Tom
Tuesday, 11 May 2010 07:04
Floyd Martin - Memorial Day, Veterans Services 5-11-10
Published in
Local
Tuesday, 11 May 2010 06:58
Ione Miwok Indians Chairman Matt Franklin Resigns
Amador County – Matthew Franklin, Chairman of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians, resigned last week amidst allegations of Tribal Council corruption and misuse of Tribal funds, according to Tribal member Glen Villa. The resignation and surrounding controversy were confirmed by Tribal Administrator Pamela Baumgartner on Monday, but she said any further details will be included in a release to be issued shortly. In an email to TSPN, Villa said, “the members of the Tribe have been questioning the misuse of Tribal funds for months, with little to no explanations from the Tribal Council of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians.” The band has been highly controversial since its recognition as a “restored tribe” in 1994 under the Indian Reorganization Act. The grassroots group “No Casino in Plymouth” formed to oppose the tribe’s proposed gaming facility, and residents and government officials have harshly criticized the tribe’s claims of legitimacy. Also opposing the casino are members of the Amador County Board of Supervisors, who have been instrumental in fighting another facility proposed for development by the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians. District 2 Supervisor Richard Forster, whose jurisdiction includes the business office for the tribe, said the group of individuals currently claiming they are the true band “basically came in and hijacked the Ione Band of Miwok Indians (name).” “The true Ione band...those are the people that I care about,” said Forster. The Ione Band of Miwok Indians website says its “Tribal Council is comprised of five members, each of whom is elected to three-year terms by the general council.” The Council consists of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Member at Large. The website states: “Since our Tribe's federal recognition in March 1994, we have faced several challenges and obstacles. Yet we remain a focused and resilient people, ready to move forward on the path of true economic self-reliance.” We will bring you more on this developing story in a later newscast. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Tuesday, 11 May 2010 06:55
AWA Approves Rate Increase for Central Amador
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors in a special meeting late last month approved a new rate and financial plan in the Upcountry water system. The board also made its new General Manager an official position, when Gene Mancebo accepted the job offer. The agency board still must negotiate a contract with Mancebo. The board approved a financial plan and rate study for the Central Amador Water Project retail system that proposes an increase in water rates for the system’s 2,630 customers. The board approved rate increases of 7.5 percent beginning next fiscal year (2010-2011). Mancebo said it is “about $4.10 more per month for the average CAWP Retail customer.” The rates will go up another 7 percent in the second and third years of the 3-year financial plan ending in 2013. Mancebo said the “last time CAWP retail rates were adjusted was in 2006.” The rate increase was needed due to “increased operating and maintenance costs, including escalating electricity expenses to run CAWP pumps.” Also attributed to the need was repayment of an $850,000 internal loan,” which would be paid “over 30 years with the first annual payment estimated at $38,000.” CAWP retail also needed to pay its “share of the Gravity Supply Line project.” CAWP retail customers will receive a Proposition 218 notice that tells about the rate increase and also details the public’s ability to protests utility rate increases. A copy of the financial plan will be available at www.amadorwater.org, the agency’s website. It will also be available for review at the AWA office on Ridge Road. Also in the special meeting at the end of April, Mancebo ended 7 months as Interim General Manager of the agency by accepting the full General Manager position. Terms of his contract will be worked out in the next few weeks by the personnel committee, then brought to the full board for approval. Mancebo said he was “excited to be given the opportunity to move the agency forward.” He said the AWA “is facing substantial financial challenges” and he is “looking forward to meeting those challenges head-on.” Mancebo took over as interim general manager in September when past G.M. Jim Abercrombie stepped down to head the El Dorado Irrigation District last September. On April 22nd, AWA directors unanimously voted to offer Mancebo the post. Mancebo has been with AWA for 22 years, including 17 years in charge of the engineering department. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Water
Tuesday, 11 May 2010 06:54
Amador Sheriff's Dispatch Call Log Report
