goAmador - june 27, 2011

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happy summer monday, amador county!

in this issue…

page 2 - city & county government

page 3 - community groups & organizations

page 4-6 - opinions & issues Outside the Ivory Tower: Costs & Complexity: the General Plan’s Implementation Plan - Mark L. Bennett Views from the Middle: Death (Life?) and Circumstances - Kathy Allen The Unchanging Imperial Paradigm - by Sheldon Richman

page 7 - art, music & theater Amador Fair Aid rocks the foothills this Saturday

“Jazzin’ it Up in Jackson” an overwhelming success!

page 8 - historic preservation ACHS reopens mine models

page 9-10: across the river New Gallery in Calaveras to Have Preview Opening on July 1 in Moke Hill

Government: Time for Some New Ideas - Steve Wilensky

page 11 - more announcements

pages 12- 33 - amador county events

Page 2 Amador Community News—Monday Newsletter, June 27 - July 4, 2011

city & county government

www.AmadorGovernment.com

AMADOR COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - Tues June 21 at 8:30AM at the County Administration Bldg, 810 Court Street, Jackson. IONE CITY COUNCIL - Mon June 27 at 3PM at Ione City Hall, 1 E. Main Street, Ione 95640, City Council Chambers. JACKSON CITY COUNCIL - Mon June 27 at 7PM at the Jackson Civic Center, 33 Broadway, Jackson. FOR AN AGENDA, visit: http://ci.jackson.ca.us/ DISCUSSION CALENDAR. Historic Design Review - Elevations - National Hotel, 2 Water Street. Review and determine Council policy. Authorization for Submittal of Proposition 84 Grant Application for Recreation Development of Oro De Amador Property. Re-view and determine Council action. Annual Amador County Recreation Agency Update and Membership Contribution Request. Review and determine Council action. Adoption of Fiscal Year 2011-2012 City of Jackson Budget. a. Resolution No. 2011-17 Approving the City Operating Budget and City Capital Improvement Budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012. Adopt resolution. b. Resolution No. 2011-18 Authorizing Full-Time Positions in City Service for Fiscal Year 2011-2012. Adopt resolution. c. Resolution No. 2011-19 Setting a Tax Appropriation Limit for Fiscal Year 2011-2012. Adopt resolution. 10. Planning Commission and Cemetery Committee Appointments. Review and make appointments. 11. CLOSED SESSION a. Public Employment. Title: Fire Chief. (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957). Reconvene to Open Session 12. ADJOURNMENT AMADOR COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - Tues June 28 at 8:30PM at the County Administration Bldg, 810 Court Street, Jackson. http://www.co.amador.ca.us/index.aspx?page=15&recordid=2042 CITY OF IONE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION – Tues June 28 at 6PM at Ione City Hall, 1 E. Main, Ione H. DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1. Update regarding vacancy on Park and Recreation Commission Recommendation: Receive status report update. 2. Update on Schmidt/4-H Park donation and project Recommendation: Receive status report update on project. 3. Update on Restrooms at Ed Hughes Memorial Arena Recommendation: Receive status report update on project. 4. Update regarding ACRA Membership Fees and Park Plan Adoption Recommendation: Receive status report update on project. H. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORT/COMMENTS I. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT J. FUTURE MEETINGS:

– July 26, 2011 – August 23, 2011

K. ADJOURNMENT JOINT PANEL GENERAL PLAN UPDATE MEETING (Continued from May 25-26, 2011) - Wed June 29 at 1PM at Board of Supervisors Chambers, County Administration Center, 810 Court Street, Jackson. ON THE AGENDA: Item 1: Continued - Review of the Preliminary Draft General Plan, Glossary, and Implementation Plan. AMADOR REGIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEE - Wed June 29 at 7PM Jackson Civic Center, 33 Broadway, Jackson. ON THE AGENDA 1. Discussion Expansion Outreach.

community groups & organizations

Amador Community News—Monday Newsletter, June 27 - July 4, 2011 Page 3

www.AmadorGroups.com


opinions & issues

www.AmadorSoapbox.com

Outside the Ivory Tower: Costs & Complexity: the General Plan’s Implementation Plan Mark L. Bennett

This Wednesday, June 29th, at 1pm the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission continue to take public comment on the

General Plan with a focus on the Implementation Plan. Major changes in our County are proposed and everyone should contact their

Supervisor with their opinions. If you come to speak this Wednesday let‘s hope the Planning Department doesn‘t ―coincidently‖

schedule another few hours of procedural items before public comment.

