D’backs dominate
Preserving history
Union Mine wins big over Nevada Union in home opener.
Restoration efforts continue at historical Bayley House. News, etc., B1
Sports, A6
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C a l i f o r n i a ’ s O l d e s t N e w s pa p e r – E s t. 18 51
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Volume 170 • Issue 111| 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Highway 50 open; weather still driving fire
Show stoppers
Thomas Frey Staff writer The 219,231-acre Caldor Fire was holding at 76% percent containment Tuesday despite elevated fire activity. Fire crews had challenging weather conditions Monday northwest of Caples Lake due to increasing winds and a drop in humidity that led to a red flag warning over the fire area. “West of Caples Lake in the Lake Margaret area we are seeing some fire activity. Fire crews are working diligently (there) in coordination with aircraft,” said California Interagency Incident Management Team 12 Operations Section Chief Michael Page, who led Monday evening’s Caldor Fire community briefing. South of Desolation Wilderness on a barrier around Bloodsucker Lake firefighters say they are seeing a lot of smoke production caused by interior pockets of fire burning out due to wind and low humidity. But overall, Page said everything looks good. “Crews were able to get in, mop up and secure n
See Caldor fire, page A3 Photos by Laurie Edwards
Placerville makes plans for ARPA funds
Cameron Park pilots Chuck Wahl, Jim Edixon and Julie Clark, from left, fly in a three-aircraft formation over the Cops and Rodders Show and Shine Fly-in crowd Saturday at the Cameron Airpark. The event brought out aircraft and automobiles of all sorts for the sixth annual community event that benefits the Placerville Community Fund, which provides community outreach to El Dorado County residents. See page A3 for more Cops and Rodders Show and Shine Fly-in photos.
Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer Placerville city staff presented to the City Council last week an $890,166 appropriation plan for American Rescue Plan Act funds. The spending plan includes vehicles and equipment for the police department, fuel reduction on city property, a marketing plan and a sewer and water bill assistance program. The list of potential projects has been in the works at City Hall since ARPA funds were discussed at a special meeting Aug. 31. In March the $1.9 trillion ARPA economic stimulus bill was signed into law to provide funding for economic recovery. Of that money, $65 billion was earmarked specifically for cities across America. Placerville was allotted a total of $2.6 million, which will be paid over the course of two years. The city received its first allotment of half the funding in July — $1,336,649. After an initial discussion with the City Council, staff brought forward wishlists from each department for items that qualified for the funding. With direction from the council, final proposed n
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
See ARPA funds, page A7
Grayson Cann, 4, of El Dorado Hills has fun sitting inside CHP A-23, a Gipps Aero GA8 Airvan. Pilot Justin Minnehan, left, said the aircraft is used in general law enforcement and searching for aggressive drivers and speeding motorists. Alice Upton of Pollock Pines and her sons, Max, 10, and Sawyer, 7, right photo, check out a 1957 Chevy Bel Air owned by Ed Daves of Herald.
More shake up at EDC Planning Commission Sel Richard Staff writer On the heels of the recent removal of District 2 Planning Commissioner Cheryl Bly-Chester by the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, District 4 Planning Commissioner James Williams has now vacated his seat. “It breaks my heart,” Williams said, sharing that his resignation will allow him to focus on his family and his business, Ponderosa Auto Express in Cameron Park. He said much of his ability to donate time to commission duties was attributed to his reliance on
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a key employee who has taken another position. Williams explained that the loss is compounded by the lack of quality workforce currently available. As to recent accusations from BlyChester of vote negotiation and ex parte communications, Williams assured his resignation is in no way related. “The timing sucked but there is no validity to her accusations,” he declared. “She tried to use me as a distraction for her inappropriate behavior, in my opinion.” District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin expressed thanks to Williams for his six years on the commission. “His caring and passionate approach to working
with applicants, staff and the public are commendable and appreciated,” she said, adding that Williams had been looking to step down for some time. “His integrity and attention to detail have led him to become an effective leader on the Planning Commission.” “James was the hardest working and most dedicated commissioner that I can recall in my 20 plus years of dealing with the planning commission,” said Planning Commission Chair Jon Vegna, who represents District 1. “He was also the staunchest advocate for the public in his n
See shake up, page A3
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