Garden Club Plant Sale

Tuolumne County Garden Club Rummage/Plant/Bake Sale.

When:  Friday and Saturday, May 14th and 15th
Time:  8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where:  Flea Market at Mono Village shopping area near Sears
What:  Plants of all sorts (veggies, annuals, perennials), household items, dishes, linens, books, purses, jewelry, scarves, tools, etc.  Everything but clothing.

Copperopolis Family Medical Center welcomes Mary Gauthier M.D.

Calaveras Arts Council Celebrates 30 Years!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Join us, Saturday May 14, 201 at the Bret Harte Theater, for a fabulous high energy Boyz Nite Out Pop Acapella Stage Show and Lobby Fun Fest! This concert is for the entire family and will be open seating, so plan to get there at 7 pm to nail down your seats and enjoy lobby fun! You won't believe what these Boyz can do with their voices. You won't want to miss it!

Get E-Tickets Online Now

Tickets are also available by calling 209-754-1774.

For more infor on Boyzniteout click HERE

Picture courtesy bouyzniteout

Assemblymember Newsletter "Olsen on the Issues"

This month, I partnered with the California Small Business Association to host a Small Business Roundtable.  The opportunity to have small businesses throughout my district talk with me firsthand about the issues they face is sobering.  Though they come from a variety of industries they all have the same issue at the forefront - over-regulation on a state level.
At the Capitol, my bill to create an online one-stop-shop for all state level permits and licenses unanimously passed out of the Business and Professions Committee this month. The state's complex permitting system is costly, time-consuming, and confusing to businesses. This bill will help foster an improved business climate in California, encouraging businesses to grow and create jobs.
Two other jobs measures I have authored will be heard in policy committees next week. AB 830, which would create a flexible work week, will be heard in Labor and Employment Committee on May 4th.
Choosing a flexible work schedule of 4, 10-hour work days could give employees 50 additional non-working days per year, would save employers money so they can create new jobs and hire more people, and would have environmental benefits from reduced traffic on our roadways.
AB 1057 goes before the Revenue and Taxation Committee on May 9th. This measure would provide a sales tax exemption, beginning in 2014, for businesses who purchase manufacturing equipment or new equipment purchased for the purpose of air mitigation.

Spellman Town Hall 4-28-11 Re-cap

Spellman ‘Town Hall’ Meeting 4-28-11

Approximately 17 members of the Copperopolis Community came to listen to, and meet, Supervisor Spellman at his first Town Hall meeting in Copperopolis April 28, 2011 from 7-9 pm at Blackcreek Park.

Spellman came with an itemized list of three “barn burners” that he wanted to address. First and foremost was the “FEMA issue” regarding the new flood zone maps within Calaveras County.  Soliciting information from the crowd Spellman filled in the blanks where information was missing.

When asked how many lots are affected by FEMA’s new flood zone maps Spellman said that on 12-17-10 there existed 2100 lots in Calaveras County that “were in a designated flood zone.” Yet after 12-17-10 an additional 5000 lots were added to the maps, including many homes on Lake Tulloch. Spellman states that the definition of a flood zone is the key to the problem. FEMA defines a flood zone as “1 foot of water, 1 day a year, in 100 years on your property.” Also flood maps were once utilized for the process of insuring a home site that was in danger of flooding. “FEMA has rewritten what constitutes a flood zone” and those new guidelines require insurance if ANY portion of your property lay within the parameters of FEMA’s definition. Spellman warned of the ripple effect of these new maps citing lower property values, drop in the value of homes, and resale. Also mentioning the cost of “non essential insurance” to the home owner.

Spellman noted that Saturday April 30 2011 Dan Lungren will be at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds at 10:30 AM, pointing out that as a “previous Attorney General and a Congressman that sits on the Homeland Security Commission” Lundgren has the ability to effect change if enough residents of Calaveras County come out and voice their opinion on the FEMA issue.

Spellman did say that there was one “out” for the residents of the County that are affected by the new maps. The” Board of Supervisors can choose not to accept the FEMA flood maps.” He points out that this has inherent problems, but for only approximately 5% of the county that actually need flood insurance. Because if the Board “opts out” flood insurance cannot be provided by FEMA and the “open market price for flood insurance could be 3 to 4 times as much as FEMA flood insurance.” In finishing he said, “I will vote to not accept the flood maps. I don’t feel right saddling the other 95% with the expense... those who knowingly move to a flood zone should be responsible enough to cover themselves.”

Next subject was the O’Byrnes bridge. At this point Spellman shared good news that the steel fabrication process for the repair of the bridge was already underway, and the “bridge should be repaired shortly.” He also said that putting a guardrail on ‘Dead Man’s Curve’ on Copper Cove Drive was in the works and slated to be completed soon. “I believe that job has already gone out to bid.”

When asked if any local contractors bid for the new jail building contract. Spellman thought there was one, yet the “bid came in over 1 million dollars more than the bid we accepted.” At the BOS meeting April 26, 2011 Spellman stated that he would like to see the County establish an Acceptable Contractor List in an attempt to keep more jobs locally.

