Tom
Wednesday, 07 April 2010 02:14
BOS Report for 4-6-10 with Richard Forster, Supervisor
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Local
Wednesday, 07 April 2010 02:07
AFPD Board OKs Hiring Firefighters with Measure M Funds
Amador County – The Amador Fire Protection District Board of Directors voted 3-2 Tuesday to approve AFPD Chief Jim McCart’s Measure M hiring plan, then voted 5-0 to start advertising jobs next week. Chairman Brian Oneto and Supervisors Louis Boitano and Ted Novelli voted yes to accept McCart’s proposed hiring plan, and accompanying job descriptions, that will set the stage to hire firefighters in Batallion 10 (in Pine Grove and Pioneer areas) and Batallion 20 (in the Plymouth, Fiddletown, River Pines and Willow Springs area). Part of the plan will also hire a battalion chief “to oversee the new firefighters and to coordinate” with 2 existing volunteer battalion chiefs. The Battalion chief would start at $60,000. Firefighters would start at $36,000 and engineers would start at $40,000. The funds were approved in 2008, when county voters OK’d Measure M, a ½-cent sales tax. About 45 people attended the meeting Tuesday in the Supervisors’ chambers, with most in the audience wearing firefighter shirts and hats, from volunteer brigades at Sutter Creek Fire District, and AFPD. Part of the plan says SCFD and Lockwood Fire District “have requested to contract with AFPD for the hiring of personnel,” which “would entail staffing of a 24-hour station in Sutter Creek and day coverage in Lockwood.” County Chief Administrative Officer Terry Daly gave a new plan proposal, asking the AFPD board to first consider whether it wanted “to take the leadership action of establishing a county-wide fire organization.” She said there were a lot of options, including contracting with California Department of Fire, which some criticized, while others supported. Dominic Moreno of SCFD said hiring Cal Fire and a “fire services manager” would install 2 superiors and put the plan “at risk of failing.” Supervisor Richard Forster, who voted against the plan, said with Cal Fire, “you are bringing in an independent, who will handle individuals independently,” whereas regional hires within the county may handle different areas of the county differently. Boitano said “you are possibly hiring one of the biggest fire departments in the world, and that comes with a price.” Forster said “it comes with a price if you don’t.” He noted that county firefighters were already discussing forming a union. Moreno said Cal Fire is one of the biggest unions in the state, and “any way you go, there’s going to be a union.” Forster also criticized McCart for not representing AFPD’s proposal at past meetings, but instead having someone from Sutter Creek represent it. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Wednesday, 07 April 2010 02:05
Supes Appove Departmental Reorganization, Potential for 6 Layoffs
Amador County – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a proposed departmental reorganization of county services that may lead to the dismissal of up to six management positions. County Administrative Officer Terri Daly, the plan’s author, stressed the importance of adapting to the harsh economic times. “This is no longer business as usual; things have changed and we have to change with them,” she said. She estimates the reorganization will save $500,000 in salary in the coming year. The plan integrates most existing departments into five major departments: Administration, Community Development, Health & Human Services, General Services Administration and Public Services. All major departments fall under the supervision of Daly, who in turn reports to the Board of Supervisors. She proposed hiring or promoting new managers for the Community Development and Public Services departments while other departments like Health and Human Services will be headed by existing management. Three existing departments- Veteran’s Services, Probation and the Ag/Air UC Extension will remain as separate entities reporting independently to the board. Daly drew upon her 20-plus years of business experience to determine factors that will help County departments work more efficiently. These include bringing staff together in larger departments and “flexing” staff to accommodate changes in activity levels, eliminating job silos and job repetition in smaller departments, creating a strong core management department and placing more focus on laying the groundwork for future needs. “If you don’t adapt, if it’s not clear to employees what their job is, or how they do their job, if there isn’t strong training and support, you’re going to go out of business,” said Daly. She said she does not relish the fact that some layoffs will be necessary, but she wanted to be up front so as not to “skirt the issue.” Supervisor Ted Novelli asked what other options they could consider to avoid layoffs. “Can we shuffle that person into another department?” he asked. Daly said “we will investigate every opportunity not to layoff employees.” She noted that the county is down 20 percent across the board in annual revenues. An unknown factor that could affect the plan as proposed is the Early Retirement Incentive Program. Daly said she is still waiting to hear from those who have expressed interest, but she expects “10 to 12” employees to take advantage of the program. Supervisor John Plasse said he reluctantly agreed with the decision to make layoffs because in his assessment, “employee salaries equal 66 to 70 percent of gross revenues.” Supervisor Richard Forster noted that the county employees he has seen are “still doing their job with less.” Chairman Brian Oneto took the opportunity to criticize the state government. “The way government is run in California means we are going to have to change, somehow, someway.” Supervisor Louis Boitano recommended the board approve the plan, but do so “with our eyes wide open, on a trial basis to see how it goes.”
