Tom
Thursday, 27 May 2010 06:08
CAO Daly Takes Assistant CAO Position in El Dorado County
Amador County – County Administrative Officer Terri Daly’s resignation on Tuesday began the closure process on many years of service she has provided to Amador County. Daly resigned shortly after accepting the position of Assistant CAO for El Dorado County. She has served Amador County in her current position since March 9, 2007. She has a long history of local service, including a wide variety of administrative and human resource functions. Before her current position, she served as the Amador County In Home Supportive Services Executive Director. An announcement released by the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday said Daly has “more than 20 years of private industry management experience” and “four years of public administration with the county.” Board of Supervisors Chairman Brian Oneto stated, “We’re sorry to see Terri leave, but she served the County well during her tenure and we support her decision to pursue other opportunities for herself and her family.” In a letter presented to the board on Tuesday, Daly said “it is with a mixture of sadness and excitement that I submit my letter of resignation.” “It’s a great opportunity for me, it’s a bigger county and a really good fit in a lot of ways,” said Daly. “There aren’t many places I can go to within commuter distance without having to uproot my family.” In response to Daly’s decision, the Board formed an Ad Hoc Committee to recruit potential applicants for the CAO position. According to her contract, Daly will give 60 days notice to provide Amador County with the opportunity to find someone to fill her position. Daly’s last day will be July 23rd. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Thursday, 27 May 2010 06:06
Amador Sheriff Says Riff Raff Distrub Peace at River Pines
Amador County – An unidentified caller reported that a group of males was disturbing the peace in River Pines earlier this month. The caller, who would not give his name, and could not name the subjects, said that “a bunch of riff-raff” (a group of males) was “driving around and threatening neighbors.” The incident was occurring behind the River Pines Store, across the street, and up on a hill across Highway 16E on May 18th. That same day on Sugar Pine Drive, a welfare check was requested for a male who had “been drinking and destroying his house.” The caller said the subject was bipolar, manic depressive, and he believed the subject could “take care of himself any longer.” The caller said in conversation earlier that day, the subject “was not making any sense.” A burglary was reported May 18th on Circle Avenue. The caller reported that a break-in had occurred possibly sometime that afternoon. The back door had been kicked in, and closets and drawers had been gone through. Missing items included a fax machine, a computer and speakers. Wal-Mart on Wicklow Way reported the threat of crime with the intent to terrorize on May 18th. The caller said an employee was terminated, then made verbal threats of physical harm to the “loss prevention manager,” who was “fearful for her safety.” The reporting party said the suspect was “expected back at the store sometime” the next day for follow-up paperwork. Petty theft was reported May 19th, occurring on Highview Way. A woman reported that gift cards were taken from her top drawer. She said she was on vacation and her son had friends over and that’s when they went missing. She said the gift cads had been used. Last Friday, an unlawful entry to a dwelling was reported occurring at Community Christian Church on Ponderosa Way. A homeless man was found inside the facility and was asked to leave. He was last seen on foot heading up Ponderosa Road. The man reportedly “left personal belongings behind at the church.” On Monday, 5 juveniles were reportedly vandalizing the new playground equipment at Plymouth Elementary School. The caller said one of the juveniles had a baseball bat. 2 of the juveniles were approximately 15 years old and the others were age 12 and under. On May 19th, Wells Fargo Bank on Main Street in Jackson reported a suspicious person. The employees felt that a man had been possibly “casing the branch.” He was described as a white male with a medium build, in his 50s, with long gray hair, black sunglasses, a black sweatshirt and light blue jeans. On May 18th, a caller reported the theft of property, after selling a 1996 Pontiac Firebird for $300 in April. A “stop payment” had been placed on the check, and the reporting party was “unable to get funds.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Law Enforcement
Thursday, 27 May 2010 06:05
Sutter Gold Opens Office in Sutter Creek