When asked if the $174 K the county received from California Department of Boating and Waterways combined with the 250k received from the USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) for law enforcement on lakes would increase enforcement on Lake Tulloch, the answer was a definitive “No.” Spellman stated that those two incomes were for Law Enforcement on Lake Hogan, a USACE owned property.

The development slated for the end of Little John Road, Tuscany Hills, was touched on and concern was voiced about the possible construction traffic on the already poor road. Spellman said that there was to be a looping road that went behind Saddle Creek and came out on Little John Road near Copper Cove Drive, saying that it may relieve some of the traffic. Monty Crigler said he had his eye on that and Spellman conceded that “Monty is the Little John traffic watch dog.”

His final item…the Copperopolis Branch Library. While he says he is constantly looking for alternatives to insure that the library doors stay open, the fiscal crunch is only going to get worse. He did point out that in the 160k budget to run 8 libraries, one library resides within the city limits of Angels Camp. He questions the reasoning behind funding a City library from a County budget.

He closed by saying “I’m trying...I’m really trying. I’m getting beat up because I’m tipping over the apple cart.” He welcomed contact via phone, email, or at the weekly forum at Snaps, saying, “I’m not asking you to trust me blindly…I am fighting for you. I don’t mind getting beat up as long as you know I’m getting beat up on your behalf.”

By, Charity Maness

To search for more articles on Spellman and FEMA Flood Maps, enter Spellman FEMA in the search box at the top left of this site.

Parks & Recs Flea Market 5-14-11

Click on picture to zoom.

Lawsuit Over Race-Based Lockdowns

Sacramento, CA -- A class action lawsuit filed against the California Department of Corrections could affect the Sierra Conservation Center.
The non-profit Berkeley based Prison Law Office has filed a lawsuit arguing that race should not be a determining factor when placing an inmate on lockdown status. Inmates are sometimes placed into temporary confinement following a fight or riot.
Inmates often separate themselves by race while in prison, and sometimes there are fights between the different ethnic groups. Often times when a large fight breaks out, inmates in the entire area are put on lockdown.
READ MORE My Motherlode

Spring in Copper

Copper Curmudgeon ~ By, Mike Shevlin

Springtime in the Foothills . . .

This is the time of the year when the foothills benefit from all the rain we have gotten this winter and the hillsides are covered with green grasses with a carpet of colorful wild flowers. It’s a photo op for anyone when the waterfalls run streaming down the hillsides. Of course there are those that suffer from allergies and pop Claritin like M&Ms . . . so there’s that side of it too.

But the other aspect of living in the foothills hills is watching all the newborn baby animals this time of year. My wife moved from the city after providing foster care for sixteen years and quickly learned what the country was all about then started taking in animals . . . you know the ones everyone “needs”, goats, chickens, turkeys, dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, cockatiels, ducks what did I miss? Oh yeah an aviary full of doves and quail and an aquarium of fish . . . lots of fish.

Now I come from a family of outdoor people that lived by fishing and hunting. So my jokes about roasted goats and BBQed quail seem to escape my wife’s sense of humor . . . probably because she realizes her sick husband is about half serious as he gazes at the aviary of quail licking my lips and saying over and over . . . a simple orange glaze or a chardonnay crust . . . ? And she just screams, “Get away from my birdies!!!”

So after all my kidding about eating her pets . . . the locals have decided to eat them for real . . . you know the ones . . . my neighbors that have a taste for raw flesh of newborn baby goats or that juicy chicken or turkey running free in the upper pasture.

Now this is not some backwoods inbred group of forest folks . . . although I think we have those here . . . nope this is Mr. & Mrs. Fox, a bunch of coyotes, a few raccoons and a huge owl that lives over in Saddle Creek somewhere . . .

The two fox’s diet includes any and all of her chickens and the ducks would be gone if not for our two Golden Retrievers. Two weeks ago the dogs were barking up a storm out front at 2am so I did what I normally do and yelled;

“S H U T – U P ! ! ! “ Only to find out they were earning their Kibble & Bits by keeping a raccoon treed near the duck cage . . . that made me feel stupid. Not sure the male Goldie has forgiven me yet . . .  

Now those that know me realize my stance on cats . . . I am perfectly OK with the owl thinking they are the other white meat. My wife wants me to shoot the owl . . . I remind her the neighbors would call the Sheriff if I go banging away in the middle of the night with my 12 gauge and tracer rounds plus the Game Warden would have a problem with killing an owl.

So here we sit . . . I can’t eat anything she loves or keeps here that I happen to pay the feed store a lot of money to feed . . . but every wild animal in Copper knows where the smorgasbord is at our house after dark . . .

So again I ponder . . . a simple orange glaze or a chardonnay crust . . . ?

I know . . . just sit here and be quiet . . .

Copper Gazette Viewers Questions Asked at Recent CFPD Board Meeting

Recently a viewer of the Copper Gazette put forth some questions regarding the CFPD Agenda from March 24, 2011 with regards to the closed session agenda item '5-C: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957. Public employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release.' The closed session also included a performance evaluation for the Fire Chief. (Click HERE for agenda.) The veiwer questioned whether the Chief was disciplined?

