The Red Phone is an open community pipeline, inviting area residents to make comments, pose questions and propose ideas for the betterment of Amador County. The Red Phone is loyal, trustworthy and diligent in its pursuit of answers.  Please use the form below to post a comment, question or idea. Comments will remain viewable on the Web site for approximately one month.
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| Some special interests in Amador County |
| 10/19/2009 11:24:30 AM |
Special interest groups often are highly organized, have vast political 'war chests' of money and are typically covert and outside influence(s) on small, rural communities. In many cases, they sponsor dwindling local news outlets to further obscuring their activities. Over the years I've glanced at a newspaper article or two (thousand), some stand out because of the facts and figures quoted...so here's a list;
Tied for first place, the "Democratic State Party, headquarters in Los Angeles" and 'Code Pink'. National and local reports indicate they exceed 500 million dollars in revenues, each. Since these groups work together and have gained traction in Amador county since 2004, their combined spending power and effect dwarf local Republican efforts. [Various sources, 2000-2009]
In third place, the Jackson Rancheria Casino, with report(s) of over "200 million dollars a year" in revenues. [Sacramento Bee, 2009]
The next group(s) are in a tie for forth place - The Buena Vista Casino and the Ione Band Casino, with report(s) of over "200 million dollars" available, each. [Various sources, 2000-2009]
In sixth place are real estate developer(s) "Bill Bunce and Co." with report(s) of over "145 million dollars." An estimated 50 million dollars for the 'Gold Rush Ranch and Resort' in Sutter Creek CA. and 95 million dollars for the Ione CA. project(s). [Amador Ledger Dispatch, various sources, 2000-2009]
A local county supervisor, Richard Foster Dist. 2 (Ione CA.) recently in open public meeting remarked; Well, Let's just say, We [the supervisors, planning dept.] are not going to give You [the developer] a 'green light', to develop as You please, but, Let's just say, with 95 million dollars available, and being spent in the Ione area...well??"
So, does this really look and sound like the average citizen's interests are being represented on the local level?
|
| - Calling 'em like I see 'em |
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| Call 'em |
| 10/19/2009 4:12:04 PM |
| Wow that's alot of zero's being tossed around. Actually the last part was eye opening. |
| - Charline Buckley |
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| sc gateway |
| 10/19/2009 5:55:55 PM |
| Looks good Ed! |
| - Jim |
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| Calling 'em |
| 10/20/2009 9:23:55 AM |
| Thanks, you have explained why the last two Ione City Managers and councils have prioritized formation of a new General Plan when there is no current planned developement to justify the time/money spent for the update. The General Plan update was done at the expense of throwing a cheap/ineffective coating of new paint on a police dept. that is non-functional and a wastewater system that is six years into a Cease/Desist order with little if any compliance.On a brighter note it looks as if the Council is trying to quietly deal with the half-way house downtown. Funny how action only was initiated after the info became public. Now either a full explanation for its' initial approval or letters of resignation are in order. |
| - Leary |
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| Leary |
| 10/21/2009 2:55:45 AM |
| I agree with you! But to be fairm the General Plan Update was required by law. |
| - Thornton "Tom" Consolo |
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| By law |
| 10/21/2009 8:02:24 AM |
| Thank you for pointing out what the council frequently hides behind, "We had to do this by law". By law you must abide by a Cease/Desist order, by law you must have a written complaint system in City Hall. Both were blatantly ignored for years. There are numerous procedures which are demanded "by law" but are ignored for convenience. This plan update could have gone for years without any type of neg. consequence. While I understand the legal reasons, it seems the council is picking the laws it wants to abide by for their convenience. What would have benifited the community more, an updated general plan (with no immediate planned developement) or effort toward fixing the wastewater and police problems? When has a city/county actually been fined/prosecuted by any authority for not updating a General Plan? Folsom, however has received a multi-million dollar fine for wastewater issues.If the council insists on hiding behind the "by law" issue, they need to explain why they have long ignored many other issues which demanded action/attention by the same law. |
| - Leary |
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| S. Knight |
| 10/23/2009 2:41:02 PM |
| Glad you're back to keep an eye on things. |
| - J. Sutter |
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| Me too |
| 10/23/2009 5:50:55 PM |
| I'm glad Leary is back too. Never know when I'll need a tip on how to stand around and do nothing when woman's in trouble. "Keep an eye on things"??? If it's Leary, he'll only do it from a safe distance! |
| - Ione Since 86 |
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| Ione Since 86 |
| 10/23/2009 9:25:57 PM |
| Leary obviously knows what he or she is talking about. You are just a trouble maker. You go right ahead and jump right in there, and when you get sued, shot or cut up, I hope you find a good attorney. We pay the police for a reason, to do their DAMN job. |
| - T in Ione |
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| Ione Since 86 |
| 10/24/2009 7:33:34 AM |
| Any truth to the rumor that a purple silhouette of a running cop carrying a coffee cup will be placed at City Hall in recognition of Ione P.D.'s commitment to Domestic Violence Prevention Month? |
| - Leary |
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| Leary |
| 10/24/2009 12:46:48 PM |
In your attempt to blast the Ione Police Department you have slapped the very people the "purple" people represent. Your family should be very proud of you, I hope the cause the "purple" people stands for never happens in your family.
