Mountain Democrat (Newspaper) - August 12, 2009, Placerville, California By Michael Raffety Editor Approved in April, the new water tank for Rancho del Sol is closer to reality, but not under construction. Monday the El Dorado Irrigation District Board of Directors approved the environmental documents to build a 300,000- gallon water tank that will replace a 60,000- gallon water tank. The new tank will provide water and pressure for fire protection of the subdivision off Snows Road a little north of Newtown Road. The new tank will be near the old one but not in the same location. The access road will get new gravel to service the new tank, the area will be fenced off and a fire hydrant moved. The only significant effect on the environment will be the removal of three pine trees to make way for the big tank. The tank pad will be paved around the tank and drainage improvements made for rain runoff. The environmental consultant’s concern about potential paleontological finds was scoffed at by EID Board By Chris Daley Democrat staff writer R yan Ellis has almost fulfilled his dream of riding his bike across America. One of 32 “ Bike and Build” riders who left Connecticut’s Atlantic shore in early June, Ellis and his comrades rode through Placerville Sunday afternoon. Their immediate destination was Auburn, their final goal, the Pacific Ocean at San Francisco. The Mountain Democrat published a preview of the adventure in February when the El Dorado Hills 22 yearold first learned he’d been accepted into the program that benefits Habitat for Humanity. At that time, he was just starting to train for the 3,000- mile ride. Ellis and his 31 Bike and Build partners rode from Lake Tahoe to Placerville Sunday morning, checked out the Main Street Crafts Fair and then hit Highway 49 for the trek to Auburn. Ellis at least got to see his family for lunch at Tortilla Flat before leaving for the final few days of the push west. In a brief phone interview last Wednesday, Ellis said he was taking a “ salt break” By Ken Paglia Democrat staff writer For the past three years, the tradition of having Christmas trees along Highway 50 through town has gone unfulfilled. But an El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce leadership group aims to change that. Members of Leadership El Dorado recently took on the task of ensuring there will be trees along Highway 50 this year. Leadership El Dorado class III co- president David Cooke said last week, “ The project Vol. 158 • No. 103 • 2 Sections 28 Pages • 6 Supplements Mountain Democrat Budget Inside struggles El Dorado Hills flinches beneath the budget ax. Inside, A- 2 Arsonists of old Obituaries A- 7 Read Doug Noble’s recounting of historical fires that plagued San Francisco and worried residents of Sacramento. Inside, A- 4 Mountain Democrat W E D N E S D A Y , A U G U S T 1 2 , 2 0 0 9 www. mtdemocrat. com 47¢ plus tax Kelly Carlson James Plotts Henrietta Atwell Classified ads B- 8 Editorial A- 6 Horoscope B- 14 Comics B- 9 Letters A- 6 Logbook A- 7 Public Notices B- 10 Sports B- 2 Foothill Life B- 1 TV Guide B- 14 C A L I F O R N I A ’ S O L D E S T N E W S P A P E R – E S T . 1 8 5 1 THRIVERS SUPPORT EACH OTHER Love and laughter are great healers. Sports, B- 2 Foothill Life, B- 1 MECHANICAL MAYHEM The 36th Hangtown Destruction Derby is Sunday. Call ( 530) 344- 5000 for convenient home delivery and FREE online access to www. mtdemocrat. com Democrat file photo BEFORE HIGHWAY 50 was upgraded through town the Christmas trees were strapped to a Cyclone fence along the highway. Democrat file photo by Pat Dollins MICK HOSKEN of the Rancho del Sol property owners association points out leaks and rust marks on the current 60,000- gallon water tank. Democrat photo by Pat Dollins CALIFORNIA, HERE THEY ARE! Left to right, Sean Findlay, 21, from Yorktown, Va., Ryan Ellis, 22, from El Dorado Hills and Dennis Disbot from Philadelphia, Pa., stop for a photo in the Mountain Democrat parking lot Sunday as they head down Broadway after traveling from Back East to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Mother Lode News photo by Pat Dollins SUV PARADE — The first day of school occasioned the return of the morning SUV and minivan parade on Harvard Way. When the neighboring elementary and middle schools start next Monday, things will likely get more