Amador County – The Amador County Sheriff’s call log recently included ongoing problems between neighbors in Amador City, a thwarted pipe theft on Sutter Hill, and grand theft of a $6,000 ring. On May 4th, the Aquatic Cow on Highway 49 in Amador City reported at 11 a.m. that its locks had been Super Glued. Later that same day, the restaurant owner made a report of disturbing the peace, saying “neighbors threw trash on his back deck and a juvenile at the residence was yelling profanities” at him. At about 4:41 p.m. Monday, May 3rd, the Aquatic Cow reported a civil dispute over a lock on a gate. The reporting party owns the restaurant, and said renters on a neighbor’s property “have changed the locks again.” A theft of property reportedly was thwarted May 2nd on Old Ridge Road. The caller reported finding 3 Hispanic males in a 1984 brown Chevy pickup truck, loaded with metal pipe belonging to the reporting party. The reporting party caught the suspects and had them unload the items from the truck. The suspects then left, heading toward Ione. Wilderotter Vineyard on Shenandoah School Road reported theft of patio furniture, taken from a patio that adjoins a tasting room. The report was made May 4th. A grand theft was reported when a ring came up missing from a jewelry box. The caller reported that the theft occurred on Highway 49. It was discovered missing May 4th, but the reporting party believed the $6,000 ring was taken 2 weeks before. Vandalism was reported May 3rd at Burnt Wheel and Fiddletown roads. The reporting party said some time overnight, a 30-inch convex safety mirror was destroyed with gunshot. The mirror was owned by the Rolling Oaks Property Owners Association. Mailboxes were also reported shot with a gun at the corner of Hale and Fiddletown roads. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Law Enforcement
Tuesday, 11 May 2010 06:52
ACTC Opens Bid Period for Admin Facility Construction
Amador County – The Amador County Transportation Commission last week advertised a notice to bidders for the construction of its new administration facility in Sutter Creek. The ACTC plans a “mandatory pre-bid walk-through” May 19th at the site. The notice published last Friday announces that the commission will “receive sealed proposals” for construction of the 3,500 square foot building, with the closing of the bid period being 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 2nd, when the bids will be “publicly opened and read aloud.” The project consists of about 2/10ths of an acre of “site work” and the building construction, as shown on contract documents prepared by ANOVA Architects of Placerville. The notice said “contractors wishing to be considered must possess a valid Class B general building contractor license, present required bonding, and provide a written bid that conforms to the contract documents and bidder instructions.” Bidding documents can be examined at the Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange, Placer County Builders Exchange, El Dorado Builders Exchange, the Builders Exchange of Stockton, and Valley Builders Exchange. The project is “subject to prevailing wage provisions” of labor law, and ACTC “will initiate and enforce a Labor Compliance Program,” as required by law. The notice said ACTC “has a goal of 4 percent participation by disadvantaged business enterprises” on the project. The administration facility will be built next to the newly completed and opened Sutter Hill Transit Center, which was also subject of a notice Friday. The ACTC is seeking bids for landscaping at the site, also in a sealed-bid format to be opened June 2nd. Landscaping contract bid documents and plans can be examined and purchased for $25 at the ACTC office at 11400B American Legion Drive in Sutter Creek. The work is subject to state prevailing wages, and because federal funds are involved, each contractor must also comply with federal wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act,” and the “higher of the 2 rates (state or federal) must be paid to each person working on the project.” The work includes landscaping and “hardscaping,” and requires a Class A license. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Transportation
Tuesday, 11 May 2010 06:50
Huber Transparency Legislations Signed by Governor
Amador County – Legislation to increase government transparency by Assemblymember Alyson Huber has been signed by the Governor. The bipartisan bill, AB 1181, would require most state candidate committees, ballot measure committees and slate mail organizations to file a list of contributors online with the Secretary of State’s office. “This bill will improve transparency by making it easier for the public to track how money is raised and spent,” said Huber. “We should be doing everything we can to make government as open as possible and this bill moves us in that direction,” she added. Existing law requires state candidates, committees and slate mailing organizations to file campaign statements and reports online if the cumulative amount of reportable contributions, expenditures and loans made or received is $50,000 or more. Similarly, state lobbying entities are only required to file reports online if the total amount of any category of reportable payments, expenses, contributions, gifts or other items is $5,000 or more in a calendar quarter. While the exemption may have been logical when the online filing statutes were created in 1997, the availability of free electronic filing software makes this exemption no longer necessary for state lobbying entity documents and the vast majority of state campaign documents. AB 1181 lowers the under $50,000 and under $5,000 exemptions to $25,000 and $2,500 for all state lobbying entity documents and most state campaign documents, requiring these documents to be filed online. AB 1181 was sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of State. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