Regarding "Leary" I hope to see your name when the candidates for Ione public offices are announced. In the meantime I will be "leary" of what I don't know, I just like the word "leary". Makes me feel unsafe you know, leary of what is happening around me.
I have withstood the endless tirade of people of Jackson when I responded to their postings. I live in no where land where I can only vote for county issues not issues within any city limit.
So, I will get my coffee cup and wait for it...wait for it. Also will use my name so you will actually know who I am.
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| - Charline Buckley |
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| My Apologies |
| 10/24/2009 1:39:12 PM |
| Please accept my heartfelt apology for any insult or personal umbrage you felt, as it was certainly not my intention. However, I still firmly believe that a Domestic Violence victim, (or any crime victim), would be much more appreciative of a timely and professional police response rather than a n occassional cardboard cut-out. Isn't it more of a slap in the face for our victims to see these silhouettes in town, proving that as a community we are aware of the problem, then when official help is needed it doesn't respond? This was my point, but if I have inadvertently insulted you or any victim, I am genuinely sorry. |
| - Leary |
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| Sutter Hill, Gateway Landscaping Clean-up |
| 10/25/2009 8:16:24 PM |
Sutter Hill, Gateway Landscaping Clean-up, weeding completed!
A crew of about 10 Volunteers returned to the Gateway site and continued weeding on Saturday and finished the job! As the weeding was completed, some of the Volunteers took up sprayers and began spraying the small weeds and grasses that have grown since the first rain. Kathleen Lynch can now look at the site and determine the next work needed to get the site ready for winter; placing more mulch, cleaning up some of the rocked areas, etc. Many thanks to Dee Kennard, Kathleen Lynch and Sean Rabe for their efforts to get these Volunteers organized and the site cleaned up. And a BIG thanks to all the Volunteers who worked on the site.
Stay tuned for more notices for work on this site and other potential work parties.
Want to Volunteer? Call me, I'm in the book. |
| - Ed Arata |
|
| Chia Pet |
| 10/26/2009 7:20:55 PM |
I received an "Obama" Chia Pet for my birthday, the perfect gift for a staunch conservative.
What they say about him, Obama, is true, nothing can distract him from whatever it is he's trying to do. Instead of watering him as the instructions said I should, I urinated on him but he keeps on growing good.
Guess I'll try "Roundup" next and save us all, from the one who resembles a billiard ball. Round-and-round-and-round he goes, where he'll stop, nobody knows.
I scared to fin out.
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| - Bob |
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| Chia Pet |
| 10/26/2009 7:23:59 PM |
| I have yet to stop laughing, it was bad but I still am laughing. |
| - Charline Buckley |
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| Afghan Strategy |
| 10/27/2009 3:47:27 PM |
| Didn't think much of the chia pet joke, however, here's what he ought to do in Afghanistan. Tell all the troops to pull out of the mountains and go to the lowlands. After they do that, send in about 20 B-52's and rain bombs on the mountain range where these folks are all hiding in caves and what not. Do that for three days until we bomb them back into the stone age and flatten the mountain range, then send our troops back up there with instuctions to pick em off like gophers if anyone survives and sticks their head up out of the ground.Sounds like a good stategy to me, what about you? |
| - Fourth Estate |
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| Fourth Estate and Bob |
| 10/27/2009 5:22:06 PM |
| These comments don't even warrant this much of a response. |
| - Tom |
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| No Future in Past Failures |
| 10/27/2009 11:16:28 PM |
Lately, as a long time conservative, I have noted some disturbing trends of the Republican Party;
First, many R.I.N.O.'s, Republicans in name only...only pretend to be conservative. A true conservative is an American first, then a Republican...NOT the other way around. They do not sell their votes to the highest bidder, then hide behind fancy tales of fidelity.
