Amador County – The Amador County Supervisors on Tuesday split 2-2 in denying a request for an overrule of the Airport Land Use Commission’s decision to not allow a small delicatessen in the Safety Area fly zone of Westover Field in Martell.

Supervisors said they heard from pilots opposed to the overrule to allow a 750-square foot deli in Martell Plaza, and another pilot appeared and also requested protection for the Airport. Rich Campbell, a pilot since 1964, and an aircraft owner who flies out of Jackson urged denial to protect the fly areas. He said he has watched airports in the state close due to encroachment of development or flight restrictions.

Campbell said Jackson Airport was established in 1931, with land provided by the American Legion. He urged that they wait until the new airport fight zone guidelines were adopted by the Airport Commission.

Campbell said by the time planes taking off from Westover are over the Martell Plaza they would be 500 feet up, and likely have a slim chance of crashing there, but he said “nobody ever thought an F86 would go into Farrel’s Ice Cream Parlor,” as happened in Sacramento in 1972.

Airport Director Dave Sheppard said our plan is to implement new guidelines using Caltrans’ new policy book, but where that Zone 2 line actually gets drawn remains to be seen.

Ron Regan, of Martell Plaza Incorporated, appealing the Commission’s denial, said Caltrans has new flight zoning policy, approved in 2011, and he expected the Airport Commission to follow suit, with a smaller “Zone 2.”

Supervisor John Plasse, an Airport Land Use Commissioner, voted in favor of the overrule to get people to work. He said “the space is open for rent to a whole host of businesses, but not this one.”

Supervisor Vice Chairman Richard Forster agreed “wholeheartedly.” He said the Airport Commission has no discretion to overrule the Land Use policy of not having restaurants in Zone 2 safety area. Forster said “we have the discretion.”

Plasse said he detected no objection from the pilots on the Commission, and if it had the discretion for making the overrule, he thought it would have occurred.

Supervisor Ted Novelli, also an Airport Land Use Commissioner, said he would like to see this business open and wished he could give the proponent the business. He also wished the “Commission had adopted our new guidelines by now.” Novelli said he needs to stand by the airport.

Plasse said it was common sense to allow the use, for the proposed carryout deli, which would likely have fewer occupants than an insurance company with six cubicles, which would be allowed in the same mall.

Supervisor Brian Oneto dissented with Novelli. Oneto said he was contacted by pilots opposing the overrule and he thought it would be better to wait for the new guidelines.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Second Generation, a local organization that raises money to support youth livestock programs at the Amador County Fair this year will offer the chance to win the driver’s seat of a championship-caliber Destruction Derby car.

The Second Generation Dinner and Raffle’s grand prize will give the winner the driver’s seat of a 1977 Chrysler Cordova built by local champion Chris Gascon, and a chance to drive in the 2012 Amador County Destruction Derby.

Second Generation was started in 2008 by auctioneer Seth Seever and several others, including his girlfriend, Erin Lawrie. They both raised livestock as children, and helped start Second Generation to save the Amador County Fair.

Coming off a record fundraising year, they found something epic: Chris Gascon, of Gascon Racing, an eight-time winner of the Calaveras County Derby, donated construction of the car, complete with his winning designs. Seever said it has the Mopar engine that Gascon won four derbies with, and utilizes the front-crash qualities of the Cordova favored by his father.

Gascon said he could win with this car. The raffle winner drives the in the 2012 Amador Derby, but the car goes back to Gascon Racing. Gascon also will invite the driver to his property for some driving tips.

Seever saw the newly designed vehicle for the first time Wednesday at Merzlak Signs. Kam Merzlak donated the labor to design the car to give back to youth livestock. Second Generation helps supplement auction earnings for youths in their sales at the Fair. It has helped more than 600 kids in local 4-H, FFA and Grange clubs.

Merzlak said for a couple of years he bought livestock. With lean times last year he donated 4 signs for the Dinner and Raffle, which raised $23,000. This year, he designed the Gascon car, something he has always wanted to do.

Merzlak said “the Derby is the biggest event at the Fair, and this is one of the most unique raffle ticket prizes I’ve seen in Amador County, ever.” He said the vehicle construction has a good $5,000 value.

Seever said “this never happens. Gascon never builds cars for anybody, period.” He said if it does well in the raffle, Gascon may do it again next year.

It was discussed to auction the race opportunity, but Seever’s girlfriend, Erin Lawrie pushed for the raffle. She said it gives everyone a chance to drive a champion’s car and would help raise more money.