State
Monday, 10 May 2010 06:13
Medicine Maker Recalls Infant, Children Tylenol, Motrin Brands
Pennsylvania – Dozens of medicinal products for children and infants are being voluntarily recalled by a Pennsylvania manufacturer, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced late last month. Parent company McNeil Consumer Healthcare listed 46 different medicine brands it was recalling, all liquid medicines designed for infants or for children age 2 to 11. That included 24 Tylenol items, including concentrated infant drops, and various cold and flue medicines. McNeil also recalled 15 different types of Motrin, 6 brands of Zyrtec, and 1 brand of Benadryl, all of which are products for either children or infants. See a complete list of recalled products, with product code numbers, at McNeilProductRecall.com. McNeil announced April 30th that it is voluntarily recalling all lots that have not yet expired of certain over-the-counter children’s and infants’ liquid products manufactured in the United States and distributed in the U.S., Canada, and 10 other countries. McNeil said it “is initiating this voluntary recall because some of these products may not meet required quality standards.” The company said the “recall is not being undertaken on the basis of adverse medical events,” but it warns that “as a precautionary measure, parents and caregivers should not administer these products to their children.” Some of the products in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredients than is specified, the company said, while “others may contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain tiny particles.” McNeil said that “while the potential for serious medical events is remote, the company advises consumers who have purchased these recalled products to discontinue use.” The company is “conducting a comprehensive quality assessment” of its manufacturing operations, before new manufacturing resumes at the plant where recalled products were made. FDA Commissioner, Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg said the FDA wants “to be certain that consumers discontinue using these products” and “know what to do if they have concerns about a specific product.” Hamburg said: “While the potential for serious health problems is remote, Americans deserve medications that are safe, effective and of the highest quality” FDA is “investigating the products and facilities associated with this recall and will provide updates” as it learns more. Contact McNeil at 1-888-222-6036, or mcneilproductrecall.com, and report adverse reactions to the FDA. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Monday, 10 May 2010 06:10
Amador Farmers Market Thanks Donors With Complimentary Breakfast
Amador County - The Amador Farmers Market is thanking the people who have made donations to help support the market, known as “Friends of the Market,” with a complimentary breakfast before the opening of the Jackson market on Sunday, May 16. The breakfast will be at 9:00 am, with the market opening at its regular time of 10:00. The breakfast will also be open to those who wish to become a Friend of the Market. To become a Friend of the Market, or for more information about the breakfast or the market, call the market manager at 209-419-2503. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Monday, 10 May 2010 06:12
Arc of Amador and Calaveras Reception Thanks Supporters
Amador County - The Arc of Amador and Calaveras hosted a reception last Wednesday to thank Amador County employers and other supporters of The Arc, which provides job training and employment services for people with developmental disabilities in the two counties. The reception was hosted by The Arc’s People First self-advocacy organization and The Arc’s Board of Directors. Among the honored guests, the American Legion Ambulance and Mother Lode Real Investors were recipients of Outstanding Employer of the Year awards for their outstanding support of The Arc’s employment efforts, and Joyce Jones of Amador Regional Transit Service accepted the Transit Leadership Award for her proactive assistance to The Arc with local public transportation. The Arc of Amador and Calaveras was founded in 1971 and provides a full range of life skills, supported living and recreational opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities in addition to the Supported Employment Program. The Arc has one of the most successful rural Supported Employment Programs in California. Currently, 37 individuals are working in a wide variety of jobs throughout Amador and Calaveras counties. They are proud of the work they do and enthusiastic about being contributing members of their communities. For more information about The Arc’s Supported Employment Program contact Director of Employment Ileshia Knigge at 209-267-5978, extension 31. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
