By Luke Gianni
CNS Staff Writer
The economic downturn hasn’t bypassed Woodland.
This year, it lost two of its biggest retailers, Gottschalks and Mervyns. The city now faces a $6.3 million deficit, as officials struggle to make ends meet.
One hopeful sign is the emergence of newcomers Best Buy and Target, which recently opened up along East Main Street and will bring sorely needed revenues to the city coffers.
But as the city looks towards the future for its economic salvation, along the four-block strip of historic Woodland’s Main Street are a handful of old-time merchants, who are weathering the recent economic maelstrom by sticking to the past.
“There is a success story here on Main Street,” said Wendy Ross, the city’s economic development manager.
Ross notes that when Woodland hit the 50,000 population mark a few years back, the large retailers, like Costco, began to set up shop, spelling what many thought might be the end for the city’s remaining historic businesses.
However, she says, Yolo County consumers harbor a demand for merchandise designed for this predominantly agricultural area.
For storeowners like Ivan Schmauderer, owner of Main Street’s Emils Family Shoe Store, a three-generation-old establishment, the recession has slowed business, but it’s nothing they haven’t seen before in their 50-plus years.
“People are coming in all day long,” Schmauderer said.
His secret is simple – quality and customer service.
“People can go out and spend $50 on boots and have them fall apart in a year,” Schmauderer said. “You can come in here and spend your money wisely.”
In these historic stores, many of which have been around since the turn of the 20th century, the customer isn’t a faceless sales opportunity. For Schmauderer, the customer is usually a neighbor, childhood friend or someone else he knows.
Schmauderer’s father, Ed, who works in the store with his son, said they are not too worried about the newly erected big box competitors.
That’s because, Ed says, his store fills the unique demands of the town’s clientele, especially come duck hunting season.
Their words are barely audible over the labored hisses of a 60-year-old General Electric shoe finisher machine, which an employee works from behind the counter.
Emils, like a lot of the older businesses along Main Street, have a repair component to their operation. That’s because while most goods sold at the big box retailers are designed to be thrown away after relatively short life spans, their merchandise, Ivan Schmauderer said, are designed to last for years with occasional maintenance.
David Schmauderer, brother of Ivan who owns the Western Store on Main Street, which carries items like cowboy hats and horse hoof conditioner, said his store has survived by carrying merchandise specifically catered to the area’s demand for ag-related accessories.
It’s a time tested market philosophy, David said, that’s carried over through generations. He adds that many of his patrons are young people, looking for the same ag-related merchandise as their parents did when they were working the family farm.
“It’s good to see these kids come in, wanting to keep up their heritage,” Schmauderer said.
He said another reason why his business and others like it have found success on Main Street is because they stay clear from the popular philosophies of Wall Street.
“We don’t run quite like AIG,” Schmauderer said. “We don’t hand out any big bonuses when we do good. We’re steady as she goes.”
He said there are two employees at the store, including him. He washes the sidewalks, straightens the shelves and said he’s content with his no-growth retailer and the modest living it provides.
Another Main Street business that has held steady through this recession is the Wirth Furniture store, which has been selling furnishings for four generations in Woodland.
“Our stuff is all solid wood,” said Zack Wirth, who operates the store. “No fake stuff here.”
Wirth’s great grandfather opened the store in 1911. They turned it over to their son David in 1979. It is now managed by his son, Zach.
Wirth said, like Emil’s shoes, they are not threatened by stores like IKEA, which recently opened in West Sacramento, because they aren’t competing for the same clientele.
Yolo County includes many families that have been farming in the area for more than a century. And while the edgy modern aesthetic of IKEA’s merchandise may be suited for some new housing developments in the area, Wirth says it does little to compliment the late 19th century design of many homes in the county.
Wirth says that in addition to his Woodland faithful, he has customers from all over the United States, who appreciate not only the quality of his merchandise but the old-fashion service he provides.
In the floor above the selling rooms is a repair area, Rueben Guerrero has been restoring an antique chair for a local customer for three days.
Guerrero is a master craftsman, repairing and restoring antique furniture for the past 20 years.
