Mountain Democrat, Monday, May 22, 2023

Transit bus driver accused of sex with minor, rape

County Sheri ’s O ce social media post.

Scott Ridewood, 32, worked as an extra help bus driver

EID to clear brush from water main right-of-way

Michael Raffety Mountain Democrat correspondent

The El Dorado Irrigation District plans to clear brush along 80 miles of water main.

A mitigated negative declaration for the Right-of-Way Reinforcement Program was unanimously approved by the EID Board of Directors April 24.

But first the board made sure all questions asked by audience members were answered.

The biggest question from those in attendance and those who wrote letters and received specific

responses: Would EID crews cut down a 60-foot-wide area of trees and brush?

In all cases the person in charge of the EID crews clearing brush along the water main right of way would contact the landowner and walk the pipeline with them to be sure they were not infringing on agricultural plantings or gardens.

EID aims to at least get a 20-foot-wide clearance, unless there are agricultural plantings. The caveat is if there is a leak in a water main a wider swath would result in order to dig out and replace a leaking water main. Water mains vary in size from 72

Memorial Day to-do: Spread the red, white and blue

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

Vietnam veteran and Placerville resident Donald Morgan has been leading an e ort to place American flags on veteran graves in local cemeteries for Memorial Day for 40 years. This year he’s

looking for someone to carry the torch — or rather the stars and stripes — as he and El Dorado County cemeteries restoration and protection group Save The Graves recruit help from the community to honor soldiers interred.

Morgan, 77, served seven years win the Navy, reaching the rank

of E-4 petty o cer third class and was deployed overseas to Vietnam in 1966-68. “We do this to honor our deceased veterans, especially the ones who gave their lives in service to this country,” Morgan said. “All gave some but some gave

3Strands Global CEO Ashlie Bryant honored with 2023 Equity Award

News release

3Strands Global Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in El Dorado Hills working to combat human tra cking through prevention, education and reintegration programs, announced that the Greater Sacramento Economic Council has awarded Ashlie Bryant, 3Strands Global Foundation CEO, its 2023 Equity Award. This award recognizes a person or organization that has contributed to the Greater Sacramento region in a meaningful way to create job access to underserved communities through apprenticeship networks, upskilling, reskilling and/or preparedness for next generation industry opportunities.

Bryant was integral in the development of PROTECT, an antitra cking training and curriculum used by more than 110,000 adults and 765,000 youth in schools around the world. In addition, through its Employ + Empower program, 3SGF has placed 800plus survivors and at-risk individuals in sustainable jobs in the greater Sacramento region.

“Having an equitable approach to economic development is a crucial piece of growing our economy. We can only be successful when we uplift all members of our community. That is why the work that Ashlie Bryant and 3Strands Global Foundation does is critical for our region,”

ASHLIE BRYANT

stated Barry Broome, CEO of GSEC.

“Our survivor clients are amazing individuals who have a high capacity to learn, work hard, and thrive,” Bryant said. “They have experienced complex trauma, survived, and excelled. This equity award is incredibly special to us at 3Strands for many reasons, mostly because it highlights our clients and the success of our

Employ + Empower program. I’m humbled to receive this recognition.”

The Greater Sacramento Economic Council is a publicprivate partnership of 40-plus CEOs and 20 communities with the mission of driving economic growth throughout the six-county greater Sacramento region. The goal of the organization is to bring CEOs and public leaders together to create one economic strategy for the entire region, with an emphasis on elevating greater Sacramento’s economy by focusing on growth, sustainability, equity and competitiveness.

For more information about 3Strands Global Foundation and its programs visit 3SGF.org.

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

Greg Desy and Donald Morgan with VFW Post 2680 will be out placing flags on local cemeteries’ veteran graves ahead of the Memorial Day holiday and they are looking for assistance from the community in honoring these heroes who served their country.

John C. Williamson

Feb. 5, 1945 – May 10, 2023

It is with great sorrow that John C. Williamson passed away on May 10, 2023. John was born in Montebello, Calif., to Nelson and Virginia Williamson. He was adopted by Gordon Williamson at a young age. John spent his youth in Southern California and moved to Northern California at age 13 yrs. He graduated from Elk Grove High School in 1963. He played football all of his high school years and at Sierra College. He married Karen Williamson in 1966 and they had 4 children together. John joined the National Guard and afterward, started his career as a fire fighter at the Florin Fire Department in Sacramento. He then became a Fire Captain at Incline Village and next, a Battalion Chief at Kings Beach in Lake Tahoe. John then became the Fire Chief for Pleasant Valley (in El Dorado County) at age 28 where he remained until his retirement. He is preceeded in death by his special grandparents William and Stella Brown, parents Gordon and Virginia Williamson, Nelson and Naydeen McMann, and his daughter Kasey Williamson-Konan, and his brother Tom Williamson. He is survived by his wife Karen, his daughter Kristen Williamson-Pott (Jay), his son’s Johnny II (Kimberly), Bill (Sondra), and Kurt (Beth), grandchildren Angela, Jack, Michelle, Alexandra, Landon and Kaiden; sisters Marilyn (Hugh) Douglas, and Susan (Craig) Jacobsen. He will be dearly missed by all his family. Services will be held at Westwood Hills Memorial Park on May 22 at 10am.

Marcella Darlene

Thomas

Nov. 7, 1932 – April 4, 2023

In loving memory of Marcella

Darlene Thomas.

Maracella passed April 4, 2023, of natural causes.

Marcella was the second daughter born to Claude and Pearl Shenk from Polk, Nebraska. Born November 7, 1932, moved to Bellflower California as a young girl. Later in life she met and married Frank C. Thomas. They had two sons, moved to Placerville in 1960. She worked with her husband at the family business, while raising her two sons. She was a loving and fun loving woman and left a warm positive feeling with all she came into contact with.

She is survived by her sons Scott M. Thomas,and Craig C. Thomas and daughter-in law Rita Thomas. Four grandchildren Ty Thomas, Scott M. Thomas Jr, Kelly Moreno and Todd Thomas. Six great grandchildren who she loved with all her heart.

A celebration of Love will be held in June. Rest in peace mother, we all love you!

Carol Adeline Rogers

Jan. 16, 1937 – March 25, 2023

Born on January 16, 1937, to Theodore Becker and Emma Suelzle Becker in Alberta, Canada CA, Carol was raised with her siblings Joanne Becker Lang, Judy Becker Makin, and Kenneth Becker.

Carol’s parents operated the Gold Chain and Ivy House Restaurants on Main Street, Placerville, Calif., where Carol worked as a child and learned the restaurant business. This was the beginning of her career and love of cooking. She attended the Seventh-Day Adventist Academy in Placerville and graduated from Lodi Academy. Life-long bonds were established, and Carol’s voice and love for singing bloomed. Soon after High School, she married Charles Rouland and they had two children, Robert Rouland, Chester, Calif., and Debi Rouland Hunt, Cameron Park, Calif.

Henry L. Mo ett Jr. was her second husband, and together they owned Mo ett’s Old Fashioned Chicken Pies Restaurant in Bellflower and City of Industry, Calif. When Henry passed away in 1988, Carol successfully continued operating the restaurants and catering services, an extremely favored family eatery for the region.

In 1989, Carol and Carrol E. Rogers, Jr., a former family friend from Placerville, were reacquainted in Southern California. Soon after, they were married, and Carrol became the maintenance and operations manager of Mo ett’s restaurants providing Carol the opportunity to focus on her fine cooking and service to the Bellflower community. She was very active in Bellflower’s community a airs, Chamber of Commerce, and catered for service clubs: Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, and Soroptimist.

Carol and Carrol were happily married for 34 years until her unfortunate passing on March 25th with Carrol faithfully by her side.

Carrol and Carol frequently visited friends and relatives in El Dorado and Plumas, Counties while driving up Highways 99, 395, or Interstate 5 with a van filled with her favorite foods and stopping along the way to purchase Portuguese and German favorite cheeses, deli specialties, and could not pass up fresh vegetable or fruit stands. Her family was always her top priority and Thanksgiving and Christmas baking was her specialty.

