Mountain Democrat, Monday, October 3, 2022

Recovery up hill for Grizzly Flat residents

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

For Grizzly Flat residents trying to recover from the Caldor Fire’s devastation, rebuilding is on the horizon for some and just out of reach for others.

It’s been more than a year since the Caldor Fire ravaged the community and some fire victims have moved out of the area.

For those who chose to stay in Grizzly Flat the situation is more critical.

Realtor Tabatha Walker lost her home on Sciaroni Road. While she was lucky enough to get herself and her husband into a rental, she is using all of her resources to get her house rebuilt.

“Everything I am earning is just going straight into rebuilding our home,” Walker said. “If anything

unforeseen comes up, we don’t know how we’ll manage. Maybe take out a loan of sorts.

“It’s hard to work with the anxiety of everything day to day,” Walker added. “It’s a struggle sometimes to even get out of bed but you have to push forward. You don’t have a choice. Almost everyone I know is su ering with

County adopts 2022-23 budget

■ $8 million to go toward road maintenance

News release

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 27 approved the 2022-23 budget of $952.3 million in governmental fund appropriations.

“This budget continues the board’s fiscally conservative approach by balancing the needs to be prepared for a recession, while also investing in much-needed compensation increases and security enhancements for our employees as well as critical services to our community and our partner organizations,” stated Chief Administrative O cer Don Ashton.

The adopted budget fully funds the General Fund contingency ($6.75 million plus an additional $10 million) and General Reserve ($11 million).

The adopted budget funds most departments’ needs that were deferred in the recommended budget and includes total General Fund designations, reserves and contingency equal to 23.35% of total General Fund appropriations. This is an improvement from 2007-08, when the county had 10.18% of adjusted General Fund appropriations set aside in advance of the 2008 recession that resulted in service reductions and sta layo s.

Additional highlights of the adopted budget include:

• $250,000 for security enhancements around government buildings

• $4.2 million to repair Caldor Fire road damage

• $8 million in additional discretionary revenue for road maintenance and improvements

• $225,821 for the creation of a vegetation clearance program along roadways and countyowned property

• $550,000 for the O ce of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience

•$5.8 million to support essential equipment needs for our local fire districts and support the emergency medical services system

Books on 2021-22 closed Sept. 2. State law requires approval of the adopted budget no later than Oct. 2.

Supplies drawn down as water year ends

Michael Raffety Mountain Democrat correspondent

The Alpine reservoirs, previously at or near capacity, are being

drawn down now to generate hydroelectric power “to o set Project 184 operation costs and meet consumptive water demands,” states a Sept. 26 report by El Dorado Irrigation District Hydrologist Jordan Baxter.

Lake levels Sept. 29 were: Caples Lake at 65%, Silver Lake 52%, Echo Lake, which recently started being drawn down through the Echo Lake Tunnel, was at 20% and Lake Aloha in Desolation Wilderness was at 5%.

Jenkinson Lake at Sly Park was at 64%, getting a boost from mid-September rains that have increased storage in Jenkinson by 2,000 acre-feet. It is projected to have 25,800

acre-feet of water at the beginning of the water year, Baxter wrote. For hydrologists the water year begins Oct. 1.

Folsom Lake was down to 36%. The reservoir’s water has been used for fish releases in the Delta more than usual because Shasta Dam was holding less water this year. Normally Shasta would release cold water for the salmon.

Despite the lower level of Folsom Lake, EID’s new stainless steel “straws” in Folsom Lake will continue to make water available for El Dorado Hills.

Folsom Heights

EID has been a multicounty agency since

1978. That has protected it from the state taking away some of its property tax revenue,

Sierra

Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian

Tabatha Walker visits with Maria Alneida at Alneida’s Grizzly Flat property where she is living in a motorhome that was lent to her after her home was razed by the Caldor Fire.

saving ratepayers a lot of money. The property tax revenue subsidizes water and sewer rates, which

are higher because of the altitude changes and

Mountain Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

Jenkinson Lake at Sly Park, pictured Sept. 25 about 64% full, got a boost from mid-September rains that increased EID’s water storage in by 2,000 acre-feet.

OBITUARIES

Mary Katherine Harris

On Monday, September 12, Mary Kate Harris, loving wife and mother, passed away at the age of 62 at her home in Placerville, Calif. She was married to husband Richard Harris (Rick) for nearly 34 years. They married on Oct. 29, 1988 in Phoenix, Ariz. They raised a daughter, Sara, and two sons, Christopher and Jackson. She battled Triple Negative Breast Cancer for over a year.

Mary Kate was born on Apr 6, 1960, in Oshkosh, Wis. to Thomas and Dolores Pech. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Computer Science from Carroll College and her Master’s degree in Educational Therapy from the University of Phoenix. Mary Kate had many careers over the course of her life: a Medical Coordinator for Southwest Adoption Center, a representative for the Learning Disabilities Association of America, an Educational Therapist, a Practice Manager for mental health clinic Professional Services Associates, and more in between. All had the same central tenets of helping people and serving her community.

Mary Kate’s passion for helping people extended to her personal life. She was a problem solver for anyone and everyone she met. She was selfless when it came to helping others, often opening her home to strangers and friends alike. She loved being around people and doing anything she could to make people comfortable and happy. She was devoted to her husband and children; caring, loving, and protecting them was her life’s mission and it showed every day. She is deeply missed by her family and many in the community.

Mary Kate is survived by her husband Rick, her children, Sara, Christopher, and Jackson, her sister Anne Marie Haverland (Kirk), her brothers Tom Pech (Chris) and Mike Pech (Nancy), and several cousins, nieces, and a nephew.

She is preceded in death by parents Thomas and Dolores and nephew Craig Sawicki.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Send inquiries to mk.life.celebration@gmail.com

Please help fight this horrible disease, please make a donation to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation at: https://tnbcfoundation.org/ support-us/donate or donations can be mailed to: TNBC Foundation PO Box 204 Norwood, N. J. 07648

Theodore (Ted) John Addison

Oct. 14, 1937 - Sept. 16, 2022

Theodore “Ted” John Addison, age 84, of Cameron Park, Calif, died peacefully on September 16, 2022. Ted was born in Jackson, Mich. on Oct 14, 1937. to Robert R. and Marian L. (Turk) Addison. After Ted graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Jackson, Mich. in 1955, he went on to study at St. Joseph’s College in Indiana. He later served proudly in the National Guard for six years.