“You really got to focus,” Guerrero says. “These were all made by hand, and must be repaired by hand.”
He delicately sews new padding into the backrest of the chair, carefully balancing the seams to preserve the historic design of the piece.
A radio blaring news of the day is the only sign that this scene is happening in 2009 as opposed to 1909.
Another Woodland original that isn’t going anywhere is the Corner Drug Company, which has been on Main Street for more than 100 years.
“We know most of the patients by name,” said Ed Shelley, husband to the store’s owner Lisa Shelley, whose father owned the store before turning it over to her. “People come in to get their prescriptions and it’s nice to have a face behind the counter that knows you.”
Their daughter Sara Shelley, 23, recently graduated with a pharmaceutical degree from the University of Pacific and plans to take over the store.
Shelley said many of the owners of the historic businesses along Main Street have family ties to the area that go back generations, which is the same as their clientele.
“I grew up in the same house as my parents did – second generation,” Shelley said. And while pharmacy establishments are often used by recent graduates as a starting point in their careers, Shelley said that some of his employees have been greeting customers for more than 30 years.
“The clerks up front know many of them by name,” Shelley said. “We’re as competitive as anyone else.”
City officials know that while these businesses may not provide the largest tax yields they do provide the downtown its unique character, which they hope will draw shoppers to the area.
“I’m certainly an advocate for downtown,” said the city’s assistant planner Jimmy Stillman. “The people who live in this community are 99 percent ag. These businesses reflect that lifestyle.”
That is why, Stillman said, the city has actively sought to preserve the historic look and feel of the Main Street, which may be the hook for new investment.
An example, Stillman says, is the revival of the old Capitol Hotel Saloon on Main Street, which once served spirits to the local population starting back in the late 1800’s before it shut down. Investors are currently working to reopen a saloon in honor of its namesake, resurrecting its historic design with lofts occupying the upper floors.
In addition, Stillman said, any business that opens in the historic district must adhere to aesthetics reminiscent of its turn-of-the-century past, which was somewhat diluted during the boom of the uninspired cost-cutting commercial designs that spread through the city during the 1970s and early 1980s.
“Our downtown is nationally registered,” Stillman says. “We can lose that designation if it becomes too diluted.”
There is no question that the souring economy and the cheap merchandise of the larger commercial stores pose a challenge to the smaller, independents, Stillman said.
However, he believes that as long as the Yolo County remains an agricultural area, so too will the demand for unique merchandise be found in these historic stores.
“It’s a different kind of service,” Stillman says. “A lot of it comes back to quality of life. People know the history of Woodland and these businesses are part of it.”
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Folsom officer targets drunk drivers
By Steffi Broski
CNS Staff Writer
Folsom Police Officer Paul Rice has amassed such a record for arresting drivers under the influence that some wonder if he patrols the streets 24 hours a day.
Rice has been awarded by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his 52 DUI arrests in 2007 and 92 in 2008. Last year, he arrested more than 20 percent of all DUIs in Folsom. So far, his record for this year includes more than 40 DUI arrests.
“That guy is a machine,” said Rice’s colleague and traffic officer Robert Challoner.
Rice grew up in El Dorado County, where he still lives, and he started working for the Folsom Police Department in 2007. Today, he works graveyard from 9:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. He spends most of his 10-hour shifts cruising near Folsom’s bars and restaurants.
“We have that big cluster of bars down the street,” he said, pointing to Sutter Street. “Only one in six people going to the bars actually are from Folsom. Most are from Sacramento or Rancho Cordova.”
Since Folsom does not have an “enormous drug problem or gang problem,” much of his job consists of DUI arrests. And he has seen it all, from the people so drunk that they fall out of their cars when pulled over to the ones who pass out in their vehicles.
“That’s one of the things I don’t get,” he said. “If you pass out behind the wheel with 1.25, you are ridiculously intoxicated. You would have to spend 8 to 9 hours in the car until you are even close to the legal limit. But are you really going to wait until 9 in the morning?”