Carol is survived by her loving and devoted husband, her 3 siblings, 2 adult children, 7 stepchildren, 20 grandchildren, 13 greatgrandchildren, her 2 brothers-in-law, and their wives. She had an enormous following of friends in Bellflower, Placerville, and Chester, Calif. All will miss Carol’s kindness, generosity, and loving spirit. Instead of flowers, Carol would enjoy you “Paying it Forward” with your choice in her remembrance. Memorial Services will be held at Forest Lawn in Cypress, Calif., at 11:30 AM on June 07, 2023, at Patriots Chapel followed by a private service in Cameron Park, Calif., on July 22, 2023, with an Internment at Westwood Hills Memorial Park, Placerville, Calif.

CRIME LOG

El Dorado County Sheriff’s

Office crime log: May 10-14

May 10

5:48 a.m. Battery was reported on Johnson Lane in Placerville.

8:04 a.m. Vandalism was reported on Hida Way in Greenwood.

8:52 a.m. Burglary was reported at a business on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park.

9:27 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 29-year-old woman suspected of possession of illegal drug paraphernalia and attempting to smuggle a controlled substance into the jail. She was taken into custody on Greenleaf Drive in Placerville and is held in lieu of $125,000 bail.

9:41 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Tea Rose Drive in El Dorado Hills.

10:33 a.m. Grand theft was reported at a hardware store on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.

11:21 a.m. Deputies cited a suspect after responding to a burglary in progress on Fir Drive in Pollock Pines.

1:21 p.m. Burglary was reported on Wandering Way in Camino.

2:04 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 67-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct, trespassing and loitering on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville.

May 11

1:20 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 63-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 193 at Rock Creek Road in Georgetown. He was later released.

3:06 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 19-year-old man suspected of DUI on Cold Springs Road in Placerville. He was later released.

7:13 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Spanish Creek Road in Somerset.

7:56 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 35-yearold man suspected of DUI on Placerville Drive in Placerville. He was released on $10,000 bail.

9:21 a.m. Forgery was reported on Capitol Avenue in Diamond Springs.

1:42 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Hazelnut Circle in El Dorado Hills.

2:23 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a motel on Coach Lane in Cameron Park.

3:08 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs.

3:53 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Dodson Road in Shingle Springs.

7:49 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Pleasant Valley Road in Diamond Springs.

8:48 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 42-year-old man suspected of grand theft on Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was listed in custody.

9:07 p.m. Burglary was reported on Starkes Grade Road in Pollock Pines.

May 12

1:46 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 31-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on Lo Hiwway in Placerville. He was later released.

4:12 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 20-year-old man suspected of DUI on Salmon Falls Road (town not listed). He was later released.

5:49 a.m. Burglary was reported on Main Street in Georgetown.

10:04 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Dias Drive in Placerville.

10:27 a.m. Grand theft was reported at a storage facility on Golden Foothill Parkway in El Dorado Hills.

10:56 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Clove Road in Placerville.

12:11 p.m. Grand theft was

reported at an apartment complex on Cimmarron Road in Cameron Park.

4:13 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Wedge Hill Court in Placerville.

8:07 p.m. Battery was reported on Wentworth Springs Road in Georgetown.

9:03 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 58-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 east of Ice House Road in Pollock Pines. He was later released.

9:37 p.m. Assault with a deadly weapon was reported on Wooded Glen Drive in Grizzly Flat.

10:44 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 67-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 east of Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville. He was later released.

11:10 p.m. Battery was reported on Brush Bunny Court in Garden Valley.

May 13

12:17 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 27-year-old man suspected of DUI causing bodily injury on Highway 50 near White Hall. He was released on $100,000 bail.

11:15 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 43-year-old man suspected of DUI on Salmon Falls Road in El Dorado Hills. He was later released.

2:41 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 38-year-old man suspected of multiple probation violations on Country Club Drive in Cameron Park. He was listed in custody in lieu of $45,000 bail.

4:16 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 47-year-old man suspected of carrying a concealed knife and possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia. He was listed in custody in lieu of $350,000 bail.

6:11 p.m. Deputies arrested a suspect after responding to grand theft reported at a restaurant on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.

7:43 p.m. Battery was reported at an apartment complex on Service Drive in Diamond Springs.

7:58 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 27-yearold man suspected of DUI, driving on a suspended license, carrying a concealed weapon and altering identification marks on a firearm on Highway 193 at Rock Creek Road in Georgetown. He was listed in custody in lieu of $120,000 bail.

8:29 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 40-year-old woman suspected of possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy to commit a crime on Stone Lane in Placerville. She was released on $35,000 bail.

9:40 p.m. A prowler was reported at an apartment complex on Market Court in Shingle Springs.

May 14

12:40 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 29-year-old man suspected of DUI, driving on a suspended license and disorderly conduct on Cambridge Road in Cameron Park. He was later released.

2:58 a.m. Burglary was reported on Morning Song Court in El Dorado Hills.

4:31 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 54-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct on Green Valley Road in Shingle Springs. He was later released.

5:03 p.m. Illegal entry was reported at a motel on Greenleaf Drive in Placerville.

6:46 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 42-year-old man suspected of appropriating lost property on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. He was listed in custody in lieu of $10,000 bail.

8:10 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 25-year-old man suspected of DUI on Highway 50 at El Dorado Road in Placerville. He was later released.

11:20 p.m. Battery was reported on Courtside Drive in Diamond

Mortgage fraudster found guilty on 100 charges

Odin Rasco

Staff writer

The president of a mortgage investment company was convicted on 100 felony counts for his operation of a mortgage fraud scheme across California, including victims in El Dorado Hills and Folsom.

Following a trial that began in March, Grand View Financial LLC President Robert Sedlar has been found guilty on charges of conspiracy, grand theft, elder abuse, filing false documents and engaging in prohibited acts as a foreclosure consultant, according to a press

release from the state Attorney General’s Office.

Sedlar, in partnership with the other operators of Grand View Financial Steven Rogers and Audrey Gan, conspired to steal money and homes from homeowners between 2015 and 2019, the court found. The trio would promise customers that if they were to transfer the title of their home to Grand View Financial and pay money, the company would eliminate mortgage liens and then deed the home back to the owner.

The company operators filed false documents with courts and county recorders’ offices as well as false bankruptcies that stalled foreclosures

4,300 PG&E customers spend day in the dark

Eric Jaramishian

Staff writer

More than 4,300

PG&E customers in Somerset and surrounding areas south of Highway 50 lost power at about 10 a.m. Thursday, May 18, and were left in the dark until 7 p.m. that night.

PG&E’s outage map showed customers affected from northernmost Camino to River Pines in the south, as well as impacted areas out to Grizzly Flat.

Two helicopters and ground patrols were sent to investigate but no cause was

determined and no damage to power lines was reported, according to PG&E representative Paul Moreno. The circuit that powers the properties is enabled with enhanced power line safety settings, meaning any fault or issue detected will de-energize the circuit swiftly. PG&E crews had to patrol the circuit before fully restoring all power.

Animal interference, such as a bird intrusion, a driver hitting a PG&E pole or a tree branch falling into lines are all possible causes for the immediate shutoff, Moreno told the Mountain Democrat.

Transit schedule

El Dorado Transit

El DoradoTransit’s business office and dispatch center will be closed and the following services will not operate Monday, May 29, in observance of Memorial Day.

Local fixed routesCommuter routesDial-A-Ride services

The Sacramento/ South Lake Tahoe

Connecting bus will operate on a holiday/ weekend schedule May 29. For more information or to reserve a ride on the South Lake Tahoe Connector visiteldoradotransit.com. All services will resume as normal Tuesday, May 30.

For more information call El DoradoTransit at (530) 642-5383 or visit eldoradotransit.com.

Odin Rasco

Staff writer

The guardrail along Highway 50 at Echo Summit was a potential lifesaver Monday when it stopped a driver from careening down the mountainside.

The morning sun proved too bright for the driver of a Dodge Ram as he rounded a corner in his truck, according to a South Lake Tahoe California Highway Patrol social media post. The glare blinded the

Diamond Springs park EIR ready for public comment

Eric Jaramishian

Staff writer

El Dorado County is preparing a draft environmental impact report for the proposed community park in Diamond Springs on which the public comment period opened May 18 and will continue through June 16.

The county is accepting written or electronic comments that must be submitted by 5 p.m. June 16.

