 706 citizens representing 3.37 of Amador’s registered voters also participated Tuesday, including members of the Libertarian, Peace and Freedom, Green and American Independent parties. California elections in general receive low voter turnout when compared to other states. Last week, only 24.8 percent of registered voters participated, which translates to an even lower 18.3 percent of Californians who are eligible to vote. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Thursday, 17 June 2010 06:15
Huber to discuss Legislative Issues in Jackson
Amador County – A big turnout is expected to see 10th District Assemblymember and Amador County representative Alyson Huber speak this Friday (June 18th) at tiny Café de Coco in downtown Jackson. According to an announcement from Amador Democratic Central Committee Chairman Randy Bayne, Huber’s local appearance kicks off a series of forums across her district in which she’ll “discuss the state budget, the May revise, her legislative priorities, and her work on eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in government.” As Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee for the state, Huber has been busy examining oversight and implementation of Federal Recovery Act funding. A recent hearing focused on oversight of ARRA funds and what is being done to prevent there waste and misuse, as well as implementation efforts. The California State Assembly this month, on an overwhelming, bipartisan vote, passed two far reaching governmental reform measures authored by Alyson Huber. The legislation if implemented will push government to identify waste, duplication and inefficiencies in state departments and agencies. Democratic Senator Mark DeSaulnier and Republican Assemblymember Roger Niello are co-authors of both bills. “For many years the legislature and the Governor have created governmental entities that were designed to solve particular problems,” Huber said at the times of the measures passage. “I think the time has come for us to review each of these bureaucracies, keep the ones that work and eliminate those that have outlived their usefulness. This will ensure taxpayers that their money is being spent wisely,” she said. Bayne encourages community members to attend the forum Friday and bring their “questions, ideas and solutions regarding state legislative issues that affect the community.” Huber is also scheduled to appear at the Rio Americano High School library in Sacramento from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 22. She’ll be at the Bear Creek High School multi-purpose room in Stockton from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23. Finally she’ll appear at Rancho Murieta Country Club from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 24 and at the Monterey Trails High School theatre room from 7 to 8 p.m. on that same day. The Café De Coco lunch forum takes place this Friday (June 18) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Café de Coco in Jackson. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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