Rice has perfected the art of distanced, no-games-please policing. When he talks to a drunk driver, he is respectful and calm. Challoner admires his colleague’s style.
“You have to detach yourself,” said Challoner. “My personal way of coping is that I think of me as a zookeeper taking care of animals. I don’t mean that in a degrading way, but I look at it scientifically. The way they behave is because of certain reasons.”
When the officers pull over intoxicated drivers, the excuses are plenty. I was only going a couple of blocks. I only had a couple of drinks. My driving wasn’t bad.
“You’d be surprised how many people ask me to just follow them home,” said Rice.
Don Koupal, Rice’s father-in-law and fellow traffic officer, said though every situation is different, the typical response from an intoxicated driver is that he or she only had two beers; unfortunately “it’s usually more than that,” he said.
Officers are only allowed to pull over a vehicle if the driver breaks the law. Officers are not allowed to stop drivers just because they left a bar, but they can pull over those who do not use the turn signal, have a broken headlight or show signs of erratic driving.
“The first thing to go with alcohol is judgment. It’s not that they weren’t sober enough to drive a car in a straight line, but when they wanted to make a turn, they thought it was earlier or later. Or it’s a yellow (light), and they think they can still make it,” Rice said.
That light often changes to red quicker than anticipated, Rice said. Sometimes, drivers see his police car behind them and immediately pull into a parking lot. If they have nothing to hide, he wonders, why did they do that?
Challoner said though most vehicle stops are not dangerous, some people are grouchy or belligerent.
Rice said any car he pulls over could be dangerous “but you just do your job and be wary.”
In his off-duty hours, said Rice, he doesn’t think too much about the possibility of sharing the road with a driver under the influence.
But when Rice drives around on his own time, he looks at people in other cars. It’s kind of a habit, he said.
“It just comes with the job,” he said.
CNS Staff Writer
Folsom Police Officer Paul Rice has amassed such a record for arresting drivers under the influence that some wonder if he patrols the streets 24 hours a day.
Rice has been awarded by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his 52 DUI arrests in 2007 and 92 in 2008. Last year, he arrested more than 20 percent of all DUIs in Folsom. So far, his record for this year includes more than 40 DUI arrests.
“That guy is a machine,” said Rice’s colleague and traffic officer Robert Challoner.
Rice grew up in El Dorado County, where he still lives, and he started working for the Folsom Police Department in 2007. Today, he works graveyard from 9:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. He spends most of his 10-hour shifts cruising near Folsom’s bars and restaurants.
“We have that big cluster of bars down the street,” he said, pointing to Sutter Street. “Only one in six people going to the bars actually are from Folsom. Most are from Sacramento or Rancho Cordova.”
Since Folsom does not have an “enormous drug problem or gang problem,” much of his job consists of DUI arrests. And he has seen it all, from the people so drunk that they fall out of their cars when pulled over to the ones who pass out in their vehicles.
“That’s one of the things I don’t get,” he said. “If you pass out behind the wheel with 1.25, you are ridiculously intoxicated. You would have to spend 8 to 9 hours in the car until you are even close to the legal limit. But are you really going to wait until 9 in the morning?”
Rice has perfected the art of distanced, no-games-please policing. When he talks to a drunk driver, he is respectful and calm. Challoner admires his colleague’s style.
“You have to detach yourself,” said Challoner. “My personal way of coping is that I think of me as a zookeeper taking care of animals. I don’t mean that in a degrading way, but I look at it scientifically. The way they behave is because of certain reasons.”
When the officers pull over intoxicated drivers, the excuses are plenty. I was only going a couple of blocks. I only had a couple of drinks. My driving wasn’t bad.
“You’d be surprised how many people ask me to just follow them home,” said Rice.
Don Koupal, Rice’s father-in-law and fellow traffic officer, said though every situation is different, the typical response from an intoxicated driver is that he or she only had two beers; unfortunately “it’s usually more than that,” he said.
Officers are only allowed to pull over a vehicle if the driver breaks the law. Officers are not allowed to stop drivers just because they left a bar, but they can pull over those who do not use the turn signal, have a broken headlight or show signs of erratic driving.