Comments can be mailed via postal service addressed to Parks Manager Vickie Sanders at 330 Fair Lane, Placerville, or by email to Vickie.Sanders@ edcgov.us. Those sending comments by email are asked to include “Diamond Springs Community Park NOP Scoping Comment” in the subject line in addition to the address of the commentor in the body of the email.

There will also be a

without removing liens as promised, and collecting money from the homeowners at the same time. The scheme resulted in the combined loss of more than $7 million, and each victim losing their home. Many of the victims were elderly or experiencing financial distress.

An El Dorado Hills couple fell victim to Grand View Financial’s scheme, losing more than $20,000 in payments to the company as well as their home, according to the Attorney General’s Office. The fraudsters additionally took out loans with the home as collateral while the title was in their possession.

Sedlar will face sentencing July 21;

Rogers and Gan were indicted by a grand jury and both entered guilty pleas prior to trial.

Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed his opinion on the case in the press release.

“Let this be a strong warning to anyone seeking to steal people’s hard-earned money: we will find you, and we will hold you accountable,” Bonta states. “Individuals who prey on vulnerable communities to enrich themselves will be held accountable by the California Department of Justice. My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who disregard the rule of law.”

driver, causing him to miss the road curving ahead and drive off the right side of the road,

directly into the guardrail and an adjacent boulder. The front end of the vehicle took the brunt of

the impact and the driver sustained minor injuries, according to the CHP post.

NEUROPATHY IS A PROGRESSIVE CONDITION!

DRUG FREE TREATMENT AVAILABLE. ACT NOW

Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and may also lead to serious balance problems. This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood ow to the nerves in the hands and feet. If not properly treated this lack of blood ow may cause the nerves to degenerate.

Healthy Nerve

Healthy Blood Vessels

Diseased Blood Vessels

Nerves Shrivel when Blood Vessels Weak and Disappear Figure 1

As you can see in Figure 1, as the blood vessels surrounding the nerves become diseased they shrink and shrivel. This process hastens the ow of vital nutrients to the nerves required to remain healthy. When these nerves begin to “die” it could lead to balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling and burning symptoms in the hands and feet.

In

What is the underlying cause? 1 How much nerve damage has been sustained? 2

How much treatment will your condition require? 3

Placerville, CA – Currently the most common method most doctor’s recommend to treat neuropathy is with the use of prescription drugs. Although these drugs may temporarily reduce your symptoms they may cause a feeling of discomfort and

Increase Blow ow 1

has 3 main goals

Stimulate small ber nerves 2

Decrease brain based pain 3

The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation.

“My feet hurt so bad after sitting I could barely take the rst few steps. I have had 11 treatments and no longer feel sharp or shooting pains and most of the tingling is gone. I now have full balance and can walk without pain. As Dr. Mooney explained the treatment is not painful, nothing uncomfortable, and is actually very relaxing.”

The fight to repeal Prop. 19’s death tax isn’t over

Senate Constitutional Amendment No. 4, a major legislative effort to repeal the dreaded “Death Tax,” lost by a narrow margin (4-3) before the Senate Governance and Finance Committee May 10. Although opponents of the tax will continue to pressure the Legislature to act, there is a powerful alternative to address the harm inflicted by this record-setting property tax hike.

Over the last 40-plus years, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has successfully qualified numerous pro-taxpayer initiative measures starting, of course, with California’s iconic Proposition 13, approved by voters in 1978. In 1996 HJTA qualified and the voters enacted the Right to Vote on Taxes Act.

Now, HJTA and a broad coalition of minority organizations, taxpayer groups and property owners will proceed with an initiative to restore the right of parents to transfer their home and limited other property to their children without reassessment to market value.

The legislative effort to repeal the death tax, authored by Sen. Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, sought to reverse the provisions in Proposition 19 regarding intergenerational transfers of family property. Under Prop. 19, which passed narrowly in November 2020, property is now reassessed to market value upon transfer between parents and children, with only limited exceptions.

Support in the Legislature for repealing the death tax was bipartisan, with Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, joining Sen. Seyarto and Sen. Brian Dahle, R-Bieber, in support of SCA 4.

At the May 10 hearing, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, a sharp critic of Proposition 19, emphasized that voters were not informed of the complex and costly effects that Proposition 19 would have on property tax reassessment of longheld family homes as well as businesses built over generations. “These neighborhood markets, auto shops and family-owned restaurants are community staples,” he said, but they are “in jeopardy of closing their doors when they are hit with high tax bills.”

Testifying on the harm inflicted on minority communities was Veronica Nelson, 1st VP of the Sacramento Realtist Association, noting the damage that Proposition 19 is doing to families in communities of color as they try to build economic security for the next generation. The Realtist organization, the California Association of Real Estate Brokers, was founded in 1947 to serve the needs of the Black community at a time when

n See Coupal page A5

Belltower

letters to the editor

phS football

EDITOR:

Enduring criticism is part of coaching. Hearing it about yourself comes with the job, but when someone criticizes your players and overall program it warrants a response.

In a recent letter to the editor aimed at the head coach, the author failed to recognize some of the Ponderosa High School players’ achievements. Some of these have come in the last six years, and many more before that. The Bruins have been in the playoffs in 2018, 2019 and 2021. The 2018 team started the season 5-0. Ironically, the author of “PHS football woes” requested to speak to the team after the fifth win to congratulate us.

Ponderosa’s football program won five league titles in a row from 1977-81. Between 1982 and 2022, the Bruins have won a total of two (2007, 2008). A lot has changed in El Dorado County and the school district since 1981. Divisions and leagues have changed. League championships have been scarce, but many Bruin teams have been competitive and reached the playoffs. Some great coaches and players have come through the program over the years. I had the opportunity to play against a few and currently have the privilege of coaching some.

2022 was a tough season. If you’re in this long enough, you’re bound to have one occasionally. If there were ever a season for a pep talk from someone who refers to themselves as a “friend to the program,” it was last year. I commend the kids who fought through adversity and remained loyal to the program when things were tough.

Winning is the goal and it is what coaches and programs are judged by. If you played or coached, you understand that there is a lot more to it that can’t be explained in a newspaper clip. I want to thank the loyal players, families, coaches and community members who continue to support the program and our kids each year, regardless of who the coach is or how the previous season goes. Go Bruins!

DAVY JOHNSON Shingle Springs

open letter to Congressman Kiley

EDITOR:

President Trump, whom you supported, declared on a CNN town hall meeting that, if elected, he was inclined to pardon the convicted Jan. 6 rioters. Do you support this position?

He also encouraged congressional Republicans to let the nation default on its debt and dismissed the idea that a default would create economic chaos, saying, “It’s psychological. It could be very bad; it could be nothing.” How do you come down on the

issue: very bad or nothing or something else?

On immigration, President Trump left open the possibility of resuming his previous policy of separating children from their illegal migrant parents as a way of stop illegal immigration. Do you think this is an effective policy?

Asked if he agreed with the UN’s International Criminal Court that President Putin is a war criminal, President Trump demurred. What is your position on this issue?

Finally, asked if he wanted Ukraine to win its war against Russia, he demurred again by saying, “I don’t think in terms of losing or winning.” Do you have a position on how the Russo/Ukraine war ought to end? Thank you.

JOHN GARON Placerville

a bright spot

EDITOR:

On a recent walkabout to Mt. El Dorado to see if there were any new melodramatic comedies on the agenda, as usual, I walked into the chamber and the “Gang” and staff were reviewing and maybe amending the Vegetation Management Ordinance.

After an hour of public comment in person and Zoom, obtaining money from the Transient Occupancy Tax was mentioned as a source of revenue for the ordinance. One of the “Gang” said now was the time to raise fees, if needed. Another mentioned garbage and litter being a problem. Then, in my opinion, there was a bright spot.

District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine mentioned the “Gang” needed to create an advisory committee of stakeholders in the county as well as residents to help with the ordinance amendments.

This reminded me of several quotes relevant every day yet ignored by our government.

First: “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their Just powers from the consent of the governed.” — Declaration of Independence.

“Men must be governed by God, or they will be ruled by tyrants. — William Penn “Whenever people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” — Thomas Jefferson “The Constitutions of most of our states assert that ALL power is inherent in the people; that they must exercise it by themselves in all cases to which they think themselves competent as in (electing their functionaries, executive and legislative and deciding for themselves both fact and law, in all judiciary cases in which any fact is involved) or they may ask by representatives freely and equally chosen; that is their right and duty to be armed; to freedom of person; freedom of religion;

n See letters page A5

Give the Ukrainians Warthogs to wipe out tanks

The Ukrainians want F-16 fighter jets.

