IN EL DORADO HILLS
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JUNE 15, 2022
Village Life photo by Eric Jaramishian
Courtesy photo
Old golf balls lay on the site of the former executive gold course on El Dorado Hills Boulevard and Serrano Parkway. The El Dorado County Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny Parker Development’s proposed Central EDH Specific Plan June 9, which proposes housing units on the parcel currently zoned for recreational use.
Tony Mansour, the mastermind of El Dorado Hills Town Center, is remembered for his tenacity
Parker’s CEDHSP denied ‘Visionary’ Tony Eric Jaramishian Staff writer The El Dorado County Planning Commission rejected Parker Development’s Central El Dorado Hills Specific Plan proposing to build hundreds of homes on the old golf course along El Dorado Hills Boulevard. Many El Dorado Hills residents have attempted to convince county leaders to dismiss the controversial construction project and it was no different during the Planning Commission’s hearing Thursday morning — a discussion that lasted into mid-afternoon. Residents spoke up June 9, citing issues previously expressed — concerns of overgrowth, traffic impacts, water usage during California’s drought event and General Plan inconsistencies. The project requires a General Plan amendment to allow zoning of the golf course property to be changed from recreational facilities-high intensity
Mansour dies
to medium and high density residential. CEDHSP includes the Pedregal and Serrano Westside (golf course property) developments — 237 residential units are specified for the Pedregal area, while Serrano Westside would house 763 units. Density ranges between less than one to more than 20 units per acre, with the highest density slated for the golf course parcel. Eleven acres are set aside for civiclimited commercial use and a 15-acre village park would sit alongside Highway 50. The plan also calls for a total 190 total acres of open space/parks and 1.5 miles of a Class I bike and pedestrian trail. Planning commissioners were mixed on their own opinion of the development. While acknowledging the need for housing units in the county, they had reservations. “Is it worth giving up that recreational zone?” District 1 Planning Commissioner/Chair Jon Vegna asked. “I’ve gone on record supporting low-income n
Noel Stack Managing Editor
“T
ony was a visionary, a visionary who knew what kind of beautiful community El Dorado Hills could become. El Dorado Hills likely would not be here today if it were not for Tony Mansour’s vision and passion for our community,” maintained EDH Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Debbie Manning. Her sentiments were echoed by others who knew the charismatic and spirited developer, who poured decades of hard work into promoting El Dorado Hills and building its Town Center. Mansour died peacefully, surrounded by his family, at age 84 on June 5 after fighting advanced heart failure with an untiring spirit for many years, according to son Louis Mansour.
See DENIED, page 3
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See MANSOUR, page 5
Oak Meadow third-grader masters program’s logo contest Sel Richard Staff writer
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Village Life photo by Sel Richard
Lu Zhai’s third-grade Mandarin immersion class at Oak Meadow Elementary celebtrates classmate logo winner Jingyang Zhang with donated ReThink Ice Cream.
elected over almost 20 other submissions, Oak Meadow Elementary third-grader Jingyang Zhang’s new logo for the Meet the Masters art program eked out a win by three votes. Jingyang constructed his design on a computer using Paint 3D, revealing he was quite deliberate in his process. “I decided to use the color wheel,” he told Village Life. “Then I put a paintbrush in the bottom right corner.” He went on to explain that the colors he chose for the letters represent RGB, the primary colors of light. Oak Meadows’ Meet the Masters is an art curriculum run and taught entirely by parent volunteers and has suffered its share of damage from COVID19 shutdowns. Through the program, students learn about a particular artist and then create a piece of art inspired by
that artist. Artists featured in these sessions range throughout history and a year’s syllabus could cover luminaries such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Joan Miro, Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, Rembrandt van Rijn, Rosa Bonheur and Paul Gauguin. However, parents have only recently been allowed back in classrooms at the elementary school, causing a dearth of volunteers. “We noticed that there’s such a huge disconnect at Oak Meadow just because everybody has been off campus,” noted Meet the Masters chair Amy Gaal, who spearheaded the logo revamp contest. “We thought it would be a great way to create a buzz about the program and revitalize it because it pretty much died during COVID.” Although a few stepped up, Gaal said the volunteer network is in crisis. “So many people don’t know each other,” she n
See LOGO, page 7
INSIDE NEWS VOL. 29
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ISSUE NO. 24
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CHARMING VILLA IN EL DORADO
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WHAT’S HAPPENING Time for the county fair June 16-19: The El Dorado County Fair — The Magic is Back returns to the fairgrounds in Placerville. For more information visit eldoradocountyfair. org/fair.html.
JUNE 15, 2022
PEOPLE TALK
JUNE 15, 2022
Photos and question by Sel Richard
How do you keep your mental health in check?
Town Center concert June 16: Live on the Boulevard returns to El Dorado Hills Town Center, 7-9 p.m. in the Steven Young Amphitheater with the following free concerts: Michael Furlong’s salute to Tom Petty (June 16), Riff Raff (June 23), Mania (July 7), One of These Nights (July 14), Joy & Madness (July 21), Catch a Wave (July 28), Island of Black & White (Aug. 4), Kalimba (Aug. 11), CC Seger (Aug. 18), Nathan Owens (Aug. 25), Folsom Lake Symphony (Sept. 1) and Apple Z (Sept. 8).
Blood drive June 18: Vitalant will hold a Cameron Park community blood drive, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the LDS Cameron Park Church, 3431 Hacienda Road. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant. org and use blood drive code SMFT172 or call Vitalant at (877) 2584825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.
Randy Gibson
John Gomes
Mitch Bachelor
Bob Scott
Peter Clay
Fresno
El Dorado Hills
El Dorado Hills
Redwood City
El Dorado Hills
“Craft beer.”