Two, many fake 'right-wingers' utilize a stream of vulgarities and dispersions against Mr. Obama under the guise that it is a " Republican vs. Democrat thing..." No, it is an un-American 'thing'. Both parties must do what is right for the Country as a whole, then wrangle for political benefit as an afterthought. Besmirching a sitting President is beyond politics, it is a gravely disrespectful act to Your own Country. I profoundly disagree with President Obama on many policy issues, yet I do so with legitimate debate, not character attacks.
Third, the twisted notion that We [as Americans] can go around the World with an attitude that We can "bomb them bastards into the stone age..."
Take Afghanistan for instance, most American have no idea where Afghanistan is on a world map, let alone understand the complexities of their society or history. Unless the opium trade is stopped, more innocent people on all sides will be murdered by terrorists funded with evil.
Meanwhile, Our foreign enemies are just waiting for this, for Us to implode politically.
It is time for Republicans to demand Party policies fit the needs of 21st Century politics.
Otherwise, this society will just slide backwards; back into hate, back into bigotry, into the dung heap of history.
Which way will We go America, towards the Light, or back into the Dark? |
| - Calling 'em like I see 'em |
|
| Good thought |
| 10/28/2009 7:33:29 AM |
| The message above is Right on the Money. I am a "Volunteer Liberal" as you have seen in my previous posts here for Volunteer activities in SC, but the man above has the correct world-view. I have spent time outside of the US in the third world, and if we as a people in the US do not come together, the "world" is going to eat us alive. The developing world is going to challenge the US on all levels, but mainly economically. If we cannot learn to talk with the world and not attempt to "bomb them back not the stone-age" every time, we are doomed. The US has had a "good run" for the last 100 years, but if we cannot come together, I am afraid that WE are going to fall. I want to talk with the person who wrote the post above. I think we can work together. Call me, I'm in the book. |
| - Ed Arata |
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| Betterment of the county |
| 10/30/2009 11:00:38 PM |
| As this is one of your expressed goals, I have an idea. You can better the county by getting rid of this ridiculous and irresponsible forum or require a modicum of responsibility by making those who use it own their remarks by signing them. You claim to be loyal, trustworthy.......are you media or a boy scout? Your diligent pursuit of answers is the biggest laugh of all, since that would imply some fact or reality checking, conspicuous by its absence in this column. Get real. Your are providing a way for cowardly nutcases to vent, nothing more. |
| - nora coryell |
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| names |
| 10/30/2009 11:35:37 PM |
| Ed, Thorton and Charline always sign there real names. The Fourth Estate has also stated his real name on numerous occasions. Some people use this forum responsibly to discuss the community. Not surprisingly, one of the guys who will never sign his real name is the same person who always maliciously slanders everyone and that's Leary. So who's the real coward? |
| - Greg Fitzgerald |
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| Names |
| 10/31/2009 9:12:10 AM |
| I was told by a computer person that a hacker needs only a correct full name and zip code to obtain a person's D.O.B. and SS#.It's a free country and you can certainly use your real name but understand that info goes literally all over the world to persons who may use it for identity theft. Once you experience I.D. theft and the associated hassles of correcting it using real a real name might not be the best option.Mr. Fitzgerald, please identify whom I have "maliciously slandered", and what have I said that was not true or idependently witnesssed? Malice and slander denote false info, to my knowledge there has been none so far, only embarrassing factual information from the city. Please explain. |
| - Leary |
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| Nora |
| 10/31/2009 9:37:03 AM |
Maybe I am the cowardly nutcase you vented about, let me tell you why I posted the comment about Afghanistan. In less than a weeks time, we lost 10-12 good American boys to roadside bombs there. Good kids, none of them went there to die, but they did. I simply stated that if we mean business, let's get with it. If we bomb the mountain range as I suggested, we would kill many, maybe even Bin Laden. No one likes a war, but if we are in one, shouldn't we give it all we have? What about all the young kids coming back maimed and missing limbs? Bush started it, and I hope Obama ends it. That's all.
