Tom
Friday, 19 March 2010 06:04
ARTS Manager Gets 1 Month Extension To Balance Budget
Amador County – The Amador Regional Transit System board or directors granted the system manager a 1-month extension on a budget update Wednesday, and assigned a budget committee to work with him on possible changes to help the system get in the black. ARTS Manager James Means said he pulled the item from the agenda because he still must make changes to right the balance. Means said he wanted to again borrow an Amador County Transportation Commission consultant, to work on the budget. ACTC Executive Director Charles Field said the consultant is a specialist or bus routes, not finance. Field also said that it was the ARTS manager’s job to deliver the budget update, and “putting it off another month will have fiduciary impacts,” which will affect ACTC. ARTS board member Supervisor John Plasse said he was prepared to comment on the budget. He said he could make some comments on where to make changes and savings. Supervisor Richard Forster suggested they establish a budget committee to meet with Means. The board on consensus formed a budget committee. Plasse and Sutter Creek City Councilman Pat Crosby volunteered to sit on the committee, and they met with Means during a break. ARTS also reported on some new ideas at the meeting. Public relations consultant Terry Grillo, of Volcano Blues Media gave a presentation on an advertising billboard program. Plasse asked how the advertising contracts of an “annualized” $17,000 could, with a conservative estimate, be seen as having the potential to increase to $76,000. Grillo said that would be possible if they sold all of the billboard space on all of the 14 busses and 2 trolleys now operated regularly by ARTS. Plasse said he did not consider it conservative to estimate selling all of the space. Grillo said: “We have desirable spaces” and “I’m confident that we can sell them all.” Ione Councilman David Plank agreed that the numbers were high. Crosby told Grillo to keep that attitude and “keep selling.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 19 March 2010 06:06
AWA to Consider GSL at Mace Meadow CC
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors will head Upcountry next week to look at issues involving the “Gravity Supply Line” raw water pipeline that would take water from Tiger Creek to central Amador. The board last week set a 2 p.m. meeting Thursday (March 25th) at Mace Meadow Country Club to talk about the proposed $13.4 million project, that could qualify for a $5 million USDA grant, and more in loans, but which has drawn criticism for not following up on alternatives to a gravity-powered water pipeline. Agency staff has produce information about the GSL design, studies of replacing electric pumps on the existing pipeline, and estimates for replacing the existing pipeline itself. Interim General Manger Gene Mancebo said the board, when it reconvenes its regular meeting Thursday at Mace Meadow, in Pioneer, it could return to the financial plan proposals of the Central Amador Water Project. He said he did not see any environmental questions that had raised a need to go beyond approving a Mitigated Negative Declaration on the GSL. The agency took public comment on the Negative Declaraton, both in writing during a comment period, and in person during a February 25th meeting. Mancebo said he will recommend Thursday that the board approve the Negative Declaration on the Gravity Supply Line, which could lead to consideration of approving the GSL project itself. Mancebo said the board could approve the Negative Declaration, or take other actions. The AWA board will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday at the agency office in Sutter Creek, then break for lunch and reconvene at Mace Meadow. The agenda at 2 p.m. will include “discussion and possible adoption of environmental documents and project approval for a gravity-fed raw water pipeline, the Gravity Supply Line project, on the CAWP water treatment system.” AWA staff will address questions on the GSL raised in a February 1st workshop. They could look at the reliability of PG&E’s Tiger Creek Regulator as a water source, the availability of grants to finance upgrades to existing pumps, and deadlines for federal grant offers. The board will also discuss the CAWP rate study and financial plan and an “ongoing operational deficit in the CAWP retail system.” They could also discuss repayment of internal loans made by Amador Water System, and funding for future capital improvements. If the board OKs a financial plan, CAWP retail customers will receive a notice of a proposed rate increase in early April. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 19 March 2010 05:56
California Gets $35M Cash For Clunker Appliances
