Name: Patricia Shackleton

Age: 73

Occupation: Preschool owner, director, teacher

A number of community leaders and developers insist that Plymouth must secure a safe, reliable water source for its future. In working toward this goal, what level of cost is too high for Plymouth residents to absorb in their water rates?

This question is always answered, "We can't afford an increase." This is the history of water rate increases for 30 years, resulting in the predicament we currently find ourselves in. The general fund subsidized the water fund until the state mandated it was no longer acceptable. We had to become responsible for the water fund and safe, reliable water. The wells are helping us get by. We need the Plymouth Pipeline. Of course, not at any cost. It must be afforable. Very low bids have come in on the project and we will be able to make the cost to citizens more affordable than the information we were forced to sent out prematurely by the Amador Water Agency. I regret we had to unnecessarily upset everyone. Of course, that played right into the hands of the pro-casino competition. Makes one wonder. The staff and the city council have worked hard to develop a plan for the citizens. This is the life line of the community in regards to our future. If we do not provide the water for desired growth, the county will. We will be surrounded by new development in the county that we were not able to plan or derive the financial beneift of new revenue. I do not want to see Plymouth unable to grow and continue to have our water problem. We are at the doorstep of a wonderful, deserved future. Now is not the time to surrender to a "problem-solving casino," as viewed by a few. We have great development in a controlled, planned, small town rural lifestyle we now enjoy and treasure. It is so close in our future we don't want to miss out by chooisng promised water that takes away what we treasure most.

Is the Arroyo Ditch worth restoring as a viable source of water for Plymouth?

Yes, it's worth restoring in the future. Location, expenses etc. have made it difficult to be our only source. The new "gold" is water, and in the future it will a viable source for Plymouth and beyond.

Do you recognize The Ione Band of Miwok Indians under the leadership of Chairman Matthew Franklin as a sovereign government?

I believe there is information from the pacific region in Sacramento that recognizes the Ione band. I have not seen any information from the federal Department of the Interior on the subject, other than an opinion.

Plymouth's Main Street currently has one merchant, three eating establishments, a bar and dozens of empty shop windows. Residents also complain of Main Street's "dilapidated" look, saying it lacks the style and charm of the county's other downtown districts. What's the best longterm strategy to revitalize Main Street Plymouth?

We have a good start. Several buildings have shown their pontential. If owners of "dilapidated" properties would recognize their "diamonds in the rough" and either improve or sell their properties so it can reach its potential. The city planning department, planner and manager are working to revitalize the city. The general plan update is close to completion and the preliminary redevelopment plan is schduled soon for the city council. This will bring many benefits to the city.

Under what, if any, circumstances should the Plymouth City Council negotiate a partnership with the Ione Band of Miwok Indians through a Municipal Services Agreement?

When and if the lands are taken into trust, it would be appropriate for the council to negotiate an MSA. In 2005, when representatives of the city, in talks with the Department of the Interior, BIA Regional Director George Skibine, stated, if the voters remained opposed to the casino we could stop it. I have recieved the same information by phone conversations over the years since. Therefore, the recalled council of 2004 did not consider the wishes of the voters when they signed an ill-advised MSA. The matrix study requested by the present council showed overwhelming evidence this was far from adequate funding. Also, it was later determined to be illegal.