I think they would put the A-10 Thunderbolt to better use.

Commonly referred to as the Warthog, the Air Force wants to retire the A-10 squadron based in Arizona. Congress won’t let them. They should bring over some Ukrainian pilots and train them on the A-10. The Ukrainians are quick studies. It won’t take much to get them up to speed on the A-10.

The advantage of the subsonic A-10 is that it is a tank killer. It has highpowered, 30mm rotary auto cannon. It can hold up to 1,350 armorpiercing rounds. A 30mm cannon

shell is big. When I was stationed on the USS Saratoga aircraft carrier the attack squadron I was assigned had A-4 Skyhawks with a 20mm cannon. We had to hang a safety strap around the cannon so we wouldn’t fall overboard while standing on the wing to oil the A-4s. The F-4 fighter jets didn’t have a cannon, something their pilots regretted. Originally built by Fairchild Republic, the A-10 Thunderbolt was designed in 1976 and entered service in 1978. Grumman Aerospace took over the A-10 program and upgraded them to an all-weather fighter, added electronic countermeasures and smart bombs.

The cockpit is encased in 1,200 pounds of titanium to protect the pilot and the aircraft systems. It has redundant hydraulic systems and can be operated on manual. It carries air-to-surface missiles and air-to-air missiles. It also has flares and chaff cartridges to ward off anti-aircraft missiles.

It can take off and land on short runways, whereas the A-16 requires a long runway that would be an easy target for Russian missiles. The twin turbofan engines are behind the straight wings near the V-shaped tail. Pilots have flown the jets back with one engine, part of a wing and tail shot off.

The fuel lines are self-sealing.

Grumman added an F-16 flight stick and a F-15 throttle.

The A-10s are stationed at DavisMonthan in Tucson. That same base has mothballed B-1 and B-52 bombers plus an indoor-outdoor air museum that is one of the best in the west. It includes two different presidential planes: a Boeing 707 four-engine jet and a Douglas C-54 four-engine propeller plane.

My favorite was the SR-71 Blackbird high-altitude high-speed reconnaissance plane.

Michael Raffety is a retired editor of the Mountain Democrat and a resident of the Placerville area.

… prop. 19 has put tenants at risk of eviction by requiring the reassessment to market value of family-owned apartment buildings when parents pass away.

pilots have flown the jets back with one engine, part of a wing and tail shot off.

Coupal Continued from A4

racism and redlining blocked that community’s access to home buying and real estate services.

Nelson also expressed concern that Prop. 19 has put tenants at risk of eviction by requiring the reassessment to market value of family-owned apartment buildings when parents pass away.

It’s unfortunate that repeal of the death tax does not yet have majority support in the California Legislature. This is a marked departure from 1986, when the Legislature voted unanimously to place the parent-child transfer exclusion from reassessment on the ballot. This measure, Proposition 58,

was approved by nearly 76% of voters, which protected property owners until Proposition 19 took that away and replaced it with the largest property tax increase in California history.

Sen. Kelly Seyarto said many voters were unaware that Proposition 19 would have this effect, because the measure’s title and summary on the ballot emphasized separate provisions that provided benefits for senior or disabled homeowners and wildfire victims.

A previous initiative effort to repeal the death tax fell just short of securing enough signatures, but a renewed effort will likely be much different. First, the number

Letters Continued from A4

FREEDOM of property; and freedom of the press.”

— Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Cartwright: June 5, 1824; The Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress

Now, you may ask yourself, the Vegetation Management Ordinance requires property owners need to abide by this ordinance. If this is respected unilaterally then the county itself, as property owners of rights of way and parcels of which it has many are adjacent to home and property owners, should also

of signatures required to qualify a constitutional amendment is now substantially less than what was needed for the previous effort. Also, the earlier effort was hindered by the pandemic, which impeded the effort to obtain signatures in public places.

Finally, since the last effort, the coalition has grown much larger and more diverse, driven by families ambushed by Prop. 19’s draconian tax hikes. More information on how to volunteer and join the coalition is available at RepealTheDeathTax. com.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

abide by the requirements of its own ordinance. However, just like our road regulations, which require 2-foot shoulders on roads built by a developer, the county chooses to use the policy of “Do as I say, but not do as I do.” This way of doing our business must change. As the District 5 supervisor said, the county needs to get advisory input from the people for which they work.

BRIAN DeBERRY Placerville

Vacation rental forum planned in Meeks Bay

tahoe Daily tribune

■ Applicants sought for advisory committee

El Dorado County

District 5 Supervisor

Brooke Laine is hosting a vacation home rental public forum for residents of Meeks Bay, Tahoma and the surrounding area, 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at the Meeks Bay Fire Station, located at 8041 Highway 89 in Meeks Bay.

The purpose of the forum is to present the Vacation Home Rental Program update and to receive questions and comments — it is solely an informationgathering exercise.

“This forum will allow for interested parties to hear the presentation that was made to the

Board of Supervisors on May 2,” said Laine. “We welcome your questions, comments, concerns and experiences related to the Vacation Home Rental Ordinance.”

The VHR Ordinance has been in effect since September 2021. Following the Vacation Home Rental Program presentation supervisors provided direction to staff regarding four amendments to the ordinance.

Laine plans to assemble a VHR advisory committee with herself as the single decision maker to include staff and stakeholders to explore further potential adjustments or amendments to the ordinance.

The meeting will also be available on Zoom at bit.ly/VHRforum, meeting ID: 890 4337 7399, passcode: 384650.

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 334-2970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot. comt

AmericAN AssOc. Of UNiversity WOmeN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 417-7138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

el DOrADO cOUNty AmAteUr

rADiO cLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe

Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels

**Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress)

**Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

ceLeBrAte recOvery meets

Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm at Bayside Church of Placerville, 4602 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. We are a Christ centered recovery program to find healing and recovery from our hurts, habits, and hangups. Email elebratercovery@ baysideplacerville. com. Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ CRBaysidePlacerville.

Struggling with life? ceLeBrAte recOvery is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at

6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@ greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/ DemOcrAts – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems. org for more information.

GOLD rUsH cHOrUs now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing fourpart harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575

Hangtown Women’s teNNis club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 9am-11am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $50/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654. mArsHALL HOsPitAL

AUxiLiAry is looking for volunteers. It is a rewarding opportunity to do something for the community. We will be holding interviews on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Please contact Linda Grimoldi at 530-6202240 or call the Auxiliary Office at 530-626-2643.

seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG

Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)6216304 to leave a message and get started.

tAxPAyers AssOciAtiON Of eL DOrADO cOUNty

Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that affect them. Our meetings are held every Monday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Denny’s Restaurant, Fair Lane Drive, Placerville. Meetings are open to the public except the first Monday of each month. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a nonpartisan organization

Union

runs.

2017. Warman hit .712 on the season and had nine doubles,

Four softball squads make the postseason

Thomas Frey

Mountain Democrat correspondent

Four area softball teams took their game into the postseason this spring.

Oak Ridge

The Trojans are headed to the Division I Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals following a victory over River City in the first round and Franklin in the second round on Thursday after falling short of the postseason last year.

Oak Ridge is a very young team with junior Maddy Ridge and sophomore Ellison Schroeder pitching lights out all season.

Freshman Brooklyn Paratore and Sam Alekman both represented Team USA in the U-15 Pan American tournament, where the girls from El Dorado Hills helped bring home a gold medal.

Paratore leads the Trojans with a .492 batting average while juniors Jessica Szelenyi and Gia Almont, sophomore Carly Short and freshman Alekman and Emery Glaser all hit over .300 on the season.

Oak Ridge will play at Granite Bay Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Ponderosa

The Bruins won the Foothill Valley League for a second straight year behind big years from seniors Ana Niles, Whitney Montoya and Tatum Silva juniors Chase Mueller and Brynn Escobar, sophomores Brooklynn Nordquist, Sadie Ward and Molly

McFarland and freshman Ellie Escobar and Bailey Borges.

Ponderosa is ranked No. 8 out of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s 154 teams and won its first playoff game in six innings 13-2 over Wood of Vacaville. Niles pitched a complete game and had two hits including a home run. Montoya, McFarland, Brynn Escobar and Mueller each recorded multiple hits.