When I was very young, I used to play basketball with an older kid in Martell. His name was Doug Partridge. He got drafted, and said don't worry, I will be back and we will play more basketball. He never came back. His name is on the Rock in Sutter Creek, but that doesn't relieve the pain I feel still today. I hate war, but if we are there, then let's get it on!
I sign 4th Estate in memory of my friend Sid Smith, who years ago wrote a column for the Dispatch, who I admired just like the Editor for years, Babe Garbarini. My real name is Jim Laughton, and I am no coward.. Furthermore, Leary has stated facts, not fiction, sounds like he knows what goes on in Ione. All of our communities should have a "Leary".. I am Sorry if I offended you with my comments about the war. |
| - Fourth Estate |
|
| Dear Jim |
| 10/31/2009 10:18:09 AM |
Nice to meet you, but I have to say that if you truly hated war, you would not support those that are unwinable, or stupid, or imperialist, and/or just plain wrong.
My previous remarks about this forum referred mainly to the nonsense at the top of this column in which the unidentified pontificator equates the state Democratic party with Codepink, alleging that they work together and have "war chests" of 500 million dollars each. As the founder of the local codepink chapter and its main proponent in the county I can tell you that those remarks caused me many a hilarious moment lately. But in this county the majority are uninformed enough to actually believe this type of rot. Therein lies the danger.
We can all have our own opinions, but we don't get to create our own facts, and that is what this kind of irresponsible, anonymous "journalism" supports. I still say, make them own it, or don't print it. |
| - nora coryell |
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| WARNING!!! Sarcasm AHEAD!!!! - |
| 10/31/2009 11:23:36 AM |
Betterment of the county??? Oh, wait I know, nora is a D.I.D.O. (democratic in disguise only.) How could I pontificate so, U ask? Let's examine Her words:
She said, "getting rid of this ridiculous and irresponsible forum" (apparently she/they are against the first amendment; "abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press".)
"in this county the majority are uninformed" (apparently against first amendment, again; "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances".)
"Therein lies the danger." (betch-ya she's against second amendment, too! "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State")
"Cowardly nutcases.." (It appears nora doubles as a brave psychiatrist, is it just OKAY for Liberals to call people names? did I miss the memo?)
"believe this type of rot." Here We agree finally, in a converse way. Yes Nora, I do think most people in this county are capable of seeing "rot" when given the facts. They don't need a name if what is said make sense.
But Nora says, "we don't get to create our own facts."
That's funny, because that's exactly what nora's boss (code pink founder jodie evans) has done. Code pink recently traipsed over to Afghanistan, but when women there told them they did not want U.S. troops to go (Taliban will kill and torture women, again.) what did code pink decide to do ? Tell people on there website the Afghanistan women said Otherwise.
Code pink needs to go live with Hugo Chavez, and quit supporting garbage like reinstating the Taliban, where young women are stoned to death for Jihad.
Signed,
Sara Palin's illegitimate child or maybe, G.W. Bush lover
|
| - You, the Public decide!! |
|
| Sutter Creek Budget!!!! |
| 10/31/2009 8:20:43 PM |
Mayor Wooten and Council Members
Please remove from the Consent Agenda the Resolution for Approving and Adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2009/10.
At the the last meeting where the City Budget was discussed, I felt that the Council would be exploring and taking further action to reduce the budget deficit. Has the Council explored the option of contracting with the Sheriff's Office for Police services and has there been a response from the Sheriff? It was suggested that the Council would look at options for contracting out for some other services, rather than continuing to have City Staff; what options have you looked at and what can you report?
Is the Budget that you are proposing to adopt with this resolution balanced? If it is not balanced, how far out of whack is it? Have the numbers been revised since the last proposed budget was available to the Public?