In 1957, Ted met Shirley Ellen Cavendar at Clark Lake, Mich. and were married in 1961 and went on to have two children, Dane Lawrence and Michelle “Shellie” Kathryn Cook.

His professional career spanned many years in sales and marketing for various companies like Aeroquip in Mich. and Stemco, out of Texas, which brought him to Calif in 1979. Ted eventually owned his own travel agency in Cameron Park and El Dorado Hills. He loved the community and served on numerous committees and boards of directors for area Chamber of Commerce’s consisting of El Dorado County, Shingle Springs/Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills and Folsom. He thoroughly enjoyed mixing it up with the local community members and volunteering at community events including the annual Folsom Pro Rodeo.

Ted was a sports fanatic. He spent his entire life cheering on the University of Michigan and Notre Dame athletics teams. His biggest struggle was who to cheer for when Michigan played Notre Dame, even as a Michigan football season ticket holder. He also enjoyed most of his time on the golf course. While these were his favorite pastimes, his greatest joy was sitting on the bleachers watching his granddaughter, Bailey, play softball and his grandson, Dalton, play football.

Ted was predeceased by his brother, Daniel R. and both parents. He is survived by his loving and supportive wife of 61 years, Shirley, and their two children, Dane and Shellie. As well as, son-in-law Sean Cook, grandchildren Bailey Addison and Dalton James Cook; nephew Steven T. Addison and wife Diane, great-nephew Stephen, great-nieces Ashley (Nobriga) and Alicia Addison; and niece Danielle. Also survived by nephew, Mike Cavender, and nieces Kelly, Tricia, Betsy, and numerous other great-nieces and nephews.

Ted’s strength, unparalleled. Stubbornness, unprecedented. His uncanny sense of humor, priceless. Ted, you will forever be in our hearts and missed by many. We are all blessed to have known you in our di erent walks of life.

California services will be held Friday, October 21, 2022 at 11:00am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3111 Tierra de Dios Dr. El Dorado Hills, CA 95762.

Michigan services will be held Monday, November 21, 2022 at 10:00am at St. Mary Star of the Sea, 120 East Wesley Street, Jackson, Mich., 49201.

Susan Jessie (Newell) Niedert

April 18, 1940 – Aug. 7, 2022

Susan was born April 18, 1940 in Hollywood, Calif. She was the daughter of David C. Newell and Katharine (Lewis) Newell, both of whom were actors in the motion picture industry. Susan grew up in the San Fernando Valley graduating from Van Nuys High School in 1957 and attending one year of college at Los Angeles Valley Community College.

Susan’s mother passed away in 1949 and Susan remained in Southern California until her father passed away in 1980. At that time, she moved to El Dorado County in Northern Calif. where she worked for the state of California, retiring after 21 years in 2002 as analyst for the Bureau of Automotive Repair.

In 2004 Susan became a STAR. (Sheri ’s Team of Active Retirees) volunteer until she took medical leave in 2021. She also was a volunteer on the Memorial Team with Green Valley Community Church for several years.

Susan was married twice and was preceded in death by both husbands. She was also preceded in death by her sister Cynthia Shiba, her niece Katharine Richter and her nephew David Richter.

She is survived by her nephew Stephen Richter, his wife Jame, great nieces Jessica Roy, Kaitlyn Trudeau, Ti any Parker, Haley Richter and great nephew Trevor Richter along with several great great nieces and nephews. Susan dearly loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them.

A special thank you to her neighbor of 30 plus years, and “adopted daughter”/best friend Dawn Moseley for the care and compassion shown to Susan during her illness.

A memorial service will be held at Green Valley Community Church in Placerville, Thursday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m.

Reba Kathryn Kimzey

Aug. 9, 1922 - Sept. 25, 2022

Reba Kathryn Kimzey, age 100, passed away peacefully in Lafayette, Colorado on Sunday, September 25, 2022. Reba was born August 9, 1922 in Grant City, Missouri to Maurice Glenn and Gaylie “Gladys” (Black) Landon. She graduated from high school in Osceola, Iowa in 1940. Within a few months Reba fell in love and married Victor Kimzey on January 11, 1941. Within months after they eloped, they moved to Hayward, California to start their family. Together they had three children. Reba and Vic work side by side in the auto repair business they owned until 1966. She then worked as a cook in school cafeterias in Newark, CA until 1976 when they retired and moved to Placerville, CA. There Reba and Vic built their dream retirement home together and spent almost 27 years enjoying their home and garden. They also loved travelling in their RV. Reba and Vic were married for 62 years until his death in 2003. In 2007, Reba moved to Longmont, CO to be near family and start a new adventure.

Reba loved gardening, her friends and above all else, she loved her family. Reba supported Veteran groups and actively volunteered most of her life. She was a life member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 119 in Placerville, CA. She also was a life member of VFW Auxiliary 2601 in Longmont, CO.

Reba was predeceased by her husband Victor Kimzey, son Patrick Kimzey, daughter-in-law Barbara Kimzey and granddaughter Michelle Richards. Also passing before her were her parents, Maurice and Gladys Landon, sisters Clella Hogg and Josie Overton, and brother Charles Landon.

She is survived by her son, James (Pamela) Kimzey and daughter Beverly (Joseph) Richards. She is also survived by grandchildren Cynthia (William) Huston and Brian (Shannon) Kimzey, and great grandchildren Ryan, Joseph, Abbigail, Sophie and Madeline. Also surviving are sisters Lennis Allen, Mary Yeo and many nieces and nephews.

At Reba’s request, a private inurnment will be held when she is reunited with Victor in Placerville, CA.

Michael McKinney

May 16, 1962 - Sept 8, 2022

Michael Joseph McKinney, 60, born in Sacramento, resided in Pollock Pines Calif., as a general contractor. Born May 16 1962, left us on Sept. 8, 2022.

Mike attended El Dorado High School; he played short stop and pitcher for the baseball team and nose guard on the football team.

Mike continued to play softball for many years at Lions Park in Placerville. Well loved by everyone that knew him. He is survived by his wife, Kerry McKinney; his two boys and his beautiful daughter; Mathew McKinney, Nathan McKinney and Dallas McKinney. 7 brothers and sisters and his mother, Mary Curtis. Mike was a great guy and will be greatly missed.

Family and friends gathered for services at Lions Park, 3633 Cedar Ravine Rd., Placerville Calif., 95667 on Sept. 29, 2022.