“Exercise. I average 14,500 steps a day.”
“Fishing and exercising. I run and go to the gym.”
“I drink heavily.”
“Laying poolside in the sun.”
CRIME WATCH
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Kickin’ up their heels
The following information was taken from El Dorado County sheriff’s reports
May 17 12:29 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a business on Robert J Mathews Parkway.
May 18 10:57 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Muse Drive. 12:04 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Muse Drive.
May 20 7:32 p.m. A battery was reported on Garlenda Drive. 3:34 p.m. Deputies responded to a report that a person was intoxicated at the Blackstone Clubhouse. Suspect left prior to deputies’ arrival. 8:39 p.m. A battery was reported at an El Dorado Hills Town Center business. Suspect left prior to deputies’ arrival.
EDH Chamber breakfast June 22: The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce hosts Coffee & Commerce, 7:30-9 a.m. at The Mimosa House, 2023 Vine St., Suite 102, El Dorado Hills. RSVP required. Visit eldoradohillschamber.org.
May 21 1:17 a.m. Deputies responded to a report that a person was intoxicated at the EDH Town Center apartment complex. Suspect could not be located. 9:32 p.m. A battery was reported in the area of El Dorado Hills Boulevard and St Andrews Drive.
Chamber lunch June 22: The Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce hosts a networking luncheon with speaker El Dorado County Auditor-Controller Joe Harn, 11:30 a.m. at the Cameron Park Country Club. For more information visit sscpchamber. org or call (530) 6778000.
May 22
Golf tourney
May 24
June 24: Marshall Foundation for Community Health hosts its 39th Bob West Drive for Marshall golf tournament at the Cold Springs Golf & Country Club. For more information visit marshallfound. org or call (530) 6429984.
Trespassing was reported at a care facility on Tam o Shanter Drive.
8:28 p.m. Trespassing was reported in the area of Clarksville Road and Jane Drive.
May 23 12:48 p.m. Trespassing was reported in the area of White Rock Road and Monte Verde Drive. 3:14 p.m. A burglary was reported on Courtney Way. 4:09 p.m. A burglary was reported on Valley View Parkway. 10:40 p.m. Trespassing was reported on Orsay Way.
Photo by Mitchell Weitzman
Tony and Nancy Basile of El Dorado Hills show off their dance moves at the June 4 Gold Hill Country Music Festival presented by Kilt & Cork at Saureel Vineyards in Placerville. Headliner Jackson Michelson was joined by North Forty Country, The Kenny Frye Band and Country Cougars at the event. Upcoming Kilt & Cork events include Fan Halen, a tribute band, June 25 at Saureel Vineyards and the July 16 Motherlode Beer & Music Festival on Main Street in Placerville.
SEND YOUR PHOTO OF THE WEEK TO EDITOR@VILLAGELIFE.COM
May 25 7:22 a.m. A vehicle burglary was reported on Dunnwood Drive.
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June 15, 2022
The votes are in
Village Life photo by Thomas Frey
El Dorado County’s next sheriff, Jeff Leikauf, speaks to supporters at his Election Night celebration last week. He ran uncontested to replace Sheriff Jonh D’Agostini. As of the latest report June 10, El Dorado County Elections officials reported more than 44% of registered voters turned in their ballots for the June primary. Other local winners include Jon DeVille for county assessor with 65.46% of the vote. In the race for El Dorado County Superior Court judge, Gary Slossberg leads Leslie Gomes Barlow by more than 2,000 votes. Elections officials note there are still ballots to count. The final results will be certified in early July. To see the full report visit edcgov.us/Elections.
County waiting on overpay refund Village Life staff Nearly four months after an overpayment came to light, the county remains in the dark as to when it will get the more than $28,000 back that was accidentally overpaid to exiting Human Resources Director Tameka Usher last year. Staff with the Chief Administrative Office requested Usher repay the county during a phone call in February and County Auditor-Controller Joe Harn informed the Board of Supervisors in March of the mistake and steps taken to recoup the funds. “On April 2, 2021, it appears that a department head’s final paycheck was overstated by $28,149 because she was paid for unused sick leave hours in violation of the Salaries and Benefits resolution,” Harn told the board three months ago. “Upon this department head’s resignation, a Computation of Final Wages Due form was prepared by an administrative technician and reviewed by a fiscal manager and an agency chief fiscal officer. The payment of unused sick leave hours was then approved by the former director of Human Resources. “Based on the review by the agency CFO and
approval of the previous Human Resources director, Ms. Usher, my office processed this apparent overpayment without a thorough review,” he added. June 7 Harn sent county leaders a reminder that a resolution has still not been reached. “Occasionally, my office denies small reimbursement and pay requests from low-paid county employees because the pay requests violate county policies,” Harn explains in his message. “It is very important that the county vigorously pursue reimbursement from this highly compensated former department head. If repayment is not received soon, the Board of Supervisors will need to initiate litigation.” Chief Administrative Officer Don Ashton confirmed to Village Life county counsel is working to resolve the matter. Ashton said he could not comment on whether staff have made contact with Usher due to confidentiality of the matter. Usher was Human Resources director from 2017 through 2021. According to Transparent California, the cost of her total pay and benefits in 2020, her last full year of employment with El Dorado County, was $248,404.