The board voted 5-0 to approve a motion by Forster accepting the proposed reorganization while “including the flexibility to tweak” the plan through the implementation process. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Wednesday, 07 April 2010 02:03
Sheriff Ryan Says Sutter Creek Beat
Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council on Monday heard a report from Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan that taking over Sutter Creek’s jurisdiction would cost at least $1.4 million to start and at least $980,000 annually to run. Ryan gave the city council 2 options, with Option 1 being to create a “beat” that would cover the 1.7 square miles of the city. He said around-the-clock law enforcement coverage would require a sergeant and 6 deputies, and would cost $983,000 a year to operate, not including a “startup” cost of $426,000, which would include hiring, equipment and training. Ryan said Option 2 would be for the sheriff’s office to “act as the police department” in Sutter Creek. That would cost $1.3 million annually, plus a $547,000 initial startup cost. Option 2 would include the 6 deputies and a sergeant, with a lieutenant to act as chief, plus an office and evidence clerk. In either scenario, Ryan said, “the officers would have to become sheriff’s deputies,” with full screening as done by the department with all of its hiring. He compared operating costs to Sutter Creek Police Department’s 2008-2009 budget of just over $900,000. Undersheriff Jim Wegner further broke down startup costs, saying background checks for 6 deputies would cost $5,600; medical examinations would cost $4,600; and physicals would cost $2,800. He said those were the costs if all applicants pass, and “we never have that happen.” He said outfitting and purchasing 3 vehicles would cost $165,000, and a minimum of 3 months’ training for 7 employees would cost $160,000. Wegner said the training is required because “if we have an employee, we want them to be successful.” Councilman Pat Crosby said he still wanted to try to get services similar to what the sheriff gives in Pine Grove, Plymouth or Amador City, at comparable costs. Ryan said they did not compare, because the volume of work was greater in Sutter Creek than in Plymouth. He said Plymouth has 1 car patrolling its area in a 163-square-mile “beat,” while in Pine Grove, 1 car patrols 240 square miles. Crosby suggested having a “constable” that patrols Sutter Creek, and answers to the sheriff. Ryan said his estimates were based on offering Sutter Creek the same coverage it has now, and it was his “last, best, final offer.” Ryan said furthermore, if it was acceptable to the city, he would still want to build up his own force, which is now 23 percent down in his patrol deputies. He said “you’re probably looking at a good year out.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Law Enforcement
Wednesday, 07 April 2010 02:01
Jackson Rancheria Sponsors Sacramento Pride
Amador County - Jackson Rancheria has signed on as a $15,000 sponsor of Sacramento Pride, becoming the largest corporate sponsor in the 24-year history of the annual event. Jackson Rancheria's sponsorship also will support programs and services of the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center (saccenter.org), which produces and is the beneficiary of Sacramento Pride. “Native Americans have always believed in openness and acceptance. For 25 years Jackson Rancheria has enjoyed and supported the endless diversity of our community,” said Rich Hoffman, CEO of Jackson Rancheria. “We are proud to be a Title Sponsor of the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center and Sacramento Pride and look forward to our involvement in the publications, events, and activities of the Center, Rancheria Style.” “We're thrilled to welcome Jackson Rancheria as a partner with the Center and Sacramento Pride and as a major supporter of the LGBT community,” said Bill Otton, interim executive director of the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center. "As one of very few providers of services for LGBT people in a nine-county region, the Center depends on the support of corporations and individuals to provide critically important services. It's gratifying to receive this level of support from such a significant regional employer and community-minded organization as Jackson Rancheria.” In addition to Jackson Rancheria, major sponsors for Sacramento Pride and the Center include The Hewlett Packard Company, Wells Fargo, Barefoot Cellars, Safeway, Amtrak, Markstein Beverage Co., Outword Magazine, Rainbow Chamber of Commerce of Sacramento, Uptown Studios, Rainbow Pages, CARES and Lumens Lighting. Outword Magazine publisher Fred Palmer serves as sales and marketing representative for Sacramento Pride. Jackson Rancheria is owned and operated by the Jackson Rancheria Band of Mi-Wuk Indians. The property includes a hotel, Northern California’s highest-rated RV park, five restaurants offering a range of cuisine, parking structures, general store, gas station and the first LEED-certified building in Amador County. Jackson Rancheria is Amador County's largest employer. The resort currently is celebrating its 25th year of operation. For more information about Jackson Rancheria, call 800-822-WINN. For more information about Sacramento Pride, visit www.sacramentopride.org or call 916-442-0185, Extension 139. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Wednesday, 07 April 2010 01:55
Amador County News TSPN TV with Christian Toma 4-7-10
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Video
Monday, 05 April 2010 18:00
Legalize Marijuana Initiative Set for November