“The first thing to go with alcohol is judgment. It’s not that they weren’t sober enough to drive a car in a straight line, but when they wanted to make a turn, they thought it was earlier or later. Or it’s a yellow (light), and they think they can still make it,” Rice said.
That light often changes to red quicker than anticipated, Rice said. Sometimes, drivers see his police car behind them and immediately pull into a parking lot. If they have nothing to hide, he wonders, why did they do that?
Challoner said though most vehicle stops are not dangerous, some people are grouchy or belligerent.
Rice said any car he pulls over could be dangerous “but you just do your job and be wary.”
In his off-duty hours, said Rice, he doesn’t think too much about the possibility of sharing the road with a driver under the influence.
But when Rice drives around on his own time, he looks at people in other cars. It’s kind of a habit, he said.
“It just comes with the job,” he said.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Women thrive at Folsom's Powerhouse Ministries
Steffi Broski
CNS Staff Writer
Homelessness is not always a big-city problem. Just ask Patty Record.
Record is the coordinator for Powerhouse Transition Center, a transitional living program for women in Folsom, a well-to-do suburban enclave of less than 70,000 people.
“Some women have been homeless and slept in a car, some have been in programs for years, some come to us from broken families or bad relationships,” Record said.
In 2004, Powerhouse Ministries opened the Powerhouse Transition Center on Wales Drive, offering a 9-month to 2-year transitional living program for women. Now, eight women live there, a few of them with their children, and plans are underway to expand the center.
While Folsom residents receive priority, the program accepts women from the entire Sacramento area. Residents follow a daily program of classes on finance, anger management and parenting skills. Many enroll in academic classes to earn a GED and find out what kind of work they want to do upon completing the program. Counseling is a fundamental part of their stay too. A case manager helps each person to set individual goals.
Record knows the need is much bigger. There are no overnight shelters in Folsom; homeless are forced to “disappear in the night,” she said. Record said in suburbia, the homeless are not as obvious as in downtown Sacramento.
“If you go to the park at certain times, you might see people playing cards- and all of them are probably homeless,” she said. “People have been in denial for a long time.”
Record said she knows of at least 30 homeless in Folsom, some of them children. The National Coalition for the Homeless estimated that in 2006, 30 percent of the homeless were families with children. Single women comprised 17 percent, and minors without families, 2 percent.
But exact numbers are difficult to determine, even in a community as small as Folsom.
“I know when the light rail was coming in a lot of people were against it because they were afraid that the marginalized were coming into our society,” said Stephenie Carr, the missional living director at Folsom’s Oak Hills Church. “But they are already here.”
This month, the transitional living center is planning to start an expansion. There are plans for an exercise room, a visitor’s area, a bigger classroom and a commercial kitchen. Record said she is accepting applications as there will be room for two or three more adults and a few children.
To be accepted into the center, women must be drug-free and are tested randomly during their stay. Though the program is faith-based, it is not mandatory for the women to be or become Christians. But, Record said, classes are designed with a spiritual perspective.
One of the current residents is Kathy, who declined to give her last name because she wants to shield her teenage daughter’s identity.
“I learned a lot about myself,” she said. “It was mainly the love and support that gave me an open mind to change.”
Kathy said she began using drugs at 13 and spent time in prison. Now, she is planning to become an EMT.
She said the biggest problem for women entering the center is low self-esteem. The center gives woman a safe and caring environment to build up their self image and turn their lives around, she said.
Powerhouse Ministries Pastor Nancy Atchley gives tours of the center on the first Thursday of every month.
“I feel sometimes like people think we have a bunch of addicts and alcoholics here. We started the tours so people see this is not a dump,” said Record. “It’s a bunch of neat ladies in here that picked themselves up and are doing something with their lives.”
Several area churches, volunteers and non-profit organizations assist Powerhouse Ministries. Oak Hills Church volunteers cook and serve dinners to women and children at the center for two to three months per year.
Like other non-profit organizations, the economic downturn has had an effect on Powerhouse Ministries, Carr said. Powerhouse receives about 100 calls per week asking for assistance with food, rent and gas.