MISSED DELIVERY

Call 530-344-5000. For carrier delivery, if you have not received your paper by 7 a.m., call us by before 12 p.m. for same day delivery. After 12 p.m. your paper will be delivered with the next publication. For postal delivery, call us to make arrangements to have your paper mailed the following business day. If you leave us a message, we’ll return your call.

VACATION HOLDS

call at least one week prior to the rst day to be stopped or visit mtdemocrat.com and

“Vacation

No herbicides found in Tahoe Keys final test

Tahoe Daily Tribune

SOUTH LAKE

TAHOE —The project to test innovative methods to control the largest infestation of aquatic invasive weeds in the Tahoe Basin reached another milestone in late September, officials announced.

Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association monitoring showed that herbicides were no longer present in the Area A test location and on Thursday divers removed the rubber barriers, called turbidity

crime log

The following was taken from El Dorado County Sheriff's Office records:

Sept. 21

2:11 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 65-year-old woman suspected of disorderly conduct and public intoxication on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines. She was listed in custody as of press time.

3 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 32-year-old woman suspected of misdemeanor battery on Green Valley Road in Cameron Park. She was later released.

Sept. 22

8:54 a.m. A vehicle burglary was reported at a pharmacy on Green Valley Road in Cameron Park.

11:12 a.m. A burglary was reported on Shelter Cove Drive in Greenwood.

12:03 p.m. Battery was reported on Garden Park Drive in Garden Valley.

1:31 p.m. A burglary was reported on Pony Express Trail in Pollock PInes.

4:30 p.m. Grand theft was reported at a restaurant on Green Valley Road in Cameron Park

9:07 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 34-year-old woman suspected of resisting officers on Bridle Path Way in Pollock Pines. She was released from custody.

Sept. 23

1:25 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 28-year-old man suspected of DUI on Cimmarron Road in Cameron Park. He was released from custody.

6:32 a.m. A vehicle burglary was reported at a hotel on Town Center Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

9:56 a.m. Grand theft was reported on Cedar Oak Road in

curtains, that since May had sealed off the test area to restrict herbicide movement.

This ends all boating restrictions in the Tahoe Keys lagoons and marks the successful end of the herbicide portion of a rigorous, three-year Control Methods Test project.

The test is the first of its kind in the United States and must meet high standards of safety, due in part to the designation of Lake Tahoe as an Outstanding National Resource Water.

Years two and three of

the project will focus on UV-C light treatment, laminar flow aeration, and other non-chemical methods such as diver hand pulling, with extensive monitoring to help create long-term management plans to battle the aquatic invasive weeds. No additional herbicide applications or boating restrictions will be part of the test moving forward.

The project team next week will release the first report on the test project. The

n See TAHOE KEYS page 12

Placerville.

10:33 a.m. Battery was reported at a restaurant on Bass Lake Road in El Dorado Hills.

11 a.m. Vandalism was reported at a school on Wentworth Springs Road in Georgetown.

11:11 a.m. Battery was reported at a high school on Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs.

12:13 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Monitor Road in El Dorado.

1:06 p.m. Vandalism was reported at an apartment complex on Wilson Boulevard in El Dorado Hills.

1:50 p.m. Vandalism was reported on Wentworth Springs Road in Georgetown.

2:02 p.m. Grand theft was reported on Bassi Road in Lotus.

5:52 p.m. Battery was reported on Panorama Drive in Placerville.

10:17 p.m. Battery was reported at a restaurant on Cameron Park Drive in Cameron Park.

Sept. 24

2 a.m. Battery was reported at a bar/restaurant on Highway 49 in Coloma.

2:50 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 30-year-old man suspected of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, receiving stolen property and false vehicle registration on North Shingle Road in Shingle Springs. He was listen in custody in lieu of $20,000 bail at press time.

3:38 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 41-year-old man suspected of disorderly conduct. He was later released.

4:09 a.m. Burglary was reported on King Edward Court in El Dorado Hills.

12:58 p.m. Burglary was reported on No Way Out Court in Diamond Springs.

6:05 p.m. Deputies booked into jail a 36-year-old woman suspected of assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm) on Coach Lane in Cameron Park. She was listen in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail at press time.

6:39 p.m. Battery was reported at a condo on Merrychase Drive in Cameron Park.

9:04 p.m. Residential burglary was reported on Riverfront Trail in El Dorado.

10:34 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 51-year-old woman suspected of DUI near Cabernet Way and Leisure Lane in Placerville.

10:39 p.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 53-year-old woman suspected of DUI near Cabernet Way and Leisure Lane in Placerville.

Sept. 25

3:11 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 32-year-old man suspected of DUI on El Dorado Street in El Dorado.

3:43 a.m. Grand theft was reported at an apartment complex on Knollwood Drive in Cameron Park.

6:11 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 58-year-old man suspected of being under the influence of controlled substance on River Front Trail in El Dorado. He was later released.

6:38 a.m. Deputies booked into jail a 57-year-old woman suspected of being under the influence of controlled substance on River Front Trail in El Dorado. She was later released.

8:52 a.m. California Highway Patrol officers booked into jail a 39-year-old man suspected of DUI on El Dorado Hills Boulevard. He was later released.

12:17 p.m. Burglary was reported on Greenwood Road in Garden Valley.

Courtesy photo

Turbidity curtains were used to restrict herbicide movement outside of Tahoe Keys.

California Commentary

Choosing the best candidates for taxpayers

It’s no secret that most Californians think that taxes are too high.

A PPIC poll released on April 15 of this year found, “Record-high shares of Californians think that they pay more in taxes than they should and that the state and local tax system is not fair.” That feeling, according to PPIC, “ ... is in line with fiscal facts.” Our taxes are among the highest in every category except for property taxes and, even then, we are in the upper middle among states on per capita property tax collection. Only one thing keeps us from the misery of being at the top of that list: Proposition 13.

The assaults on taxpayers come from many quarters. Some of these attacks are high-profile ballot measures, some are trojan horse sneak attacks buried inside other ballot measures, some are cryptic attacks between the lines of court decisions and some come from the lawmakers voters elect to represent them.

For this last category, voters can rarely rely on what a candidate says about protecting taxpayers.

Very few politicians run on a platform of raising taxes unless it is about raising taxes on other people. (“The rich aren’t paying their fair share; oil companies need to pay more; no one who makes under $400,000 will pay more.” If lies were nickels, we could pay off the national debt.)

More likely, candidates will either obfuscate or outright lie about their tax increase intentions.

Progressives particularly will claim to be defenders of the working class only to vote for sales taxes or parcel taxes, both of which are highly regressive. But lefties are not alone in their inability to keep promises about tax hikes. Who can forget the famous “read my lips” pledge from a Republican president?

