Tom
Tuesday, 08 June 2010 06:30
Sutter Creek to Decide Gold Rush Ranch’s Immediate Future Today
Amador County – The primary election today in Sutter Creek will ask voters to decide by a simple majority whether the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort remains intact as a project. A “yes” vote on city-wide Measure N will keep the project as approved by the Sutter Creek City Council and Planning Commission. A “no” vote will remove approvals and put the project on hold for at least a year. The city is surrounded by political turmoil, ranging from an accusatory letter by its former finance director to a widely known Amador County Grand Jury investigation into city finances, including those related to Gold Rush. Volunteers with “Protect Historic Sutter Creek” helped gather signatures to place Measure N on the ballot, and both sides have campaigned for their causes, including appearances on TSPN TV’s news show. The “No On N” side includes Vice Mayor Tim Murphy, and Planning Commission Chairman Cort Strandberg, Mike Sweeney (of Arc of Amador) and others who signed a rebuttal to “Yes On Measure N,” which will be part of the ballot. The statement in part says “a No vote on Measue N would be that the citizens and officials of Sutter Creek could immediately begin work on a smaller, less invasive plan.” It says 1,334 houses is “simply too big” for the city. Project Managing Partner Bill Bunce has said the size is non-negotiable for the viability of the project. The ballot statement supporting “Yes On Measure N” was signed by Mayor Gary Wooten; Councilwomen Linda Rianda and Sandra Anderson; and planning commissioners Frank Cunha and Robin Peters. Peters was commission chairman for the 2 years that the planning commission considered the Gold Rush project. In an open letter to voters released Monday, Peters said today’s ballot measure was the subject of an inundation of “propaganda arguing both sides.” But he stood by the approval, saying the majority of the Planning Commission voted to approve Gold Rush “because we know that the project represents a responsible and timely land use plan that is in the best interests of the city and its residents.” The city is already being sued by Martell resident Ken Berry, whose suit alleges violation of the California Environmental Quality Act and a laundry list of impacts he said were not adequately addressed. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Tuesday, 08 June 2010 06:28
Races For GOP Governor Nomination, Amador County Assessor Decided Today
Amador County – Heated races on both a local and state level will be decided by California voters today, as well as the fate of a number of proposed propositions. Money seems to play an important role in the race between well-funded Meg Whitman and underdog Steve Poizner for the GOP nomination for Governor in the 2010 election. Whitman, the former President and CEO of Ebay, has contributed $71 million to her campaign, compared to the $25 million spent by Poizner, who currently serves as Insurance Commissioner for the State. Both Republican candidates have spent a combined total of $103 million, making this the most expensive primary in California’s history. The contest has been ugly at times, and much of the candidates recent energy has been focused on who can claim to be the most vehemently opposed to illegal immigration, cited as “the number one” issue amongst conservative voters. Most polls indicate Whitman as the favorite to win. The winner will face off against Democratic nominee Jerry Brown, the former California Governor and current Attorney General. The only contested local seat is that of County Assessor. Incumbent Jim Rooney is being challenged by Jay Elias, an Auditor and 23-year employee of the Amador County Auditor’s Office. Rooney is citing his track record and numerous accomplishments during a time of budget reductions as the reasons to reelect him, while Elias is running on a platform of “public service over politics” and pledges to introduce further efficiencies to streamline office operations. The two candidates squared off in a well-attended debate hosted by Elias last Wednesday. Five propositions are also up for public consideration. Proposition 13 provides that construction to seismically retrofit buildings will not trigger reassessment of property tax values. Proposition 14 would change the primary election process for congressional, statewide and legislative races. Proposition 15, also known as the California Fair Elections Act, would repeal the ban on public funding of political campaigns. Proposition 16 imposes a new two thirds voter approval requirement for local public electricity providers. And Proposition 17 allows auto insurance carriers to base prices in part on a driver’s history of insurance coverage. All the propositions have strong support and opposition from both elected officials and/or major corporations. Arguments for and against each proposition are outlined in the June ballot book. TSPN will bring you the results of our election coverage on Wednesday after the final votes are tallied Tuesday night. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
State
Tuesday, 08 June 2010 06:27
Resource Advisory Committee Selects John Hofmann As First Chairman