“People used to turn to family members and close friends when they lost their home, but now you have whole extended families that have this problem,” said Carr. “It’s a really complicated issue.”
With a declining economy, the need for funding and volunteers for programs such as the Powerhouse Transition Center, or its other areas of service like the Drop-in-Center and Neighborhood Outreach, is bigger than ever. Unfortunately, resources dwindle as fewer people are able to donate money.
“No matter how hard we are hit by this economy, there are people that are hit harder,” she said. “Some people have to eat a dinner that costs less, but others don’t eat anything.”
CNS Staff Writer
Homelessness is not always a big-city problem. Just ask Patty Record.
Record is the coordinator for Powerhouse Transition Center, a transitional living program for women in Folsom, a well-to-do suburban enclave of less than 70,000 people.
“Some women have been homeless and slept in a car, some have been in programs for years, some come to us from broken families or bad relationships,” Record said.
In 2004, Powerhouse Ministries opened the Powerhouse Transition Center on Wales Drive, offering a 9-month to 2-year transitional living program for women. Now, eight women live there, a few of them with their children, and plans are underway to expand the center.
While Folsom residents receive priority, the program accepts women from the entire Sacramento area. Residents follow a daily program of classes on finance, anger management and parenting skills. Many enroll in academic classes to earn a GED and find out what kind of work they want to do upon completing the program. Counseling is a fundamental part of their stay too. A case manager helps each person to set individual goals.
Record knows the need is much bigger. There are no overnight shelters in Folsom; homeless are forced to “disappear in the night,” she said. Record said in suburbia, the homeless are not as obvious as in downtown Sacramento.
“If you go to the park at certain times, you might see people playing cards- and all of them are probably homeless,” she said. “People have been in denial for a long time.”
Record said she knows of at least 30 homeless in Folsom, some of them children. The National Coalition for the Homeless estimated that in 2006, 30 percent of the homeless were families with children. Single women comprised 17 percent, and minors without families, 2 percent.
But exact numbers are difficult to determine, even in a community as small as Folsom.
“I know when the light rail was coming in a lot of people were against it because they were afraid that the marginalized were coming into our society,” said Stephenie Carr, the missional living director at Folsom’s Oak Hills Church. “But they are already here.”
This month, the transitional living center is planning to start an expansion. There are plans for an exercise room, a visitor’s area, a bigger classroom and a commercial kitchen. Record said she is accepting applications as there will be room for two or three more adults and a few children.
To be accepted into the center, women must be drug-free and are tested randomly during their stay. Though the program is faith-based, it is not mandatory for the women to be or become Christians. But, Record said, classes are designed with a spiritual perspective.
One of the current residents is Kathy, who declined to give her last name because she wants to shield her teenage daughter’s identity.
“I learned a lot about myself,” she said. “It was mainly the love and support that gave me an open mind to change.”
Kathy said she began using drugs at 13 and spent time in prison. Now, she is planning to become an EMT.
She said the biggest problem for women entering the center is low self-esteem. The center gives woman a safe and caring environment to build up their self image and turn their lives around, she said.
Powerhouse Ministries Pastor Nancy Atchley gives tours of the center on the first Thursday of every month.
“I feel sometimes like people think we have a bunch of addicts and alcoholics here. We started the tours so people see this is not a dump,” said Record. “It’s a bunch of neat ladies in here that picked themselves up and are doing something with their lives.”
Several area churches, volunteers and non-profit organizations assist Powerhouse Ministries. Oak Hills Church volunteers cook and serve dinners to women and children at the center for two to three months per year.
Like other non-profit organizations, the economic downturn has had an effect on Powerhouse Ministries, Carr said. Powerhouse receives about 100 calls per week asking for assistance with food, rent and gas.
“People used to turn to family members and close friends when they lost their home, but now you have whole extended families that have this problem,” said Carr. “It’s a really complicated issue.”
With a declining economy, the need for funding and volunteers for programs such as the Powerhouse Transition Center, or its other areas of service like the Drop-in-Center and Neighborhood Outreach, is bigger than ever. Unfortunately, resources dwindle as fewer people are able to donate money.
