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171
C ali forn ia’s Olde st Ne w spaper
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– E s t. 18 51
Volume 171 • Issue 23 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Generations at Green Valley retooled Sel Richard Staff writer The development north of El Dorado Hills formerly known as Dixon Ranch is back on the table with the application freshly submitted to the county last month. Located on the south side of Green Valley Road southeast of the Malcolm Dixon Road intersection, the downsized version, called Generations at Green Valley, has 379 singlefamily residential lots instead of the original 605 units. A clubhouse and community park are also slated, as well as some open space. Although the 280-acre project was initially approved by the El Dorado County Planning Commission, it was subsequently denied by the Board of Supervisors in 2017. “The primary reason was that there was some concern on what was identified as fiscal neutrality,” said Aidan Barry, representative of Green Valley Road Benefits and Executive Vice President of True Life Companies Management. “The auditor identified that the project would have a negative impact to the county from an economic standpoint. Although we didn’t believe that was true, it seems to be the basis of the denial.” In the interim, Barry reports that board and neighborhood feedback was used to rework the project. “What we’ve been doing since then is retooling, what’s the right approach, how do we deal with some of the neighborhood issues, how do we frame a project that would allow for substantial community benefits,” explained n
See Generations, page A2
Mountain Democrat photo by Thomas Frey
Kathy Dunkak is the new chief executive officer of the El Dorado County Fair Association. She said she is giddy for the fair to return after it was canceled the past two years.
‘The Magic is Back’
as new CEO readies for fair’s return
Thomas Frey Staff writer
CEO Kathy Dunkak loves, the sound of a quiet summer night after thousands of fairgoers have left the fairgrounds may bring even more fulfillment. “After (the fair) closes and it’s all quiet is probably one of the most magical feelings,” Dunkak said. “I can’t even describe it.
J
ust like the peaceful perfection of early morning stand-up paddleboarding at Ice House Reservoir that new El Dorado County Fair Association
It’s just a great day. A lot of memories were made for people, hopefully great ones they’ll cherish.” Dunkak, 61, steps into the role of CEO after about five years as the fairgrounds’ deputy manager. n
See CEO, page A3
Placerville man named to Outdoors Hall of Fame John Poimiroo Special to the Mountain Democrat Bob Simms, a local radio broadcaster who has challenged government agencies in his quest to advocate for the sportsman, is among five outdoorsmen and women inducted to the 2022 class of the California Outdoors Hall of Fame. A voice for Northern California outdoorsmen and women, Simms PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
speaks for the sportsman where public lands policy is made — the state capital of Sacramento. A Sacramento youth who grew up on the American River, Simms has called Placerville home for the past 18 years and has been reporting about the outdoors on radio, television and in print for more than 50 years, 32 of those years broadcasting the Bob Simms Outdoors Show on KFBK. It is the toprated radio program in its time slot in Northern
California, exclusive of the Bay Area. Simms’ show is a forum in outdoor sports and recreation with sportfishing skippers, guides, outfitters, marina operators, hunters, retailers, public lands managers and sportsmen able to voice what’s happening and, more importantly, what should be happening. He advocates for them and for the resources, speaking about wildlife, conservation and stewardship. When n
Bob Simms' passion for the outdoors began as a boy along the American River.
Courtesy photo
See Simms, page A6
SO CLOSE
Flying high
Lady Bruins’ playoff run ends in semifinal shootout.
Placerville pilot earns a special honor.
Sports, A7
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