The Second Generation Dinner and Raffle is June 23, the fourth Saturday in June. Auction tickets are $20 each, and the raffle is during the dinner. Donations are tax deductible, in partnership with the Amador Community Foundation.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-9-12 - TSPN's Tom Slivick talks with Walter Wiseman, owner of Roundtable Pizza in Martell about the county’s new economic sign and banner exemptions.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-9-12

• Amador Supervisors heard business community support for a Transient Occupancy Tax on hotel and motel stays, with the funds used to promote the county.

• Sutter Creek heard that long-time accounting woes have caused the city’s new auditor to issue its finding with a disclaimer.

• A Plymouth man was arrested for assault in a March 28 Mitchell Mine Road stabbing.

• Amador Supervisors discussed a workshop to take input on Transient Occupancy Tax ballot measure.

• Amador LAFCO plans Brown Act training sessions for public officials May 29  

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-10-12

• Youth livestock programs will benefit from Second Generation’s Raffle to win a chance to drive a champion Gascon Racing car in the 2012 Amador County Fair Destruction Derby.

• Amador Supervisors split on request to waive the Airport Land Use Commission’s decision to not allow a deli in safety area 2.

• Business leaders supported a plan to increase tourist hotel, motel taxes and use the proceeds to promote Amador County tourism.

• Amador County Chamber of Commerce plans its main fundraiser, Golf Tournament May 18 at Castle Oaks.  

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-10-12

• Youth livestock programs will benefit from Second Generation’s Raffle to win a chance to drive a champion Gascon Racing car in the 2012 Amador County Fair Destruction Derby.

• Amador Supervisors split on request to waive the Airport Land Use Commission’s decision to not allow a deli in safety area 2.

• Business leaders supported a plan to increase tourist hotel, motel taxes and use the proceeds to promote Amador County tourism.

• Amador County Chamber of Commerce plans its main fundraiser, Golf Tournament May 18 at Castle Oaks.  

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-10-12 - TSPN's Tom Slivick talks with Carina Bassin, project coordinator of a grant for a local project called “Getting Livestock From Farm to Fork”. 

Amador County – Second Generation, a local organization that raises money to support youth livestock programs at the Amador County Fair this year will offer the chance to win the driver’s seat of a championship-caliber Destruction Derby car.

The Second Generation Dinner and Raffle’s grand prize will give the winner the driver’s seat of a 1977 Chrysler Cordova built by local champion Chris Gascon, and a chance to drive in the 2012 Amador County Destruction Derby.

Second Generation was started in 2008 by auctioneer Seth Seever and several others, including his girlfriend, Erin Lawrie. They both raised livestock as children, and helped start Second Generation to save the Amador County Fair.

Coming off a record fundraising year, they found something epic: Chris Gascon, of Gascon Racing, an eight-time winner of the Calaveras County Derby, donated construction of the car, complete with his winning designs. Seever said it has the Mopar engine that Gascon won four derbies with, and utilizes the front-crash qualities of the Cordova favored by his father.

Gascon said he could win with this car. The raffle winner drives the in the 2012 Amador Derby, but the car goes back to Gascon Racing. Gascon also will invite the driver to his property for some driving tips.

Seever saw the newly designed vehicle for the first time Wednesday at Merzlak Signs. Kam Merzlak donated the labor to design the car to give back to youth livestock. Second Generation helps supplement auction earnings for youths in their sales at the Fair. It has helped more than 600 kids in local 4-H, FFA and Grange clubs.

Merzlak said for a couple of years he bought livestock. With lean times last year he donated 4 signs for the Dinner and Raffle, which raised $23,000. This year, he designed the Gascon car, something he has always wanted to do.

Merzlak said “the Derby is the biggest event at the Fair, and this is one of the most unique raffle ticket prizes I’ve seen in Amador County, ever.” He said the vehicle construction has a good $5,000 value.

Seever said “this never happens. Gascon never builds cars for anybody, period.” He said if it does well in the raffle, Gascon may do it again next year.

It was discussed to auction the race opportunity, but Seever’s girlfriend, Erin Lawrie pushed for the raffle. She said it gives everyone a chance to drive a champion’s car and would help raise more money.

The Second Generation Dinner and Raffle is June 23, the fourth Saturday in June. Auction tickets are $20 each, and the raffle is during the dinner. Donations are tax deductible, in partnership with the Amador Community Foundation.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador County Supervisors on Tuesday split 2-2 in denying a request for an overrule of the Airport Land Use Commission’s decision to not allow a small delicatessen in the Safety Area fly zone of Westover Field in Martell.