BBBS golf tourney raises record amount Sarah Pollo Big Brothers Big Sisters Northern Sierra Big Brothers Big Sisters Northern Sierra raised nearly $120,000 for mentorship programs from the local nonprofit agency’s 10th annual Golf For Kids’ Sake fundraiser held in May. The money will go to benefiting at-risk youth throughout the Northern Sierra communities of El Dorado and Nevada counties, South Lake Tahoe and North Lake Tahoe areas, including the surrounding communities of Truckee, Kings Beach and the Tahoe City region. “This level of generosity is unprecedented for us,” said BBBSNS CEO Brenda Frachiseur. “Just when I think we can’t be any more fortunate with our business and community partners’ level of giving, we are blessed with even more support than we could have ever imagined for our kids and their families.” Golf For Kids’ Sake, held on May 23 at the Serrano
Country Club in El Dorado Hills, featured the popular helicopter ball drop where participants purchased golf balls for a chance to win $5,000 or 15% of the pot and a hole-in-one contest. Golfers, sponsors and event attendees also participated in contests, raffles and a silent auction, which all helped to contribute to the event’s success. Proceeds from the tournament support 250 vulnerable children throughout the Northern Sierra region. These are children who have experienced divorce, loss of a parent by death or incarceration, homelessness and placement in foster care. Many need a positive role model, an adult friend who can help guide them through challenges, give them hope and help them achieve their highest potential. Every child deserves a champion. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters Northern Sierra and its programs visit the website at bbbsns.org.
Denied housing. We need low-income. But do we want that concentrated amount of low-income housing on the Pedregal site?” District 3 Commissioner John Clerici shared that since 2000, the population of El Dorado Hills has tripled and migration patterns are not slowing down for the community and the county as a whole. “I think of all the things that the developer has proposed, this is the most compelling,” Clerici said. “It needs clarification and focus overall but I think it’s an excellent addition. It is something that the county desperately needs.” Addressing the El Dorado Hills population, District 4 Commissioner Andy Nevis said the project would be a good plan if the community had a blank slate. “The problem, though, is this is not a new community. It is an existing community with a rich history with tens of thousands of residents,” Nevis said. “We cannot consider this project appropriately without taking into perspective the views of the existing community and their voter approved General Plan, which explicitly directs us to consider the views of the community.” While commissioners recognized development at the intersection of El Dorado Hills Boulevard and Serrano Parkway is potentially inevitable, an issue with limited coordination between the Parker Development and the El Dorado Hills Community Services
Continued from 1 District, which Nevis said is meant to serve future residents, concerned them. “I heard the applicants say this morning they represent the future residents of this area. Well, I think the future residents of this area would probably want (the developer) coordinating with the community services district that’s going to provide them services in the future,” he explained. The Planning Commission ultimately found the project to be inconsistent with the General Plan and subsequently made two motions — 1.) to deny the project, a unanimous vote; and 2.) to deny the certification of the CEDHSP Revised Final Environmental Impact Report, which went 4-1. Clerici was the dissenting vote. Unless Parker Development withdraws its application, the commission’s recommendations will go to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors for review at a date to be determined. “We are all too happy with the Planning Commission’s decision,” El Dorado Hills resident Don Terra said. “All we can do now is hope that the board does the right thing and denies this project.” El Dorado Hills resident Vina McConville said the commission’s decision was a welcome surprise, adding she felt they listened to the public regarding the project. “We are going to regroup and discuss what happened so we can prepare for the Board of
Supervisors when this is revisited in about a month,” McConville said. In a statement posted by the El Dorado Hills Area Planning Advisory Committee on its website June 9, Chair John Davey states while he believes the commission made the correct decision, opportunities to find other recreational uses for the site and addressing needs for multifamily housing units in the Pedregal area would have been better spent in the 10 years it took the project to get to the Planning Commission. Like the Planning Commission, Davey also noted a lack of compromise from both the community and Parker Development on the subject. “My hope is that a community approach can be undertaken to generate a project (or projects) for the properties that respects existing zoning. One that our residents can support, that enhances the things we all love about El Dorado Hills and that is a beneficial project for the property owner,” Davey notes. “Understandably, many may perceive a sense of animosity between members of the community and the project applicant,” he continues. “That is unnecessary — this all revolves around a simple disagreement and nothing more. It’s natural and healthy to have reasonable disagreements. What we do to resolve our disagreements speaks more about our community, than arguing about the issues.”
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Employment
El Dorado Irrigation District is seeking:
Construction & Maintenance Worker I/II – Hydro Salary: I: $26.94-$32.75 II: $29.77-$36.18 per hour Date Opened: June 2, 2022 Filing Deadline: Open until filled. First review of applications on June 17, 2022. The Human Resources Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Construction and Maintenance Worker I/II to fill one open position in the Hydroelectric Division of Operations. For a complete job description and the REQUIRED application, please visit our website at www.eid.org or call 530-642-4074.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
2890 Mosquito Road Placerville, CA 95667 Fax: (530) 622-1134
El Dorado Irrigation District is seeking:
Hydroelectric Manager
CRIB NOTES by Julie Samrick
We need more Wallys
E
veryone loved Wally Richardson. The El Dorado Hills resident and World War II veteran spent more than 20 years lighting up the north side of town with his friendship, kindness and fun, greeting thousands of neighbors, particularly school children and their parents walking to and from Lake Forest Elementary School and Marina Village Middle School. Wally never met a stranger, but recognized everyone, young and old, with a smile and, depending on the day, a different positive affirmation known as his “Wally-isms.” “Start to think love and kindness in everything you do” was a favorite as well as, “Live in a way that those who know you but don’t know God will learn to know God because they know you.” At 98 years old, we knew Wally couldn’t stay with us forever. Still, his peaceful passing on May 21 left our community with a monumental void. Wally was not only a magnificent human being who genuinely loved others, he symbolized hope. At a time when we increasingly see materialism, self-centeredness and overall rancor chipping away at American society, Wally was living proof that one person can be a powerful force of light against darkness, of love above hate. In his commencement speech to 2022 Oak Ridge High School graduates, my son among them, Principal Aaron Palm spoke on the theme of kindness. “You are going to experience a lot of people who you don’t agree with, but we can be in complete and total disagreement with someone’s worldview and still be friends with them,” Palm said in part. “We can still be polite and civil in our conversations. We