The Plan includes: ―new programs or projects‖ and requests Panning Department power via ―…those to whom the Board dele-

gates, may need to prioritize programs.‖(pg P-1), new costs and possibly new taxing authority with the ―creation of districts to imple-

ment the Town Centers…‖ (pg P-3), allows annual zoning changes on land designated as flood prone (pg P- 7), considers some pro-

posals to be ―…discretionary development…‖ (pg P-14) as if the same law does not apply to all, wants more meetings between

County departments and agencies (pg P-33) rather that ask why we have so many of these and why won‘t simplifying government be

more effective and less costly, enshrines the Mother Lode Land Trust as part of County government (pg P-36), wants to examine

housing in fire risk areas and proposes ―structural rehabilitation on occupancy reduction, demolition…community-based solu-

tions..‖ (pg P-37), proposes a new County agency for stormwater control (pg P-38) because of the danger of ―stormwater pollu-

tion‖ (pg P-20) and continues the attack on independent living with well and septic. The above are just a small sample of the plan‘s

new costs and added complexities for us that pay taxes and live a rural lifestyle.

The Plan very successfully expands the Planning Department. But it either desires or fails to realize that complexity breeds com-

plexity. One example would be the requirement for locally owned businesses in the Town Centers (pg P-5). If you locally own a

franchise business and mess up the national organization has the right to take over. Then it is not a locally owned business. Do all

parties now lose their investment? What follows is much expense and exasperation and a probable fair decision in the end. But all of

this was unnecessary in the first place. Why create what is ultimately waste? The Plan is full of bureaucratic government quicksand.

As an example on the Federal level is that ―financial reform‖ now classifies everyone who buys a home heating oil winter contract as

technically engaged in a commodities futures contact. The enforcement officials at several agencies are now wondering what can be

sensibly done.

The Plan sees the world through its own narrow focus. It seeks to attract business with incentives, but ignores the opposite: that a

fiscally sound County is most likely to attract business because it will most likely present fewer financial surprises for that enterprise.

The need for affordable housing is stated (pg P-17) while the entire Plan does everything possible, sometimes with invented or vastly

exaggerated reasons, to make housing unaffordable. There was a time when we built what we could afford, determined by what ―the

market would bear‖ and there was no housing or mortgage crises. The Plan states: ―Consider incentives to energy efficient or ‗green‘

businesses that relocate to Amador County‖ (pg P- 28). Are we to produce solar cells because of our silicon grade sands or copper

deposits? Are we to manufacture windmills because of our composite materials infrastructure and rare earth deposits? Yet we are

blessed with timber, gold and other minerals. The Plan wants wide roadways in new development for fire safety and narrow road-

ways in the Town Centers for their ―old world charm‖. The Plan‘s motives, requests for new programs, new taxes, staff devoting

time to speculative grant funding applications, regulatory complexity which will take our elected officials from other responsibilities,

etc, will strangle our County. With 17% unemployment in Amador County, it is a dead wish plan.

Copyright 2011, Mark L. Bennett.. Published by Amador Community News, June 27, 2011, www.NewsAmdaor.com

Amador Community News’ "Opinion" department (www.AmadorSoapbox.com) provides an unbiased platform for expressing views and opinions

on local, regional and national issues, as well as to inform citizens of political organizations and focus groups that are active in Amador County.

The views expressed by contributed content are not necessarily the views of ACN.

ACN is non-partisan, and is not affiliated with, nor endorses ANY political party or organization, and will not publish letters/comments that are

obscene, hateful, abusive, threatening, harassing, defamatory, etc. Citizens are responsible for the content they send and any consequences that

may arise from such comments made. Send Letters to the Editor and commentaries to e-mail: [email protected]

AMADOR DEMOCRATS PICNIC/BBQ - Tues July 5 from 5:30-8:30PM at Pine Grove Community Park.