Voters tend to turn to people and organizations they trust when deciding which candidates deserve their votes. It might be Uncle Harry or a local bartender but usually there are more reliable sources. For suffering taxpayers in California, there is no more reliable source than the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association political action committee. The HJTA PAC considers requests for endorsements of candidates for the state Assembly and Senate, statewide offices, U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate. The PAC will also endorse in county assessor races given the importance of that office in fairly applying most laws related to property taxes, including Proposition 13.

The HJTA PAC is non-partisan. After all, a third of HJTA members are Democrats. We press candidates, not based on party affiliation, but rather for their views on the importance of Proposition

Letters to the Editor

Diamond Springs needs a new road

EDITOR:

Diamond Springs Community Park meets many programmatic needs in the El Dorado County Parks Master Plan — preserved, passive recreation, ball fields, soccer fields, picnic areas, playgrounds for the young and a basketball court. This proposed park is 29 acres adjacent to Charles Brown School and near Union Mine High School.

Two community meetings involved citizens listening to the proposal and design suggestions. Then the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Diamond Springs and El Dorado Community Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended approval. The Board of Supervisors recently approved the plan concept. Environmental analysis will be addressed in an upcoming reviews.

Related considerations are the traffic and road needs to the south of Diamond Springs and El Dorado. The congestion of Pleasant Valley Road in that area needs to be reviewed and actions taken. The Union Mine Road connector has been proposed since the Road Connection Vision Map of 2009. Later studies and concept maps followed. The 2014 Diamond Springs and El Dorado Area Mobility and Livable Community Plan also pointed out the need for this road connector. This would be a road from Fowler Lane to go west through the Deer Park subdivision to the south of the proposed community park, Charles Brown School and Union Mine High School to Highway 49 south of El Dorado. This connector road is long overdue and needs priority actions of our county.

BUD ZELLER Diamond Springs

chapter is to provide for the removal of hazardous vegetation and combustible materials situation in the Placerville city limits so as to reduce the potential for fire and to promote the public safety and welfare of the community.”

Some of these areas are privately owned. Those private property owner, should not have the right to jeopardize us all.

We are still in the midst of yet another fire season. And it will continue each year. Why isn’t more action being taken to keep our city and our citizens safe?

I hope this letter generates positive discussion and improves the safety of our city and its surroundings.

THERESA STORLIE Placerville

Helmets 4 Heroes

EDITOR:

In 2018 the American Legion of California came up with a fundraiser to help local veterans.

Money from Helmets 4 Heroes raises funds for veterans awareness and rehabilitation programs

I have helmets all over El Dorado County, at one time more than 100, in convenience stores, restaurants, feed stores, hardware stores, etc. In 2018 the effort raised $3,500; in 2019 $5,000, in 2020 $6,500; in 2021 $8,600; and in 2022 $13,500. Nearly $200,000 has been raise statewide this year.

These little green helmets are all over the county and make a big difference. I did get few big donations last year; we have a very generous county of great people.

BILL BRYANT

Sons of the American Legion Post 119 Placerville

Fire fuel in the city

EDITOR:

Iamwriting to express concern and disappointment regarding the excess fire fuel in and around our city of Placerville. Since the Paradise Fire I have been requesting the city to address this issue with disappointing results. Though right after the Paradise Fire the City Council did act but since then hardly any effort is being spent on this vital issue. Anyone can drive down Spring Street and see excess fuel, especially near the Bedford side.

Vegetation Ordinance: “The purpose of this

Documents found at Mar-a-Loco

EDITOR:

The FBI’s search of Mar-a-Loco failed to turn up Trump’s health care and Middle East peace plans. However, in an unsecured storage room, the Feds found thousands of official documents, some classified. Federal law is clear: documents prepared/issued/stored by federal employees are the property of the U.S. Government. Gen. David Petraeus broke the law and lost his job as CIA director for, sub rosa, supplying classified

The Balancing Act Fair Lane, Placerville will become new Market Street

In a typical rush job and with a lack of clear thinking, our El Dorado County Board of Supervisors has decided to turn Fair Lane, site of the El Dorado County Government Center, into Market Street, San Francisco. For those not familiar with Market Street, it is considered part of the center of San Francisco shopping and business. San Francisco’s government center borders Market.

Unfortunately, Market Street has turned into “Homeless Street,” with several navigation-type centers located on or near Market. It has become a haven for the homeless, who disrupted normal shopping, business and government for the people and tourists of San Francisco. Drug abuse, alcohol, bodily functions, panhandling, general harassment, tents and trash, etc. abound — never mind the aroma.

At the Sept. 20 meeting our supervisors voted to place a

temporary homeless navigation center in the old juvenile hall at 299 Fair Lane just down the street from the main library, where children congregate and study. And it is their intent to build a permanent homeless center at the former site of the sheriff’s headquarters — next door to Building A, next to the office of the Board of Supervisors, chief administrative officer and county counsel work.

The plan also includes moving Juvenile Court into Building C and displacing the Elections Department. Registrar of Voters Bill O’Neill said he can’t wait to relocate, perhaps to the Child Services building on Ponderosa Road in Shingle Springs. He’s a smart guy. Who would want an office anywhere near the Placerville government center with these changes?

And using the old juvenile hall building requires kicking out Cal Fire, which seasonally houses up to 80 first

The Mountain Democrat welcomes letters up to 500 words. Letters may be edited. We reserve the right to edit submissions. Include your name, address and phone number for verification purposes.

Email: editor@ mtdemocrat.net

responders there and pays the county $5,000 a month in rent.

So we are forsaking the safety of thousands of taxpaying county residents for a few dozen people, some of whom are drug addicted, intoxicated and mentally ill and don’t pay any taxes. It simply boggles the mind that these bleeding hearts did this — with other people’s money, certainly not their own. If they feel so bad about the homeless, they should invite them to stay at their houses.

It gets worse.

What are the success rates of these navigation centers? There are studies and they don’t bode well. A San Francisco study (as reported in the Marina Times) showed that just 14% were able to get out of homelessness. Another 28% are given bus tickets to stay with family and friends willing to support them (however, a good portion end up returning and living

Snail Mail: Letters to the Editor P. O. Box 1088, Placerville 95667

on the streets). It also noted 10% are asked to leave because of violent or bad behavior, 14% head back to the streets because their time is up and finally 30% leave by choice. So, the success rate is just one in seven.