can be kind … In your future, it is your heart, not your brain, that is more likely to make the world a better place.” While commencement speeches are often about success, Palm’s was refreshing because he spoke about the true marker of a successful person — not someone who has the biggest house, prestigious title or the most social media followers, but someone who is kind. In this world where the most outrageous thing a person can do in front of a camera is regarded as king, it’s what one does in the quiet — to open a door, offer a seat, show integrity when no one is watching — that reigns supreme. Wally had an inner joy and peace that money can’t buy because he understood this. Interacting with people and caring about his community is what fueled him. Three days after the Uvalde school shootings New York Times columnist David Brooks was asked what could be learned from such a horrific tragedy. While most commentators go straight to one diametrically opposed side or another about guns, which is why we have been stuck in perpetual quicksand for the past 20 years, Brooks pointed to a larger, societal decay. “These events are part of a rising tide of menace across society,” Brooks said to PBS News Hour host Judy Woodruff. “I talked to a restaurant owner who says he has to kick somebody out every week now for rude and brutal behavior. School board meetings, churches, co-op board meetings, just a rising tide of menace … People are proud ■
See SAMRICK, page 7
Salary: $137,254.30-$166,833.45 Annually Date Opened: June 7, 2022 Filing Deadline: Open until filled. First review of applications on July 5 2022. The Human Resources Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Hydroelectric Manager to fill one open position in Operations. For a complete job description and the REQUIRED application, please visit our website at www.eid.org or call 530-642-4074.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
2890 Mosquito Road Placerville, CA 95667 Fax: (530) 622-1134
El Dorado Irrigation District is seeking:
Limited Term Utility Worker-Hydro Salary: $23.90 per hour
Date Opened: May 26, 2022 Filing Deadline: Open until filled. First review of applications on June 7, 2022. The Human Resources Department is currently accepting applications for several Limited Term Utility Worker positions within the Hydroelectric Division of Operations. These are limited term positions; incumbents are temporary employees and are employed for a period not-to-exceed six months from date of appointment. For a complete job description and the REQUIRED application, please visit our website at www.eid.org or call 530-642-4074.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
2890 Mosquito Road Placerville, CA 95667 Fax: (530) 622-1134
GUEST COLUMN by Ted Gaines
Will taxpayers be robbed?
H
istoric budget revenues present historic opportunities for Sacramento politicians to shortchange taxpayers. And “historic” is the right word for California’s staggering tax windfall. Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced he expects the state to be sitting on a budget surplus of nearly $100 billion this year. That spare mountain of money equals the entire budget from the year 2000. It’s a barely fathomable number unique in California or any other state’s experience. What is to become of this colossal cash pile? The money should, by law, go back to taxpayers. The Gann Limit, passed overwhelmingly by California voters in 1979, put an appropriations cap in place for our state that forbids government spending from increasing beyond certain growth factor calculations. The formulas are not well understood by most taxpayers but the concept behind the law is simple: Government spending can’t grow unchecked. The spending cap dictates that revenues above the Gann Limit should be spent in certain, specific ways, including those rebates to taxpayers. In 1987 Gov. Deukmejian refunded more than $1.1 billion to happy citizens because of this rule. Not to belabor the point, but in today’s California couldn’t taxpayers use a little break, especially since it’s mandated by law? Would a tax rebate help pay for $6-a-gallon gas? What about electricity that’s 80% more expensive than the national average? Could families use a hand buying groceries in the worst inflationary period in decades or maybe some help
buying an $849,000 median priced home? California families are suffering an affordability crisis, but government is flush with cash. Although that may sound like a good arrangement to Sacramento, where they believe they know best how to spend other people’s money, it’s a disaster for people trying to get by in our state. Sacramento should live up to the Gann Limit and issue the largest legal rebates to all taxpayers. Then the Legislature and governor should enact meaningful, permanent tax reductions so these surpluses — which come directly out of family budgets — disappear. Will this happen? Deukmejian proved it’s possible to follow the law, but recent history doesn’t bode well. In last year’s budget the Legislature misclassified billions in spending, moving it out of Gann Limit calculations and robbing taxpayers of refunds. This budget trickery was simply illegal and wrong and it set an ugly precedent I hope is not followed this year. But big-spending politicians and their progressive allies are aiming their sights at the Gann Limit, wanting not just to ignore it but repeal it altogether and go on a spending spree unmatched in the annals of state government. California spends too much even with the appropriations limit. Giving free rein to the Legislature and a governor such as Newsom would be disastrous to our fiscal health. It would lock in unsustainable spending and guarantee a budget crisis at the next economic slowdown. ■
See GAINES, page 7
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5
Mansour
Continued from 1
Anthony Elias Mansour was born Nov. 20, 1937, in Jerusalem. He took great pride in his deep Palestinian roots. Forced to leave during the Nakba in 1948, he emigrated first to Beirut where he learned leadership skills as a Boy Scout leader, before moving with his family to the United States in 1958. He married Sandra Gabrie in 1963. As a young man Tony was a serial entrepreneur, launching and growing ever-larger businesses in the retail sector, culminating in the mid-1970s with the most popular home electronics store in Los Angeles. His career breakthrough came in 1970 when he became the exclusive provider of Hitachi TV sets with contracts providing the screens to two burgeoning video game start-ups — one of which became the legendary tabletop Pong game for the company that became Atari, Louis noted. By the late 1970s Tony had his eye out for something even larger. In 1979, while in his warehouse atop a tall ladder, Tony answered a call that would change his life. A friend on the line told him an entire town east of Sacramento for sale. Tony recalled to then-Village Life reporter Mike Roberts that he hastily scribbled notes on the side of a box. After hanging up he cut the notes off the box, got off the ladder and decided to check out the failed residential project. Originally planned for 75,000 residents, El Dorado Hills had just 1,300 homes. Sales were flat. Energy costs were high. Expensive infrastructure and entitlement concerns were looming. But Tony didn’t see any of that when he arrived. He saw 8,000-plus acres of gently rolling hills and sweeping vistas that left him smitten. He wrote a $5,000 check as a good faith deposit on all remaining parcels and closed escrow in 1981. Mansour’s El Dorado Hills Investors Ltd. acquired the 8,000 acres of what became Serrano, Blackstone, Valley View, most of the freeway-proximate commercial sites north of Highway 50 and Town Center, east and west. The county adopted his specific plan for the area in 1988. Mansour then sold much of the property to focus on Town Center.