Amador County – Amador County Waste Management Department Thursday announced that California Energy Commission is implementing a “Cash for Clunkers” program for household appliances, using $35 million in federal stimulus funds. Jim McHargue, director of Amador Waste Management said the rebate program encourages “replacement of inefficient appliances with new energy-conserving models.” The “Cash for Appliances” program consists of three components. 1 is to purchase a qualifying appliance from an approved list. Qualifying appliances are online at www.cash4appliances.org. Component 2 is to recycle the old unit at a “Certified Appliance Recycler.” Component 3 is to save, by mailing in a rebate application package within 30 days of the purchase, starting April 22nd. California has been allotted $35.2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds through the U.S. Department of Energy for the program. The funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and are expected to go quickly. The launch of the program is April 22nd, to coincide with Earth Day, and will run through May 23rd, or until funds are depleted. Appliances purchased before April 22nd are not eligible for a rebate. Consumers can receive $200 for refrigerators; $100 for clothes washers; and $50 for room air conditioners. The rebate program requires proof that the old appliance has been recycled through a Certified Appliance Recycler. The program does not pay for the cost of recycling, but many appliance retailers will recycle your old equipment at no cost when a new appliance is purchased. Amador County appliance retailers should be contacted for details, or see www.cash4appliances.org. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 19 March 2010 06:02
Challenge of Champions Rodeo Returns to Plymouth
Amador County – The 2010 Challenge of Champions Rodeo takes place this weekend, with events featuring the best high school rodeo riding boys and girls in the state competing at the Amador County Fairgrounds in Plymouth. The schedule includes the cutting competition, kicking off 7 a.m. Friday, with the “final go” to follow, and a “rodeo performance” starting 6 p.m. Friday. Saturday starts with an 11 a.m. “Special Rodeo,” followed by the rodeo performances, at 1 p.m. Sunday starts with a 10 a.m. “Cowboy Church” in the main arena. At noon Sunday is the Challenge of Champions Finals, with the award presentation to follow. Local coordinator Craig Williams said this will be the 13th year of the Challenge of Champions to be held in Plymouth, and the 38th year of the event overall. It was held in the San Francisco Cow Palace for 25 years, before being brought to Plymouth. Also for the 13th year, the Jackson Rancheria, Casino & hotel is once again the Challenge of Champions major sponsor. Williams said “much support from the community as well as support from the contestants’ families has made the Challenge of Champions a success.” He said the competitors exhibit a professional manner, exceptional athleticism, talent, and a “unique sense of spirit and sportsmanship.” The top 3 contestants in each event from the 9 districts of the California High School Rodeo Association will qualify to participate, “which will promise for action-packed excitement and more,” Williams said. The 11 categories includes barrels, breakaway, cutting, broncs and bareback, bulls, team roping, goats, poles, tie down and steer wrestling. Reigning California High School Rodeo Association Queen K’Lynn [Kay-Lynn] Nicole Jackson will preside over the rodeo. Jackson, the District 7 Queen, competed in breakaway roping, goat tying, barrel racing and pole bending. She won the queen competition at the State Finals in Bishop last June, and as state queen, took 5th at nationals in New Mexico, and was named “Miss Photogenic 2009”. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 19 March 2010 06:07
2 Injured in Clinton Road Crash
Amador County – The California Highway Patrol late Thursday afternoon was investigating a 1-vehicle crash that left 2 Jackson men injured on Clinton Road near Butte Mountain Road. The driver and passenger were separately airlifted by helicopter from the scene. California Highway Patrol reported that Roger Dale Chandler Jr., 31, sustained moderate injuries, when the 1997 Mercury Mystique he was driving missed a curve, left the roadway and struck a tree and fence. His passenger, Matthew Keith Wade, 20, sustained major injuries and was airlifted to Sutter Roseville Hospital, where he remained in critical condition this morning. Chandler was flown to Mercy San Juan Hospital in Carmichael, where was in good condition this morning. CHP said the investigation continues. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 19 March 2010 06:09
Motorcyce Crashes, Burns After Deer Hit
Amador County – Earlier this morning a motorcycle was struck by a fast-moving deer on Highway 49 in Jackson, then the bike skidded to a stop and burst into flames. TSPN personality Kam Merzlak recorded the results of the collision. The deer reportedly came from near Big O Tires, travelling at a high rate of speed and slammed into the front wheel of the motorcycle, causing the rider to be ejected. The motorcycle then skidded to a stop, during which time it burst into flames. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 19 March 2010 06:13
John Hofmann - Amador County Natural Resources Consultant 3-19-10
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Friday, 19 March 2010 04:24
Amador County News TSPN TV with Alan Sprenkel 3-19-10
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Friday, 19 March 2010 06:13
John Hofmann - Amador County Natural Resources Consultant 3-19-10
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Friday, 19 March 2010 06:09
Motorcyce Crashes, Burns After Deer Hit
Amador County – Earlier this morning a motorcycle was struck by a fast-moving deer on Highway 49 in Jackson, then the bike skidded to a stop and burst into flames. TSPN personality Kam Merzlak recorded the results of the collision. The deer reportedly came from near Big O Tires, travelling at a high rate of speed and slammed into the front wheel of the motorcycle, causing the rider to be ejected. The motorcycle then skidded to a stop, during which time it burst into flames. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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