Following this closed session meeting a press release was issued by the CFPD Board of Directors explaining that the Fire Chief had 'voluntarily assumed' the position of Captain assigned to administration. (Click HERE for press release.) The viewer asked whether the Chief had stepped down to help with the budget and if so how could he hold a position he had not previously held?

At the April 28, 2011 Board of Directors meeting the following questions were put before the Board.

#1. In the 3-24-11 closed session agenda the code stated covers Discipline/Dismissal/Release, yet in the press release it was stated that he voluntarily stepped down alluding to budget issues. Was the Chief demoted?
The answer came from Chariman Maness stating that the code utilized for closed session meetings dealing with personnel issues contains "wording (that) covers a broad spectrum." Further suggesting that the code should be read in full. The following is an excerpt from government code section 54957:

…consider the appointment, employment, evaluation of

performance, discipline, or dismissal of a public employee or to hear

complaints or charges brought against the employee by another person

or employee unless the employee requests a public session.

(5) Action taken to appoint, employ, dismiss, accept the

resignation of, or otherwise affect the employment status of a public

employee in closed session pursuant to Section 54957 shall be

reported at the public meeting during which the closed session is

held.

To read the whole code click HERE.

#2. At whose discretion was it to offer the position of Captain, a position that had not previously been held by the current Chief?

Again the question was answered by Chairman Maness, "It was the highest rank we could offer and keep him full time."

#3. Was the Fire Marshal position part time? 

Maness and Captain Cantrell both answered that there is/was no available Fire Marshal position.

Currently Captain Cantrell functions as acting Chief while the hiring process for a part-time Chief moves forward.

At the April 20, 2011 Special Public Meeting, Resolution 4-20-11 was passed. (The minutes do not define resolution 4-20-11.) Upon contacting the CFPD on 4-29-11 it was stated that resolution 4-20-11 gives Captain Keith Cantrell acting Chief status with the authority to act as executive officer. (Captain Keith Cantrell held the office of acting Chief beginning July 17, 2008 becoming Chief December 2008.)

.

Plaza Skin Care - Your Full Skin Care Provider in Copperopolis

Owner, Gloria Luna, brings to Plaza Skin Care of Copperopolis14 years of Esthetics experience and training, an undergraduate degree in Plant Biology and most recently a nursing license from the Xavier College School of Nursing.

With her extensive background in the sciences and her continued education in the field of esthetics, Gloria brings to you cutting edge skills in the "ever evolving world of Esthetics."

Utilizing her experience in both her own salon, operating since 2002, and a bustling dermatology practice enables Gloria  to "integrate a science based and comprehensive approach to skin care."

"It is my desire to be able to put my nursing license to work so that I may be able to offer clients advanced esthetic procedures in a medical environment."

For more information of what Plaza Skin Care has to offer please visit their website at Plaza Skin Care

or call 209-785-6789

Letter to the Editor - from Bonnie Datwyler

My daughter Ciara, age 5, spotted ospreys building their nest over three weeks ago on a PG&E pole top on Copper Cove Drive just past Sawmill. Everyday on our way to and from school we would watch the progress! Ciara loves wildlife and really all animals. She has made donations to save the tiger for all of her five years. She knows the difference between ospreys, hawks, eagles, egrets, blue herons and more of all the birds around where we live. We also get such enjoyment of the eagles and Lorenz nesting on platforms around lake Tulloch.

So I called PGE to put up a platform for the birds to both protect the birds and the lines about a week and a half ago. Instead we were devastated to find the nest torn down with fluff and grass inside. Those birds had been nesting. I then called Channel Three on my side, and PGE. We were angry that this was done backwards. Instead of protecting the birds by placing the platform and then moving the nest, they chose to tear it down. The excuse given by Sal @ Angels Camp PGE was to site safety to line and bird. However, since the new platform was to be put up there was no reason they could not have waited the one day it took to install the platform and transferred the nest instead of tearing it down!!!!! So the day of the tear down my daughter drew this heartbreaking picture!

three weeks ago

nest remains on the ground

osprey perching on the next pole

According to the PG&E website they claim that, "Through an innovative Avian Protection Plan, PG&E is working with groups like the Ventana Wildlife Society to reduce the risk that overhead wires and electrical equipment pose to birds, such as the California condor and bald eagles. PG&E adopted this voluntary, proactive plan when the company's related agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expired. PG&E's plan has set the standard for our industry and is one of the most comprehensive in the nation."
I hope this is not an example of how the Aviation Protection Plan is supposed to work.

Town Hall Arts announces May's Artist of the Month - Carolyn Macpherson

Combining a lifelong fascination with color, photography, and design, Carolyn has explored several media in her 30 years as an artist.  Her early art studies were at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where she obtained an art teaching credential so that she could share her fascination with college students.  She taught design principles, calligraphy, and painting at a small junior college in Longview, Washington.  She exhibited widely around the state in her primary medium at that time, a combination of oil and collage used to create abstract landscape, and garnered a number of regional art show awards.

    While in Washington, Carolyn was active in arts organizations and was elected to the Washington State Arts Advocacy Commission in 1976.  For seven years she directed the second largest regional art show in the state, the Southwest Washington Arts Festival.  Her philosophy has been that volunteering in the arts, rubbing elbows with artists and people who love art, keeps an artist’s perspective fresh and challenged.