Village Life file photo by Mike Roberts
Louis Mansour enbraces his father at EDH Town Center, then under construction. “Tony picked up from where the original developer left off and made a vision for El Dorado Hills. which is the community you see today,” said Wayne Lowery, retired El Dorado Hills Community Services District general manager and longtime EDH resident. “He understood quality and how to make it happen.” “Many of us EDH newbies were very apprehensive about what might happen to our beloved open hillsides and cattle grazing land,” shared District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl, also a longtime resident. “Tony brought a vision for El Dorado Hills with fresh ideas on how to revitalize local land use planning following the demise of the 1960s Gruen Plan (village concept). El Dorado Hills Town Center is his legacy imprint on El Dorado Hills and was a dream of his that evolved over many years and involved numerous world-renowned planners. This was ‘big sky’ thinking ... that is serving our EDH residents well today and into the future.” Noting Tony was “always open to new ideas,” Hidahl said he was naturally one of the first people those supporting EDH cityhood approached. “While apprehensive, Tony quickly recognized that we also had a vision of prosperity for EDH and provided advice and funding to eventually initiate an incorporation effort,” he told
Village Life. That 2005 ballot measure failed though today there is renewed cityhood interest. “Tony’s spirited conversations and thoughtful advice will be sorely missed by several of us in EDH who worked personally with him,” Hidahl added. Manning, who knew Tony for more than 20 years, recalled a 2009 road trip she took with him, during which they visited the California Welcome Center in Auburn. “He saw the big highway sign and his eyes lit up,” Manning shared. “We toured their center and, driving back, I asked would you like a California Welcome Center in Town Center? He said, ‘Yes, let’s make it happen.’ In 2010 Town Center became home to the California Welcome Center with his support and financial contributions, along with El Dorado County supporting tourism ... ” In 2011 entrepreneur Kevin Nagle joined EDH Town Center management as a consulting partner for the retail project that defines “downtown” El Dorado Hills and at the time he praised Tony for his vision and determination. That tenacity and enthusiasm didn’t go unnoticed by Roberts either, as he worked with Tony for years while reporting for Village Life.
“When I dug into the history of El Dorado Hills I was amazed that one man, with a lot of help from his son Louis, was responsible for all this,” Roberts said, adding that he saw Tony as a friend and father figure. “He loved talking about it. He seemed to like telling me the stories ... the lessons learned, the sacrifices made. I still can’t believe he turned down Walmart. “No, this place didn’t happen by some accident of evolution. It was master planned by a guy with almost no development experience and absolutely no planning experience. He learned it all on the fly, while fighting fire after fire,” Roberts continued. “And it has really turned out nice. The people of El Dorado Hills should be supremely grateful that Tony Mansour heard about a whole town for sale in 1979. We need a bronze statue.” Tony was a self-made man who took great pride in his success, but even more pride in his role as patriarch of the Mansour family, Louis shared, explaining that his father helped countless family members and friends with their educations, careers and businesses. Tony is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Sandra; his devoted sons, Louis, Jack and Anthony Jr.; his grateful daughters-in-law, Carie Ann, Carolyn and Amanda; his adoring grandchildren and great grandchildren, Christina Martin (Michael), Louis Jr. (Melanie), Michelle, Alice, Jack Jr., Elias, Elizabeth, Gregory, Logan and Noah Martin; his sister, Jeanette; and many cousins, nieces and nephews who admired and respected him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elias and Marguerite, and his sister, Lily Hazbun. Louis noted that his family remains truly grateful for his caregivers Marta and Aida for their years of loving care and for the many doctors and staff at Keck Hospital of USC who worked so hard to give him the extra years to spend with his family. A celebration of life will be held at St. Brendan Church in Los Angeles at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 25. Another celebration will be planned in El Dorado Hills at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Four Homes of Mercy (fourhomesofmercy. com).
JASON JACKSON SIERRA HOME INSPECTION “The Real Deal”
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Homes for Sale in El Dorado Hills Area As of June 7, 2022
This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by MetroList®. All information provided by seller/other sources has not been verified by a broker. All interested persons should independently verify accuracy of all included information. Listing subject to change without notice. Copyright © 2022 MetroList Services, Inc.
