Opinion, Issues & Politics provides a 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 is not necessarily the views of ACN.  ACN will not publish comments that are obscene, hateful, abusive, threatening, harassing, defamatory, etc. Commentaries emailed to ACN will be considered "for the record" unless commentator specifically indicate otherwise.
Have a blog? Send your URL to: ACNewsRoom@gmail.com
Want to write a Letter to the Editor, or comment about an issue? E-mail: ACNEditor@gmail.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Amador Regional Planning Committee, Thursday, August 7 at 7PM. Discussion and possible action on:
  • Status Reports Regarding Adoption of  “Traffic Analysis Guidelines”
  • Report on “Revenue and Impact Sharing” Workshop
  • Discussion of Sample “Revenue and Impact Sharing” Guidelines
  • Discussion Regarding How to Coordinate Proposed Land Use Designations/Zoning of
  • Properties within the Cities Sphere of Influence with the Current County
  • General Plan Update Project.

Conservation Strategies: An overview of Conservation Easements and the Williamson Act, Saturday, August 16 from 10AM to 4PM, Valley Springs Elementary School, 240 Pine Street, Valley Springs. This workshop includes speakers from local and regional land trusts as well as Amador and Calaveras County Ag. Commissioners and Planners. The Mother Lode Land Trust, along with the Foothill Conservancy and myvalleysprings.com are presenting a workshop on Conservation Strategies. The workshop will present options for landowners interested in protecting their land.  We are also hoping to get input from the community to help us prioritize our conservation efforts.  Come and have your questions answered by professionals and provide input for future conservation projects. RSVP Ellie Routt at ellieroutt@sbcglobal.net or (209) 419-2861. This is a free event, including lunch but reservations are required so meals can be ordered.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Out of the Darkness Community Walk, Saturday, October 18th, William Land Park in Sacramento. Pre-register at: http://www.outofthedarkness.org Check in- 8:45am / Walk begins at 10AM. Contact person: Liseanne Wick (916)368-3110 or lwick@theeffort.org Walk with us as we join thousands of people nationwide to raise money for AFSP's vital research and education programs to prevent suicide and save lives, increase national awareness about depression and suicide, and assist survivors of suicide loss.  The EFFORT (regional Suicide Prevention & Crisis Services) is partnering with AFSP to host this Community Walk.  Suicide is preventable. You can make a difference. Join us!

ONGOING:

Amador Citizens for Peace: Monthly Candlelight Vigil. Every 3rd Friday of every month at 5PM, Corner of Highways 88/49, near Jackson City Hall. Candlelight vigil for the Iraq Moratorium. For more information: Cheryl Scott: 296-4684 cherylscott@volcano.net & Nora Coryell 223-3322 americassmokesignals@netzero.net

Amador Citizens for Smart Growth (ACSG) Meets the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays from 3-5PM
235 New York Ranch Rd, Suite D. Quail Hollow Center, Jackson. For more info, e-mail amadorsmartgrowth@gmail.com, or go to www.amadorsmartgrowth.org

Amador County Democratic Central Committee Meeting, Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month
40 N. Highway 49/88, Jackson (Crosswalk from Mel's Diner/Busi Municipal Parking Lot), www.amadordemocrats.org

The Amador Democratic Club, Meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7PM.
Amador Senior Center, 229 New York Ranch Road, Jackson. For info call President Liz Mc Culloch at 296-5131.
www.amadordemocrats.org

Amador County Republican Central Committee, Meets the third Thursday of every month at 7PM.
Amador Senior Center, 229 New York Ranch Road, Jackson www.amadorgop.org

Amador Progressive Women's Committee (APWC), Meets the 1st Thursday of the month at 11:30AM
Jackson Elks Club. For more information click here.

Amador County Citizens Against Global Warming Citizens for Stabilzing & Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions is an organization of volunteers is forming with the intent to help stabilize and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Amador County. The organization will work with all stake holders including, but not limited to, concerned citizens, business organizations, agricultural organizations, faith based organizations and cities of Sutter Creek, Jackson, Ione, Plymouth, Amador City and the County Board of Supervisors.
The national program that will be implemented is called Cool Cities and Cool Counties, a program that is successful in over 500 cities and several counties throughout the U.S. For more information, contact Jerry Scott, Director, at 296-1775 or jersusan@volcano.net

Amador Dry Creek Watershed Council, Meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7PM
Amador County Administration Building, Conference Room 3, 810 Court Street, Jackson. The Amador Dry Creek Watershed Council will assess, protect and enhance the Dry Creek basin through collaboration, advocacy and education.