    While spending two colorful years in Venezuela, she discovered she was allergic to oil paints, and made a difficult but necessary switch to watercolor.  One last successful oil painting art show in Puerto Ordaz bought her a ticket back home to the States where she studied watercolor with Bill Colby, a  well know Tacoma artist.

    Seeking a sunnier climates than Washington after her hiatus in the tropics, she moved to California in 1980 where she became an active member of the San Mateo Arts Council.  But living in the stressful environment of the Bay Area caused her to feel her art career was “on hold”.  She had a full-time job as Executive Director of the Bay Area Camp Fire Council for fives years, which  left little time for art development.

    So, like many couples seeking a quieter life and the “romance of the Sierra”, she and her husband, Richard, moved to Arnold in 1988.  Upon arriving in the foothills and finding that the Arts Council here was somewhat floundering, she became involved again as a volunteer.  She served as the council’s president for two years and was one of the original founders of the Art-Op Gallery in Murphys.

    Currently, Carolyn’s watercolors and photography reflect her surroundings—Motherlode thunder clouds, golden hills, brightly colored birds and flowers interpreted representationally though wet, transparent watercolors and sharp focus photographs, with an occasional abstract impression thrown in for variety.

    Her pouring technique, used for the background of everything from koi fish, portraits, skies, to florals, has become the signature for her style.  Carolyn’s watercolor floral of irises is published in the book How Did You Paint That?   She has won numerous first place awards at juried art shows in Northern California.

Photo courtesy Town Hall Arts

Veteran Spaghetti Feed Dinner this Saturday!!

 A FEW TICKETS LEFT - AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR!

Governor Brown Announces Appointment - State Board of Education

Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. today announced the following appointment.

Sue Burr, 57, of Rancho Murieta, has been appointed by the State Board of Education to serve as the executive director of the board. In addition to her responsibilities as executive director, Burr will also advise the Governor on education policy, legislation and budget matters, student college readiness, teacher credentialing, early childhood education issues and school construction. Burr has served as the executive director of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association since 2006, after serving as the association’s governmental relations director from 2003 to 2006. She was the assistant superintendant for business services with the Elk Grove Unified School District from 2000 to 2003. She served as the undersecretary of education under Governor Gray Davis from 1999 to 2000, also serving as interim secretary from March 2000 to August 2000. Burr was the co-director of the California State University Institute for Education Reform from 1995 to 1999, a principal consultant for the Senate Education Committee from 1991 to 1994, and a principal consultant for the Senate Appropriations Committee from 1986 to 1991. Burr currently serves as secretary of the board of directors for EdSource and serves as president of the board of directors for Sacramento Children’s Home.

This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $175,000. Burr is a Democrat.

R/C race Sunday in Sonora

Amos Hobbies, formerly known as Sonora R/C/ Raceway, is holding there first R/C car race since the renovation of their off road dirt r/c track earlier this month.
The new track has mutiple double jumps, a couple singles and a table top or two thrown in for good measure. This short course has few burms but lots of twists and turns.
The race is open to any level of racer and any make and model of r/c car.
The race will be held Sunday May 1, 2011 beginning at 2:00 pm.
For more information and directions please call 532-6316.

Advertising on the Copper Gazette is Simple and Rewarding

Currently the Copper Gazette has reached 70k plus views and has been in business since January 2011.
Extending their news with social networking on Facebook and Twitter has allowed the Copper Gazette to reach a much farther and diverse population than that of traditional papers, making your advertising dollars stretch to their full potential.

For a business icon placed on the front page linked to your website, the cost is only $10/month. With a six month commitment, one of our team will interview you for an article highlighting your business and what you have to offer the community of Copperopolis and beyond.

For more information please email your questions to coppergazette@gmail.com.

Average Rainfall Exceeded

According to a CCWD rep the current amount of rainfall for the Copperopolis area to date this year is approximately 30 inches. This exceeds the average at this time of 25 inches.

