Tom
Monday, 15 March 2010 01:51
Amador Assessor Faces Opponent, 8 Unopposed in June Pimary
Amador County – The last day for declaration of candidacy passed Friday to find only the Amador County Assessor will face opposition in the June 8th primary election. Deborah Smith of the election office said that Irene Jay Elias, of Sutter Creek filed her candidacy for the assessor’s position. Elias completed her filing at about 4:45 p.m. Friday and will face incumbent County Assessor Jim Rooney on the primary ballot. Clerk/Recorder Sheldon Johnson said early Friday that all incumbent candidates had declared their candidacies in 9 seats, including Johnson’s. The eight, including Johnson, seeking reelection unopposed are Superior Court Judge Susan Harlan, District Attorney Todd Riebe, Sheriff Martin Ryan, Auditor Joe Lowe, Treasurer/Tax Collector Michael Ryan, Supervisor Chairman Brian Oneto of District 5, Supervisor Ted Novelli of District 3, and Superintendent of Schools Dick Glock. Republican and Democratic political party central committees declared candidacies, but the posts will not be contested because the number of candidates did not exceed the number of vacancies, Smith said. Their eligibility must still be confirmed. Johnson said an extension for filing as a candidate would have been activated if an incumbent did not file for reelection. Annual salaries for the 9 offices in Amador County total $941,201. All county offices except for judges are 4-year terms. Judges hold 6-year terms. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Monday, 15 March 2010 01:50
Ione to Discuss Suit vs. Ione Police Ballot Measure
Amador County – Staff of the city of Ione prepared for a larger crowd to attend Tuesday’s regular meeting when the City Council will discuss a possible lawsuit against a potential ballot measure that would do away with the Ione Police Department. The meeting will be held at Evalynn Bishop Hall instead of at City Hall, because of an expected large turnout. The hall seats 650 people. City Manager Kim Kerr said the council will hold a 4:30 p.m. closed session at city hall, and convene the regular council meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday at Bishop Hall. The council on March 2nd requested additional information on filing deadlines for the proposed measure. The measure is called the “City of Ione Law Enforcement Services Act.” Kerr in a report for Tuesday’s meeting said the deadline for the initiative is June 24th, for placement on the November ballot. City Clerk Janice Traverso must first certify the signatures and submit the ballot initiative to the city council for certification for placement on the November ballot. The measure was proposed by Jackson Valley resident Jim Scully, and Ione resident Denise Robertson. It would remove the authority of the Ione Police Department and require that the Amador County Sheriff’s Office take over law enforcement duties in the city. Scully requested that a ballot measure title be created by the city, and Robertson authorized Scully to gather signatures on the petition for the ballot measure, and to also file the petition with the city (if she chooses him to do so). Scully needs 206 signatures, or 10 percent of registered city voters. The council on Tuesday could “vote on pursuing litigation to prevent the ballot initiative.” Kerr in the report asked the council to discuss pursuing litigation and also “the timing of the potential litigation.” Included was a letter from Ione Junior High principal William Murray, in which he said the school supports IPD. Murray said the department “is an integral part of what has helped this community have safe and healthy schools.” 2 local residents, Sharon Long and Jack Brotherton, last week submitted a letter of support for the department. They spoke with and heard support from Sheriff Martin Ryan, Jackson Police Chief Scott Morrison, District Attorney Todd Riebe, Amador County Combined Narcotic Enforcement Team Commander Jackie Long, and the attorney general’s office. They expect those or their representatives to all speak Tuesday in support of keeping the Ione Police Department. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Monday, 15 March 2010 01:48
ACUSD Looks at Change to 5-Member Board
Amador County – The Amador County Unified School District discussed the option Wednesday of moving forward with a 5-member board for both the District and the County Office of Education, in part because of concerns over violating the California Voting Rights Act of 2001. The agenda states “the intent of this process would be to elect Governing Board members by trustee area, with only that area’s residents voting on the respective area’s/district’s representative.” ACUSD Attorney David Girard said trustee areas would be coterminous with supervisorial districts to ensure more accurate representation. He said the readjustment would require multiple steps, including the assembly of a new County Committee on School District Organization, a public hearing, committee approval by a two-thirds vote, approval from the Board of Supervisors and final approval by public vote during the next election of board members. Under state education code, the governing board itself would constitute the committee because the county is included in a single school district. Girard said the potential savings from all this could be upwards of $10,000 annually in governing board personnel costs. He said that under law, the board may, after public review, may request the State Board of Education waive public election requirements. Board member Walser recommended they submit for state approval rather than wait for the next election because the “process should begin as soon as possible.” Board member David Dutra disagreed, saying “the voters 20 years ago set up these districts and they should…have their word on it.”