FUN - Let’s have FUN with a good old fashioned picnic and barbecue. FOOD - Bring your own food (hot dogs, ham-

burgers or whatever) and beverages and even something you can share with friends (chips or salad). The Democratic

Club will provide the charcoal, condiments, ice and cold water to drink. ICE CREAM will be available from Munnerlyn’s

(the best ice cream in Sacramento)! MUSIC - Meghan O’Keefe and Green Room will provide entertainment. GAMES -

Pin-the-tail-on-the-Donkey / Tea-Bag Toss. See ya there! www.AmadorDemocrats.org

Amador Community News—Monday Newsletter, June 27 - July 4, 2011 Page 5

opinions & issues


Views from the Middle: Death (Life?) and Circumstances Kathy Allen

Over the last several weeks, several people who I knew quite well have died, including, most recently, my mother-in-law. The clus-

ter of such sad events has made me think about what a short time we have here and how it is important not to fritter it away. This

entry is not a commentary on any one life in particular, but on how all of us live our lives in general.

Here are some things to think about:

Life is too short to squabble with family members over trifles and not speak to them for years. For cripes sake, pick up the

phone and start talking to each other. Your life will be better for it.

Life is too short to limit our friendships to only those that think the same way we do politically. I actually know people who

don‘t fraternize with those on the opposite end of the political scale. Personally, I love arguing with my friends and family

members who don‘t see eye-to-eye with me on the issues. It doesn‘t make me love them any less.

Life is too short to take too seriously those things we should be laughing at instead.

Life is too short to not get the best education we can. I have long since graduated from college, but I still try to learn something

every day. There are too many people walking around who haven‘t really learned anything since high school. And recently

it seems to have become vogue to be proud of the lack of education and to celebrate ignorance. How sick is that?!

Life is too short to waste good money on junk. It‘s so easy to fall into the trance generated by constant bombardment of com-

mercials, but do you really need a new truck when your mortgage has been late 4 times in the last 12 months? Or a fishing

boat that you‘ll use 2 weekends in the first year and then not at all after that? Or a pair of jeans that were made in China and

cost $75 because they look to have the right faded color or logo? Or a $5 Starbucks coffee every single day? I hear of peo-

ple losing their houses not because they lost their jobs, but because they couldn‘t live within their means and control their

spending on useless items. (I know of a woman who was on her cell phone asking for rent money from a family member

while in line to buy a Starbucks coffee. Not surprisingly, she doesn‘t have a house any more).

Life is too short to be a racist, sexist, or ageist. Life is too short to worry about people of other religions moving to Amer-

ica. Life is too short to hate.

Life is short, so spend your time in pursuits that matter. Tell your brother you love him. Buy a piece of art from a struggling young

artist. Pick up some garbage off the side of the highway. Go to a City Council meeting and express your opinion. Rescue an animal

in distress. Travel to another country and taste their local cuisine. Learn another language. Help a stranger.

Make a difference. Matter.

www.VicariPhotography.blogspot.com

PROGRESSIVE WOMEN'S COMMITTEE meets the 1st Thurs of the month at 11:30AM at Thomi's Banquet Room in Jackson. NEXT MEETNG: JULY 7 The buffet luncheon is $15.00 which includes entree, salad, vegetarian offering, vari-ous drinks, coffee, tea, dessert, tax and tip. Please respond to Sally at [email protected] no later than the Tues be-fore the meeting. Note: If you make a reservation and cannot attend, please call and cancel by Wednesday noon. 267-0177, as you may be billed for the luncheon if you do not show up and have not cancelled.


Opinions & issues


The Unchanging Imperial Paradigm by Sheldon Richman Despite President Obama‘s trumpeted force drawdown in Afghanistan, by the end of next summer more than twice as many U.S.

troops will be fighting in that country‘s civil war as there were when he became president in 2009. His soothing words notwithstand-

ing, a force of about 70,000 will remain there at least until the end of 2014. We can be sure, however, that that won‘t stop the presi-

dent from campaigning for reelection on a peace platform.

Obama‘s speech the other night was mostly show, a spectacle to make the war- and deficit-weary public think he‘s taking substan-

tial steps toward disengagement. He did something similar in Iraq, though 50,000 troops remain and are still taking casualties.