Russ Thomas Update from Somalia

Hello all!  Here are a few more pictures that will give a flavor of our
work-environment, here in Mogadishu.
I snapped #030 early this morning while passing near the terminal building
on my way to meet up with the bulldozer driver. Naturally, I had to stop to
capture the spectacular vista.  In four months, it has only sprinkled three
times, so this morning's lengthy shower actually settled the dust and
created this great photo-op.  This may be my best Somalia picture yet!
#031 & #032 shows the size of the Cat D-8L.  Two days ago, I found this
monster machine under wraps on the property next door, and since we had many
hundreds of yards of dirt to move, and some significant grade changes to
make, I made a deal with the owner/operator. This is by far the largest
machine that I've seen here, and the guy accomplished more in one day that
our previous efforts (with other equipment) had produced in 3 or 4 days.  He
was pleased and we were very pleased!
#033 shows Chris Sears filling our little Toyota Water-truck.  George, the
Ugandan soldier in the picture takes very good care of us -- often taking
the fill-hose out of a larger water truck to fill our tank.  In this
instance, he used the discharge pump on one of the water trucks to fill our
tank. In exchange for his willingness to help, we often reward George with
"scratch-off" cards for cell phone minutes.  He was out of minutes on Easter
Sunday, so it made him particularly happy that we gave him $5.00 worth of
minutes, so he could call home to Uganda to visit with his wife and 3 kids
-- his youngest two are twin boys.
#028 shows our masonry crew as they're making a 4'-0" grout pour on the
security station at our front gate.
Nur, the young man on the far right, is very bright and speaks english far
better than the other four boys.  Today, he explained that he has acquired
his language skills by attending a private school, here in Mogadishu.  I'm
guessing that might be a pretty expensive education, so I'm anxious to learn
more about his family and his background.
I was very pleased, today, when Nur told me that the trowel skills I've been
showing him makes his job "much easier."  Spreading the proper amount of
mortar on a block wall "American Style" was a completely new concept for
them. I wish I could have recorded the expressions on their faces when I
showed them how it's done in California.  These "masons" were trying to
first pile the mud up extremely high, then they'd attempt to pound the block
down.  Until I showed them a better way, they were producing the 1" thick
bed-joints that is typically seen on the block construction, here.  We're
saving lots of cement, and we're getting a lot more done!
That's all for now,
Russ

Snaps Hosting another great 'Friday Night Flights' April 29, 2011

This week Snaps Coffee House and Wine Bar 'Friday Night Flights' will be featuring La Folia wines and winemaker Ryan Teeter. Dan Burton will afgain delight the crowds with his acoustical magic and delicious complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served as well as pizza bites from Panini's.
Join the fun on April 29 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Only $7.00 for a flight of five tastings and $7.00 for a glass of your favorite offering. The weather promises to create another beautiful evening in the Town Square.

Ryan and Sara started producing wine for La Folia in 2008 and strives to produce authentic Italian style wines in the California Sierra Foothills.  We use only Italian varietals and Italian wine making techniques to produce our premium wines.  The name La Folia translates to “The Madness” and it refers to a passion that burns so deep that it drives you to madness. Wine is our passion and learning more about wine is our madness. Please enjoy our wines and indulge your passion!

Board of Supervisors 4-26-11 Meeting Summary

4-26-11 MEETING SUMMARY

Governor Brown Cancels Plan to Build New $356 Million Condemned Inmate Housing Facility at San Quentin

Acting to save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today canceled plans to build new housing for condemned inmates at San Quentin.

“At a time when children, the disabled and seniors face painful cuts to essential programs, the State of California cannot justify a massive expenditure of public dollars for the worst criminals in our state,” said Brown. “California will have to find another way to address the housing needs of condemned inmates. It would be unconscionable to earmark $356 million for a new and improved death row while making severe cuts to education and programs that serve the most vulnerable among us.”

Planning for a new condemned inmate housing facility at San Quentin was initiated in 2003, during the administration of Governor Gray Davis, and was continued by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration. The project was designed to house 1,152 inmates and provide for future growth of California’s condemned population. California currently has fewer than 700 inmates awaiting death sentences.

This project would have added another $356 million to the state’s debt, at an annual cost of $28.5 million in debt service that would have come out of General Fund dollars.

NOAA Weather Outlook for This Weekend ... Sunny!

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 69. North northwest wind between 8 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 44.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 75.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

Supervisor Spellman 'Town Hall' Tonight

District 5 Supervisor Darren Spellman will be in Copperopolis tonight for a 'Town Hall' meeting.
The meeting wil be held at Blackcreek Park from 7-9 pm.

Controller Releases More Local Government Payroll Figures

State Controller John Chiang today updated his website showing the salary, pension benefits and other employee compensation for several hundred Cemetery, Electric, Financing and Construction, Facilities, Flood Control and Water Conservation, Recreation and Park, and Community Service Districts.

Last October, the Controller collected and posted wage information for more than 600,000 city and county employees. He then ordered special districts across the State to report the same information, and the first 1,285 districts were loaded between February and March of this year.

Compensation information for employees of special districts is being collected and posted on the website in four phases. The third phase – launched today – includes almost $357 million in payroll reported by 533 local agencies. The fourth and final phase will include any remaining special districts, such as Library, Mosquito Abatement, Conservation, Air Quality and Airport agencies.

The Local Government Compensation Reporting website covers elected officials as well as public employees. It includes the following information for each position:
• Minimum and maximum salary ranges;
• Actual wages paid;
• The applicable retirement formula;
• Any contributions by the employer to the employee’s share of pension costs;
• Any contributions by the employer to the employee’s deferred compensation plan; and
• Any employer payments for the employee’s health, vision and dental premium benefits.
In addition, the website shows employees who hold multiple positions within a single local government. Postings are updated weekly with any new information received.

84 percent of all special districts in the third phase followed the new reporting requirements. A list of agencies that failed to file in time for today’s launch can also be found on this website. Each non-complying agency could face a penalty of $5,000. The Controller anticipates completing the website with all special district information, along with compensation for state employees, in June of 2011.