Amador County – Sutter Gold Mine Company (SGM) recently opened a public office in downtown Sutter Creek, while at the same time continuing the process of converting its Sutter Creek-based tourist facility back into a working gold mine. The idea for the off-site office came from Mine Manager Stacy Rhoades, who says he saw an increasing need for “a suitable working area for our expanding mine staff.” Although the company is permitted to build an on-site office, he said the downtown location will better suit the need for more space. “We are excited to be joining the distinguished local vendors in downtown Sutter Creek,” said Holly Boitano, Health Safety and Environmental Coordinator. “At some point after we begin our operations, we will also be looking into establishing point of sale offices for mining supplies, which would be a source of sales tax revenue for the city.” Boitano said it’s also a good way to establish a presence in the local community. The building in which the office is housed has a history of businesses related to mining operations. The original store and adjoining residence were established in 1869 by Carlos Soracco, whose son Frank operated a mining supply store. Decades later, Boitano’s grandfather Maurice, along with business partner John Fereccio, rented the space for a grocery store and hardware store selling mining supplies. Rhoades said the office is “technically open” now, but he plans on holding an official open house within the next month. SGM controls over three miles of Mother Lode property, 90 percent of which has yet to be explored. The current resource estimate for the Sutter Gold Project indicates that a collective 700,000 ounces of gold could possibly be extracted from this area. The Colorado-based incorporation is a self-described “junior gold exploration and development company” currently focusing its efforts on the Sutter Creek area project, also known as the Lincoln Project, named after the original Lincoln Mine from which prospector Leland Stanford made his fortune. Most of the potential gold extraction exists along the Melones Fault in the eastern portion of SGM’s property and mineral holdings. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Thursday, 27 May 2010 06:03
AWA Will-Serve Workshop Gets Developer Input
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors Wednesday held a workshop on its Will Serve Ordinance, hearing specific requests from county developers. The board continued the workshop to resume at 9 a.m. today (May 27th). Plymouth developer Bob Reeder of Reeder Sutherland said he did not believe refunds of conditional will-serve fees should cost the agency “one dime.” He said developers are OK with the 25 percent payments of will-serve fees (over 3 years), and the accelerated pay period. He said “we can live with it, we’re not super happy about it.” But he said a proposed 2-year expiration period of conditional will-serves was “an issue for us, especially if we’re asked to put money up front.” Reeder said if a developer pays for water capacity expansion, then the conditional will-serve expires and the developer has to “go to the end of the line,” they run a risk that “somebody else can come in and take the capacity they just paid for.” Ione developer Ciro Toma recommended tying the conditional will-serve expiration period to a tentative map, which he said usually has a 2-year term, but can be extended through the issuing land agency for up to 10 years. Toma said AWA could review the conditional will-serve if the developer seeks an extension on the tentative map. He also urged a refund option for land owners to be able to change plans and partially recoup fees paid. Ione developer Rob Aragon proposed tying the conditional will-serve’s first payment to issuance of the “final map,” saying it was closer to other regions, which don’t charge fees until occupancy of the building. Aragon asked about the 10 percent first payment, and what it funded. Director Terence Moore said it goes toward the cost to get a water main extended to a developing area, but “we don’t want to pretend that the 10 percent will get it built.” He agreed any money spent to do so should be refunded to the developer. Aragon said AWA can already get fees paid early and require a developer to build infrastructure, and then give conditional will-serves that still require capacity in the system. He said he worried about “historical policies that can’t be put forth,” and urged the board to “look at the final map stage.” The board continued the workshop to 9 a.m. today (May 27th), at the start of the regular board meeting. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Water
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:54
Aragon Criticizes 2006 AWA Bond Statement