BLM Hazardous Fuel Reduction Program. The Folsom office of the Bureau of Land Management announces a new variance program.  If a homeowner lives adjacent to a BLM property,  they may be eligible for this variance.  Basically, if the homeowner has done everything they can to meet PRC 4291, the 100 foot defensible space law, but are up against the mutual property line with BLM, they can apply for this variance and get permission to work on BLM's property to enhance their defensible space.  All work on BLM property must be within 100' of the mutual property line.  The homeowner would be responsible for any costs.  There would be no restrictions on using federal or state funds if, for instance, a homeowner qualified for the Amador Fire Safe Council's low income senior/disabled grant and already had their 4291 compliance around the house.  AFSC would then be able to work on the BLM lands within 100' of that mutual property line.  The AFSC office has the application form to request the variance, or the homeowner can call BLM directly at 916-985-4474. AFSC  will not help the homeowner get the variance, but we can  supply the homeowner with the application and contact information.
Cathy Koos Breazeal, Executive Director, Amador Fire Safe Council, 209-296-6220

Democratic Club of Amador County, Meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7PM.
Jackson Senior Center, 229 New York Ranch Rd. Jackson CA 95642. If you are a registered Democrat interested in meeting other Democrats and getting involved in political activities in Amador, this is the club for you. We are the only chartered Democratic Club in the county and open to any and all Democrats. We discuss local, state and national issues; schedule speakers on topics of interest to our members; and participate in Democratic activities in Amador County, both social and political. We have a scholarship program for Amador County High Schoolers (public, private and home schooled, including those working toward their GED). Dues are $24.00 per year. For further information contact Liz McCulloch, 209) 296-5131, e-mail: mccullok@volcano.net, or go to: www.amadordemocrats.org

Foothill Conservancy: Home-grown conservation since 1989
Foothill Conservancy works to protect, restore, and sustain the natural and human environment in Amador and Calaveras counties for the benefit of current and future generations. We hold informative public meetings, testify before local governments, participate in regional coalitions, publish an informative newsletter on local issues, and post news and events information on our website, www.foothillconservancy.org. Visit our site for information and to sign on to protect the Mokelumne River for future generations. Contact: Executive Director Chris Wright, fhc@foothillconservancy.org
209-295-4900, www.foothillconservancy.org

Pine Grove Civic Improvement Club & Council, Meets the 1st Wednesday. Council at 5:30PM / Club at 6:30PM. Town Hall (across from park in Pine Grove). Meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend.  We generally have at least one supervisor present.  For more information call 296-7626.

“Take-It-Back Amador!” Battery & Fluorescent Tube/Bulb Disposal. Locations: Meeks, Ione; ACE Hardware, Pine Grove. County residents now have more options for disposing used batteries and fluorescent tubes & bulbs “Take-It-Back Amador!” is a partnership that promotes the proper recycling and disposal of used household batteries and fluorescent tubes & bulbs.  In response to New Universal Waste Regulations, Meeks Lumber & Hardware, and ACE Hardware and Lumber stores located in Pine Grove and Ione are accepting these items, free of charge, from county residents. Universal Waste, meaning widely used, can pose a threat to public health and the environment if not properly handled.  California regulations prohibit universal wastes from landfill disposal.  Amador County residents can continue to bring these items to the County’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Facility every other Saturday at the Buena Vista Landfill Transfer Station. This program is for residential use only.  Business and commercial materials will not be accepted.  For more information on HHW collection dates or materials, Amador County Water Management Department at (209) 223-6429 or visit: www.co.amador.ca.us/depts/waste/

Upcountry Communities Council: Concerned Citizens in an Unincorporated Area, Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month from 6-8PM, Veterans Memorial Hall at Pioneer Park. Buckhorn Ridge Rd., Pioneer. The Upcountry Communities Council is a working group acknowledged by the County, which provides assistance to the County and residents in governmental affairs affecting the area known as Upcountry in Amador County.  The areas within the Council are the Communities of Amador Pines, Buckhorn, Pine Grove, Mace Meadows, Pioneer, RabbPark, Silver Lakes Pines/Sierra Highlands and Volcano. For more information, call Bob Currall at 295-7630 or Debbie Dunn at 296-5435 or ddunn@volcano.net

Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Council. The mission of the Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Council is "to establish a collaborative decision-making body and a forum composed of all parties with a vested interest, including local residents, agricultural, timber and other commercial entities, recreational users, and public agencies. We shall work to restore and maintain the Upper Mokelumne River watershed in a manner that ensures sustainable environmental, economic, educational, cultural, recreational, and water quality benefits for present and future generations." Multi-Stakeholder Collaborative Group in the following counties are involved: Amador, Calaveras, & Alpine; Sub-Region: East & South Central Contact: Terry Strange, 235 New York Ranch Road, Suite D, Jackson CA 95642 , Phone: 209.257.1851 ext 105 Fax: 209.257.0910 Email: strangeaqua@volcano.net or Susan Snoke at 257-1851 x107

Back to top of page
Your Ad
Could Be Here!

See? You saw this.
Others will, too!

Click here...
ACNOpinion, Issues & Politics
Guest Commentary: Life is More Important than Money or Power
Guest Commentary: "A Hard Rain" by Patrick Keene
Guest Commentary: What has happened to the America of our Founding Father's?
Letter to the Editor: "With skyrocketing gas prices, I would like to remind everyone that there are money-savings alternatives available for getting around..." [read more]