Amador County Treasurer-Tax Collector Michael E. Ryan has announced that the annual secured property tax bills for the 2012-2013 fiscal year have been mailed. Ryan indicates that there are over 23,100 secured tax bills for ad valorem taxes and voter approved special assessments, with tax charges totaling in excess of $45.8 million. If you own property in Amador County and do not receive your tax bill by October 5, 2012, please contact the Amador County Tax Collector’s Office at 810 Court Street, Jackson, CA 95642, (209)223-6364, to request a copy of your bill. Law provides that the failure to receive a property tax bill does not relieve the taxpayer of the responsibility to make timely payments to the Tax Collector’s Office, nor does it prevent the imposition of penalties for late payments. Your Amador County property tax information is also available on-line. To view your tax information, or print a copy of your tax bill, please visit www.amadorgov.org/Tax, and click on “Public Tax Information”. For additional information, please contact the Tax Collector’s Office (209)223-6364 Story by press release edited by Tom Slivick
Blue Shield of California Foundation (BSCF) announced that it is awarding $30,000.00 in core funding to Operation Care to support their capacity to provide services and assist survivors of domestic violence (DV) in Amador County. The grant is part of the Foundation’s efforts to strengthen DV organizations in California and provide the working capital the field needs to respond to new challenges and opportunities. “The ongoing work of Operation Care is integral to achieve our collective mission to end domestic violence in California,” said Peter Long, Ph.D., president and CEO of Blue Shield of California Foundation. “This flexible funding helps to sustain domestic violence agencies and programs, and ultimately ensures that those most in need continue to have access to critical services.” Across California, more than 100 DV agencies are engaged day-to-day in the struggle to serve and advocate for thousands of victims, survivors, and their families. Core support grants validate the essential role of these organizations and enable those working on the front lines to focus on achieving their mission. “We are grateful for the support the Blue Shield of California Foundation has shown to victims of domestic violence throughout the state”, said Tammie Crabtree, Executive Director of Operation Care. “Blue Shield of California Foundation recognized Operation Care for our innovative ideas for prevention education. We are very proud of this, and will utilize some of the funds to further our education goals, while continuing to provide all the same services to our clients free of charge.” As the state’s largest private funder of domestic violence services and prevention, Blue Shield of California Foundation is dedicated to ending domestic violence in California. Since 2002, Blue Shield Against Violence has invested over $36 million in DV services and prevention, including more than $14 million in general operating support for over 100 domestic violence organizations across California. For more information, visit www.blueshieldcarefoundation.org. Operation Care’s mission is to provide domestic violence and sexual assault support services, crisis intervention and education to our community. Story by press release edited by Tom Slivick.
Amador Transit, formerly known as ARTS, has ended their 2011-2012 fiscal year back in the black. The struggling rural transit system hired their current manager, Carla Meyer in December 2010. Reserve accounts were depleted and the transit system was operating a deficit budget. In June, 2012, Amador Transit ended their 2011-2012 fiscal year ‘in the black’ with an $89,000 rebuild of the reserve account. “It is a good beginning”, stated Manager Carla Meyer. “Our long range plans are to live within our means, continue to build reserves and provide the most efficient and effective transportation service possible.” Many other improvements to Amador Transit have been implemented. “There were a lot of complaints about buses not showing up when they were supposed to," Meyer said. "People were not being picked up. So, we listened to the complaints from our citizens." Beginning in July, 2011 a new type of service was introduced to the Jackson/Sutter Creek incorporated area. ADA Paratransit service called Dial-A-Ride was put into service. This door to door service provides transportation for those who can no longer use the fixed route service. Ridership on Dial-A-Ride has grown significantly from 609 trips in July, 2011 to almost 1600 a month one year later. The Shuttle buses now operate at regular times in a reverse directional route, cutting trip travel time in half. Significant grant funding for capital bus replacement, bus stop signs and other passenger amenities has also been secured. During these difficult financial times, when funding resources are more limited, the Amador Transit buses are running in the right direction. Amador Transit also provideds public bus transportation to Sacramento. For more information about fixed route or Dial-a-Ride service visit their website at www.amadortransit.com or call 209-267-9395. Story by press release edited by Tom Slivick.
The Sutter Creek Lions will be accepting donations in honor of White Cane Days on October 5 and 6 in front of the Sutter Creek Auditorium. Monies collected are used to support programs and services for people who are blind or visually impaired as well as for sight conservation. If you see their booth in Sutter Creek Please take some time to visit and give to this worthy cause. Story by press release edited by Tom Slivick.