Dutra asked if they were currently in violation of the California Voting Rights Act. Girard said he is “not aware this board has any exposure to litigation.” He made the board aware of the possibility that minority groups falling into “protected classes” can sue under the California Voting Rights Act if they feel “a majority, voting along racial or ethnic lines, would be able to elect all members of the governing body.” Board member Wally Upper said that “regardless of the legal implications, I think it’s a good idea (so we can) save some money.” Girard also said there is no specific provision as to how to determine which two trustee seats would be eliminated, but the change would only occur after those trustees had served out their terms. The board tabled the item for further discussion. A proposed reduction in board members must be made in writing to the Board of Supervisors no later than March 1st. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Education
Monday, 15 March 2010 01:46
Amador County Measles Cased Stress Immunization Needs
Amador County – A 1-year-old Amador County girl became one of four toddlers to contract measles last month, prompting officials at the California Department of Public Health to remind parents about the importance of immunizations. “Measles is a childhood disease that has been virtually eliminated in the United States because of immunization,” said Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health. “However, it could make a comeback in the U.S., as it did two decades ago, if immunization rates fall because some parents are reluctant to immunize their children.” The recently reported measles cases involved the now fully-recovered Amador County girl, a San Francisco County man, and a boy and a man in Santa Clara County. Officials say none of the four individuals had contact with one another, but three of the four had recent travel outside North America where most of the measles cases reported in the U.S. are contracted. Healthcare providers should remind patients who are traveling outside North America about the risk of measles and offer vaccine if appropriate, Horton said. Providers should also consider patients have possibly contracted measles if they have fever, rash, and have a history of recent travel outside North America. In 2008, a measles outbreak in San Diego affected 12 infants and children under age nine. Measles can be prevented with the MMR vaccine. During the last large measles resurgence in the United States, from 1989-1991, there were 17,000 reported cases and 70 deaths in California. Measles symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough and a rash all over the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one out of 10 children with measles also develops an ear infection and up to one out of 20 develops pneumonia. For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die. “Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect your child and your community from measles,” Horton said. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Health
Monday, 15 March 2010 01:45
AWA Looks at Solar Power Costs, Legal Standing
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency discussed and approved up to 60 hours of engineering work to look at solar power for the agency last week. Steve Dollens of SunnyCal Solar gave a preliminary estimate of agency needs, and took questions. He said degradation of solar panels is 1/10th of 1 percent a year, and some panels in service are 20 years old. Their panels come with 10-year warranties and 25-year guarantees on power output. About $150,000 investment would “probably have payback in about 13 years,” he said. Director Don Cooper said they would need to consider additional fees to cover eventual replacement. Director Gary Thomas asked if the agency can sell power, if there is excess power produced. Wade Kriletich of SunnyCal said one client, a water company, sells excess power to PG&E, with revenue paying 70-80 percent of their employees’ wages. Dollens recommended more in-depth study, with AWA identifying an “internal champion,” possibly Brandt Cook, investing “40-80 man-hours of your own work.” President Bill Condrashoff said he wanted to minimize expenses and did not “want to invest a lot of internal engineering.” Cooper agreed with the concept, but the timing was off, because in May the agency needs to take a line of credit to make a nearly $1 million payment on its debt for the Amador Transmission Pipeline. He said the 40-60 hours of engineering is $7,000 to $10,000. Vice President Debbie Dunn said the board at its last meeting approved a $130,000 study that was “300 houses away from being needed.” Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said they are concerned about the engineering job costs, and where money would come from. The board approved 60 hours of internal engineering work, with the source of funding to be determined during budget meetings. Mancebo said he was unsure of legal parameters. Attorney Steve Kronick said the “Agency Act” referred only to hydroelectric power generation and sales, which the agency can do. He said the Agency Act can be amended, and he has worked on several amendments himself. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Water
Monday, 15 March 2010 01:35
Amador County News TSPN TV with Alan Sprenkel 3-15-10
Published in
Video
