Tom
Monday, 05 April 2010 18:00
Amador Farmers Markets Gears Up for 17th Season
Amador County - The Amador Farmers Markets starts its seventeenth season next month in Jackson. The schedules have been established for the upcoming season, which are: Jackson Market at the Busi Municipal parking lot (at Mel and Faye's Diner), Sundays, 9 am to 1 pm, starting on May 16th; Sutter Creek at the Eureka St. parking lot, Saturdays, 8 am to 11 am, starting on June 5th; Pine Grove at the Community Park, Wednesdays 3 pm to 6 pm, starting on June 16th. Markets will feature live music and special events as well as an abundance of local produce and products. Local support for ongoing expenses includes a grant from the Amador Community Foundation as well as the Plymouth Rotary and the Amador County Board of Supervisors. For more information about the Farmers' Market, contact the market manager at 209-419-2503, or go to www.amadorfarmersmarket.com. 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
Great Sutter Creek Duck Race Returns
Amador County - Sutter Creek’s most popular annual event, the “Great Sutter Creek Duck Race,” is just around the corner. On April 24th, hometown residents and visitors alike will gather at Minnie Provis Park to watch thousands of ducks “race” through the creek as part of this unique hometown tradition. Proceeds from the 23rd annual event will go to benefit 13 different local charities. Over $8,500 in cash and prizes will be awarded. The first place duck will get $2,500, second place receives $1,500, and third place gets $1,000. As a special added incentive this year, duck owners will also get a chance at winning $1 million! Also at the park will be plenty of booths with kids games, food, drawings, music and a parade. Duck adoptions are $5 or 5 ducks for $20. Ducks can be purchased at many local businesses or look for a charity booth located on the downtown Sutter Creek bridge on weekends. For the first time, coordination of the annual race will fall under the Amador County recreation Agency. The race takes place Saturday, April 24th from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contact ACRA at 223-6373 for more details. 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
Plymouth to Consider First Amendment to AFPA
Amador County – The Plymouth City Council on Thursday will consider an amendment to the agreement that creates the Amador Fire Protection Authority. The amendment, unanimously recommended by the AFPA board of directors, includes shifting from a regional, consolidation-oriented organization, and into a “sub-regional” organization. Plymouth City Manager Dixon Flynn will present a staff report to the Plymouth City Council Thursday detailing the amendment. Flynn in the report recommends the Plymouth City Council approve the first amendment to the AFPA “Joint Powers Authority” agreement, and authorize Flynn to sign it. Flynn’s report was prepared by Kim Kerr, city manager of Ione, and one of the 7 member entities of the AFPA. AFPA’s membership includes the cities of Plymouth, Ione and Jackson, the Amador Fire Protection District, Jackson Valley Fire Protection District, Sutter Creek Fire Protection District, and Lockwood Fire District. Kerr in the report said that since Measure M was approved in 2008, the half-cent sales tax took effect and has been accumulating since April 1st, 2009. “Final distribution formula details recommended by AFPA were approved” by the Amador County Board of Supervisors last December. Kerr said “other revenues resulting from AFPA efforts” are community facilities district assessments on new development in most areas of the county, and re-allocation of Proposition 172, a state-wide ½-cent sales tax, which was switched from paying entirely toward law enforcement, to a 50-50 split with fire services, for the next 10 years. Kerr’s report said after Measure M was approved, AFPA recognized the need to amend its forming agreement. One change “is a slight de-emphasis on consolidation of fire services,” Kerr said: “The original agreement clearly stated that consolidation was one of the purposes of” AFPA, but “efforts among some agencies to focus on their own region, particularly the city of Ione and Jackson Valley Fire District, have moved this objective in a direction of sub-regionalization rather than a full consolidation of all departments within the county.” The amendment to the AFPA Joint Power Authority agreement must be approved by a majority of its 7 members. The amendment includes language to deemphasize full consolidation, though Kerr said “all agencies continue to state that full consolidation at a future time is still a worthy objective.” The amendments would also remove an “advisory team” that “does not need to be specified in the agreement.” Kerr said the AFPA board unanimously recommended the amendment for approval, and Jackson City Council was the first member entity to review the amendment. 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