It is easy for a president to manipulate public opinion, especially in foreign affairs and most especially when the mainstream media

— conservative and ―liberal‖ — are so compliant. The war will go on, but probably under the radar more than before, just as the war

in Iraq does. The public and mainstream media attitude will be, ―The president said the war is ending, so there‘s no need to pay at-

tention.‖

One problem: Not much is changing.

In the coming months, politicians and pundits will debate whether Obama‘s drawdown is too slow or too fast. The president explic-

itly took a middle position between those who wanted merely a token withdrawal, such as the top military brass and Sen. John

McCain, and those who want an immediate exit, such as Reps. Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul.

But the pace, though not insignificant, is hardly the main issue. The main issue is the empire. If all combat troops were removed

from Afghanistan tomorrow, the U.S. government would continue to treat that country like a protectorate, ready to send troops back

if events are not to the policy elite‘s liking. It‘s the paradigm of empire that must be rejected. But Obama‘s drawdown and disavowal

of empire notwithstanding, the U.S. policy elite have no intention of reconsidering America‘s hegemonic role in the world. To be

sure, fiscal difficulties have forced a reconsideration of tactics, but the imperial framework remains. It was compactly summed up by

President George H.W. Bush in 1991 as he prepared to move against Iraq‘s Saddam Hussein after the invasion of Kuwait: ―What we

say goes.‖

Empires always require myths, and the U.S. empire is no different. In the days before Obama‘s speech, McCain and others cam-

paigned for no more than token drawdown by asserting that Afghanistan would become a threat to the American people if the U.S.

military disengaged, just as it did — supposedly — after the Soviets withdrew in 1989. ―We withdrew from Afghanistan one time,‖

McCain said. ―We withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban came, eventually followed by al-Qaeda, followed by the attacks on

the United States of America.‖

That is empire-serving nonsense. The policymakers did not abandon Afghanistan; they tried to micromanage it in defiance of Af-

ghan history and culture. As Michael Scheuer, who once ran the CIA‘s bin Laden unit, wrote in 2009, ―In the immediate post-Soviet

years, then, Washington spent tens of millions of dollars to try to form exactly the same type of strong and centralized Afghan gov-

ernment — the type of regime that historically causes war in Afghanistan — it is trying to form today.... The Afghans wanted no part

of the secularism the U.S.-led West insisted on then....‖ Instead of letting the conflicting Afghan factions find some way to peace

after a decade of brutal Soviet intrusion, American policymakers fanned the flames of civil war.

In any event, it was neither neglect of Afghanistan nor intervention there that prompted al-Qaeda‘s attacks on 9/11. Rather it was

half a century of U.S. support for brutality in the Muslim and Arab world, from Israel‘s oppression of the Palestinians, to the corrupt

monarchy in Saudi Arabia, to the torturous secular dictatorships in Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries.

Regardless of what Obama does in Afghanistan, as long as the U.S. government eyes the Middle East, North Africa, and Central

Asia the way an imperial power eyes its colonies, there will be threats to contend with. The path to American security lies in re-

nouncing a foreign policy designed to rule the world.

Sheldon Richman is senior fellow at The Future of Freedom Foundation (www.fff.org) and editor of The Freeman magazine. Pub-

lished by Amador Community News, June 27, 2011 at the request of the author.

SAVE THE DATE!

A-PAL HUMANE SOCIETY'S

ANNUAL "BARK IN THE PARK"

Sat Sept 24 at the Italian Picnic Grounds, Sutter

Creek. For registration and vendor Info, contact:

Ruth Hartley 223-1470 or 482-1946 www.AmadorAPAL.org

Amador Community News—Weekend Newsletter, June 23-26, 2011 Page 7

art, music and theater

www.AmadorArts.com

Amador Fair Aid rocks the foothills this Saturday

The people will have their say July 2 as 14 music acts compete in the Amador County Fair Foundation's "Amador Fair Aid," spon-

sored by KVGC AM 1340, the Amador Ledger Dispatch, TSPN TV and the Jackson Rancheria Resort and Casino.

Following the Trucks, Tractors and Trikes Parade in lovely downtown Plymouth at 11 a.m., 14 smoking-hot music acts will com-

pete to be named Amador's favorite band.

