Tom
Wednesday, 28 April 2010 03:00
Jackson Preps to Hire Full-Time Firefighters
Amador County – The Jackson City Council on Monday unanimously agreed to direct staff to prepare the formal documents necessary to hire full-time firefighters as part of a city fire plan. City Manager Mike Daly said this is the latest step in a process that began after the “Amador Fire Protection District’s decision to reject a proposal from the Amador County Board of Supervisors to hire a Fire Services Manager to provide leadership for a consolidated fire agency.” Daly said the city council does not disapprove of the County’s action, but “feels we will be better served by hiring our own people.” The new organizational structure will include the hiring of a Fire Chief, Fire Captain and two Fire Engineers. Daly said the Fire Chief reports to him “and will direct and manage all City of Jackson Fire Department operations, including the current volunteer Fire Chief who would be reclassified as a volunteer Battalion Chief along with the current Assistant Fire Chief.” The Fire Chief, Fire Captain and Fire Engineers would all be full-time employees. Daly said “the job descriptions were developed by Jackson Fire Captain Mike Olivarria, who works full-time for CalFire as a Battalion Chief.” In preparing his descriptions, Olivarria evaluated the descriptions prepared by the AFPD and similarly structured fire agencies. The plan will be completely funded through Measure M, a ½ cent sales tax to support local firefighting services which was passed by voters last November. Daly projects the City will receive around $360,000 a year and currently has $341,463 “reserved for firefighter costs as stipulated in the ballot measure language.” City staff estimates the total hiring cost will range from $306,629 to $333,249. The council expressed concern over how this full-time fire department implementation will affect the City’s public safety retirement plan, known as PERS coverage. City staff is still looking into this matter. Council member Marilyn Lewis was absent from the meeting. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 28 April 2010 02:57
Sheriff Reports Include Prophylactic Theft, Ice Cream Rage
Amador County – Amador County Sheriff’s Office’s call-log the last month included a variety of incidents, ranging from an apparent ice cream-induced vandalism, to the reported theft of a single prophylactic. Last week a vandalism was reported at Munnerlyn’s Ice Creamery on Highway 88 in Pine Grove. The caller said that the “ice cream shop did not carry a child’s favorite flavor so he got mad and kicked the counter and left a big hole.” The incident occurred March 29th. On April 15th, a caller reported that he had been advised that his stolen saw mill was seen being towed by a vehicle east-bound on Highway 88 in Pine Grove. The saw mill was a “Timber King 1600” on a 16-foot black metal frame. Also April 15th, a disturbing the peace complaint was received about an incident involving 2 sisters. The caller said her sister was driving a 4-door green Chevy Tahoe and rammed her vehicle twice on Lake Canyon Road, and then left the scene. The incident reportedly occurred after a physical disturbance between the 2 sisters. The woman did not need medical attention. Disturbing the peace was reported April 18th on Aqueduct Grove Road at Sky High Boulevard in Pine Grove. A man reported that he was driving along Aqueduct Grove Road, when some dogs jumped onto his vehicle. The man said he yelled at the dogs to get down, and the dogs’ owner then yelled at the reporting party. The incident was verbal only. Monday (April 19th), a woman reported that her ex-boyfriend, who has a restraining order against her, put all of her belongings on the street, with a “free” sign. A friend of the woman reportedly saw the items on the street, and some of the property was damaged. The day before, a female “restrained party” requested a “citizen assist” when her ex-boyfriend told her that “she needs to come get her things now or she will take it all out and put it on the highway with a ‘free’ sign on it.” The restraining order restricted her from going to the residence. Tuesday (April 20th), a caller reported seeing a male standing on top of the head frame at the Kennedy Mine. The caller saw the subject from the road. The male was wearing a white T-shirt. Raley’s grocery store on Highway 49 in Jackson reported a petty theft by a male juvenile on Wednesday, April 21st. The male allegedly “took one condom from the box,” and left the store. The subject was described as wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans and white shoes; and he left the area in a 2007 to 2009 silver Mustang hatchback with a spoiler. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 28 April 2010 02:53
CSMA Discusses Protection of Local Mining Industries
