ponderosa scores big
Area Bigs celebrated
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra honors two exceptional mentors.
Lady Bruins pushing for a deep postseason run. Sports, A6
News, etc., B1
171
C ali forn ia’s Olde st Ne w spaper
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Volume 171 • Issue 20 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
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Campaign aims to challenge FEMA decision Eric Jaramishian Staff writer El Dorado County continues its mission to override the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision to deny individual assistance for residents impacted by the Caldor Fire. Bringing the topic to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting Feb. 8, District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo led the discussion to determine what more the county can do to unify county communities and state government to make a “strong” effort to obtain FEMA individual assistance. Turnboo brought to the table the idea of starting a public media campaign to raise awareness for El Dorado County’s need for individual assistance benefits. “The people who were in Grizzly Flat and others who were impacted by this fire feel like we got that support,” Turnboo said. “I think it needs to get out there in the public so everyone knows what is going on.” FEMA denied the county’s individual assistance request Oct. 8, 2021. The denial letter sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom states that while damage to infrastructure was “significant,” FEMA officials determined the impacts on residents and households “was not of such severity and magnitude to warrant the designation of individual assistance.” Caldor scorched more than 220,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,000 structures and leveled hundreds of Grizzly Flat homes. Cal OES sought to appeal FEMA’s decision later that month, and the county was yet again denied. President Joe Biden reportedly promised FEMA support to county Chief Administration Officer Don Ashton when he visited California Sept. 13, 2021, to view the damage caused by the Caldor Fire. County supervisors wrote a letter to the White House Sept. 30 to remind Biden of his promise but have received no response. Turnboo said other adjacent counties got FEMA support and even Colorado got $43.6 million in assistance from FEMA for the Marshall Fire. “I just don’t understand why we didn’t get that support,” Turnboo said. n
See Fema, page A3
Mountain Democrat photo by Thomas Frey
Anthony B. Smith is led into a Placerville courtroom Monday, Feb. 14, where he pleaded not guilty to charges in the death of 14-year-old Julianna Abballo.
Smith pleads not guilty in hitand-run that killed Camino girl n Anthony Smith was arrested
days before on DUI charges Thomas Frey Staff writer
Prosecutors say Anthony B. Smith was still intoxicated when he turned himself in Feb. 8, four hours after the SUV he was driving allegedly fatally struck Camino teenager Julianna Abballo as she walked along Carson Road. Smith, a 23-year-old Pollock Pines resident, entered a plea of not guilty at his arraignment in El Dorado County Superior Court Monday afternoon. Mike Pizzuti, representing the people, said when Smith turned himself in his blood alcohol level was 0.14. The legal limit is .08.
“Four hours later and still a 0.14?” Judge Mark Ralphs confirmed. “Yes,” Pizzuti replied. Pizzuti said four days before Julianna’s death Smith was arrested on suspicion of DUI. “That DUI event should have been fresh in his mind and acted as a deterrent,” Ralphs said before announcing that Smith’s bail would be set at $300,000. Pizzuti asked that higher bail be set but it was to no avail. “We believe the fact that he drank and put the public at risk on both occasions makes him a flight risk,” Pizzuti said. “Knowing that he was going to be going into custody, he did go spend some time with his kids,” n
See Smith, page A7
Organic waste collection enforcement on the horizon Sel Richard Staff writer “Senate Bill 1383 is the most significant waste reduction mandate to be adopted in California in the PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
last 30 years,” said El Dorado County Director of Environmental Management Jeff Warren at last week’s El Dorado Hills Community Council Meeting. The bill requires the state to reduce organic waste disposal by 75%, more than 20 million tons annually, by 2025. In addition, 20% of current disposed edible food must be recovered for human consumption. Organic waste includes green waste, wood waste, food waste and fibers such as paper and cardboard. Warren revealed that organic waste comprises more than half of the waste stream and explained that organic waste in landfills leads to anaerobic breakdown of that material, creating
methane. “Landfills are responsible for about 21% of the state’s methane emissions,” Warren said, noting that landfills are the third largest producer of methane in the state. “Methane is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year horizon. Landfill and organic waste is a significant source of local air quality pollutants.” Reducing global warming gases is the impetus for SB 1383, touted by supporters as a fast-track to fighting climate change. By reducing this gas through actions like organic waste recycling, state leaders claim it will significantly reduce emissions and the impacts of climate
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change in a lifetime. Regulations took effect Jan. 1 of this year. However, in 2021, Senate Bill 619 gave relief to jurisdictions from being in violation as the pandemic slowed the process of implementation. In 2024 jurisdictions will be required to take enforcement action on non-compliant entities. Programs to be implemented include mandatory organic waste curbside collection services to all residents and businesses, education and outreach efforts, procurement of a certain level of compost, renewable gas produced from organic waste, purchase of recycled content paper products and an edible food recovery program for all
Courtesy photo
Organic waste collection is beginning to roll out in El Dorado County. Enforcement of organic waste collection will begin in 2024. provide more than commercial edible food 1,600 meals for hungry generators. people.” “One in five children EDH resident Richard go hungry every night in California,” Warren Ross questioned the existence of an reported, regarding adequate distribution the disposed edible system to ensure the food portion of the bill. “Recovering one ton of edible food could n See waste, page A2
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