Amador County – A California initiative aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana use has received enough signatures to be included on the November ballot. Oakland businessman Richard Lee successfully collected the 690,000 signatures required to put the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act up for public vote. Limited pot use is already legal for medical purposes under Proposition 215 passed in 1996. In a recent interview with ABC News, Lee equates a revenue stream created by marijuana to the role lifting alcohol prohibition played in helping the country out of the great depression. A 2006 report released by a marijuana public policy analyst contends that “California is responsible for more than a third of the (U.S.) cannabis harvest, with an estimated production of $13.8 billion that exceeds the value of the state's grapes, vegetables and hay combined,” as reported by the LA Times. “The bad economy has definitely helped us out a lot as far as opening up a lot of people's minds to seeing that this is a waste of money and that we need to use our public funds better and tax these people,” Lee said. But there are mixed feelings about what this legislation will mean to the health and security of our state, especially amongst those in law enforcement. According to Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan, legalizing marijuana would compromise public health. “The fact is, the potent marijuana people smoke today isn’t your grandma’s marijuana from the 70’s,” he said. Ryan referenced a statement made by White House Drug Czar Chief R. Gil Kerlikowske before the California Police Chiefs Association in March. Kerlikowske noted a number of scientific studies that associate marijuana use “with dependence, respiratory and mental illness, poor motor performance, and cognitive impairment, among other negative effects.” He said “legalizing marijuana would also saddle government with the dual burden of regulating a new legal market while continuing to pay for the negative side effects associated with an underground market whose providers have little economic incentive to disappear.” Ryan added that “California should not be in the business of trying to regulate a drug that has been deemed illegal by the federal government.” The federal government still classifies marijuana as a schedule 1 narcotic, or a category of drugs not considered legitimate for medical use. If pot were legalized on a state-by-state basis, there is some grey area as to what action the feds would take. The Obama administration announced last year they are moving toward a policy to treat drug use as a health issue and prioritize treatment and prevention above imprisonment. Obama has pledged to end the Bush administration's raids on medical marijuana patients and caregivers in states where marijuana is legal for medical use, but progress is slow. The November ballot measure would allow adults 21 or older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use. It also would allow the growing of up to 25 square-feet of marijuana per residence. An ABC News/Washington Post poll in January found that 46 percent of Americans support legalizing small amounts of marijuana for personal use, up from 39 percent in 2002. 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
Monday, 05 April 2010 18:00
Ione Mayor Notifies Community of City Council Law Enforcement Stance
Amador County – The Ione City Council today could discuss the local effort to force a ballot initiative for law enforcement services, and will see a letter that the mayor sent to residents notifying them about the city council’s actions on the issue thus far. City Manager Kim Kerr reported to the city council March 31st on recommendations regarding the ballot initiative for law enforcement services, being sought by Jackson Valley resident Jim Scully and Ione resident Denise Robertson, who are trying to place the initiative on the November ballot. The city council directed staff to draft a letter to send out with the city’s sewer billing statement regarding its actions at its March 16th regular meeting. The report included “no new information,” but shared a copy of the letter, prepared by City Attorney Kristen Castanos and Mayor Schaufel and signed by the mayor. The undated letter was addressed to citizens of Ione, and stated that its purpose was “to make you aware of a petition currently being circulated to Ione residents seeking to place a measure on the November ballot that would transfer law enforcement services from the city of Ione to the Amador County Sheriff’s Office.” The letter said Castanos “has provided the necessary title and summary as required by California elections law,” and Scully and Robertson have until August 17th to return the petition (with 206 signatures that necessary) to the city for certification. Schaufel said in the letter that during the March 16th meeting at Evalynn Bishop Hall, representatives from the Amador County Sheriff’s Office and a majority of residents in attendance “spoke in support of keeping local control of law enforcement services.” Schaufel’s letter said the “city council voted 5-0 not to support the ballot initiative and in support of keeping law enforcement service with the Ione Police Department. In a separate action, the “council voted 3-2 not to pursue litigation against the ballot initiative proponents at this time,” Schaufel said. The letter urged residents to contact Ione Police Chief Michael Johnson or Kerr with “any questions or concerns you have regarding the services provided by the Ione Police Department.” The city council meets 6 p.m. today at city hall. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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