The Bruins played their second round playoff game on Friday, after print deadline. To check the score go to the Ponderosa softball MaxPreps page.

Union Mine

The Diamondbacks finished 10-9 and made the postseason for the first time since 2017 and fell in the first round to West Park.

Juniors Savannah Warman (.712) and Jennifer Wylie (.550) and sophomore Madison Brown (.452) were the D’backs top three hitters while seniors Stephanie Wylie and Mary Silva each hit over .345.

Stephanie Wylie was also a workhorse in the circle, pitching 81.1 innings and 71 striking out 71 batters.

Golden Sierra

The Grizzlies went 6-6 this season and lost in the first round of the postseason to Stone Ridge Christian.

Senior Madison Roney and Raychel Reed each hit .630 and .571 respectively to lead the team while underclassman Olivia Totilaz, Alexis Hillman and Marina Macpherson were big contributors.

Ana Niles helped pitch and hit Ponderosa into the postseason. The senior is headed to Western Michigan and had a 1.25 ERA this year while hitting .488.

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

EID Continued from A1

inches to 10 inches.

Director George Osborne said it was made clear to the ag community at a recent agricultural roundtable meeting, “We will not be disrupting any agricultural issues.”

General Manager Jim Abercrombie complimented EID staff as “excellent working with customers so we can address their concerns.”

Director Alan Day said, “We will not be bulldozing everything.”

EID workers clearing vegetation along the water main will use chainsaws and a masticator along with a chipper.

More than 80 miles of water main will be cleared to at least 20 feet wide or more to provide access to the pipeline, blow-off points and shut-off

valves. In addition, it reduces fire hazards by creating a fire break.

“Several times that I’ve worked with your people have been great,” said Pollock Pines resident Mike Collins.

“The area’s prone to fire. There have been two fires in my lifetime.”

Collins also asked about fire hydrants. Director of Engineering

Brian Mueller said when the Sly Park intertie replacement is completed it will include fire hydrants.

Placerville resident Gosia Porwit was concerned about her garden and big trees. She also said her house is right on the corner of the 20-foot easement.

EID officials said a right-of-way crew leader will walk the pipeline with her and discuss any issues ahead of time and seek to work with those.

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh

Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Complete

Solutions

HOROSCOPE by Holiday Mathis

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There’s someone you make daily sacrifices for. You are not always on the receiving end of such generosity, which is why you deeply appreciate today’s gestures, small but affirming that you are loved.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Each relationship has its own music. When one person changes tone, it is natural for the other person to either remain the same and bear the tension of dissonance or adjust in harmony. Either way, a new song is formed.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You don’t have to move to a different country to have a totally fresh experience in your day-to-day. A small change will start a transformation. Today sees you standing where you haven’t been before or talking to someone you didn’t know.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Social situations look intimidating from the outside, but it’s a totally different experience once you settle in. You’ll find allies, and you’ll also discover that people are more friendly than first impressions suggest.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You are especially clever and creative today and will come up with novel solutions. They feel obvious to you, but no one else would think to explore the paths you are so naturally drawn to.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You get tired, but keep going. Some new wells of energy and purpose will then be released. You didn’t think this would be easy, so you’ll be ready for the level of work that’s coming.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Everyone has a basic need to belong, which includes being seen, heard and acknowledged. With other needs covered, the need to be recognized will be a primary driver of the action.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your water-sign nature is supercharged today and will bring a wave of fun, a spritz of playfulness and a splash of drama to your day. Who do you most want to influence? Focus there because your charisma is on 10.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Is there really a difference between stubbornness and tenacity? Note: Just because someone seems to resist or be annoyed by your persistence doesn’t mean it’s not working.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It will be a challenge to relate to some of the difficult people around you. Rest assured, there’s a way to process their strange opinions, odd views and weird ways of doing things so that you’re not too inconvenienced or annoyed.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You lean into your better instincts for the sake of social ease. “Better” doesn’t always mean more truthful, but it usually means kinder. You’d rather err on the side of helping everyone feel respected.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Other people’s thought processes are a mystery, though sometimes you feel you know. You want to know what someone is thinking, but asking directly won’t be the way to find out. Indirect questions and rapport-building will bring about more honesty.

Courtesy photo

Mine junior Savannah Warman helped the Diamondbacks into the playoffs for the first time since

seven triples and three home

Mountain Democrat file photo by Thomas Frey

is thawing out after an historic winter.

Tahoe on flood watch as snow melts down

Tahoe Daily Tribune

Warm temperatures at Lake Tahoe have prompted o cials to issue a flood warning for a rapidly melting snowpack. The National Weather Service in Reno issued a flood watch for the region that went into e ect Thursday, May 18, and lasts through 8 p.m., Monday, May 22, for excessive runo that may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their

Memorial Day

all, and it is an honor to do this for them.”

In Placerville Morgan said there will be about 1,000 veteran graves that get American flags at Westwood Hills Memorial Park on Cold Springs Road and around 300 at Placerville Union Cemetery on Bee Street. Morgan still has plans to help out with future flag placements but as far as taking the lead goes, the past post-commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Sierra Nevada Post 2680 would rather see a younger generation of volunteers take up the flag.

“We do have volunteers come but it is getting more di cult since people are getting older,

Continued from A1

are working or just don’t understand why this is important,” Morgan said.

Army veteran and fellow VFW member Greg Desy agreed. Desy, 64, said he would take the reins on flag placement until a plan can be figured out.

“I imagine I’ll have to integrate this stu and run it next year or put something together to figure it out to keep it going, because I don’t want to see this go by the wayside,” Desy said.

Both veterans noted that when VFW Post 10165 (Placerville) combines with Post 2680 that more help is expected to be generated.

Flag placement at Westwood Hills and

banks and low-water crossings may be flooded, the advisory warned.

“The current period of unseasonably warmer temperatures will result in excessive snowmelt and runo from higher mountain areas into lower elevation locations along the Carson River, Walker River basins and eastern Sierra basins. Creeks, streams and main stem river areas will continue to run high, fast and cold after expiration of this watch,” continues the advisory. “Through the diurnal melt cycle, peak flow and heights will occur overnight and

Placerville Union Cemeteries will begin Saturday, May 27, ahead of the May 29 holiday.

Volunteers are asked to arrive at Westwood Hills Memorial Park at 2720 Cold Springs Road at 10 a.m. to help with flag placing. Those helping will then carpool to Placerville Union Cemetery at 11 a.m. Cemetery historian Mike Roberts with Save The Graves also invites scouting and other youth groups to participate in the flag placement while listening to him share his knowledge of local cemeteries.

Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, sunscreen and a long screwdriver for poking

early morning in many cases.”

Warm temperatures may make it seem like a good idea to jump into high country waters to cool o but the water is extremely cold and shock can quickly set in, causing loss of motor function, weather forecasters warn. There are also likely to be snow bridges present in the backcountry with water flowing beneath. Caution is advised.

Temperatures a Tahoe were expected to peak Friday and Saturday with highs in the mid-70s and slowly dropping into the upper 60s this week.

holes in the ground. Those looking to assist can RSVP at vetflags@ savethegraveseldorado. org.

Local veterans place flags on veterans’ graves every Memorial Day weekend all throughout El Dorado County.

Removal of the flags begins at 10 a.m. May 30 at Westwood Hills.

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

Navy veteran Donald Morgan and Army veteran Greg Desy say there are about 1,000 veteran graves at Westwood Hills Memorial Park and 300 at Placerville Union Cemetery.

Tahoe Daily Tribune photos by Hannah Pence

Marlette Lake, left photo, on Lake Tahoe’s East Shore

Snow melts from Tahoe Paradise Golf Course in Meyers, right photo, home to Tube Tahoe in the winter.

Young cartographers nail navigation

Noel Stack Managing Editor

Drawing beautiful maps that depict everything from the family farm to funny sports teams names and gorgeous Romanian castles, this year’s winners of the 29th annual SAGE Map Contest showcased their talents and attention to detail.

More than 300 local students in kindergarten through 12th grade participated in the contest hosted by the EDC Surveyor’s O ce and the El Dorado and Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation District and sponsored by Surveyors, Architects, Geologists and Engineers of El Dorado County, a professional organization celebrating its 50th year. Since the contest’s inception, SAGE has donated more than $70,000 in awards and prizes to the top participating artists, according to SAGE President-elect Justin Cisneros.