Tuesday, 06 April 2010 05:49
Nate Lishman - Amador County Planning Department 4-6-10
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News Interview Videos
Monday, 05 April 2010 18:00
Amador County News TSPN TV with Alex Lane 4-6-10
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News Broadcast Videos
Tuesday, 06 April 2010 05:49
Nate Lishman - Amador County Planning Department 4-6-10
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Local
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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State
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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Law Enforcement
Monday, 05 April 2010 18:00
Plymouth to Consider First Amendment to AFPA
Amador County – The Plymouth City Council on Thursday will consider an amendment to the agreement that creates the Amador Fire Protection Authority. The amendment, unanimously recommended by the AFPA board of directors, includes shifting from a regional, consolidation-oriented organization, and into a “sub-regional” organization. Plymouth City Manager Dixon Flynn will present a staff report to the Plymouth City Council Thursday detailing the amendment. Flynn in the report recommends the Plymouth City Council approve the first amendment to the AFPA “Joint Powers Authority” agreement, and authorize Flynn to sign it. Flynn’s report was prepared by Kim Kerr, city manager of Ione, and one of the 7 member entities of the AFPA. AFPA’s membership includes the cities of Plymouth, Ione and Jackson, the Amador Fire Protection District, Jackson Valley Fire Protection District, Sutter Creek Fire Protection District, and Lockwood Fire District. Kerr in the report said that since Measure M was approved in 2008, the half-cent sales tax took effect and has been accumulating since April 1st, 2009. “Final distribution formula details recommended by AFPA were approved” by the Amador County Board of Supervisors last December. Kerr said “other revenues resulting from AFPA efforts” are community facilities district assessments on new development in most areas of the county, and re-allocation of Proposition 172, a state-wide ½-cent sales tax, which was switched from paying entirely toward law enforcement, to a 50-50 split with fire services, for the next 10 years. Kerr’s report said after Measure M was approved, AFPA recognized the need to amend its forming agreement. One change “is a slight de-emphasis on consolidation of fire services,” Kerr said: “The original agreement clearly stated that consolidation was one of the purposes of” AFPA, but “efforts among some agencies to focus on their own region, particularly the city of Ione and Jackson Valley Fire District, have moved this objective in a direction of sub-regionalization rather than a full consolidation of all departments within the county.” The amendment to the AFPA Joint Power Authority agreement must be approved by a majority of its 7 members. The amendment includes language to deemphasize full consolidation, though Kerr said “all agencies continue to state that full consolidation at a future time is still a worthy objective.” The amendments would also remove an “advisory team” that “does not need to be specified in the agreement.” Kerr said the AFPA board unanimously recommended the amendment for approval, and Jackson City Council was the first member entity to review the amendment. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Monday, 05 April 2010 18:00
Great Sutter Creek Duck Race Returns
Amador County - Sutter Creek’s most popular annual event, the “Great Sutter Creek Duck Race,” is just around the corner. On April 24th, hometown residents and visitors alike will gather at Minnie Provis Park to watch thousands of ducks “race” through the creek as part of this unique hometown tradition. Proceeds from the 23rd annual event will go to benefit 13 different local charities. Over $8,500 in cash and prizes will be awarded. The first place duck will get $2,500, second place receives $1,500, and third place gets $1,000. As a special added incentive this year, duck owners will also get a chance at winning $1 million! Also at the park will be plenty of booths with kids games, food, drawings, music and a parade. Duck adoptions are $5 or 5 ducks for $20. Ducks can be purchased at many local businesses or look for a charity booth located on the downtown Sutter Creek bridge on weekends. For the first time, coordination of the annual race will fall under the Amador County recreation Agency. The race takes place Saturday, April 24th from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contact ACRA at 223-6373 for more details. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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