News, etc.
Sports
Oak Ridge cheerleaders bring home national tumbling title.
Residentia Solar Installa l tion and Repair
First responders test their skills in the kitchen at Battle of the Badges.
A3
Cal-Sun Cons
GO SOL AR! Northern Ctrualction, LLC ifornia
B1
AND GET YOU R
CHO
Stand-by Gen ICE OF A erator OR H ot Water Hea ter INSTALLED for $1! CALL NOW
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
mtdemocrat.com
Volume 169 • Issue 20
| 75¢
➜( 5 3 0 ) 6 8 3 -
5 5 1 8➜ Lic#1039193
Main Street-closing events slimmed down n City Council to review
approved list in October Pat Lakey Staff writer
You could call them the Lucky 7 — but it turned out there were actually eight events sanctioned by the Placerville City Council where the closure of Main Street will be allowed this year — trimmed down from a total of 12 such occasions last year. The list was compiled by city staff working with an ad hoc committee
and downtown merchants in answer to traffic congestion that plagues the city throughout the year but becomes nightmarish on autumn weekends. Plus, the city loses money virtually every time Main Street is closed, with costs higher than might be realized for such amenities as staffing patrol cars blocking off the roadway ($750 per vehicle) and even the cost of repairing vandalized electrical outlets. Such expenses will not be borne this year by event sponsors, but come the 2021 lineup, fees will be attached to special event applications so the city can at least break even.
“We have a lot of traffic that’s clogging up our streets ... We all know when we close down Main Street it exacerbates the problem.” — Michael Saragosa, mayor of Placerville The list of approved events, OK’d by the council during its most recent meeting following some two hours of endorsements and discussion of such special times as the Hangtown Christmas Parade, last year’s premier of WINEderlust, the Lions Club car shows and more — began with seven. But the aforementioned Lions Club, which normally holds two car shows
with proceeds not benefiting the club proper but historically having a percentage go to the Placerville Downtown Association and the remainder spent on worthy causes, convinced the panel that limiting the club to one show wasn’t a good idea, at least not for this year. n
See Main Street events, page A9
District 2 race
Cockrell running as write-in candidate Dylan Svoboda Staff writer Whether you visit a polling place or fill your ballot out at home, one candidate’s name will be missing. Business owner Chris Cockrell Chris Cockrell is running as a write-in candidate to represent District 2 on the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, which encompasses south county, much of Cameron Park and portions of Shingle Springs and El Dorado Hills. After a misunderstanding during a meeting with the elections office, Cockrell’s name didn’t make it on the March 3 ballot. That didn’t stop him from continuing his campaign. “I asked myself if I should just give up or give it a shot,” he said. Cockrell lives in Cameron Park with his wife Lina and two children. The 51-year-old said he aims to bring his expertise working for more than 20 years in the insurance industry to a county in much need of a remedy n
See Cockrell, page A2
Photo by John Poimiroo
A plaque honoring veterans mounted on a rock near the newly dedicated Veterans Memorial Bridge in El Dorado Hills is unveiled at Saturday’s dedication ceremony.
Foot bridge dedicated in honor of local veterans
John Poimiroo Democrat correspondent
C
yclists and walkers stopped recreating as ceremonies began Saturday, Feb. 15, to dedicate El Dorado Hills’ new Veterans Memorial Bridge. The new bridge spans New York Creek and links recreational trails managed by the El Dorado Hills Community
Services District across a central utility corridor. More than 120 veterans and residents participated in the dedication with generations of veterans and their children taking pictures in front of the dedication plaque following the ceremony. Vietnam War veteran Sgt. Robert Leon, USMC-Vet, presided over the ceremonies that included
an invocation by Chaplain Tim Thompson, LCOL, USA-Ret., and remarks by Noelle Mattock, vice president of the EDHCSD board; Vietnam War veteran CPT Val Lasko, USAF-Vet; and Iraq War veteran Sgt. Simon Huber, USA-Vet. Leon, Lasko and Huber are among local veterans leading an effort to establish a veterans memorial at n
See Foot bridge, page A3
‘Troubling’ report delays licensing decision in animal abuse case Dawn Hodson Staff writer
abuse. Charel Winston pleaded guilty to five counts of felony animal cruelty and to one count of grand theft. After reviewing past California Bader, whose practice is based in Veterinary Medical Board inspections Shingle Springs, was charged with of Dr. Dean Bader’s veterinary three counts of cruelty to practice, Superior Court animals and failure to report “Based on this I cannot say for certain Judge Mark Ralphs held back animal abuse in relation to on a decision on whether the the Winstons’ case as he was Bader abused animals or failed to veterinarian will be allowed the veterinarian of record report abuse.” to keep his license. in the care of many of the Bader was in court Friday — Mark Ralphs, El Dorado County Superior Court Judge animals. as attorney Jeff Stone, a In the courtroom on Friday deputy attorney general were both supporters and with the State of California opponents of Bader. Many Department of Justice Civil Law of them were clients or employees removed from the property by El Democrat file photo by Kevin Christensen Division, pressed the case that Bader at Bader’s clinic. Others represented Dorado County Animal Services. The court is expected to make a decision on should have his license suspended different animal rights groups in In January Alma Winston pleaded suspending Shingle Springs veterinarian Dr. Dean while he goes to trial on charges of guilty to five counts of felony animal Bader’s license Feb. 20. animal cruelty and failure to report cruelty and one count of elder n See Troubling report, page A7
Winter Sale
1 DENTIST!
#
Save up to
1000 instantly
Three Years Straight!
$
or
for 60 months! Ends Feb 24 th
01 6
Jeff Little, DDS
(530) 350-1100
General & Cosmetic Dentistry
3977 Durock Road, Suite 202 Shingle Springs
15 YEAR 2.625 3.250 2.90 3.61 HOME LOAN Fixed Rate
20 14 -2
New Patients Always Welcome!
finance for
0%APR
the abuse of animals taking place on the Shingle Springs property rented by Alma and Charel Winston. Last May more than 300 dogs, cats, horses, birds and other animals were
“Look For My Column On Page 3 Today!”
Purchase • Re�nance
Annual Percentage Rate
Monthly Paymentsofof$6.72 $7.03 per 180180 Monthly Payments per $1,000 $1,000Borrowed Borrowed
PLACERVILLE • 4040 El Dorado Road • 622-1492 PLACERVILLE • (Downtown) 247 Main • 622-0833 ✓ No application fee W. PLACERVILLE • Placerville Dr. & Ray Lawyer • 626-3400 ✓ No prepayment penalty DIAMOND SPRINGS • 694 Pleasant Valley Road • 626-5701 ✓ Local processing and servicing CAMERON PARK • 4060 Cameron Park Drive • 677-1601 POLLOCK PINES • 6462 Pony Express Trail • 644-2363 EL DORADO HILLS • 3963 Park Drive • 933-3002 Servingour ourlocal localcommunities communitiesfor forover over5461years years GEORGETOWN • 6310 Hwy. 193 • 333-1101 Member Serving
Check the El Dorado Advantage:
Se Habla Espanol 800-874-9779 Maximum loan $424,100.00, $417,000.00, primary or vacation residence. 20% minimum cash down payment on purchase. 25% equity required on refinance. Other loans available under different terms.
Call (530) 344-5000 for convenient home delivery and free online access to www.mtdemocrat.com 2 col (3.3”) x 1.5” Mountain Democrat