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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Monday, December 14, 2020
Volume 169 • Issue 145 | 75¢
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Bill of Rights Mountain Democrat photos by Dawn Hodson
Tim Daniel, owner of Outbreak Brewing Co. in Placerville continues to brew custom craft beers and ales despite the shutdown but thirsty folk can still stop by for growler fills or beer to-go.
Businesses take another hit
restaurants, hair stylists cope with latest shutdown Dawn Hodson Staff writer
Editor’s note: The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution were the Bill of Rights. They went into effect Dec. 15, 1791, 229 years ago. Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Amendment II A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. n
On our third bout of COVID-19-related restrictions this year, local business owners are doing their best to cope with new regulations that on Thursday called for closing or limiting operations of many businesses in the greater Sacramento region, including El Dorado “I’m personally County. Restaurants have been devastated to particularly hard hit as have worked for they now may only offer take out and delivery of 50 years to be food. After the previous successful and round of restrictions to be ordered to restaurants could at least offer outdoor close down twice dining with many in one year.” going to the expense of purchasing heaters and — Marilyn Volzconstructing temporary Abercrombie, owner of shelters, some even Marilyn’s Salon hanging plastic sheets to separate diners from each other. The Enchanted Forest restaurant in downtown Placerville is one such place, with creatively constructed, plastic-lined cubicles for outside dining that now sit empty. Tim Daniel, owner of Placerville’s Outbreak Brewery, said he will continue to stay open as best he can. He acknowledged how much the latest shutdown has hurt his business as they usually hold a lot of events this time of the year, including fundraisers for different groups and live music. n
See Shutdown, page 6
See bill of rights, page 2
Souza resigns from GDPUD Gabe Harris, owner of Placerville’s Elements Hair Salon, gives a client a cut and color Thursday afternoon before the shutdown. Harris said he is finding the shutdown extremely challenging but he is appreciative of all the support small businesses have received from the community.
A special Christmas present awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom and Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi at Elements Hair Salon — socks filled with lumps of coal.
Kevin Christensen Staff writer Georgetown Divide Public Utilities District Board of Directors President Dave Souza resigned last week. “It is with deep regret that I announce my resignation effective immediately at Dave Souza the closing of this meeting,” announced Souza at the Dec. 8 board meeting. “I feel that the board will not move in a positive direction and I am no longer able to effectively serve the majority of the residents and staff.” Souza was elected to serve as a GDPUD director in 2018. His resignation comes two years shy of completing his term. n
See Souza, page 2
Demonstrators celebrate county’s first Human Rights Day Kevin Christensen Staff writer Demonstrators from local social justice groups in El Dorado County showed up to the Placerville Main Street courthouse Thursday to recognize Human Rights Day. The demonstration came on the heels of the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, for the first time, officially proclaiming and recognizing the day in the county. “Today is a pivotal day to recognize in terms of where we are at with social justice and diversity nationally and locally,” said demonstrator Jackie Jolly. “We want to show that this is what our community really looks like.” Michelle Greene of Camino said
the proclamation was “better late than never.” “I applaud the BOS for stepping up on this with the tensions in Placerville as of late,” said Greene. “Human Rights Day is something everyone can and should support in my eyes no matter where you are from or your perspective.” Human Rights Day is celebrated Dec. 10 around the world. The date was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation Dec. 10, 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations. The assembly Mountain Democrat photo by Kevin Christensen Demonstrators gather on the steps of the El Dorado County Superior Court courthouse in downtown first invited all nations to observe Placerville on Human Rights Day Thursday. Human Rights Day in 1950.
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