Janelle Horne, our very efficient county recorder, in a letter to the supervisors already reported harassment of her staff, vandalism, panhandling, gas syphoning and vehicle damage from homelessness; it will only get worse with the navigation center so close. Horne wrote, “While trying to address the homeless needs of our county, county staff should not be subjected to unneeded risk in the process.” We are probably going to lose county staff as a result.

Residents coming to county offices to do business and attend board meetings are also subject to these

Main

2889

We press candidates, not based on party affiliation, but rather for their views on the importance of proposition 13 ...

it simply boggles the mind that these bleeding hearts did this — with other people’s money, certainly not their own. if they feel so bad about the homeless, they should invite them to stay at their houses.

Richard

Weitzman

Continued from A4 risks. How are county librarians going to close the library when they can’t evict the homeless at closing? Maybe they can turn o the A/C or heat. And when the homeless occupy the entire library, no one else can use it or will want to use it. Who is going to clean up after them and there will be lots of clean up?

And the restaurants down the street will love this decision ... with increased co ee sales, too.

Perhaps Supervisor Wendy Thomas stated the board majority’s feelings best when she wrote: “I agree that Cal Fire is certainly a valuable partner and I believe the action before the BOS tomorrow (the homeless item discussed above) represents a compromise between both parties, recognizing both are important.”

So, Thomas’s compromise is to put public safety of our residents and taxpayers in second place — behind the homeless.

Sheri -elect Je Leikauf’s plan is the smart plan for the homeless. It should be studied and implemented. Or we could use the plan of a governor: put them on a plane to Martha’s Vineyard where other bleeding hearts have lots of bedrooms and money to take care of them.

Larry Weitzman is a resident of Placerville.

Letters

Continued from A4

documents to his journalist paramour.

Trump was a “federal employee” in every meaning of the word and, therefore, subject to all the rules that apply. When President Clinton was hounded over a private a air, his GOP Torquemadas harped that presidents are “... not above the law.” Apparently, I did not get the memo indicating that this rule applies solely to Democratic presidents. Republicans are terminally blind to the hypocrisy that courses through their actions.

Trump claims he “declassified” all documents found at Mar-a-Loco. Incanting “abra cadabra, I declassify you” over Secret documents does not declassify them. Regulations, based in law, exist for declassifying information. Trump followed none of them. How do we know? Because the final arbiter is the agency that originated the classification and there is no record that agencies were consulted.

JOHN GARON Placerville

Coupal Continued

13, including both the tax rate cap and the limitation on annual increases in taxable value. We also inquire about their beliefs on the tools of direct democracy: initiative, recall and referendum, all of which are under constant attack by progressives who see these constitutional rights as an impediment to unlimited taxation.

Additional areas of concern to the PAC include making sure that those elected

NEW YORK

ACROSS

1 Gadot of “Wonder Woman”

4 Annoying reflections while driving

10 Nasty cut

14 ___ Max (popular streaming service)

15 Red root vegetable

16 Well-qualified

17 “Well, look at that!”

18 Environment that reinforces one’s biases

20 Seating that can be L-shaped

22 Young ’un

23 Does some gardening work

24 Major thoroughfare

28 Video camera button

29 Bungee jumper’s attachment

to public o ce will also defend other taxpayer protections sponsored by HJTA, including the Right to Vote on Taxes Act, approved by voters in 1996 as Proposition 218. Another is whether the candidate will be a good steward of taxpayer resources by opposing the massive waste, fraud and abuse which is endemic in California.

High taxes, heavy regulations and a poor return on the tax dollars we already pay

CROSSWORD

On

are driving citizens out of the once-Golden State. So when it comes to choosing their next representatives taxpayers should visit hjta.org/endorsements-by-the-hjta-pac for the analysis and recommendations of California’s largest and most trusted taxpayer advocacy organization.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

by Will Shortz

30 Bread for a pastrami sandwich

33 Skedaddle

36 Excessively 37 Joint ailment

38 With 41-Across, classic love song suggested by the ends to 18-, 24-, 50- and 60-Across

41 See 38-Across

43 Utah ski town

44 “2001: A Space Odyssey” villain 46 Home to more than 350 million vegetarians

47 “For sure”

48 Two-liter bottle contents, often 49 Wrath

50 “Similarly …”

56 Clarinetist Shaw 58 Corp. money overseer

59 Does some mental math

60 Precautionary device in a pneumatic machine

64 Home project inits.

65 Newspaper covering Congress, with “The”

66 Filled French pastry

67 Positive or negative particle

68 Big name in ice cream

69 Inquiry for a lost package

70 And so on: Abbr.

DOWN

1 Blinky, Pinky, Inky or Clyde, in Pac-Man 2 Hate, hate, hate 3 Scrubber in the tub

4 Test for some coll. seniors

5 Obtained from milk

6 For a single purpose, as a committee

7 It’s “read” to an unruly crowd

8 Top-left keyboard key 9 “Quiet!”

10 Esports competitor

11 Beatles album whose cover shows the band using a crosswalk

12 Snow day conveyance

13 That woman’s

19 Wonderstruck

21 Kilimanjaro is its highest point

25 Big party

26 Word after elbow, escape and emergency

27 Helen of ___

31 ___ Gagarin, first person in space

32 James who sang “Tell Mama”

33 Fix, as a pet

34 Heap

35 Doesn’t hold back one’s emotions

37 Swiss city that’s home to the International Red Cross 39 “Pick me! Pick me!”

40 Haircut common in the Marine Corps

42 Put on the payroll

45 Famed Milan opera house

48 “Leave in,” to a copy editor

49 Video editing program from Apple

51 Nobelist Bohr

52 Company whose name gets quacked in ads

53 Oscar winner Redmayne 54 Moron

55 “Bye Bye Bye” boy band

56 ___ Stadium, U.S. Open tennis locale

57 Apt rhyme for “invade” 61 Until now 62 Once-popular device in a den, in brief 63 Blunder

Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 7,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year).

Mountain Democrat is on Facebook, sharing breaking news, local stories and community events.

PUZZLE BY CHASE DITTRICH AND JEFF CHEN

417-7737

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 Thursday afternoon 1:00 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 $35/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.