Acts include Forever Goldrush, In Deep, FreeZeout, Crystal Image, Race to the Bottom, Unkl Bean and Hot Rod Red, Full Funky

Gorilla, The Slade Rivers Band featuring Tex Pickens, Enve, Greenroom, Avenue Saints, Off the Record, Garage Jazz Architects,

and Meghan O'Keefe.

Popular vote of the audience will determine the winner. Attendees 13 and older will receive a ballot asking the voter to rank the

bands by first, second and third choice. Ballots will be turned in at the end of the evening and the winners will be announced. The

grand prize winner will return to play a set at the Amador County Fair on July 31.

In addition to the music, Fair Aid will feature free carnival rides for the kids, a giant water slide, food and drink booths and other

family-friendly activities. Guests can bring their own picnic baskets, but no outside alcohol is allowed.

The event will be held at the Amador County Fairgrounds this Saturday, July 2 from noon until sundown. KVGC AM 1340 Home-

town Radio will be broadcasting live all day.

Admission is $15 for attendees 13 and older, who will receive ballots asking them to rank the bands by first, second and third

choice. Children 12 and under get in free, although they will not be given ballots.

Amador Fair Aid is a fundraiser for the Amador County Fair, which takes place July 28 thru 31.

The Amador County Fair began in 1938, four years after the California Legislature authorized horse-racing funds to be directed

toward the building a California Fairs network. The citizens of Amador County used that money, along with donated property, talent

and cash to create an event that would bring people together, provide a marketplace to generate economic activity, and exchange

ideas. Horse-racing funds ran out in 2008 and now the State is threatening to cut all support for county fairs leaving the Amador

County Fair with a $220,000 budget shortfall for 2012. Without additional sources of revenue, more than 30 fairs, including

Amador's, are threatened with closure.

Fairs generate revenue and without the network of California Fairs, the State will likely see higher unemployment as well as re-

duced income taxes and sales taxes generated to the General Fund. Amador's Fair brings in more than $3.5 million in spending activ-

ity for the region, $29,000 in business-tax revenue, and $110,000 for local non-profit groups, as well as provides jobs for local resi-

dents.

For more information, visit www.amadorcountyfair.com or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Amador-County-

Fair/63162664677.

NOTE: Um, yeah...I’m singing the National Anthem at this one! - Carol Harper, Editor, Amador Community News

“Jazzin’ it Up in Jackson” an overwhelming success!

The streets of downtown historic Jackson were lined with wine-lovers and locals alike

as local wineries, musicians and food vendors participated whole-heartedly in the

AmadorArts‘ Jazzin‘ it Up in Jackson this past Saturday! Photo gallery on

www.AmadorArts.org to be posted shortly. Share it with your friends! AmadorArts is

on Facebook, too! ;)

www.AmadorArts.com is partnered with and is Facebook friends with:

www.AmadorArts.org.

http://www.amadorcountyfair.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amador-County-Fair/63162664677

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amador-County-Fair/63162664677

ACHS reopens mine models

The Amador County Historical Society (ACHS) has announced it will reopen

the popular mine models exhibit at the Amador County Museum on Saturday,

July 16 at 10:00 A.M. The public is invited to brief ceremonies and tour of

the exhibit.

At a recent meeting of ACHS‘s museum committee chaired by Trevor Mot-

tishaw long-time museum curator and ACHS member, Georgia Fox, was

named the mining model staffing coordinator. Persons interested in becoming

docents at the exhibit need contact her or the society.

Tentative plans call for the exhibit to open July 16 and every Saturday from

10 to 3, with docent programs, approximately 45 minute long, given at 11

A.M. and 1 P.M. Admission will be $2 for adults and $1 for children under

10. ACHS anticipates it will open the exhibit more days as demand increases.

Amador County closed the museum and adjacent exhibit three years ago

because of budget shortfalls. In the interim, ACHS negotiated an agreement

with the county to manage the museum grounds and work to reopen the ex-

hibit and museum.

The terms of the ACHS-County mine model agreement allows the society to

retain all proceeds but pay for most expenses. The museum committee has

scheduled a cleanup of the exhibit building on July 6 at 9 A.M.