Welcome New Advertiser KatMar Marine

“If it floats…we fix it.” Said Mark Bevan, owner of KatMar Marine. Warming to the idea that this may be his new slogan he added one caveat, “the vessel cannot be older than me.” However, his age was not revealed. He did though tell of his many years as a boat mechanic. Dating back as far as 1979 Mark has been repairing boats of all makes and models. When asked what certificates he may have for this field the list was so extraordinarily long that I had a difficult time keeping up. Suffice it to say, if it sits in the water and has a motor…Mark has a certificate to repair it.

Putting out his own shingle last year with the support of his friend Merle Hollman, Mark is living the American Dream of being his own boss. This week he celebrates one year in business, and business is strong. Mark not only repairs boats of all makes, he offers what he terms, “one stop shopping.” What this means is that a client can bring their boat to KatMar for a myriad of repairs; if those repairs exceed mechanical issues (such as upholstery, detailing, and painting), Mark will solicit bids for the additional work from qualified facilities, submit them to the boat owner and allow the owner to make the decision. Mark then makes sure the boat is delivered to the repair shop of choice and retrieved once the repair is complete.

He also offers an interesting and inventive twist to add to the ease of summer fun and enjoyment…valet service. Yes, you read correctly, valet service. Mark will trailer your boat from your storage yard (or his; as he offers boat storage) and deliver your boat to the lake of your choice. He will fill said boat with gas, ice and requested beverages. All you need to do, as the boat owner, is show up; impressing your friends and family. Of course when the day is done, at the designated time, Mark will pick up your boat, refill it, and trailer it back to storage. All you need to do is enjoy the thrill of boat ownership.

KatMar is currently expanding their in-house stock to include incidentals needed for a fun day on the lake; ie: lifejackets for adults, kids, and animals, rope, tubes, parts, accessories, etc.

Store hours are Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday by appointment.

KatMar is extremely easy to locate. From O’Byrnes Ferry Road, turn on to Spangler Lane, head up the hill and turn into the first paved parking lot on your right. KatMar is located at the end of the warehouse storefronts on the left.

For more information about KatMar please visit  KatMarMarine or call 209-785-7582

Unveiling of Military Memorial Statue in Ione

Please join the volunteers of Mountain Oak Health Centers this Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 10:00 am at Ione Junior High for a short ceremonial walk and the unveiling of a memorial statue with a military ceremony in Ione, CA.  This is our chance to show support for the families of our fallen soldiers and to honor those that served and who are currently serving our country. 

 

Josie Martinez Ornum, MSN, FNP
Program Director
Mountain Oak Health Centers
209-498-2014
556 Mountain Ranch Road
P.O. Box 536
San Andreas, CA  95249

Burn Permits Required May 1, 2011

San Andreas – On Sunday, May 1, 2011, at 8AM, the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) will require burning permits within State Responsibility Areas of Tuolumne County, Calaveras County, Eastern Stanislaus County and Eastern San Joaquin County.

 Since May 1^st falls on a Sunday Unit Chief Mike Noonan has extended the expiration on existing burn permits to June 1, 2011 for those permits which would have expired at the end of April 2011.

Until CAL FIRE stations are fully staffed later in the season, permits will be available only during business hours Monday through Friday, at the following locations:

·         CAL FIRE Headquarters,

785 Mountain Ranch Road

, San Andreas (closed from noon to 1:00 p.m.)

·         Twain Harte FFS,

22978 Meadow Drive

, Twain Harte

·         Station 51,

1950 Hillsdale Drive, Mono Village, Sonora

·         Blanchard FFS, 2990 Highway 132, La Grange

Please remember personnel may be away from the station for extended periods of time when they are responding to emergencies.   

Burn permit terms include limiting pile size to a maximum of 4 feet by 4 feet in diameter, and clearing all flammable material and vegetation 10 feet from the outer edge of a burn pile. Burn hours will remain open until further notice, but outdoor burning may be done ONLY on burn days.

Chief Noonan reminds everyone conducting outdoor burning to remain in attendance of their burning project at all times, have the tools and water necessary to suppress any escape from their burning operation, and to never burn on windy days.

It is your responsibility to check burn day status by calling your local Air Pollution Control District with jurisdiction over your area.

Calaveras County: 209/754-6600

Tuolumne County: 209/533-5598

San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties: 877/429-2876

http://www.fire.ca.gov/

Copper Kids Idol coming May 7th

A musical production based upon the popular TV series, "American Idol" as an opportunity for Copperopolis kids to perform before a live audience in preparation for the Calaveras County Fair Idol Contest. Performance is from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. on the stage of Lake Tulloch Resort.  Free admission. Contact Director Danna Goatley at CopperKidsIdol@yahoo.com for information.

Board of Supervisors Cancels a May Meeting

According the the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors website the Board will not be holding a meeting on May 3, 2011. The next regular meeting will be held on May 10,2011.

Governor Brown Bans Non-Essential Travel

Taking further action to save taxpayer dollars and cut government waste, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. today issued a sweeping Executive Order to halt state employee travel that is not mission-critical. This Executive Order comes one week after the Governor ordered state agencies and departments to recover millions of dollars in uncollected salary and travel advances.