This year’s awards were handed out at the May 9 Board of Supervisors meeting.

“We really enjoy putting up all these maps every year and seeing all the kids participate in something that, of course, we love as surveyors — mapping,” said EDC Surveyor Brian Frazier as he stood at the podium in the board’s meeting chambers. All around the supervisors, colorful maps were hung with care.

“The diversity of the maps (is) just incredible,” said District 3 Supervisor and board Chair Wendy Thomas. “What you choose to study and celebrate … that’s sometimes my favorite part. It’s just amazing the creativity you bring to this.”

District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl handed out the first awards to kindergarten and first-grade winners.

Kindergarten — 1st, Clayton Stigall,

Sutter’s Mill; 2nd, Adalyn Vogel, Camino Polytechnic

First grade — 1st, Piper Grossman, Sutter’s Mill; 2nd, Ava Roberts, Sutter’s Mill; 3rd Natalia Gomez, Sutter’s Mill

Hidahl congratulated all the winners and was particularly fond of Ava Roberts’ map of her school with a rainbow theme.

“That’s great,” he said. “Are there any unicorns in there?”

District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo announced the second- and third-grade winners.

Second grade — 1st, Neil Ajmera, Oak

Meadow; 2nd (three-way tie), Dinah Dalldorf, Sutter’s Mill; Liam Romney, Sutter’s Mill; Wes Walker Camino School

Third grade — 1st, Ruby Fortin, Sutter’s Mill; 2nd, Logan Neal, Sutter’s Mill; 3rd Grant Seckington, Sutter’s Mill

Turnboo noted how much thought and detail each student put into their map, but he couldn’t get one important detail from Grant Seckington about his ski resorts of the Tahoe Basin map.

“So where’s your favorite place to ski?”

■ See MAPS page B6

*Not

Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack

Third-grader Ruby Fortin took home first place for her beautiful waterfalls map in the annual SAGE Map Contest.

Noel Stack

Managing Editor

El Dorado County leaders celebrated the golden achievements of the community’s older generation May 16, honoring outstanding seniors who have given their time and much more to make this a wonderful place to live.

The Senior of the Year trophy went to Jim and Maureen Carter.

Lisbeth Powell, chair of the El Dorado County Commission on Aging, read the accomplishments of 12 local seniors who have taken volunteerism to the next level at Tuesday’s El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting.

Of choosing the award winner among such distinguished nominees, she noted, “It was not an easy decision.”

About the Carters, who have called El Dorado County home for more than 40 years, Powell shared Maureen and Jim have “dedicated their

need more of this.

Thank you, truly, from Supervisors congratulated all the nominees and shared their admiration for those who give back.

District 2 Supervisor

George Turnboo thanked everyone for all their “awesome e orts.” “You’re very valuable; you really are,” Turnboo said. “You’ve given your heart and soul to help these people in dire

John Hidahl called the Senior of the Year event a highlight for the board because the supervisors get to celebrate seniors’ continuing contributions to the community. “It’s kind of amazing because the people I talk to after retirement go, ‘I wasn’t this busy when I was working,’ because they’re so engaged, giving so much of themselves, so much of their heart, so much of their time.”

“You have set a high bar for us,” added District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine.

The nominees

Cathie Adams: Turning the loss of her home and community to the Caldor Fire into something positive, Adams took a leadership role in her community and has been a strong advocate to rebuild Grizzly Flat Post O ce. She’s considered the “Queen of Outreach,” linking Grizzly Flat

residents to available services via the Salvation Army, Veterans Services and other resources available to help fire victims. Adams also sends Christmas cards to El Dorado County Jail inmates.

Cheryl Breitweiser: A South Lake Tahoe resident and dedicated volunteer, Breitweiser serves on the Bread & Broth Advisory Board and is the co-chairperson for the Bread & Broth 4 Kids program. During the pandemic, the program provided more than 400 food bags weekly to Lake Tahoe Unified School District students and Breitweiser continues her work to ease hunger for the children in the community.

Wynema Conley: A quiet servant, Conley has been volunteering for many years. Past volunteer experience include the Value Village thrift store that benefited MORE and with Snowline Hospice. She currently dedicates her time to the El Dorado County Senior Nutrition Program, cleaning tables and distributing lunches to seniors.

Lon Milka: A Cool resident for more than 29 years, Milka serves on the Auburn Lake Trails Property Owners Association Board of Directors. and wears additional hats in the community as a volunteer. To honor those who gave

their lives defending the country, Milka spearheaded the now annual Memorial Day event in his community. He also worked to build a memorial in honor of those who gave their lives, which will be dedicated this Memorial Day. Additionally, Milka volunteers at the Carmelite Monastery in Georgetown and he’s a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Judy Monestier: As a founding member of Sierra Wildlife Rescue, Monestier has rehabilitated hundreds of animals — hawks, crows, foxes, turtles and opossums. She has served on the Sierra Wildlife Board of Directors as treasurer and is a team leader for the Sierra Wildlife Education Team, Medicine Team and the Dove and Pigeon Team.

Carmen Moyapeterson: An El Dorado County resident for more than 36 years, Moyapeterson has volunteered the last 17 with Snowline Hospice Thrift Store. Her current role supports the jewelry department where she is responsible for sorting, pricing and putting together jewelry donations. Her friends say, “Truth be told, the real gem is Carmen.”

Matt Nunley: A valuable resource to neighbors living in Grizzly Flat who lost everything due to the Caldor Fire, Nunley set up a mill to salvage felled trees, using them to build storage sheds (a place to store tools for rebuilding, canned foods, household supplies, etc.) for his neighbors. All the costs associated with the building of these sheds are out of his pocket.

Maureen Dion Perry: A longtime El Dorado County resident, Dion Perry volunteers with Housing El Dorado, Empty Bowls, The Upper Room and El Dorado Progressives. An advocate for the unhoused for many years, Dion Perry put in massive time and energy toward the opening of the Navigation Center and creating the new Safe Parking project.

Robert Williams: A community advocate for the El Dorado Hills area, Williams is a volunteer with Carson Crossing and the Area Planning Advisory Committee and works toward wetland preservation and the risks posed to endangered species. His friends say he is in the top 10% who do all community work and he’s

Draw and color the American flag here.

he last Monday in May was chosen for the holiday since this is the time that most ____________ are in bloom. In many places, flowers are used to decorate the graves of fallen service men and women. In other cemeteries, American __________ are placed on gravesites.

Memorial Day should not be confused with Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day to _________________ and honor those who died while serving their country. Veterans Day celebrates those who served in the _______________.

This information is from www.usmemorialday.org

Memorial Day should be observed: by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes

by visiting memorials by flying the US Flag at half-staff until noon by flying the POW/MIA Flag to honor soldiers who are Prisoners Of War or Missing In Action

Memorial Day was originally a day to honor the nation’s Civil War dead by decorating their graves.

It had a different name to begin with. To find out what Memorial Day was originally called, circle every third letter on the flagpole. The first one is done for you. Write the letters on the lines below.

Memorial Day weekend is seen as the start of the summer vacation season. Many people spend the weekend outdoors, enjoying barbecues and picnics.

Write the name of each picnic food shown in the correct boxes on this picnic blanket.

On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag is ___________ to full staff and then ___________ lowered to half-staff, where it will remain until noon. It is raised at _________ to show that the sacrifice of lives was not in vain and that we will continue to fight for liberty and justice for all.

The USS Arizona Memorial is the final resting place for many of the ship’s 1,177 crewmen who lost their lives on Dec. 7, 1941. The 184-foot-long Memorial structure is above the mid-portion of the sunken battleship which still rests below the water’s surface. The names of those killed are engraved on a marble wall.

Where is the USS Arizona Memorial located? Circle every third letter to find out.

by participating in a “National Moment of Remembrance” at 3:00 p.m. to pause and think about the true meaning of the day and to listen to “Taps”

by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers and orphans of our fallen dead and to aid disabled veterans

Design a Memorial Day Flag!

This week’s word: DESIGNATE

The verb designate means to choose for a particular job or purpose.

The last Monday in May is designated as Memorial Day.

Try to use the word designate in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family members.