tangled on Harvard Way and Silva Valley Parkway. Christmas Tree Lane to return East- to- west bicyclists have end in sigh t New Rancho del Sol tank advances . see TREES, page A- 10 . see TANK, page A- 10 By Michael Raffety Editor The future looks dim if not grim, according to a financial forecast prepared for the El Dorado Irrigation District Board of Directors by its Director of Finance Mark Price. While current revenue and expenditures are on track with the budget, a major component is in bad shape. That component is Facility Capacity Charges, also known as hookup fees. Last year as of June 30 the district had taken in 24.3 percent of its estimates in FCCs. This year it has only 2.1 percent of the budgeted FCCs as of June 30. The total taken in as of June 30 is $ 307,000 compared to $ 14.67 million budgeted. That reflects the dropoff in major new construction. Price noted there is lots of talk between developers and the staff about projects and FCCs, but “ no checks” crossing his desk. The fall- off in new construction is the primary fac- EID’s crystal ball cloudy By Mike Roberts Mother Lode News EL DORADO HILLS — Principal Stephen Wehr roamed the Oak Ridge High School campus on Monday morning, helping students find their classes before the first bell of the 2009- 10 school year. Counselor Glen Swedelson was surrounded by a crowd of students outside his office, answering questions and making sure everyone knew where they were supposed to be. With the exception of a couple lost freshman wandering the quad, everyone was in class by 8: 30 a. m. The second summer of a two- year, $ 21 million expansion and modernization of Oak Ridge High School went well, said Wehr. Campus buildings got new roofs, paint jobs and infrastructure improvements. All 37 of the original 1982 classrooms got new flooring, wall coverings and drapes. A new two- story science and business complex replaced classrooms lost when portable classrooms southeast of the tennis courts were torn down and paved over this summer. The summer’s work netted the campus seven classrooms, a second “ quad” area and more walkways. “ To get this much work done in 54 construction days is really incredible,” said Wehr, crediting Placerville- based Carter Kelly Construction for a job well- done. The football field was “ skinned” in early June, with 500 yards of potentially dangerous soil hauled off to make way for a new synthetic playing field. The new surface consists of rubber grass “ blades” surrounded by tiny rubber pellets. It is expected to be ready for an inaugural unveiling at the Aug. 28 Blue and Gold scrimmage. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control oversaw all phases of construction because of naturally occurring asbestos in the native soils around the school. Wehr said safety protocols were followed to the letter, and that DTSC pronounced the campus safe for the 2009- 10 school year. The student population is expected to remain fairly stable at about 2,200 this year. Despite state funding cuts that amount to almost $ 1,000 per student, Oak Ridge returned a full complement of teachers and academic programs, thanks to El New buildings greet ORHS students S CHOOL T IME . see CYCLE, page A- 10 . see BUDGET, page A- 11 15 YEAR HOME LOAN Purchase • Refinance Member G Check the El Dorado Advantage: Serving our local communities for 50 years No application fee No prepayment penalty Local processing and servicing 4.375 4.750 Fixed Rate Annual Percentage Rate Maximum loan $ 417,000.00, primary or vacation residence. 20% minimum cash down payment on purchase. 25% equity required on refinance. Owner- builder, construction, 1st time homebuyer and other loans available under different terms. EQUAL HOUSING LENDER PLACERVILLE • 4040 El Dorado Road • 622- 1492 * PLACERVILLE • ( Downtown) 247 Main • 622- 0833 W. PLACERVILLE • Placerville Dr. & Ray Lawyer • 626- 3400 DIAMOND SPRINGS • 694 Pleasant Valley Rd. • 626- 5701 CAMERON PARK • 4060 Cameron Park Dr. • 677- 1601 POLLOCK PINES • 6462 Pony Express Trail • 644- 2363 EL DORADO HILLS • 3963 Park Dr. • 933- 3002 GEORGETOWN • 6310 Hwy. 193 • 333- 1101 * Se Habla Espanol Member EQUAL HOUSING LENDER CASH FOR CLUNKERS RECEIVE TOLL FREE FROM ANYWHERE! 1- 888- 712- 4183 “ Call us before funding runs out!” $ 4500 UP TO with new vehicle purchase . see BUILDINGS, page A- 10