PRICE
ADDRESS
BD BA
EL DORADO HILLS $719,500 $619,950 $622,500 $640,000 $649,900 $655,000 $675,000 $685,000 $699,000 $699,000 $699,750 $699,900 $725,000 $745,000 $749,888 $760,000 $778,000 $786,696 $799,000 $799,000 $799,000 $799,000 $815,000 $825,000 $825,000 $849,000 $849,900 $849,900 $869,900 $874,800 $875,000 $878,000 $879,000 $898,000 $899,900 $929,000 $949,000 $949,900 $975,000 $975,000 $989,000 $995,000 $1,045,000 $1,075,000 $1,090,000 $1,090,000 $1,098,000 $1,100,000 $1,140,000 $1,144,400 $1,150,000 $1,175,000 $1,179,000 $1,195,000 $1,198,000 $1,199,000
8074 RYLAND 236 CAPRICE CT 1083 PACIFICO LN 906 QUEEN VICTORIA 855 STONEMAN WAY 3350 TEA ROSE DR 8066 RYLAND DR. 2576 WILLOWDALE DR 3454 NORTHAM WAY 3308 TEA ROSE DR 3319 BESANA DR 8000 RYLAND DR 8138 AVANTI DR 118 SLATE RIDGE CT 4750 CONCORDIA DR 6065 HOT SPRINGS DR 7045 RUSHWOOD DR 7025 TALMAGE COURT 2210 SEVEN OAKS CT 473 PLATT CIR 9045 ORCHID SHADE DR 3609 DEVON WAY 204 CALISTOGA CT 4721 BROOME PL 3582 ROSECREST CIR 4024 SAN ANDRES WAY 4217 BORDERS DR 3632 WALKER PARK DR 4202 TORRAZZO WAY 3659 FALKIRK WAY 3516 FALKIRK WAY 1859 ALBURN PL 6042 BROGAN WAY 3009 WHISTLING WAY 4160 TORRAZZO WAY 2709 CARNELIAN CIR 3054 BRIDGEFORD WAY 3254 COLLINGSWOOD DR 3373 RIDGEVIEW DR 7169 BLACK HAWK DR 2773 DANA LOOP 4580 SCREECH OWL CREEK 7012 ROSADO DR 947 MERRILL CT 4642 VILLAGE GREEN DR 4044 BRITTANY CT 101 COPPER LANTERN CT 1349 CROMWELL CT 3159 KENSINGTON DR 1763 BRANDYWOOD WAY 2147 SHELBY CIRCLE 5280 MERTOLA DR 2596 FRANCISCO DR 6021 LADERO WAY 2540 TEMPLETON DRIVE 1527 PALOS VERDE CT
4 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 4 4 2 4 3 2 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 3 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 5 3 5 5 5 4 5 4 4 4 4 5 4 5 5 5
SF
4 (4 0) 2 (2 0) 2 (2 0) 3 (2 1) 2 (2 0) 2 (2 0) 2 (2 0) 2 (2 0) 2 (2 0) 2 (2 0) 2 (2 0) 4 (4 0) 3 (3 0) 2 (2 0) 2 (2 0) 3 (3 0) 2 (2 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (2 1) 2 (2 0) 4 (3 1) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (2 1) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (2 1) 3 (2 1) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (2 1) 3 (2 1) 3 (2 1) 3 (3 0) 4 (2 2) 3 (2 1) 4 (4 0) 3 (2 1) 3 (3 0) 5 (4 1) 5 (4 1) 3 (3 0) 4 (4 0) 3 (3 0) 4 (3 1) 4 (3 1) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (2 1)
2426 1227 1137 2047 1630 1425 1429 1563 1645 1954 1754 2426 2198 2010 1876 1784 2229 2370 2318 2393 2304 2890 2404 2138 2384 1977 2725 2527 2725 2537 2116 2284 2821 2527 2436 2815 2561 2750 2669 2285 3491 1886 2762 3457 4235 3229 3464 3314 3400 2861 3130 3638 3098 3067 3202 3129
ACRES 0.07 0.1 0.08 0.28 0.37 0.19 0.08 0.17 0.19 0.21 0.21 0.08 0.08 0.154 0.17 0.14 0.14 0.0847 0.24 0.33 0.32 0.55 0.18 0.21 0.2 0.14 0.14 0.18 0.2 0.17 0.16 0.24 0.21 0.15 0.21 0.34 0.29 0.28 0.26 0.43 0.24 10 0.21 0.28 0.2 1.09 0.35 0.27 0.49 0.35 0.25 0.5 0.49 0.2 0.32 0.24
LISTING # 222074377 222046273 222049173 222072247 222059654 222044455 222071852 222039196 222067169 222066478 222063974 222072345 222043778 222057962 222063575 222068734 222061496 222033515 222059795 222062707 222067819 222040179 222066474 222068412 222068267 222067400 222063346 222057397 222061925 222074258 222067722 222072568 222068201 222048701 222068631 222064059 222039582 222065672 222067947 222060389 222055516 222040563 222027623 222063157 222067724 222068897 81894148 222065277 222070830 222074636 222071836 222067293 222072385 222061275 222067249 222063206