“Our fiscal challenges demand that we take a much closer look at how taxpayer dollars are being spent within state government,” Brown said. “Now is not the time to attend conferences, travel to meetings or take out-of-state field trips and this Executive Order puts an end to it.”

Under the Governor’s Executive Order, no travel is permitted – either in-state or out-of-state – unless it is mission-critical or there is no cost to the state.

All in-state mission-critical travel must be approved by agency secretaries or department directors who do not report to an agency secretary and all out-of-state travel must be approved by the Governor’s office.

Permitted travel must be directly related to enforcement responsibilities, audits, revenue collection or other duties required by statute, contract or executive directive. Travel to attend conferences, networking opportunities, professional development courses, continuing education classes, meetings that can be conducted by video or teleconference or other non-essential events will not be permitted or paid for by the state.

All agencies and departments must submit out-of-state travel requests for the next fiscal year directly to the Governor’s office by May 6. In the past, agencies and departments have been allowed to switch previously approved trips with new trips during the fiscal year. The Governor’s Executive Order ends this practice.

Out-of-state travel requests must also document the purpose of the trip and why it is mission-critical, the destination and length of the trip, the projected cost and source of funding, the number of travelers and the role of each individual, the benefit to the state, the impact if the trip is denied, whether the goal of the trip can be met in a less costly manner and whether a traveler’s absence will interfere with regularly assigned duties.

This Executive Order is part of the Governor’s efforts to save money this fiscal year and to cut millions in operational costs next fiscal year.

Since taking office, Governor Brown has cut spending in his own office by 25 percent and ordered state agencies and departments to:

• Recover millions of dollars in uncollected salary and travel advances;
• Stop spending taxpayer dollars on free giveaway and gift items;
• Cut state cell phones and the passenger vehicle fleet in half; and
• Freeze hiring across state government.

EXECUTIVE ORDER B-06-11

Comment Posting refresher

As new viewers come on board it is important to cover the rules for commenting once again.
First and foremost there MUST be a name attached to the comment, no name, no posting, period.
No slander. No racial, religious, or sexual slurs. If stating what you believe to be fact, please double check your information before commenting.
After writing your comment in the comment box provided you will be prompted to check a status, please check anonymous. This is just a post selection, this does NOT make your post anonymous.
That will be followed by a spam filter code. Enter that and you're good to go.
Community input is always welcome.

Thank you again for your support.

Copper Parks & Recs Summer Kids Camp 2011

Hot Copper Car Show May 7th!!!

Apr 27, 1994: South Africa holds first multiracial elections

More than 22 million South Africans turn out to cast ballots in the country's first multiracial parliamentary elections. An overwhelming majority chose anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela to head a new coalition government that included his African National Congress Party, former President F.W. de Klerk's National Party, and Zulu leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi's Inkatha Freedom Party. In May, Mandela was inaugurated as president, becoming South Africa's first black head of state.
In 1944, Mandela, a lawyer, joined the African National Congress (ANC), the oldest black political organization in South Africa, where he became a leader of Johannesburg's youth wing of the ANC. In 1952, he became deputy national president of the ANC, advocating nonviolent resistance to apartheid--South Africa's institutionalized system of white supremacy and racial segregation. However, after the massacre of peaceful black demonstrators at Sharpeville in 1960, Mandela helped organize a paramilitary branch of the ANC to engage in guerrilla warfare against the white minority government.
In 1961, he was arrested for treason, and although acquitted he was arrested again in 1962 for illegally leaving the country. Convicted and sentenced to five years at Robben Island Prison, he was put on trial again in 1964 on charges of sabotage. In June 1964, he was convicted along with several other ANC leaders and sentenced to life in prison.
Mandela spent the first 18 of his 27 years in jail at the brutal Robben Island Prison. Confined to a small cell without a bed or plumbing, he was forced to do hard labor in a quarry. He could write and receive a letter once every six months, and once a year he was allowed to meet with a visitor for 30 minutes. However, Mandela's resolve remained unbroken, and while remaining the symbolic leader of the anti-apartheid movement, he led a movement of civil disobedience at the prison that coerced South African officials into drastically improving conditions on Robben Island. He was later moved to another location, where he lived under house arrest.
In 1989, F.W. de Klerk became South Africa's president and set about dismantling apartheid. De Klerk lifted the ban on the ANC, suspended executions, and in February 1990 ordered the release of Nelson Mandela.
Mandela subsequently led the ANC in its negotiations with the minority government for an end to apartheid and the establishment of a multiracial government. In 1993, Mandela and de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. One year later, the ANC won an electoral majority in the country's first free elections, and Mandela was elected South Africa's president, a position he held until 1999.

history.com

Lake Tulloch Geological Wonders Boat Excursion

...MAY 14 NOON - 2:30 P.M.
BOAT EXCURSION TO VIEW GEOLOGICAL WONDERS SURROUNDING LAKE TULLOCH
Enjoy an informative and entertaining excursion aboard a pontoon boat for a view of the geological wonders surrounding the lake. Relax with a picnic lunch on board and listen to the narration by Merle Holman who is the local lake historian. Reserve early at $35 each. Seating is limited. For more information, call Kyran Enzi at 785-8063 or email kenzi@caltel.com for details.