Amador County - The Central Sierra Mining Association (CSMA) conducted its first dinner meeting of 2010 on Friday the 16th of April in Sutter Creek. CSMA Director Tim Smith said the meeting was very well attended with 60 on hand for dinner and informational discussions. The discussions covered issues dealing with The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA), General Planning for both Calaveras and Amador Counties and how the Association could best be involved for the protection of the local mining industry. Presentations were given by Steve Testa, Chairman of the State Mining and Geology Board, Susan Grijalva, Amador County Planning Director, Nathan Lishman, Amador County Planner, Mike Del Orto, Association Director, Calaveras County and Tim Smith, Association Director, Amador County. Smith said a lively discussion with questions and answers was directed at the differences of interpretation of SMARA requirements and implementation between the Association and the Mines and Geology Board. Smith said the Association and the County of Amador seemed to have similar understandings and concerns. Amador County Supervisors Louis Boitano and John Plasse were in attendance and provided questions and comments to Testa and the members. CSMA pledged to put together a committee from the Association, Amador and Calaveras Counties and the Department of Conservation to work to bring the Counties, the State DOC and the mining community together on their understanding of what works within SMARA and changes that need to made to the current regulations. The Association’s Mike Del Orto was to testify at a joint Planning and Supervisors hearing on the Calaveras County General Plan on April 19th in Angels Camp. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 28 April 2010 02:55
Caltrans Workers Clean 73 Bags Of Trash From Highway 88 Roadsides
Amador County – The California Department of Transportation held a highway litter pickup day last week and reported picking up 73 bags of trash from Highway 88 roadsides in Amador County. The statewide Litter Removal Day, in coordination with Keep California Beautiful, and California Highway Patrol, was held on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, last Thursday, April 22nd. Stockton-based District 10 publicist Chantel Miller said Caltrans maintenance crews in Amador County picked up litter and debris for the entire day along Highway 88 from the San Joaquin/Amador County border to just west of Wicklow Way. They filled more than 73 bags with litter. The cleanup day was an educational activity designed to enhance public awareness of costs associated with removing litter, and the volume of roadside waste the state encounters. Caltrans spent approximately $60 million in 2008-2009 to pick up litter and debris from state highways and roadways. Caltrans forces, combined with Adopt-A-Highway Program participants, special programs personnel such as probationers, inmates and the California Conservation Corps, and contractors for litter removal, removed 160,000 cubic yards of litter from highways last year, which would fill roughly 10,000 Caltrans garbage trucks. Miller said Caltrans encourages people to carry litter bags in automobiles, and to always cover and properly secure loads of trucks and pick-ups. Besides economic costs, litter creates a range of serious threats to the environment and human health. Wildlife can suffer from plastic in the environment, and roadside vegetation can be damaged by large debris. Improperly discarded cigarettes can start fires that can threaten human health, and harmful chemicals and biohazards can cause a serious threat to human health. Also, litter can clog roadway drainage systems and lead to highway flooding, congestion, and accidents. Miller said litter can also aid in the spread of disease. She said the “best anti-litter campaign is to ensure trash never makes it onto the highways in the first place.” For more information on the District 10 Adopt-A-Highway Program, call (209) 948-7462. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 28 April 2010 02:58
Howard Park Gets Repairs From City, Community, Eagle Scout Project
Amador County – Ione community groups, city staff and even an Eagle Scout project have been working on improvements at Howard Park, with some completed, and others still in process, in preparation for next weekend’s Ione Homecoming. City Manager Kim Kerr described the projects in a report Tuesday to the Ione Recreation Commission, whose members were scheduled to meet Tuesday. Kerr in the report said city staff has been working with community groups at Howard Park, and completed electrical upgrades and lighting projects. They have also repaired, painted and replaced at various areas such as the amphitheater, booths, petting zoo and benches & tables in the carnival and booth areas. Kerr said “replacement of the petting zoo area is an Eagle Scout project” that was expected to be completed Monday (April 24th). 