PRICE $1,200,000 $1,250,000 $1,250,000 $1,275,000 $1,299,000 $1,299,900 $1,300,000 $1,335,000 $1,345,000 $1,349,000 $1,350,000 $1,350,000 $1,399,999 $1,459,000 $1,474,900 $1,550,000 $1,595,000 $1,599,000 $1,599,900 $1,650,000 $1,699,000 $1,749,000 $1,775,000 $1,780,000 $1,799,900 $1,799,999 $1,849,000 $1,899,000 $1,899,000 $1,899,000 $1,934,900 $1,944,000 $1,999,999 $2,029,900 $2,199,900 $2,250,000 $2,564,900 $2,699,000 $2,783,700 $2,799,000 $2,802,550 $2,817,500 $2,889,000 $2,960,000 $2,998,000 $3,000,000 $3,022,250 $3,175,000 $3,198,000 $3,198,000 $3,250,000 $3,275,000 $3,289,000 $3,400,000 $3,663,150 $3,821,750 $1,102,695
ADDRESS
BD BA
5046 WHISTLERS BEND WAY 8153 DAMICO DR 8097 DAMICO DR 5008 CASINA PL 4073 HENSLEY CIR 459 MONTRIDGE WAY 1760 ARROYO VISTA WAY 123 GAGE CT 1094 SOUZA DR 1901 GREEN VALLEY RD 4220 MEADOW WOOD CT 1050 CRESTLINE CIR 5192 PADOVA DR 2192 FRASCATI DR 3262 FABRIANO WAY 1541 TERRACINA DR 2069 HICKOK RD 4267 SUFFOLK WAY 975 STONEBRIDGE ST 1680 WINDING OAK LN 2715 PRINCE MARK CT 1020 HOGARTH WAY 4101 HAWK VIEW RD 500 VENETO CT 1636 CARNEGIE WAY 8516 LILLIPUT WAY 1668 CARNEGIE WAY 2563 MORMON ISLAND DR 120 CHARDIN PL 2346 DARTMOUTH PL 4940 GREYSON CREEK DR 5049 PADOVA DR 1580 ELMORES WAY 4960 GREYSON CREEK DR 4950 GREYSON CREEK DR 3268 BORDEAUX DR 215 ST. FRANCIS CT 5070 PIAZZA PL 5053 BREESE CIR 5011 GREYSON CREEK DR 6087 ALDEA DR 5067 BREESE CIR 4891 GREYSON CREEK DR 290 BRONZINO CT 4980 GREYSON CREEK DR 4530 CARMEN DR 3962 ERRANTE DR 4913 GRESHAM DR 6314 WESTERN SIERRA WAY 4931 GREYSON CREEK DR 70 POWERS DR 890 LAS BRISAS CT 2091 CHATEAU MONTALANA 4160 RAPHAEL 7588 SANGIOVESE DR 7596 SANGIOVESE DR 1044 BRIDGER DR
5 5 5 5 4 4 5 4 4 3 5 5 3 6 4 6 5 5 4 4 5 3 3 5 6 3 5 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 5 4 4 5 4 3 5 6 6 6
4 (4 0) 4 (4 0) 4 (4 0) 3 (3 0) 4 (3 1) 4 (3 1) 3 (3 0) 5 (4 1) 3 (3 0) 2 (2 0) 4 (3 1) 3 (3 0) 4 (3 1) 5 (5 0) 4 (3 1) 5 (5 0) 4 (3 1) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 4 (3 1) 3 (3 0) 6 (5 1) 6 (5 1) 3 (2 1) 7 (6 1) 3 (3 0) 5 (4 1) 5 (4 1) 5 (4 1) 5 (4 1) 5 (4 1) 5 (4 1) 6 (5 1) 6 (5 1) 5 (4 1) 7 (5 2) 5 (4 1) 6 (5 1) 4 (3 1) 5 (5 0) 5 (4 1) 7 (6 1) 6 (4 2) 5 (4 1) 5 (4 1) 6 (6 0) 6 (5 1) 5 (5 0) 7 (6 1) 5 (4 1) 4 (3 1) 7 (7 0) 5 (4 1) 5 (5 0) 5 (4 1)
SF
ACRES
3464 3999 3499 3234 2892 2733 2820 4275 3527 4148 3950 3578 3024 4660 3310 4878 4450 4041 2621 3322 4090 3064 3512 5039 6111 3108 5807 4090 4102 3790 3615 4308 4346 3822 4163 5132 4478 6000 4298 4865 4327 4350 4459 5244 4525 4298 4665 6688 4819 5041 5479 4945 7000 5379 5651 5895 3457
0.23 0.32 0.26 0.43 0.53 0.54 5 0.24 0.27 5 0.19 0.25 1.73 0.35 0.21 0.25 5.13 0.79 1 5 1.71 0.2 9.36 0.49 0.64 1.68 0.68 1.09 0.48 0.66 0.58 0.99 0.54 0.48 0.48 0.52 0.94 1.15 0.42 0.46 0.4 0.47 0.66 0.56 0.59 1.04 0.55 1.21 0.54 0.53 1.12 0.72 2.25 0.52 0.67 0.58 0.347
LISTING # 222071491 222070104 222068235 222071575 222067013 222058370 222047804 40987727 222049648 222048327 222070534 222070485 222055756 222056178 222070471 222052479 222044354 222044209 222049662 222070038 222070628 222064793 222028392 222066661 222051376 222064230 222054165 222056600 222058027 222008302 222065902 222048308 221151358 222065952 222065914 222048863 222028260 222068086 222046463 221138992 222046366 222046874 222041110 222014558 222010985 222046958 222046444 222046756 222015702 222011011 222071045 222007862 222043787 222055092 222046453 222046461 222072750
El Dorado Hills Area Homes Sold Recently ADDRESS
EL DORADO HILLS 3036 WARREN LN 3164 STANFORD LN 3350 BESANA DR 2007 SANTA RITA LN 4185 MEADOW WOOD DR
BD
3 3 3 2 4
BA
3 (2 1) 2 (2 0) 2 (2 0) 2 (2 0) 3 (2 1)
SQ.FT.
1796 2084 1958 1813 2401
ACRES
0.25 0.27 0.18 0.13 0.22
PRICE
$680,000 $750,000 $806,000 $835,000 $965,000
ADDRESS
BD
628 STONEBRIAR CT 1397 LAKEHILLS DR 2679 ABERDEEN LN 604 ORE CART CT 8035 MARCHES WAY
5 4 5 5 5
BA
3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 3 (3 0) 5 (4 1) 6 (5 1)
SQ.FT.