In recent weeks ACHS has expended about $10,000 of its own funds to resurface the museum parking area and delineate handi-

capped parking space and pathways to meet disability requirements. It also had to construct a fenced concrete landing or entryway

to the exhibit building to meet ADA standards. The county will provide a porta-potty but ACHS will have to pay for its servicing.

The ACHS, says president Gary Reinoehl, is also negotiating with the county a long-term lease and another agreement to manage

and reopen the museum too. But the museum also requires work to accommodate the disabled and to bolster the brick walls of the

1859 building.

The exhibit includes operating scale models of the stamp mill of the North Star mine, between Sutter Creek and Amador City, the

fallen wheel two of the four tailing wheels of Kennedy Mine and the Kennedy Mine headframe itself.

The models were crafted by the late Bob Post and sold to the county for $4500 in about 1972. His father, master mechanic Elbridge

Post, oversaw rebuilding of the real Kennedy wheels in 1922.

For more information on the ACHS, visit: www.amadorcountyhistoricalsociety.org


historic preservation


across the river: on the Calaveras side...

New Gallery in Calaveras to Have Preview Opening on July 1

in Moke Hill A new art gallery is about to open in Calaveras County called Petroglyphe Gallery. The busi-

ness is located on Main Street of Mokelumne Hill and will be opening for a public Preview

over the Fourth of July weekend starting Friday, July 1 and continuing through Monday, July

4. The new fine art gallery will feature the works of over 20 artists from throughout northern,

central, and southern California. Mediums include original paintings, collage, ceramics, sculp-

ture, jewelry, carved wood flutes, and artsy gift items such as art cards.

Petroglyphe Gallery owners are Denise Ebbett of Mountain Ranch and her daughter Marisa

Chaffey of Roseville. They invite the community to a Preview Reception which will be held Saturday, July 2 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at

the gallery located at 8317 Main Street across the street from the historic Hotel Leger. See how the Petroglyphe Gallery building has

been lovingly renovated from the original Danielewicz store built in 1858. View the featured artwork, take in a watercolor painting dem-

onstration by Dale Laitinen and enjoy the affordable wine tasting of Findleton Wines of Placerville. One of the Petroglyphe artists is

Pam Findleton who will be introducing her winery‘s new Lady Merlot label series that she‘s created. Proceeds of the wine tasting will

benefit the Calaveras Community Foundation.

Don‘t miss this opportunity to meet and watch renowned artist Dale Laitinen create. He has been painting for over forty years with

thirty five of those in watercolor. He is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, and Watercolor West. A native of north-

ern Minnesota, Dale has lived, moved, and traveled across the American West. He ended up finding his home in Calaveras County and

from his studio in Mountain Ranch, creates award-winning paintings that reflects his fascination of natural forms. His works extend to

the interaction between structures such as roads, dams, canals, powerhouses, and the natural landscape.

An active and popular workshop instructor, Laitinen has traveled widely both in this country and abroad. His works are in selective

galleries and have been featured in several books including The Splash Series, Painting with the White of your Paper, The Transparent

Watercolor Wheel and more. He has been a juror of many national and regional exhibitions including Watercolor West, Kentucky Wa-

tercolor Society, Utah Watercolor Society, Watercolor Society of Oregon, Magnum Opus and many others.

Hours of Petroglyphe Gallery for the Fourth of July weekend will be Friday 11 am – 7pm, Saturday 11am – 8pm, Sunday 11am – 6pm

and Monday the 4th – 9am – 5pm. For more information, phone 209-286-1387 or visit www.gallerypetroglyphe.com. The official

Grand Opening will be held in August.

Government: Time for Some New Ideas Steve Wilensky

Newspapers these days are filled with stories of budget woes at

the federal and state level, and yes, Calaveras County. This

year‘s budget process, as in previous years, will eventually find

enough cuts to bring expenditures into line with our expected

reduced revenue. The results of this process will likely be a

county that is less safe, an infrastructure that is still falling be-

hind, and cutbacks or elimination of services that people need

and that often save money in the long run. Citizens clamor for

smaller, more efficient government, and after three years of se-

vere cuts we‘ve certainly achieved the ―smaller‖ part at the local

level. Now it‘s time to work efficiently so what remains is

worthwhile. There are no fewer than 370 different job classifica-

tions for approximately 441 county employees. We're working

some employees overtime (or even bringing on extra-hires)

while at the same time cutting back the hours of other employ-

ees. We lay off county employees while we outsource work that

we could and/or should be doing in-house at less cost.