SENiOR PEER COUNSELiNG of El Dorado County is seeking volunteer counselors. Do you possess such qualities as warmth, empathy and nonjudgement, as well as having varied life experiences, and being over the age of 55? If you do and would like to help and listen to fellow seniors who are dealing with age related issues such as loneliness, isolation, health and grief, we would love to talk to you. Counselors receive training and are supervised by a professional in the field. SPC Clinical Supervisor Jayann Askin, MFT, shares “We are looking for volunteers who are interested in psychology, counseling, and mental health and would like to be a part of a supportive group of ongoing learners in this field.” For more information on this greatly rewarding volunteer opportunity, please call 530-621-6304

prospecting

the Ups store and Marine toys for tots Foundation encourage childhood literacy

News release

Donations collected locally provide books to children in the community

In an effort to help deliver the gift of reading, the UPS Store located at 1390 Broadway, Suite B, in Placerville, owned by community members Meredith Escabar and Kevin Carney, is supporting the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.

This past year marked the 14th anniversary of the UPS Store Toys for Tots Literacy Program, launched in 2008 with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. The UPS Store network of more than 5,000 centers has contributed over $12 million and distributed nearly 49 million books to economically disadvantaged children across the nation.

The UPS Store locations collected donations with 100% of the proceeds going to the Marine Toys for Tots

Foundation to support local children and literacy programs. The UPS Store on Broadway in Placerville delivered eight boxes of English and Spanish books to children at Sierra Elementary School.

“The community’s participation in the Toys for Tots Literacy Program is a key component to the success of this program,” said the UPS Store retail owner Meredith Escabar. “This initiative provides us the unique opportunity to work with a nationally recognized organization while making an impact in our local community, which is only possible because of thoughtful contributions from the people in this community. We are proud in our first year of store ownership we were able to raise funds to contribute books to Sierra Elementary School.”

This year the UPS Stores are partnering with Junior Achievement, a national charity that educates K-12 youth about

entrepreneurship and business ownership. Donations made at the store level will go toward funding these programs and help impact the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

With more than 5,000 locations across North America, the UPS Store network comprises the nation’s largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers. The UPS Store locations are independently owned and operated by franchisees of the UPS Store Inc. (although one or more may be company owned) in the USA and by its master licensee and its franchisees in Canada. Products, services, prices and hours of operation may vary by location. For additional information on the UPS Store, visit theupsstore. com. Follow the UPS Store on social media at @TheUPSStore, facebook.com/theupsstore and instagram.com/theupsstore.

High school college fair is back

News release

The El Dorado Union High School District presents the 2022 Regional College Fair. Hosted by El Dorado, Oak Ridge, Ponderosa and Union Mine high schools, this event is a great opportunity to meet with representatives from a variety of different colleges, trade schools, gap year programs and the military.

This is a free event and is open to all students, families and members of the community. No registration is required.

The fair is Monday, Oct. 3 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (breakout sessions begin at 5:30 p.m.) at Union

Mine High School, 6530 Koki Lane in El Dorado.

The breakout session with University of California/California State University Admissions Panel is in the UMHS Theater. It is hosted by reps from UC Santa Barbara and California State University, Sacramento for students who are interested in attending a four-year college.

The breakout session with Community College & Trades Pathways is in the cafeteria/multipurpose room. It is hosted by Folsom Lake College, Sierra College, Future Fire Academy and Universal Technical Institute (UTI) for students who are interested in attending a community college or pursuing a career in the trades.

Mountain Democrat photo by Mimi Escabar

The UPS Store on Broadway in Placerville donated boxes of books to Sierra Elementary School. Dora Gervaise, librarian supervisor; Reagan Phillips, principal; Meredith Escabar, UPS store owner; Kurtis Carney, first grader; Kevin Carney, UPS store owner; and Christopher Sorensen, first-grade teacher, left to right, celebrate the donation with Sierra School first graders.

Hot time at concert

El Dorado Community Concert Association

El Dorado County Community Concert Association is excited to kick off its 70th season with Hot Club of San Francisco on Thursday, Oct. 6.

This ensemble of accomplished and versatile musicians celebrates the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli’s pioneering Quintette du Hot Club de France.

The Hot Club of San Francisco borrows the instrumentation of violin, bass and guitars from the original Hot Club while breathing new life into the music with innovative arrangements of classic tunes and original compositions from the group’s superb lead guitarist, Paul Mehling. Featuring the silken violin of twice Grammy Award-winning Evan Price and a swinging rhythm section, the group never fails to surprise and delight.

To hear the ensemble live or on any of their 14 albums is to be carried back to the tight, smoky jazz clubs of 1930s Paris and to the refined lounge of the famous Hotel Ritz.

Often called gypsy jazz, the music of The Hot Club of San Francisco has entranced audiences around the globe for more than 25 years. Acoustic Guitar has hailed the group’s playing as “intricate, scorching and often brilliant.”

With frequent national and international tours — from Iceland to Lincoln Center and the Monterey Jazz Festival — The Hot Club of San Francisco keeps this historical music fresh and alive.

There’s still time to join the El Dorado County Community Concert Association — the oldest performing arts organization in El Dorado County. It has been bringing world-class entertainment to the greater Placerville area since 1951 and the 2022-23 season is no exception. The association relies on memberships to present the

concerts and now is the time to renew your membership or join for the very first time.

The 2022-23 season’s prices remain affordable at $70 per adult membership and $20 per student membership for the six-concert series. A family membership option is also available for $160, including two adults and two K-12 students.

For those who cannot attend every concert, subscription prices still make the concert series very affordable.

Non-members may attend for $25 at the door ($10 per student). Seating is limited and El Dorado County Community Concert Association members are seated first. Only cash and checks are accepted at the door (no credit/ debit cards).

All El Dorado County Community Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and will be performed at a new venue — Placerville Seventhday Adventist Church, 6831 Mother Lode Drive in Placerville.

To learn more about the upcoming season — and how to become a member or purchase tickets at the door — call (530) 556-9498 and/or visit ElDoradoCommunityConcerts.com where you can click on the artist’s website for a sampling of their music.

The El Dorado County Community Concert Association is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization. Dedicated members donate many hours of their time and talents to keep administrative costs low.

The association’s vision is to keep quality music alive for future generations in El Dorado County, accomplished through a variety of community and student outreach programs. Donations, in excess of season memberships, are gratefully accepted and are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

For further information or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities call (530) 556-9498.

FREEDOM. TO BE YOU.

If you think oxygen therapy means slowing down, it’s time for a welcome breath of fresh air.

Introducing the Inogen One family of portable oxygen systems. With no need for bulky tanks, each concentrator is designed to keep you active via Inogen’s Intelligent Delivery Technology.®

Hours of quiet and consistent oxygen flow on a long-lasting battery charge enabling freedom of movement, whether at home or on the road. Every Inogen One meets FAA requirements for travel ensuring the freedom to be you.