3 groups were planning to work at Howard Park, including last weekend and this Saturday (May 1st). Last weekend, the Ione Picnic Association and Rotary of Ione were planning to clean up and get the park ready for Ione Homecoming, scheduled for May 7th and 8th. The Church of Latter Day Saints plans to work this Saturday in Evalynn Bishop Hall and the booth area. The electrical upgrades, which included fixes to “lighting behind Evalynn Bishop Hall, cost $11,070,” Kerr said, “and the city will receive a $2,000 donation from the Ione Picnic Association.” Repair of an electric panel and installation on an exterior electrical outlet at the hall cost $750. Ed Hughes Memorial Arena “also received an electronic system to activate lights,” at a cost of $2,930, plus $125 for a telephone line activation. Kerr said the city will be purchasing materials to repair and paint the petting zoo and booth areas, with an estimated cost of $3,000. The Ione Recreation Commission is Chairman Russ Baldwin, and commissioners Rosemary Johnson, Laurie Lord, Sue Priest and Fraser West. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 28 April 2010 06:09
Amador County News TSPN TV with Alex Lane 4-28-10
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Wednesday, 28 April 2010 03:00
Jackson Preps to Hire Full-Time Firefighters
Amador County – The Jackson City Council on Monday unanimously agreed to direct staff to prepare the formal documents necessary to hire full-time firefighters as part of a city fire plan. City Manager Mike Daly said this is the latest step in a process that began after the “Amador Fire Protection District’s decision to reject a proposal from the Amador County Board of Supervisors to hire a Fire Services Manager to provide leadership for a consolidated fire agency.” Daly said the city council does not disapprove of the County’s action, but “feels we will be better served by hiring our own people.” The new organizational structure will include the hiring of a Fire Chief, Fire Captain and two Fire Engineers. Daly said the Fire Chief reports to him “and will direct and manage all City of Jackson Fire Department operations, including the current volunteer Fire Chief who would be reclassified as a volunteer Battalion Chief along with the current Assistant Fire Chief.” The Fire Chief, Fire Captain and Fire Engineers would all be full-time employees. Daly said “the job descriptions were developed by Jackson Fire Captain Mike Olivarria, who works full-time for CalFire as a Battalion Chief.” In preparing his descriptions, Olivarria evaluated the descriptions prepared by the AFPD and similarly structured fire agencies. The plan will be completely funded through Measure M, a ½ cent sales tax to support local firefighting services which was passed by voters last November. Daly projects the City will receive around $360,000 a year and currently has $341,463 “reserved for firefighter costs as stipulated in the ballot measure language.” City staff estimates the total hiring cost will range from $306,629 to $333,249. The council expressed concern over how this full-time fire department implementation will affect the City’s public safety retirement plan, known as PERS coverage. City staff is still looking into this matter. Council member Marilyn Lewis was absent from the meeting. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 28 April 2010 02:58
Howard Park Gets Repairs From City, Community, Eagle Scout Project
Amador County – Ione community groups, city staff and even an Eagle Scout project have been working on improvements at Howard Park, with some completed, and others still in process, in preparation for next weekend’s Ione Homecoming. City Manager Kim Kerr described the projects in a report Tuesday to the Ione Recreation Commission, whose members were scheduled to meet Tuesday. Kerr in the report said city staff has been working with community groups at Howard Park, and completed electrical upgrades and lighting projects. They have also repaired, painted and replaced at various areas such as the amphitheater, booths, petting zoo and benches & tables in the carnival and booth areas. Kerr said “replacement of the petting zoo area is an Eagle Scout project” that was expected to be completed Monday (April 24th). 3 groups were planning to work at Howard Park, including last weekend and this Saturday (May 1st). Last weekend, the Ione Picnic Association and Rotary of Ione were planning to clean up and get the park ready for Ione Homecoming, scheduled for May 7th and 8th. The Church of Latter Day Saints plans to work this Saturday in Evalynn Bishop Hall and the booth area. The electrical upgrades, which included fixes to “lighting behind Evalynn Bishop Hall, cost $11,070,” Kerr said, “and the city will receive a $2,000 donation from the Ione Picnic Association.” Repair of an electric panel and installation on an exterior electrical outlet at the hall cost $750. Ed Hughes Memorial Arena “also received an electronic system to activate lights,” at a cost of $2,930, plus $125 for a telephone line activation. Kerr said the city will be purchasing materials to repair and paint the petting zoo and booth areas, with an estimated cost of $3,000. The Ione Recreation Commission is Chairman Russ Baldwin, and commissioners Rosemary Johnson, Laurie Lord, Sue Priest and Fraser West. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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