Amador County – A group that will recommend how to spend $90,000 on federal land in Amador County meets Wednesday for its second meeting in existence. The Amador Resource Advisory Committee has a 15-member board with 3 alternates, made up of state and local representatives appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Members include Supervisor Ted Novelli, and the board’s first chairman, John Hofmann, selected by committee members May 5th. USFS publicist Frank Mosbacher said the Resource Advisory Committee’s purpose “is to recommend funding projects that benefit National Forest System lands in Amador County.” For the 2008-2009 funding cycle, the committee “will recommend projects to allocate approximately $90,000 that benefit the National Forest.” The El Dorado National Forest supervisor will select projects on behalf of the ag secretary. Amador Water Agency Vice President Debbie Dunn was selected as a “replacement” member, and was told she should attend meetings (to be able to vote, if needed as an alternate). Board members were selected in 3 categories, each of which “includes subcategories representing related yet distinct interest groups.” Category C of the Resource Advisory Committee includes Lindsay Reed representing Assemblywoman Alyson Huber (as a state office-holder); and locally elected official, Novelli. Michael Fallon of the Jackson Rancheria was selected to represent local tribes; and area school officials are represented by Robert Laurent, of the online University of Phoenix. Hofmann, a self-employed consultant, who has worked for the county as a natural resources consultant, was selected to represent the “affected public-at-large,” as was Dunn, as the alternate for Category C. Category A regular members include labor leader Marcie Byrne, of California School Employees Association; Arthur “Gary” Dorall of Dorall Construction, a recreation activities developer; Justin Smith of PG&E representing energy development; and Craig Ostergaard of Sierra Pacific Industries representing commercial timber. Frank Busi Junior of Busi Ranch was selected for holding a “federal grazing or other land use permit.” Alternate is Larry Costick of Natural Resource Management. Category B regular members include John Ingvoldstad, chairman of the Sierra Club, representing a nationally recognized environmental organization. Foothill Conservancy Executive Director Chris Wright was selected to represent a regional or local environmental organization. Richard Farrington of the USDA Forest Service was selected to represent “dispersed recreational activities.” And Susan Stratton of the state office of Historic Preservation represents archaeological and historical interests. Former AWA director John Swift was selected representing a regional watershed association, and alternate is Steven DeBenedet of CalFire. The committee meets 6-9 p.m. Wednesday (June 9th) at the county Health & Human Services Building. Meetings are open to the public. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Tuesday, 08 June 2010 06:25
SNC Board Votes to Launch Sierra Nevada Forest and Community Initiative
Amador County – The Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board unanimously voted last week to launch its Sierra Nevada Forest and Community Initiative, which aims to “promote forest health, create jobs, increase biomass energy production, and reduce fire risk in Sierra forests,” according to a news release from the agency. “For the past several decades people have been fighting about how best to manage the public forestlands in the Sierra Nevada, to the point where our forests are dangerously overgrown and in poor health,” said Jim Branham, Executive Officer of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. “Today we can proudly acknowledge a new era of dedication and cooperation to help improve the forest environment and our local economies.” The release said the board’s action effectively launches the Initiative, “designed to find collaborative approaches to reducing the overgrowth of public forestlands.” Branham said the Initiative focuses on public forest lands and indicated that the SNC will work with a coordinating council at the regional level to identify key policy, funding and scientific issues essential for success. Materials removed from the forests can be used for dimensional lumber, wood specialty products or used for fuel in clean-burning biomass energy plants. He said the SNC will now be seeking support for this initiative from local governments, environmental organizations, the wood products industry, community organizations and others interested in the issue. They will also work closely with the federal land managers in determining how these efforts can work to improve forest health and community vitality. A TSPN Report, via release This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Recreation
Tuesday, 08 June 2010 06:23
Caution Recommended At Caples Creek and American River
Amador County - El Dorado Irrigation District is cautioning visitors to take care if they plan to visit Caples Creek or the Silver Fork American River over the next several weeks. Streamflows and water levels in Caples Creek and Silver Fork American River will be noticeably higher than usual and will likely make trail crossings hazardous and unusable. The higher flow and water levels are the result of “pulse flow” releases from Caples Lake. The district must conduct the pulse flows as an environmental requirement of the federal license to operate EID’s 21-megawatt El Dorado hydroelectric project. The pulse flows are intended to mimic the natural snowmelt runoff pattern to help maintain a healthy riparian community and stream channel along Caples Creek. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Region