For instance, we should not be paying some outside consultant

thousands of dollars for labor negotiations that county personnel

could do themselves. Why is this happening? Part of the prob-

lem comes from the way county government is currently organ-

ized. Do we really need over 20 separate departments, each

with its own department head, separate purchasing, separate

clerical support, separate accounting, and separate, nearly

unique, job classifications? I don‘t think so.

A common-sense reorganization of county government will in-

crease the efficiency of county government, saving money, while

helping to maintain public safety and other vital services. Today,

cuts in staff have left some offices with administrators who have

little left to administer. This is crazy – we need a structure that

facilitates, rather than impedes the work of county government,

and deploys the bulk of our resources to the point of service. We

could start with reorganizing the county‘s 20-plus departments

into five work groups, slash the number of individual job classifi-

cations to around 85, and provide incentives for voluntary cross

training for county employees. Instead of each department operat-

ing like a separate island in the sea, each of the five groups would

share purchasing, clerical, and other service and support functions.

The cost savings of such reorganization would be considerable

over time, allowing the county to maintain higher levels of service

than would be feasible otherwise. Streamlining operations and

achieving economies of scale are a fundamentally sound response

to the likely long-term changes in the county‘s revenue structure.

More immediately, there are other changes and reforms we can

and should consider. While none of them by themselves is a fiscal

game-changer, together they can begin to add up. For instance, the

county can do a better job at collecting the money it is owed. Esti-

mates are that the county could retrieve more than $100,000 in

unpaid fees. It isn‘t fair to the citizens who pay their fees to allow

others to ignore their similar obligations. In addition, the board

should hold a study session to review all fees to ensure that they

are meeting the costs of services provided. I believe the Board of

(Continued on Page 10…)

tel:209-286-1387

http://www.gallerypetroglyphe.com/

(continued from page 9, Time for Some New Ideas)

Supervisors could limit its meetings to every other week, saving money and staff time, and somehow the county would survive. I

think it‘s time Calaveras County stop paying expensive leases and rents for buildings all over the area. It‘s time to move all county

staff, other than those working at the libraries, community service centers, transfer stations and the County Airport, back to the Gov-

ernment Center. This alone could create work efficiencies along with financial savings.

As other rural counties cut back as we are, it makes sense to work together to consolidate more county programs into inter-

governmental Joint Powers Agreements. These cooperative agreements have been shown to better utilize available personnel and

achieve economies of scale through common purchasing, etc. The voters should consider increasing the Transient Occupancy Tax, a

tax paid by tourists who

pay to spend the night in Calaveras County, from 6 percent to 10 percent, similar to the rate in neighboring counties. The additional

revenue (about $200,000) could benefit services such as the Animal Shelter, the Senior Center, libraries, and Parks and Recreation.

This revenue would more than offset current general-fund cuts to these programs, and help energize the community support at the

ballot box needed to pass the measure.

We should approach the county employee‘s union and negotiate to close down non essential county departments between Christ-

mas and New Year‘s (three days equals more than $200,000 savings), and increase the county employee PERS contribution to 3 per-

cent, for a savings of more than $700,000 per year. We all know that pension costs are a large and growing county expense. This

contribution by county workers would help restore cuts to vital services and bring back deputy sheriffs and other county

workers now scheduled to be laid off.

These and other ideas will help Calaveras County to meet the serious fiscal problems we face. Everyone I talk to understands the

economy is bad, and county revenues are down. Many are resigned to cuts in public safety and other vital humanservices. Some, a

minority, are happy about this since they see all government as the enemy. But most of us would be glad for the chance to look at

new ideas that could help balance the budget while keeping the cuts to public safety and human services to a minimum. This is be-

cause most of us understand that county government is our government, and that each county employee is, or should be, an invest-

ment, an asset producing tangible benefits for the citizens and taxpayers. Let‘s see if we can make county government work better,

smarter, and more efficiently. Let‘s build a work environment where all county employees, including supervisors, are able to say to

themselves at the end of the day ―the county is a little better off today because of what we did together.‖ Tough times call for tough

choices. But tough times also call for new ideas. Americans are an innovative people – we have always overcome hard times by

working together and improving the way we do things. This is one of those moments.