No heavy oxygen tanks

Ultra quiet operation

• Lightweight and easy to use

• Safe for car and air travel

• Full range of options and accessories

FDA approved and clinically validated

Call 1-866-435-1940 for a free consultation and info guide.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There are two people you know who simply must meet. You could affect destiny by making the introduction. Just think about the implications, strange but true: The world is forever altered by people meeting people.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s a battle of wills going on, but it’s so subtle it’s possible that only the insiders can detect it. You know better than to underestimate anyone. The gentle, sweet people can put up the toughest fight.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There are reasons you’re not inclined to ask directly for what you want. Trust your ability to read the room. You may still get what you want without asking. Your desire is obvious and there are many helpers around.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). People will want to do things for you today. You can ask the hard questions, enlist help with tedious tasks and get people to sign up for the race, contribute to the cause or buy what you’re selling -- all thanks to your irresistible charm.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). No one is perfect. Accepting faults is about more than grace and forgiveness; it’s about saving time. Who needs the drama of warring against reality? When you avoid pettiness, you give yourself the gift of time and energy.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ll be invigorated by the creativity flowing through you today, which you’ll apply to creating an easier, more harmonious and lovely experience for yourself and others.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll get into the zone of being at once relaxed and aware. You approach common activities with uncommon grace. At the heart of good manners, best practices and success at so many things: paying attention.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). In theory, your feelings happen inside you and therefore independent of the behaviors of others. But of course, it doesn’t work this way. You’ll be surprised and comforted by the ways in which you’re con nected to others.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Image matters, but how much? Just like everyone, you’d like to be seen in a certain way, though you’re usually too busy actually being that person to worry much about it. People will know you by your actions.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You can get a little wild when you let yourself. If the wildness in you were predictable, it couldn’t be called wildness. It’s not something you cultivate, it’s something you get to know. Sit back and observe and admire.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Someone gives you a tall order. What makes it challenging is the fact that you’ve never done it before. It won’t be difficult, just new. Don’t be too proud to ask questions. This will be your success key.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). As you get older you care less and less about being liked. You still do likable things, but it’s because they are the right, fun, easy and in many cases automatic thing to do. Likability is in your nature.

n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

TODAy

HOROSCOPE by Holiday Mathis

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9

SUDOkU

Solutions to puzzles in Classified section of newspaper.

Indexer George Parkinson is making family history

Ivy Larsen and Lori Mortensen

During the pandemic, many people may feel as if they’ve simply lost two years of their lives. But George Parkinson of Rescue hasn’t skipped a beat. At 94 years old, this former Marine spends an average of eight hours a day indexing, a process that helps organize historical records essential to family history work.

Family history work involves several different types of records, including birth, death, immigration, military, census, etc. Indexing helps make these records searchable online. In the past, family history work meant sifting through

numerous records or microfilms for hours in the hope of discovering the name of a particular person that someone was searching for. Now, thanks to modern technology, many of these records have been digitized so people can research family histories from a laptop or tablet.

Over the past several years, Parkinson estimates he has indexed more than 441,000 records and reviewed the indexing of more than 781,550 records. He said many of his family members support his work, including his great-grandchildren. They enjoy sending him cool socks to wear and

keep him cozy while he works tirelessly from his recliner.

Parkinson is so dedicated to the work, he does 95% of the indexing reported by his local congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and an amazing 30% of the indexing reported by the entire El Dorado Stake. Family history is an important focus of the church since it believes family connections are eternal.

Parkinson said he can feel a sense of love from his deceased family members as he indexes. He added they are looking in on his efforts and he can feel

20 % OFF!

Harvest Supplies

their gratitude. Others are grateful as well. And no wonder. The records he helps index can be accessed by people all over the world through FamilySearch.org. The site is free.

“One of the biggest joys that comes from doing this work,” said Parkinson “is when I receive messages from the family history site, from complete strangers, thanking me for my service in helping them find their ancestors, who they had been searching for, and now found as a direct result of my work in this family history program.”

Sometimes, he discovers the unexpected. “One of the things I remember that surprised me as I was working on family indexing for the church family ancestry library, was a discovery about my own heritage. I found that I am a direct descendant of Miles Standish, and also have an ancestral line to John Alden, both of whom have ties with the original Pilgrims and the Mayflower. That

was an interesting bit of information to share with my siblings, children and grandchildren.”

“My dad sees this not only as a service,” said his daughter, Karen Christensen, “but a calling, and even coming up on his 95th birthday in a couple of months, I do not see him slowing down on this passion of his one bit.”

Family history work, also known as genealogy, has gained new

popularity in recent years and has experienced a special boom during the pandemic. People of all backgrounds and beliefs have expressed interest in learning more about their ancestors, which also helps them better understand themselves in the process. Do you know your family history? Perhaps George Parkinson’s remarkable efforts will help you discover your own family history.

George Parkinson’s grandchildren make sure he has plenty of cozy socks to wear while he works.

Photo by Karen Christensen

Strong squad

Water supplies

Continued from 1

hills and the low residential density outside of El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park and the city of Placerville.

The portion of Sacramento County that is part of EID is 186 acres south of Highway 50. Grading is now under way for 530 single-family homes and some commercial development. The total water demand will be 200 acrefeet “compared to our entire water portfolio,” said Director Alan Day, who represents El Dorado Hills and this portion of what’s called Folsom Heights.

There is no property tax allocation to EID from Sacramento County. The advantage is not losing EID’s El Dorado County tax allocation due to it being a multi-county agency.

Other EID news

One water right temporarily curtailed by the state is the Crawford Ditch on the North Fork of the Cosumnes, affecting nine customers Those customers’ irrigation season

ended a little earlier than usual because EID was unable to serve them through an alternate source.

Releases from Jenkinson Lake, by arrangement with the state Water Resources Control Board, have allowed Outingdale’s newly rebuilt dam to hold enough water with it flowing at 6.5 cfs. EID Engineer Patrick Wilson on Sept. 26, said “as of Friday so far so good.” The district hasn’t had to truck water supplies in. Wilson noted he samples the water every Wednesday to be sure it is treatable.

Customers are still saving water. The goal has been 15%. The August demand was the lowest since 2015, wrote Baxter. August was 11% less than August 2021 and 2020. September demand is on track to be 6% less than 2021 and 7% less than 2020, Baxter reported.

Baxter pegged the long-term outlook as continued La Niña conditions for 2022 and a better chance of more normal precipitation in the first half of 2023.