Memorial Day Collages

– President Harry S. Truman

Many men and women have given their lives to protect our freedom. Write about what this means to you.

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

Do you see four American flags here? Look again. Only one of them is correct – the other three each have something missing or in the wrong place. Which one is the real deal?

© 2015 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 31, No. 23

Create a collage of newspaper words and pictures to illustrate Memorial Day. Display the collages and discuss how they honor the past and the memories of fallen soldiers.

Community Outreach Coordinator

El Dorado County Office of Education Charter College and Career Prep has announced expanded Culinary Arts and Foods and Nutrition class offerings and the implementation of a new Video Gaming Development class. Such opportunities are in pursuit of engaging even more students within El Dorado County while continuing to offer strong academics that will directly develop students’ futures.

“Culinary Arts builds knowledge, confidence and creativity in working with food in a variety of settings. Students explore, practice and master skills in food nutrition; meal planning; kitchen equipment and use; health, safety and hygiene; food preparation; and plating,” said Lisa Boyle, CCP Culinary Arts and Foods and Nutrition teacher. “These skills set the table for students to become their own fantastic personal chef, as well as prepare them to seek a job or career in the food industry.”

Josh Abe, CCP Video Gaming class teacher shared his thoughts for his

Know Continued from B1

at Harris Center for the Arts on the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom. For ticket and more information call (916) 6086888 or visit harriscenter.net.

May 26

Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open again every Friday and Saturday for open garden days, 9 a.m. to noon. Take a leisurely stroll through all 16 themed gardens. Docents are on-site to assist with any questions regarding Sherwood Demonstration Garden or your personal garden. May be closed for inclement weather or poor air quality. Check the website before visiting: ucanr.edu/sites/ EDC_Master_Gardeners/Demonstration_ Garden.

Now

El Dorado County Certified Farmers Markets have begun Saturdays at Placerville Cinema on Placerville Drive, 8 a.m. to noon; Wednesdays at Burke Junction on Coach Lane in Cameron Park, 8 a.m. to noon; and Sundays at El Dorado Hills Town Center, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Feed El Dorado and the Placer Food Bank host food distribution events throughout the year in Cameron Park, Pollock Pines, Placerville and Georgetown. For a complete schedule visit

class in the coming year. “As a culture we are continuing to move toward increasingly online and virtual spaces. Video games used to be a frivolous pastime, but now, is one of the fastest growing industries with numerous related industries,” he explained. “This curriculum will let our students have a chance to dig into many aspects of video gaming — from recreation, development of scientific skills to career orientation.”

The United States, California and El Dorado County continue to strive toward innovation, change and development to meet the modernday needs of students, families and communities. CCP is committed to helping students reach their full potential. El Dorado County is more rural and numerous career opportunities remain in technology telecommuting, food and agriculture industries. Thus, CCP will continue to offer a wide range of class offerings related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) based in hands-on learning to prepare students for careers within the county. For more information about CCP visit ccp.edcoe.org.

placerfoodbank.org/pantrytogo.

The Master Gardener public office is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon at 311 Fair Lane, Placerville. Have a gardening question or problem? Come in and chat. Bring a cutting or insect in a Ziploc baggie or a picture. Can’t come in person? Call (530) 621-5512 and leave a voicemail or go online to the “Ask A Master Gardener” tool mgeldorado@ ucanr.edu.

The purpose of the Widowed Persons Club is to provide a support group for widowed men and women of all ages and provide a wide range of social activities through which they have an opportunity to make new friends and find a new direction in their lives. General meeting lunches are held at Cold Springs Country Club in Placerville for members and guests on the fourth Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m. A social time precedes each meeting. The cost is $18 and reservations are required. Regular breakfasts are held every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at Denny’s in Placerville. For those interested in joining or reservations don’t hesitate to get in touch with Glenda at (530) 295-8374 or Nancy at (530) 919-8276.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2680 in El Dorado County invites veterans of World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War as well as those seeing action in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries during the war on terror plus those serving peace-keeping missions throughout the globe to become VFW members. Member benefits are plenty and there is no fee for the first year. For more information call (530) 499-2950.

Jessica Trumble-Pitel

Preserve it! A Blue-Ribbon recipe

“County fairs give communities a chance to show off their unique habits and talents and can be a wonderful expression of a county’s personality.”

(Thank you, EDC Fair Association, for putting it so eloquently.) The El Dorado County Fair is almost here, June 15-18. The theme this year: Country Nights, Carnival Lights.

There’s a small window of time left to get those home canned foods entered in the county fair this year. UC Master Food Preservers know you would love to show off your hard work and personality (perhaps that Chocolate Raspberry Sundae Topper or Zesty Peach Barbecue Sauce — both recipes are in the “Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving, 2020”). Here are the important dates and information you may want to know about:

Entry forms are due by 4 p.m.

Wednesday, May 24 (or midnight online).

Entries are received at the Marshall Building 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 7.

Home canned goods will be judged Saturday, June 10, starting at 9 a.m.

Judging is open to the public, which is wonderful. Go and watch the judging, as it’s a great way to learn how to improve your home food preservation.

It is quite satisfying to enter that familyfavorite dessert sauce or the pickle relish everyone craves at the neighborhood Fourth of July barbeque and to win a ribbon. But did you know there are also 15 different $25 awards for special adult categories? Most years at least one of these awards is not given out because of lack of entries. There needs to be at least three entries per class for a premium to be paid. There’s an award for Apple Butter (sponsored by Apple Hill Growers Association) as well as a Best of Show in Teen Division (sponsored by Marshall Grange #451). Then there are awards for Salsa, Mustard, Jam, Dessert Sauce, Pickled Asparagus, Best-of-All Pickled Cucumber, Pickles, Pickle Relish, Best of Show in Family Canning, Barbecue sauce, Chili or Hot Sauce, and Canned Peaches (all 12 sponsored by UC Master Food Preservers). Find the rules and categories for “canning and dried foods” under “still exhibits” at eldoradocountyfair.org/ entry. Close your eyes and open your

imagination to the county fair’s sights and smells. What do you taste? What array of colors do you see? UC Master Food Preservers of El Dorado County will be there with a “tasters booth” in the Marshall Building handing-out flavors that will awaken your taste buds this year: Sweet Dill Chunks, Triple Berry Jam, Lemon Curd (a favorite for many folks every year) and Sauerkraut. While you excite your palate with these treats, walk around and see the colorful carnival lights display of home food preservation folks in the community have canned and

proudly brought for judging. We hope you, too, will have entered a home preserved food this year.

The UC Master Food Preservers of El Dorado County are a great resource for answers to your food safety and preserving questions. Leave a message at (530) 621-5506 or email edmfp@ ucanr.edu. For more information about the program, events and recipes, visit ucanr.edu/edmfp. Sign up to receive the eNewsletter at ucanr. org/mfpcsenews. Find the group on Facebook, too (UCCE Master Food Preservers of El Dorado County).

Laurie Lewis

UCCE Master Gardener Food Preserver of El Dorado County

Photo by Robin Martin

Do you have a delicious jelly recipe or some other canned food creation everyone loves? Enter it into the El Dorado

County Fair.

The Public Square

Wanted

Help WAnted Administrative Specialist

The Mountain Democrat is seeking a candidate for the position of administrative specialist. The right person needs to be proficient in accounts receivable and accounts payable. Additional responsibilities include processing payroll, account invoices, banking needs, collecting expense data and other general office tasks. Must be comfortable working in a deadline oriented environment and provide friendly customer service to both internal and external customers. Excel and Word experience a plus.

Maps Continued from B1

Turnboo asked.

“That is classified information,” Grant replied.

District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin shared the fourth- and fifth-grade winners’ names.

Fourth grade — 1st, Hayden Owen, Schnell School; 2nd, Arianna Lopuga, Camino Polytechnic; 3rd, Kylee Stigall, Gold Trail

Fifth grade — 1st Jacob Neal, Gold Trail; 2nd, Isaac Abbott, Gold Trail; 3rd (tie) Avery Isegar, Gold Trail; Sophia Gonzalez, Gold Trail

with

The Mountain Democrat — 2889 Ray Lawyer Drive Full time position — Monday thru Friday 8-5 p.m. Hourly position with paid time off and holidays. Medical benefits available. Pay based on experience.