Steve Wilensky is the Calaveras County Supervisor for District 2.


The Calaveras Arts Council Presents Music in the Parks in Mountain Ranch Community Park next Wednesday, June 29, starring the Brad Wilson Band! Mountain Ranch park has a great shaded dance floor and this band will give you something to dance too. The fun starts at 6:30 and goes to 8:00-ish. Bring a picnic and low-back chairs and prepare to have a great time. See ya there!

The Farmers Market at Jeff Tuttle’s Union House are on Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. and will continue through September. You will be able to purchase fresh local and in season produce. At this market expect to find: *Leaf Lettuce – beautiful tender and sweet *Red Russian Kale – delicious and nutritious *Beets *Garlic *Local Honey *Tomato & Pepper Starter Plants For further information, please call Diane 772-1604.

BLUE MOUNTAIN FOLK MUSIC CAMP OUT - Aug 26-29 at Blue Mountain Presents in Wilseyville. Music, vendors, quad riding (bring your own), herb walk and workshops, and much, much more! Only $30 per per-son, kids under 10 FREE! For complete information call (209) 419-1258 or (209) 293-2289.

SEE FLYER PAGE

across the river: on the Calaveras side...

www.AmadorBusiness.com

From the Council of Tourism…

Volunteers for the Fair needed

Many of you have already made yourselves available to help us with the State Fair shifts, and we appreciate it! As the fair quickly

approaches, we are trying to fill our remaining time slots. We know you have been busy and we want you to take a minute to check

your schedule and call or email us with your preference. Please see dates and times below and contact us if you would like to volun-

teer your time.

If you can't volunteer this year, please let us know and we will leave your name on the list for next year, if that is your wish.

Again, thank you for volunteering. Your presence and enthusiasm ensures our success in drawing visitors to Amador County.

Sunday 7/17 6:00-8:30pm

Saturday 7/23 1:00-4:00pm

6:00-8:30pm

Sunday 7/24 6:00-8:30pm

Friday 7/29 6:00-8:30pm

Sunday 7/31 1:00-4:00pm

4:00-6:00pm

6:00-8:30pm

Maureen Funk

Amador Council of Tourism

[email protected]

www.touramador.com

www.LifeInAmador.com FIND YOUR BALANCE: SURVIVING SUMMER VACATION - Tue Jun 28 5:30-7:30PM at the Upcountry Community Center, 19386 Hwy 88, Pine Grove.

Join us for a fun informative evening!

Stress Reduction

Positive Parenting

Reading with Children

Take home a free summer activity kit!

Brought to you by A-TCAA and Amador County Behavioral Health.

Find Your Balance Workshops are designed to help everyone learn to balance the many aspects of our lives from our families, to careers, to finances, to our emotional and physical health by providing an opportunity to learn.

Child care is provided free for children aged 12 years and younger for those who RSVP.

YELLOW STARTHISTLE WORKSHOP - Tues June 28 at 6PM at in the Mace Meadow Golf Club Geat Room, Pioneer.

Learn How to Eradicate Yellow Starthistle SEE FLYER PAGE 25!!

University of California Cooperative Extension is hosting a free workshop to help Amador County residents control yellow starthistle.

Yellow starthistle is a noxious weed that now occupies over 14 million acres in California. It is advancing onto national forest land and into national parks. Learn what you can do to control yellow starthistle on your own property and prevent its spread.

Registration for the free workshop is recommended to ensure adequate workshop materials, but walk-ins are welcome. Reg-ister at: http://cetuolumne.ucdavis.edu or call the UCCE office at (209) 533-5695.

For more information or to schedule a workshop in your neighborhood, call the UCCE Natural Resources program at (209) 533-6993. For more information about local workshops or to find out more about the Yellow Starthistle Leading Edge program, call Rebecca Miller-Cripps at (209) 533-6993 or email [email protected]


more announcements...

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.touramador.com/

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goAmador - june 27, 2011