Amador County – Ione developer Rob Aragon questioned the Amador Water Agency board of directors last week on a statement that accompanied 2006 bonds to finance the Amador Transmission Pipeline. He asked how the agency had included improvements to the Ione water treatment plant in its bond statement for the project. Aragon said a statement with the bonds “suggested the municipal bonds were sold for the direct purpose of the Amador Transmission Pipeline,” but his concern was that it appears money was allocated for an upgrade at the Ione plant. Aragon said the “financing plan” for the 2006 bonds included an expansion of the Ione water treatment plant from 2.5 million gallons a day rating to 4.5 million gallons a day. He said improvements have yet to be made at the Ione water treatment plant. AWA board President Bill Condrashoff said that is the first he had heard of the issue, and asked if they should make any response. General Manager Gene Mancebo said the board should let staff look into it, and report on the “chain of events” involved. Aragon, representing Ione Villages 1 LLC and the Building Industries Association, said he would continue working with the “new philosophy in town” on the AWA board, and continue his “extension of collaboration to help solve those problems with you,” regarding an update to the “will-serve fee” ordinance update. But he said the board was not behaving transparently, in the previous week’s handling of the draft ordinance. And he was also concerned about the bond, which listed a 3.5 percent growth rate on Ione, and a 2-phase upgrade plan for the Ione Water treatment plant, recommended by Boyle Engineering. Aragon said the statement in 2006 expected “improvements to be completed in 2007,” and the plan affected bond buyers and also conditional will-serves. He criticized that the bonds were sold but the improvements were never made at the Ione plant. The AWA board was scheduled to host a public workshop on the potential new will-serve policy ordinance this morning, which could charge a 10 percent fee for conditional will-serves, and other fees over a phased, 3-year period. Aragon criticized the changes as being against state law for will-serve fees. 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
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:56
Governor Opts Not to Eeclare End to Drought
Amador County – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has chosen not to declare an end to the 3-year drought, despite record rainfall for the spring season and intense storms predicted throughout the state into June. Critics say the Governor’s decision is a political tactic to support an $11 billion water bond measure he has pushed for years, set for public consideration in November, as reported in a story in the San Francisco Chronicle. The bond will build new dams and water storage facilities, as well as provide a restoration plan for the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta. As of April 30, state measurements show the Sierra snowpack is 143 percent of normal compared to 67 percent of normal in June, 2008, when the Governor first declared a drought in the state. As of that same date, Folsom Lake was 89 percent full compared to 2008’s measurement and Shasta Reservoir was 98 percent full compared to 61 percent two years earlier. The Governor and his staff have said low levels at other reservoirs like Lake Oroville - which is currently only 65 percent full – are the reason for keeping statewide drought status. “California’s snowpack at the start of this month stood at over 140 percent of average,” said Jonas Minton, a water policy analyst for the Conservation and Planning League and a vocal opponent of the bond measure. “The average voter will be able to tell this is not a drought.” Schwarzenegger’s decision means California will officially enter its fourth year of drought on June 4. A winter storm warning is in effect as the Sierra braces for more snow storms through the week. Temperatures in Amador County and across the capital region are setting record lows. A moist pressure system is expected to bring more rain to the region through Thursday. This weekend will see a return to warmer temperatures, although the forecast high of 75 is still almost ten degrees lower that the average temperature for Memorial Day. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Story by Alex Lane
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News Archive
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:53
D.A. Recieves Complaints of Voter Interference
Amador County – The County has received complaints from voters regarding contacts made to them by others supporting a political cause, according to a warning issued Tuesday by District Attorney Todd Riebe. The election season is fast upon us and the Amador County District Attorneys Office and the Elections Office would like to remind citizens that interfering with a person’s lawful right to vote may subject them to criminal liability. Unlawful conduct includes conduct intended to coerce, intimidate, induce or compel a person to refrain from voting or knowingly challenging a person’s right to vote without probable cause or on fraudulent or spurious grounds or advising any person that he or she is not eligible to vote or registered to vote when in fact that person is eligible or registered. Suspected violations of the law should be reported to law enforcement. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:58