Please email your qualifications and cover letter to: Rpietrowski@mtdemocrat.net

(No telephone calls or walk-ins accepted.)

If you enjoy the beautiful outdoors and working with children, we currently have an amazing opportunity as a Cafeteria Assistant at our Sly Park Conservation and Environmental Education Center near Pollock Pines. Starting Hourly Rate: $17.23

Click here to apply today: http://www.edjo.in/1762537 Maintenance Custodian

If you have experience performing custodial and general maintenance services and enjoy the beautiful outdoors, we currently have an amazing opportunity as a Maintenance Custodian at our Sly Park Conservation and Environmental Education Center near Pollock Pines.

Starting Hourly Rate: $20.47

Click here to apply today: http://www.edjo.in/1762538

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Solution to Puzzle 1

Solution to Puzzle 2

Fourth-graders created California maps with details that included everything from Disneyland to gold discovery. Fifth-graders took on interesting facts about the United States, including the silliest sports team names.

“I picked the funniest names … like the Santa Cruz Banana Slugs,” Isaac Abbott shared, adding that his favorite name is the Amarillo Sod Poodles, a Minor League Baseball team of the Texas League and the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Presenting the sixth- and seventhgrade winners was District 5 Supervisor Brooke Laine.

Sixth grade — 1st, Ben Shkolnik, Camerado Springs; 2nd, Elliot Mullen, Camerado Springs; 3rd (tie) Maileah Sargiotto, Camerado Springs; Vivienne Couri, Camino School

Seventh grade — 1st, Tyce Upchurch, Valley View Charter; 2nd, Matthew McDonald, Valley View Charter; 3rd Elissa Ulrich, Marina Village

The students covered everything from inventions of the world to land once ruled by the Greeks.

“I chose this map because I’m part Greek myself and wanted to show part of my culture,” Matthew McDonald said, pointing out the map also includes information about famous Greek heroes. “Obviously I couldn’t list all of them because we would be here all day.”

Tyce Upchurch’s map displays Guinness World Records. The most interesting fact he found: the oldest person to start elementary school was 84.

Supervisor Thomas celebrated contest winners in eighth through 11th grade. In the upper grade levels some only had one entry (none in 12th grade).

Eighth grade — 1st, Lotti Boucher, Marina Village; 2nd, Priya Abbott, Gold Trail; 3rd, Aratrika Paul, Valley View Charter

Ninth grade — 1st, Joleen Berindei, Oak Ridge

Tenth grade — 1st, Ariana Thakur, Oak Ridge Eleventh grade — 1st, Shelby Mason, Clarksville Charter Aratrika Paul covered America’s tallest roller coasters, something that made Supervisor Thomas happy her feet were on the ground.

“How did you research that?”

Thomas asked.

“Google,” Aratrika responded, pointing out the tallest roller coaster is Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey at 465 feet tall.

“I can’t even put that into context,” Thomas said, “but I’m pretty sure I don’t want to ride it.”

The District 3 supervisor had more in common with Priya Abbott’s Swifties of the U.S. map, sharing the favorite Taylor Swift albums around the country.

“Now that’s totally cool,” Thomas said.

The supervisors also handed out awards to students who had multiple wins over the years. Sutter’s Mill Elementary School earned this year’s School Spirit and Outstanding Achievement awards.

“Congratulations to all the parents, all the students and all the schools that participated,” Thomas said. “We’re just so proud of you … amazing work.”

Mountain Democrat photos by Noel Stack Parents line up, above, to take photos of the SAGE Map Contest winners and county leaders during the May 9 awards presentation. Below, District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl chats with Sutter’s Mill first-graders Ava Roberts, center, and Natalia Gomez about their maps of their school.

Oak Ridge High School sophomore created a spooky ghost towns map, earning first place.

FAMILY FEATURES

Despite busy lives and full schedules, finding time for regular meals with loved ones encourages connections and conversations that can benefit mental and physical wellbeing. Gathering your family, friends, coworkers or neighbors at least once a week to spend time together over a meal provides opportunities to decompress and socialize.

If you’re looking for a little delicious inspiration, the American Heart Association recommends scheduling one night per week to create a recurring tradition and enjoy favorites such as breakfast for dinner. Recipes like Egg, Avocado and Black Bean Breakfast Burritos; Huevos Rancheros; and Southwestern Quinoa and Egg Breakfast Bowls from the Healthy for Good Eat Smart initiative, nationally supported by Eggland’s Best, are perfectly suited for sharing while making time to destress at the dinner table.

In fact, according to a study by “Canadian Family Physician,” regular meals at home with loved ones can reduce stress, boost self-esteem and make everyone feel connected with mealtime conversations that allow a chance to unplug and unwind.

Meals don’t have to be elaborate for a successful evening together. Despite the perceived effort involved with preparing a meal, research published in “Preventive Medicine” shows those who have frequent meals with others, particularly parents with their children, may improve social and emotional well-being.

In addition to the mental and emotional benefits of meals with loved ones, eating together can also encourage healthier choices when better-for-you recipes are on the menu. Dining as a group can provide inspiration to try heart-healthy recipes that include the wide variety of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and healthy protein sources recommended by the American Heart Association to help prevent heart disease and stroke.

To find recipe ideas, conversation starters and more tips for mealtime, visit heart.org/together.

Huevos Rancheros

Servings: 4

Salsa:

1 teaspoon canola oil

1/2 cup diced yellow onion

1/2 cup diced poblano pepper, seeds and ribs discarded

1 small fresh jalapeno pepper, seeds and ribs discarded, minced

1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 can (14 1/2 ounces) no-salt-added crushed tomatoes

2 tablespoons water

1/4 teaspoon salt

Huevos Rancheros:

1 teaspoon canola oil

4 large eggs

4 corn tortillas (6 inches), warm

1 can (15 1/2 ounces) no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup shredded low-fat Mexican cheese blend

Egg, Avocado and Black Bean

Breakfast Burritos

Servings: 4

Nonstick cooking spray

1 1/3 cups liquid egg whites

1 can (15 1/2 ounces) no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained

4 whole-wheat tortillas (6 inches, lowest sodium available)

2 medium avocados, sliced

1/4 cup hot sauce or salsa (lowest sodium available, optional)

Southwestern Quinoa and Egg Breakfast Bowls

Servings: 4

1/4 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained

2 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 2 cups)

1 cup no-salt-added frozen corn, thawed

1/2 medium avocado, pitted and diced

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

nonstick cooking spray

4 large eggs

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper red hot-pepper sauce, to taste (optional)

Cook quinoa according to package directions. Remove from heat.

Spoon quinoa into four bowls. Top each with tomatoes, corn, avocado, green onions and cilantro, if desired.

Lightly spray large skillet over medium-high heat with nonstick cooking spray. Crack eggs into skillet. Sprinkle eggs with salt and pepper. Cook, uncovered, 3-4 minutes, or until egg whites are set but yolks are still runny. Using spatula, carefully transfer one egg sunny side up into each bowl. Sprinkle with hot sauce, if desired.

1 small avocado, quartered and sliced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional) 1 medium lime, cut into four wedges (optional)

To make salsa: In medium saucepan over medium heat, heat oil, swirling to coat bottom. Cook onion 2 minutes, or until almost soft, stirring frequently. Cook poblano and jalapeno peppers 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in garlic. Cook 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, water and salt. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover to keep warm.

To make huevos rancheros: In medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat oil, swirling to coat bottom. Cook eggs 3-4 minutes, or until whites are set and edges are fully cooked.

Place one tortilla on each plate. Top each tortilla with beans and one egg, being careful not to break yolk. Gently top each egg with warm salsa, cheese and avocado slices. Sprinkle each serving with cilantro and serve with lime wedge, if desired.

Lightly spray large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium heat.

In skillet, stir egg whites constantly with rubber spatula to scramble. Cook until eggs are almost set. Add beans, stirring until combined and heated through. Microwave tortillas on high 45 seconds. Transfer to work surface.

Spread egg mixture in center of each tortilla. Top with the avocado and hot sauce, if desired.

For each burrito, fold two sides of tortilla toward center. Starting from closest unfolded side, roll burrito toward remaining unfolded side to enclose filling. Transfer with seam side down to plates.

Huevos Rancheros

Egg, Avocado and Black Bean Breakfast Burritos

Southwestern Quinoa and Egg Breakfast Bowls