2974 2649 3371 3863 4897
ACRES
0.48 0.42 0.7 0.5 0.29
PRICE
$1,050,000 $1,100,000 $1,262,000 $1,374,506 $1,500,000
VH Village Homes JUNE 15, 2022
Contemporary villa boasts luxury amenities, stunning views
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his Mediterranean-inspired residence is equipped with an impressive, energy-saving 17.5 kW solar farm. Set on 10 secluded acres with seemingly endless views, the twostory estate is perfectly suited for extended guests and multi-generational living. Those entering the private gates are greeted by an elegant fountain surrounded by manicured shrubs. The home features beautiful travertine flooring throughout, sparkling crystal chandeliers, den/ office areas and multiple entertaining spaces, including a formal living room with a fireplace. Embrace your inner chef in the kitchen surrounded by cherrywood cabinets, stainless appliances, pantry closet and expansive granite countertops. Dine at the kitchen island bar or in the front dining room, which features a wine refrigerator and storage in a discreet nook. An ensuite bedroom on the main level includes a fireplace and backyard access. Also downstairs are a second ensuite bedroom, the
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laundry room with a sink and storage, a half bath, office space and access to the home’s attached, four-car garage with epoxy flooring and workspace. The soaring entry staircase leads to the upper owners’ retreat with spa-like amenities, additional upstairs bedrooms and a large loft with a wet bar and walkout balcony with year-round sunset views. The open and flowing floor plan extends to an outdoor entertaining oasis with gazebo, cascading fountain, bocce ball court, fire pit, sprawling lawn and much more. The beautifully landscaped acreage has more than 130 fruit trees, animal stalls/coops as well as prepped areas for a future pool and tennis court. The property also has multiple parking areas, offering plenty of room for a car collection, guests, an RV and/or boat and even a spot for a 40-foot storage container. Interested in this lovely Kingvale Road home in El Dorado? Contact Gavin Thames and Steve Castagnetta at (916) 779-4850.
7
JUNE 15, 2022
CATCHES OF THE DAY
Village Life photos by Sel Richard
Kids cast their lines and lucky lures during Saturday’s El Dorado Hills Community Services District Fishing Derby at at Village Green Park in Serrano. Above left, El Dorado Hills youngster Avery, 3, fishes with dad Tommy Edwards. Above right, Chuck Stewart of Pollock Pines offers some advice to his grandkids — Brixx Beemer, 4, and Calyse Beemer, 9 — who came all the way from Hanalei, Hawaii.
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Judah O’Sullivan, 14, holds his pole steady while his firend friend Logan Wessitsh, 13, gets an assist from Dennis O’Sullivan of El Dorado Hills.
Samrick
Continued from 4
of their bitterness now,” Brooks continued, “and so I worry about the whole moral atmosphere of this country, of which these mass shootings are only the most cancerous effects.” I worry about the whole moral atmosphere of this country, too, and wring my hands because while we look to politicians to save us, so many of our
societal ills can’t be legislated. This is precisely why Wally’s death leaves us with a crater-sized hole. We know people can’t live forever, but in a time when we sorely need kindness, Wally was the perfect living symbol of it. Julie Samrick is an El Dorado Hills mother, teacher and writer. Connect with her at juliesamrick.com.
Gaines
Continued from 4
From crime to homelessness to wildfires to gas prices and housing costs, California government has failed the people in too many ways, all while growing larger and larger and getting more and more expensive. That’s not much of a bargain hard working families propping it up with their tax dollars. Like Prop. 13, the Gann Limit protects taxpayers. That’s too rare in our state. This year the Legislature and
governor have a $100-billion chance to honor the will of the voters and do right by struggling citizens. Let’s hope they take it. Sen. Ted Gaines (Ret.) was elected to represent the Board of Equalization’s First District. He is a taxpayer advocate representing nearly 10 million constituents in 30 counties of northern, eastern, and southern California. For more information, visit boe. ca.gov/Gaines.
Logo said sadly. “It’s a volunteer-run community. If you don’t have any volunteers, the program dies.” The benefits of the program are multifold, Gaal explained. Not only do students learn about influential art figures and the history surrounding their lives, but also ways to look at art and the various media that artists use. Over the years students have worked with everything from watercolor crayons and pastels to ink, clay, sandpaper and even wire. “Kids are so curious and I think they just love learning about different ways of doing art — and also learning about the artists themselves,” said Gaal. “It’s fantastic to see them light up.” Six artists are traditionally covered throughout the year but as parents have only been back on campus since this past January, this term’s curriculum covers just three: Henri Rousseau, Michelangelo and Edward Hopper. Gaal points out that the program encourages thinking and differing perspectives. “Hopper liked to create images that brought up questions,” she said, referencing one painting in which a woman looks out onto a field. “The kids came up with all kinds of answers as to what she was looking at.” Budding artist Jingyang said his favorite project to date was a seascape inspired by Hopper. “I feel amazed when I do art,” he said, admitting
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Continued from 1 that he especially enjoys cutting up stuff. As winner of the logo contest, his class was treated to ice cream from local company Rethink Ice Cream, which offers a low sugar, lactose-free but deli-
ciously rich alternative to traditional ice cream. “I hope that having that logo on our website makes him proud,” said Gaal. “I think it’s great for kids to see their work in action.”
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(530) 677-5700 (916) 933-1522 (855) 424-4481 4070 MOTHERLODE DRIVE SHINGLE SPRINGS
www.shinglespringshonda.com
Pure Life Offers the Widest Selection of Cannabis in El Dorado County! Adult-Use/Recreational Sales NOW Available (21+ with Valid ID - Walk-Ins Welcome) Our caring and knowledgeable Budtenders will be happy to assist you with all your cannabis needs. Be sure to stop by on the 20th each month for vendor demos, discounts, and giveaways! Check out our full menu here: purelife.wm.store Curbside Pickup Available
NOW OPEN FOR RECREATIONAL SALES! 651 Main Street in Placerville
Offering Recreational & Medicinal Cannabis Sales!
(530) 622-7873 537 Pleasant Valley Road #2 Diamond Springs BCC Lic.# C10-18-0000090-Lic
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon-Sun: 10am – 8pm