Canadian Bail Money Scam Reported
Amador County – And now the latest from the Amador County Sheriff’s Office. A woman reported paying $5,600 to make a bail payment for her grandson, only to find out it was a hoax. The woman told Amador County Sheriff’s dispatch that she received a call from a “Sergeant Bower in Canada,” saying her grandson was in jail custody and requesting she send $5,600. The woman paid the money, then found out May 14th that her grandson was never there. Also May 14th, a man reported that his rental home on Pine Drive was being used to cultivate marijuana. The owner lives in Arizona and said he discovered that day that the renter “is growing pot inside the house.” The owner said “it is a good amount and also there was soil seen and lights also.” That same day, a female Census worker reported being locked behind a gate on Hale Road and could not drive out. The census worker said it was unknown who lives at the residence, and the house was vacant. She drove up the road in a green and gold Subaru Outback, went to the residence on the property, and “after she went through the gate, someone came and locked the gate, locking her in.” She said it was “unknown who locked the gate or how she can get out.” A caller on Highway 104 reported grand theft of aluminum ramps for loading equipment, valued at $1,000. Unknown when the theft occurred, it was first noticed May 11th, and could have been missing 1-2 weeks. Safeway reported Tuesday (May 18th) that a man had attempted shoplifting, by trying to push away a shopping cart full of food without paying. He was stopped by security outside, then left in a Honda Accord. He was described as a white male in his mid-20s with short brown hair. On Wednesday (May 19th) Pine Grove Market on Highway 88 reported theft of $100 worth of groceries and wine. The suspect was a white male, approximately 40 years old, with a medium build. He was wearing a blue baseball cap, white shirt and blue jeans shorts, and left east-bound on Highway 88. 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
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:59
Supes Approve Waste Rate Increases
Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved rate increases as requested by both of the County’s waste service providers. ACES Waste Services will implement a 6.67 percent rate increase for the Pine Grove Transfer Station and Amador Disposal Service, a Waste Services company, will raise rates 4.91 percent for the Buena Vista Transfer Station. As explained by Jim McHargue, Solid Waste Program Manager, any refuse rate adjustments are based on a “Refuse Rate Adjustment Methodology” approved by the Supervisors in 2008. The Methodology and subsequent “Refuse Rate Index” are used to calculate adjustments based on labor, diesel fuel use, industrial vehicle replacement, industrial vehicle maintenance and urban customer usage, as well as indexed adjustments for landfill disposal costs. ACES recently made rate increases in two of its franchise areas in October of 2009 while its last rate increase for the Pine Grove Transfer Station was 5.44 percent in December of 2007. Amador Disposal raised its rate 4.81 percent at the Buena Vista Transfer Station in July of 2005 and one franchise area in October of 2009. The Supervisors expressed concern over costs related to Proposition 218, which requires local governments to gather votes from affected property owners for any proposed rate increase or assessment before it can be levied. McHargue said the “cost of 218 notification is borne by the County.” He said similar notification procedures last year to approximately 2000 customers cost $3000 for printing, copying and mailing with an additional $2000 incurred for the cost of staff time. Paul Molinelli Sr. and Jr, co-owners of ACES Waste Services, both on hand for the discussion, had previously agreed to share in the cost of the notification process. 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
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 06:01
County Administrative Officer Terri Daly Resigns
Amador County – Amador County Administrative Officer Terri Daly resigned Tuesday after accepting the position of Assistant CAO for El Dorado County. Daly has served Amador County in her current position since March 2007. In an announcement to be released later today, Daly said it is “with a mixture of sadness and excitement” that she tendered her resignation in order to pursue “other opportunities for me and my family.” A source close to TSPN said Daly has accepted a position as Assistant CAO for El Dorado County. This was confirmed by the El Dorado County CAO’s office. According to her contract, Daly will give 60 days notice to provide Amador County with the opportunity to find someone to fill her position. Daly’s last day will be July 23rd. Daly was not available for comment at the time this story was written. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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