“No matter how hard we are hit by this economy, there are people that are hit harder,” she said. “Some people have to eat a dinner that costs less, but others don’t eat anything.”
Rancho to consider Folsom Blvd. zoning policy
By Megan Hansen
CNS Staff Writer
The Rancho Cordova Planning Commission this month will consider a plan designed to help Folsom Boulevard business and property owners cope with zoning changes and economic woes.
The plan comes as a response to some business and property owners who say they’ve experienced more vacancies along Folsom Boulevard as a result of the city’s new zoning codes.
The zoning changes limit the use of some properties on Folsom Boulevard to encourage more residential and retail spaces instead of large-scale commercial. Concerns about these changes were presented to the Rancho Cordova City Council on May 4.
The resulting “Folsom Boulevard Relief Plan” is a provisional amendment to the Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan, which was adopted in 2006.
The new plan would extend the amount of time property owners have to fill vacancies from six months to eighteen months. Current law states that if property owners cannot find a tenant within six months, they forfeit their past property use and must abide by the new zoning code.
Megan McMurtry, of Rancho Cordova’s Economic Development Department, said the City Council is open to changing the law.
“At first, we proposed extending the vacancy time from six to 12 months before the non-conforming use status would be lost on the property,” McMurtry said. “But the council recommended 18 months because of the state of the economy.”
Curt Haven, Rancho Cordova Economic Development Director, said the goal of the proposal is to prevent vacancies.
“If a whole building, not just one tenant, goes dark than the new 18 month extension will kick in,” Haven said. “However, it will not be retroactive. If a business has already been closed more than 18 months it won’t apply to them.”
The new plan would allow commercial uses in medium-density residential zones along Folsom Boulevard.
Non-conforming properties in the medium-density residential zones now have very limited commercial reuse. Under this provision, most retail, services and office uses would be permitted.
“Midtown Sacramento is a good example of mixed-use properties,” Haven said. “It allows for people to walk right out of their doors and into a restaurant.”
The amendment would help Folsom Boulevard property owners like Kim To. To has a non-conforming mixed use property with a retail tenant and no residential units. She’s been struggling to get a business permit for more than three months.
“I bought the property without knowing that the zoning had changed,” To said. “I’ve been waiting, waiting and waiting. In the meantime, my tenant has not paid rent because we can’t get the permit.”
Under the “Folsom Boulevard Relief Plan,” To would have 18 months instead of six to secure her tenant and business permit. She would be allowed to have retail, service or office uses on her property without worrying about residential units.
McMurtry said there are more steps to take before the plan can be implemented.
“After we take this to the Planning Commission, we’ll hopefully take it back to the City Council on June 1,” McMurtry said. “Any actual changes to amend the plan would happen in July.”
To said July is too far away.
“At first they told me it was going to be in June and now it’s July,” To said. “It’s been very difficult. I have to pay my mortgage and it’s been so difficult.”
The Planning Commission will consider the “Folsom Boulevard Relief Plan” at 6 p.m. May 14 in the City Hall Council Chambers, 2729 Prospect Park Drive.
CNS Staff Writer
The Rancho Cordova Planning Commission this month will consider a plan designed to help Folsom Boulevard business and property owners cope with zoning changes and economic woes.
The plan comes as a response to some business and property owners who say they’ve experienced more vacancies along Folsom Boulevard as a result of the city’s new zoning codes.
The zoning changes limit the use of some properties on Folsom Boulevard to encourage more residential and retail spaces instead of large-scale commercial. Concerns about these changes were presented to the Rancho Cordova City Council on May 4.
The resulting “Folsom Boulevard Relief Plan” is a provisional amendment to the Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan, which was adopted in 2006.
The new plan would extend the amount of time property owners have to fill vacancies from six months to eighteen months. Current law states that if property owners cannot find a tenant within six months, they forfeit their past property use and must abide by the new zoning code.
Megan McMurtry, of Rancho Cordova’s Economic Development Department, said the City Council is open to changing the law.