Supervisors said they heard from pilots opposed to the overrule to allow a 750-square foot deli in Martell Plaza, and another pilot appeared and also requested protection for the Airport. Rich Campbell, a pilot since 1964, and an aircraft owner who flies out of Jackson urged denial to protect the fly areas. He said he has watched airports in the state close due to encroachment of development or flight restrictions.

Campbell said Jackson Airport was established in 1931, with land provided by the American Legion. He urged that they wait until the new airport fight zone guidelines were adopted by the Airport Commission.

Campbell said by the time planes taking off from Westover are over the Martell Plaza they would be 500 feet up, and likely have a slim chance of crashing there, but he said “nobody ever thought an F86 would go into Farrel’s Ice Cream Parlor,” as happened in Sacramento in 1972.

Airport Director Dave Sheppard said our plan is to implement new guidelines using Caltrans’ new policy book, but where that Zone 2 line actually gets drawn remains to be seen.

Ron Regan, of Martell Plaza Incorporated, appealing the Commission’s denial, said Caltrans has new flight zoning policy, approved in 2011, and he expected the Airport Commission to follow suit, with a smaller “Zone 2.”

Supervisor John Plasse, an Airport Land Use Commissioner, voted in favor of the overrule to get people to work. He said “the space is open for rent to a whole host of businesses, but not this one.”

Supervisor Vice Chairman Richard Forster agreed “wholeheartedly.” He said the Airport Commission has no discretion to overrule the Land Use policy of not having restaurants in Zone 2 safety area. Forster said “we have the discretion.”

Plasse said he detected no objection from the pilots on the Commission, and if it had the discretion for making the overrule, he thought it would have occurred.

Supervisor Ted Novelli, also an Airport Land Use Commissioner, said he would like to see this business open and wished he could give the proponent the business. He also wished the “Commission had adopted our new guidelines by now.” Novelli said he needs to stand by the airport.

Plasse said it was common sense to allow the use, for the proposed carryout deli, which would likely have fewer occupants than an insurance company with six cubicles, which would be allowed in the same mall.

Supervisor Brian Oneto dissented with Novelli. Oneto said he was contacted by pilots opposing the overrule and he thought it would be better to wait for the new guidelines.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Amador County Business Council members on Tuesday voiced support for a Transient Occupancy Tax increase on hotel and motel visits.

Amador County Board of Supervisors directed staff to start a draft of a proposed ballot measure, and Supervisor Richard Forster appointed an ad hoc committee to hold public workshops on the issue.

The Business Council’s Jim Conklin recommended a 4 percent increase to add to the current 6 percent TOT tax, which he said could be called a “Tourist” tax. He recommended the 4 percent go to Amador Council of Tourism. Several group representatives spoke in favor, including Chamber President Mark Borchin. Conklin recommended the funds go to promote tourism.

Supervisor John Plasse said all groups should be included in the workshop and give input, including the Mother Lode Tea Party, the Democratic and Republican committees, the Chamber and the Business Council. Plasse said the funds might also “dedicate the money to economic development as a whole.”

Al Bozzo of the Business Council and Amador Realtors Association said wine-related agriculture is the most important industry in Amador, and the more money we have in the pot, the more money we have to pay for infrastructure.

Bozzo compared wine regions, saying Lodi is a sleeping giant, and Napa has a multi-million dollar marketing budget that “we can’t match, but we can get our fair share.” 

Maurine Funk, executive director of the Amador Council of Tourism said she had spoken informally with all of the local groups and all of the discussions have been positive. She said Calaveras County has been unwilling to go to the ballot to try to raise their 6 percent TOT tax, because they feel they do not have the support for tourism. She said: “I think it’s an easy sell for us.”

Supervisor Ted Novelli said it would not be easy if people get the wrong idea about the tax, because of the large number of elders in the population. He said Amador County is among the top three counties in per capita retirees. He said when they hear “tax,” the hair stands up on the back of their necks. He said don’t use it, it is a bad word.

Forster said they should emphasize that people who live here do not pay the Transient Occupancy Tax. Only visitors pay it, as part of their hotel and motel fees. Bozzo said “no resident from Amador County is going to be touched.” He said visitors pay the TOT in hotels, and the promotional money will help all businesses.

Conklin urged following the same timeline as Tuolumne County, which seeks a measure to close tax loopholes on camping and RV visitors. He said they would need to decide on the language by around June 21 to make the November ballot.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.