Trouble in River City ‘The Music Man’ comes to an El Dorado Hills stage.
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C ali forn ia’s Olde st Ne w spaper
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Volume 171 • Issue 48 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Friday, April 22, 2022
Semon resigns, gets $165k severance pay Eric Jaramishian Staff writer Don Semon stepped down as El Dorado County’s Health and Human Services Agency director April 19 and received nine months severance pay — about $165,000 — on the way out. Semon will also receive an additional $90,000 for leave balances, resulting in a final paycheck totaling $255,000. Semon did not respond to the Mountain Democrat
on reasons for his departure but the paper did receive a statement from Chief Administrative Officer Don Ashton through the county’s Communications and Outreach Director Carla Hass by email, which states, “Mr. Semon has submitted his voluntary resignation and will explore other opportunities outside the county.” According to the statement, the county agreed to pay out Semon the nine months severance pay, plus any
“This payout goes beyond what is in the agreement by about $55,000.” — Karen Coleman, El Dorado County Treasurer-Tax Collector
other payouts to which he is entitled, while Semon agreed to waive any claims against the county. “As is commonplace when ending executivelevel employment relationships, the parties entered into a settlement agreement to resolve any outstanding claims and to allow
County ‘Stepping Up’ for mentally ill inmates
both parties to move forward,” the email continues. Auditor-Controller Joe Harn told the Mountain Democrat the last executive-level severance agreement his payroll staff can recall took place in 2014. Former Chief Administrative Officer Terri Daly received
Don Semon a severance package worth about $187,000, when she resigned in 2014. Daly also received nine month’s severance pay.
The Board of Supervisors at the time agreed to accept Daly’s resignation. Daly at the time said it was a mutual decision for her to resign. Treasurer-Tax Collector Karen Coleman confirmed with the Mountain Democrat that the Health and Human Services director’s compensation was about $220,000, which would put Semon’s severance payout at more than $165,000. n
See semon, page A7
Trail markers
Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
the jails, probation … and the way we basically manage adult justice when it comes to those who suffer from El Dorado County is making a move mental illness.” to reduce the number of inmates The county passed a resolution with mental illness in county jails, in 2017 to implement Stepping Up. promoting more effective strategies Richart admitted a shortage of staff for people affected by and other county mental illness. priorities pushed Taking the lead on the “It is not something back progress on “Stepping Up” initiative Stepping Up but we pour money into is the El Dorado County that is no longer the or staff up for — it Probation Department. case. “We deal with a Project consultant is a way of thinking number of agencies Kevin O’Connell and how we do in the county and at a Board of work with them in Supervisors business.” our department, so it meeting April 12 — Brian Richart, chief of seemed natural that we said mental health El Dorado County Probation take the lead on this,” diversion has been Probation Chief Brian the biggest program Richart said. implemented so far. Stepping Up, a national initiative Mental health diversion involves supporting individuals with a specialized court designed for behavioral issues, provides counties individuals who have been arrested with resources and tools to enact and have mental health issues, need change in local justice systems treatment and other services and to address mental illness and choose to agree to participate in the co-occurring substance use disorders. court program instead of having their The vision of the initiative states, case proceed in regular court. “Individuals with behavioral health Thirty-six individuals are currently concerns are met by the justice system using in this program in El Dorado with dignity and compassion linked County, according to O’Connell. to advocacy and support, and provide The specialized court follows timely and effective treatment.” Assembly Bill 1810, granting a “It is not something we pour money defendant suffering from mental into or staff up for — it is a way of illness pre-trial diversions for thinking and how we do business,” crimes if a judge finds the disorder Richart explained. “It’s something for played a significant role in the crime us to consider when we are thinking n See stepping up, page A6 about how we construct our process in PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum
Spring’s beauty in a patch of poppies surrounds the “The Ish Trail” monument on the El Dorado Trail, where a segment of the trail is dedicated in memory of El Dorado County sheriff’s deputy Brian Ishmael, who was killed in the line of duty Oct. 23, 2019.
Memorial Day 2022
Veterans who passed away to be honored John Poimiroo El Dorado County Veterans Alliance The names of veterans who passed away in the preceding year will be read at ceremonies held on Memorial Day at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument in Placerville. “We have added this tribute to recently departed veterans to Memorial Day ceremonies,” said Gary Campbell, president of the El Dorado County Veterans Alliance that oversees ceremonies and memorials at the monument.
The reading of departed veterans will occur prior to placement of a wreath commemorating the service and sacrifice of fallen warriors. “Ceremonial aspects of programs held each Memorial Day and Veterans Day at the Veterans Monument are quite moving and include fly overs by World War II warbirds, a missing man formation, a parade of flags carried by representatives of veterans and youth organizations, patriotic music, speeches, presentations of scholarships to the children of veterans, the playing of taps by a bugler and
presentation of colors,” Campbell said. “This year, we will follow the ceremony with presentation of lapel pins to Vietnam War era veterans who served between 1955 and 1975 and who have not previously received one of these pins thanking them for their service,” he said. “Memorial Day is a day of reflection and remembrance,” Campbell continued. “At this moment when the costs of war are so vividly being shown, Memorial Day has special emotional context when we think of our fallen heroes and what they paid and lost to serve the cause of freedom.”
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