I believe that there will be considerable interest to further discuss this years budget before you adopt this resolution. "When you find yourself in a hole, Stop Digging!"
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
============================
If you are concerned about the City Budget, please contact your Council Members and/or attend the meeting Monday night at 7pm. |
| - Ed Arata |
|
| calling 'em out |
| 11/1/2009 9:33:25 AM |
| "Calling 'em" isn't calling 'em, she or he is making 'em up as s/he goes along. S/he wouldn't know a fact from a fiddle. NOW s/he claims to be privy to what women in Afghanistan told Jodie, as WELL as what is in her coffers. How, pray tell, could that possibly be??? Mendacious and misguided, it is litle wonder s/he wants to hide his or her identity. Ledger Dispatch, be ashamed, be very ashamed. You are a disgrace to honest news services everywhere. |
| - Nora Coryell |
|
| Disabilitys Public Access |
| 11/1/2009 10:27:13 AM |
| Equal Rights For All? Not when it comes down to people with ADD or Dyslexia or nerological disorders, are not allowed public access into public buildings such as courtrooms, Department of motor Vechiles, and so on . They are not allowed to use their Auxilary Aides such as a tape recorder, for their own private notes,Why is this? Is this being treated equal as an indivisual Under the disabilitys rights act? I say not at all ! This is truly discrimanation! ITS TIME FOR A CHANGE!These people need to be recogiized and treated with respect.Just like other people with disabilitys. Thank you Tina Marie. |
| - Tina Marie Fernandez |
|
| Sutter Creek PD |
| 11/1/2009 10:59:22 PM |
I have worked for County Sheriffs Depts that Contract to Cities for Police Protection. Might not be a good Idea. As proud as I am to Have a fantastic Sheriff and A great Sheriff's Dept. I think that other possibilities should be explored first. Once you close your department up and sell the cars and lay off the cops (The ones that really know your city and the bad guys there). You loose all control of how your city will be policed. That could be a problem. Have any idea the start-up costs for restarting your department once you have closed it up???
I would consider a more practical approach first. Like Police Sharing with Jackson. I am sure there would be advantages and savings. Officers could be retained, overhead shared, and control maintained. Could be a win, win, and it would be reversable. |
| - Thornton |
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| Good Idea - Budget Meeting Tonight |
| 11/2/2009 3:48:27 AM |
Thornton - Good idea
I have heard you suggestion for combining Police operations with Jackson before and it sounds like a good one. We do not want to loose the officers who already know our town and its law enforcement needs.
The City Council should be reporting back tonight on what progress they have been making in talking with the Sheriff and/or Jackson City. Come to meeting tonight and see what is happening with the Budget. |
| - B.Martin - SC Police (Retired) |
|
| Sheriff/Contract |
| 11/2/2009 4:19:46 PM |
| This has come up several times over the years, and I am sure Sheriff Ryan would prefer NOT to do it. However, as time goes by, it appears to make a lot of sense, not to mention the ACSO has THE BEST cops in the county. I hope the county can finally move forward and provide excellent service to the cities as well. I've had it with the lack of professionalism in Ione and Jackson. |
| - K.Lange |
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| Fourth Estate/T in Ione |
| 11/3/2009 7:22:59 AM |
| Thank you both for your kind words of support earlier.I fully agree with the above in that the Sheriff may not actually want it but he must be made to realize there is a whole new financial reality and in Ione's case crime has actually increased with these newly imported "professionals", that we can't even get to park the squad cars legally. I feel a publicly elected official would be much more sensitive/responsive to citizen/community complaints then an un-elected city police chief or city manager. |
| - Leary |
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| More Regional Planning and Coordination |
| 11/3/2009 3:03:23 PM |
| I am very interested to see the discussion going on above about combining resources for various local services. We have not always done so in Amador County, with the Cities breaking away from the County in the early 1900s, but maybe it is now time to take a fresh look combining our resources for some of our common needs - police, fire, wastewater, water, etc. We can continue to have our town rivalries in football and other events, but these economic times are compelling us to seek better solutions to our problems by working together. I am sure that my long-time college in County service, Sheriff George Lucot, would join me in encouraging all of our local agencies to put aside our differences for good of all the citizens of Amador County. |
| - D. Ramazzotti - Supervisor (retired) |
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