Employment

Public

for FULL TIME WORKERS AFTER 90 DAYS.

Apply IN PERSON at Applied Control Electronics, 5480 Merchant Circle, Placerville, CA 95667. Monday-Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm

The Greenstone Country Community Services District (GCCSD) is actively seeking applicants for the Part-Time position of District General Manager. The GCCSD is located in rural El Dorado County six miles west of the town of Placerville. The General Manager will manage all administrative aspects related to the operations of the District as directed by the GCCSD Board of Directors, including compliance with state laws governing Community Services Districts. One of the primary GCCSD services is the coordination of the District's annual wastewater (septic) testing for all residences in the District.

For information visit our website at https://www.greenstonecsd.org/ notice-ef3305a

El Dorado Truss Co., Inc seeks Design Manager in Placerville, CA. Req’d: 3 yrs. experience as Design Manager. Knowledge of drafting, architectural/wall panel design or CAD applications, Ability to read and understand blueprints and architectural drawings. Pro ciency in MiTek software is required. Mail resume: El Dorado Truss Co, Inc. 300 Industrial Dr. Placerville, CA 95667

Dental of ce in Placerville looking for DA/RDA to

3

a better, more aff ordable walk-in tub!

Photos by Georgia Littrell

El Dorado’s girls water polo team beat Bret Harte 15-5 on Sept. 27. The Cougars are led this season by senior captains Millie Robertson, pictured taking pressure from a Bret Harte defender, and Betsy Yost. Each tallied 3 goals. El Dorado has a strong, young team. Sophomore Hannah Musgrove is the top scorer so far this season and Annabelle Gould, also a sophomore, is playing strong as center defender. The Cougars are lucky to have a 6-foot-tall sophomore goalie in Haven Little, who is a beast in goal.

Recovery

Continued from 1

anxiety, PTSD every time we hear about a fire.”

Walker said her house is expected to be rebuilt in seven months.

A far cry from a short rebuild timeline but still shorter than others.

“It varies from person to person, whether they have a contract, their plans, their permits. Everybody’s in different phases and stages,” Walker explained.

Some Grizzly Flat residents were either underinsured or uninsured. El Dorado County officials reported 75 homeowners were uninsured and more than 600 homes burned in Grizzly Flat.

A Grizzly Flat resident since 2005, Maria Alneida, 64, was uninsured when the fire broke out. She now resides in a motorhome donated to her to live in on her 1.5-acre lot.

Alneida is unemployed, on no income and dealing with identity theft, meaning she cannot rebuild her house at this time.

Alneida lives with her six cats in the motorhome.

“It’s like a long, extended, surreal camping trip — an unprepared one,” Alneida said.

“If I run out of propane, I’m going to need electric heating. If the electric goes out, I’m going to need propane. Since I don’t have income for both, it is going to be a little problem. I’ve been tripping on stuff like that,” Alneida explained.

Candace Tyler, part of the Tyler family that owned the historical Tyler Ranch, is living in a trailer with her 3-yearold and 14-year-old daughters and husband.

“We’re getting more settled into living in the trailer but I live in a trailer with a 3-year-old and a 14-year-old and nobody has their own space,” Tyler said.

“Where do you put a 3-year-old on timeout?” Tyler pondered.

Fifty-year Grizzly Flat resident Louise Tyler is bringing in a modular home, which will take less time than construction of a fullsized home.

“What else can you do? Everything you’ve ever worked for, gone in a matter of minutes,” Louise said.

Louise was underinsured and Candace’s family did not have insurance.

“I feel like I’m 18 again — broke with no home and just starting out,” Candace said. “Financially, having to rebuild is worse than I thought. The cost of everything is economically inflated and the shortage of parts due to COVID has made things hard to find. We had to go all the way to

Tahoe Keys Continued from 3 report will provide a summary of the activities that occurred in summer 2022 and will be available at tahoekeysweeds.org.

The three-year field test project was preceded by a multi-year collaborative public planning process and extensive environmental review by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. On May 25, TKPOA began trials of EPA-approved herbicides, followed by UV-C light treatments.

The league to Save Lake Tahoe is monitoring the multi-year laminar flow aeration program, which is a technology that releases small air bubbles through sediments in the lagoon bottoms to stimulate biological activity and reduce plant growth in designated test areas. TRPA simultaneously launched independent rigorous monitoring for the project to collect data on the efficacy of treatments, water quality, and overall data on how the natural

the Bay Area to find the right meter box just so we can get power back.”

Candace added that she has spent thousands of dollars on temporary solutions for power, water and septic on top of having to pay fire department fees.

Others are running on donated electric generators just to get by.

Despite fire victims’ struggles, the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied individual assistance for El Dorado County.

Local forces are getting creative in helping the community.

The West Slope Foundation plans to hold a fundraiser Nov. 12 at Element 79 Vineyards and Winery in Fair Play to assist in recovery efforts.

The West Slope Foundation also set up a tool shed for fire victims

to borrow necessities such as power tools, generators, pressure washers and more.

County leaders are also looking into options to provide temporary tiny homes for Caldor Fire impacted Grizzly Flat residents.

The California Office of Emergency Services department announced Sept. 16 that 770 private El Dorado County properties participating in its Consolidated Debris Removal Program, including those in Grizzly Flat, have been returned to the county to begin the permitting process for reconstruction.

The Caldor Fire raced through Grizzly Flat Aug. 16, 2021. The blaze went on to burn more than 220,000 acres and destroy more than 1,000 structures.

environment responds to the various treatments.

“This test project is producing an incredible amount of data that will help inform how we tackle the largest aquatic weed infestation in the lake,” TRPA Invasive Species Program Manager Dennis Zabaglo said. “It is encouraging to see this project move ahead after many years of planning and collaboration.”

“After a promising start, the next two years focus on testing a range of innovative and proven weed control methods, including UV-C light and laminar flow aeration,” said Jesse Patterson, chief strategy officer for the league. “By evaluating every possible tool we have in one comprehensive test, the CMT can give us a formula for controlling ground zero for invasive weeds in Tahoe. And with that, we can protect the whole lake.”

Learn more about the CMT project at tahoekeysweeds.org.

Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian

Candace Tyler was able to get electric service back up and running to the RV she and her family have been living in for the last year following the Caldor Fire’s destruction.

Tabatha Walker shows charred furniture framework that remains on her Sciaroni Road property.

“Grizzly Flat Strong” reads a sign put up at the Tyler residence.