Olsen Bill to Streamline Permitting and Licensing Passes First Committee

SACRAMENTO—Today, Assembly Bill 991 by Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, won the unanimous approval of the Assembly Business, Professions and Consumer Protection Committee.  This bill creates the California Licensing and Permit Center, an online one-stop-shop for state level permits and licenses.

“The state's complex permitting system is costly, time-consuming, and confusing to businesses,” said Assemblymember Olsen. “By providing a one-stop-shop for permit and license applications, AB 991 will help foster an improved business climate in California, encouraging businesses to grow and create jobs." 
Currently, a business owner could be required to contact nine or more state departments for a single business.  AB 991 will streamline the permitting, licensing, and registration process by allowing individuals to download applications required by all state agencies from one user-friendly Web site.

"At a time when businesses are struggling in California, AB 991 will help them navigate the system and cut through red tape," said John Kabateck, NFIB/CA Executive Director.  “AB 991 will also encourage business to grow and create new jobs in California - something that is desperately needed to pull the state out of this recession."

AB 991 seeks to use an existing Web portal established by Executive Order S-05-10 as the one-stop-shop for all state permits and licenses.  The bill also requires the state to operate a help center in association with the Web site, via both electronic mail and telephone methods, to assist applicants with licensing, permitting, and registration requirements.  
AB 991 now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for consideration.

Governor and First Lady Honor Pfc. Mervyn E. Sims

On behalf of all Californians, Governor Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honor U.S. Army Air Forces Pfc. Mervyn E. Sims, 23, a WWII airman missing since 1943.

On April 22, 2011 the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced that Sims’ remains have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Pfc. Sims bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation, and the Governor and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time. In memorial, Governor Brown ordered that flags be flown at half-staff over the State Capitol today. Pfc. Sims’ family will receive a letter of condolence from the Governor.

***

The following information was provided by DPMO:

On April 24, 1943, Sims and four crew members aboard a C-87 Liberator Express departed from Yangkai, China, in support of "the Hump," a dangerous mission to resupply Chinese nationalist forces and their U.S. air support after the Japanese invasion of Burma cut off the only land route. Prior to takeoff, a ground crew determined the aircraft had sufficient fuel for the six-hour flight to the air base on the other side of the Himalayas in Chabua, India. Once cleared for takeoff, there was no further communication between the aircrew and airfield operators. Army officials launched a search effort when the plane did not arrive at the destination. No evidence of the aircraft was found and the five men were presumed killed in action.

In 2003, an American citizen in Burma reported to U.S. officials at the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) that he had found aircraft wreckage he believed to be an American C-87 in the mountains 112 miles east of Chabua. He was detained by Burmese officials when he attempted to leave the country with human remains and artifacts from the site. The remains and materials were handed over to officials at the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon. Attempts to excavate the site are being negotiated with the Indian government.

Meanwhile, JPAC scientists continued the forensic process, analyzing the remains and physical evidence already in hand.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA, which matched that of Sims' sister, in the identification of his remains.

Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died. At the end of the war, the U.S. government was unable to recover and identify approximately 79,000 Americans. Today, more than 72,000 are unaccounted for from the conflict.

Use of Poisons on Rodents ~ By, Mike Shevlin

Copperopolis and the surrounding foothills have had an eco-system that has flourished nicely for thousands of years . . . without us. Included in this eco-system are many animals and birds that have now become “pests” since humans have decided to inhabit “our” community.

I was recently in a conversation with a friend and I was listening to him complain that he was overrun by the squirrel population . . . the area where he lives backs up to open fields. I reminded him that we as humans have NO tolerance for the squirrel’s natural predator the rattlesnake so we had eradicated the area of rattlers. Bang that big snake on the head with a shovel!!! So it’s no surprise at the explosion of the squirrel population. No rattlers . . . lots of squirrels.

The solution . . . poison the little rascals!!! How simple . . . except for the fact that when poisoning squirrels, gophers, mice or other vermin you may also selectively take out your beloved Golden Retriever. Or God forbid a child . . .

Poisoning rodents is dangerous. Poisoned gophers for instance are an easy meal for our hawks and turkey vultures. After the hawk eats the poisoned carcass the remaining strychnine, zinc phosphide, diphacinone or bromadiolone work just as well on the bird.

Oh and the driving force of these creatures is to hunt food and feed new babies . . . there goes the red tail hawk population . . . and any coyote that eats the hawk’s dead poisoned carcass. And so on and so on down the eco-system line goes the poison.

All because we moved to the foothills and we still want pretty green lawns like we had down on the flatlands with no gopher holes.

If you really are going to poison rodents . . . first get a professional. Mr. Homeowner throwing out poisoned seed is just plain dangerous . . . I liken this mentality to leaving a loaded handgun on the patio table. Both kill when not handled properly and not necessarily what you want to kill.

Take a look at that beautiful bird the next time a hawk flies over your yard or sits perched on a power line . . . his ancestors have been living here successfully for thousands of years in “our” community and I want my great, great grandchildren to enjoy this wonderful site in the future.

By, Mike Shevlin