“At first, we proposed extending the vacancy time from six to 12 months before the non-conforming use status would be lost on the property,” McMurtry said. “But the council recommended 18 months because of the state of the economy.”
Curt Haven, Rancho Cordova Economic Development Director, said the goal of the proposal is to prevent vacancies.
“If a whole building, not just one tenant, goes dark than the new 18 month extension will kick in,” Haven said. “However, it will not be retroactive. If a business has already been closed more than 18 months it won’t apply to them.”
The new plan would allow commercial uses in medium-density residential zones along Folsom Boulevard.
Non-conforming properties in the medium-density residential zones now have very limited commercial reuse. Under this provision, most retail, services and office uses would be permitted.
“Midtown Sacramento is a good example of mixed-use properties,” Haven said. “It allows for people to walk right out of their doors and into a restaurant.”
The amendment would help Folsom Boulevard property owners like Kim To. To has a non-conforming mixed use property with a retail tenant and no residential units. She’s been struggling to get a business permit for more than three months.
“I bought the property without knowing that the zoning had changed,” To said. “I’ve been waiting, waiting and waiting. In the meantime, my tenant has not paid rent because we can’t get the permit.”
Under the “Folsom Boulevard Relief Plan,” To would have 18 months instead of six to secure her tenant and business permit. She would be allowed to have retail, service or office uses on her property without worrying about residential units.
McMurtry said there are more steps to take before the plan can be implemented.
“After we take this to the Planning Commission, we’ll hopefully take it back to the City Council on June 1,” McMurtry said. “Any actual changes to amend the plan would happen in July.”
To said July is too far away.
“At first they told me it was going to be in June and now it’s July,” To said. “It’s been very difficult. I have to pay my mortgage and it’s been so difficult.”
The Planning Commission will consider the “Folsom Boulevard Relief Plan” at 6 p.m. May 14 in the City Hall Council Chambers, 2729 Prospect Park Drive.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Roseville historian collects a century of memories
Dan King
CNS Staff Writer
Every centennial celebration needs someone like Roseville historian Leonard “Duke” Davis.
Davis, who has collected local lore for much of his 82 years, wrote an update version of his history of Roseville, Milestones & Memories: The Story of Roseville, California 1850-2009, especially for this month’s 100th birthday bash.
“More has happened in the last ten years than the fifty years proceeding that,” Davis said. “So this was a good time to update it and rewrite some of the stuff and put in another chapter we call ‘the rest of the story.’”
Davis looks much younger than he is. He tends to talk and walk quickly, and stand tall and straight. He hasn’t lost the bearing of an English instructor, his profession for 44 years.
He lives in a little house near the footbridge that crosses Dry Creek. His residence is tidy, but contains his large collection of memorabilia from Placer County’s past. He built his collection by noting obituaries of old-time residents and asking their families if he could look through their photographs and papers.
Davis is one of those old-time residents. He was born and raised not far from where he now lives. He went to Roseville High School, graduating in 1944 just in time to be drafted in World War II and see action at the final battle of Okinawa.
“I started college on the GI Bill, and thank God for that,” Davis said. He went to Placer College when it was in Auburn and then to Sacramento State, majoring in education and history.
His master’s thesis was on the history of Auburn; that sparked his interest in his own city’s history.
Davis spent 44 years teaching at junior and senior highs and community colleges in and around Roseville.
“As a teacher, in the summer I would always travel all around the world. I always come back here,” he said.
Rather than retiring to the golf course, he kept writing local histories.
“Everyone calls me the town historian. I guess it’s because I am the only one. I just take it grudgingly,” he said.
Roseville has changed from a small town where everyone knows everyone else to a city of more than 110,000 people. But Davis is one of many longtime residents who have chosen to stay in Roseville, helping retain some of that village feel.
Originally published for Roseville’s 90th birthday celebration, Milestones & Memories, was out of print until the new version was released last Saturday as part of the city’s birthday celebration. The release was at the new Turn the Page Bookstore, which had a line out the door before the 2 p.m. release.
“The book signing was just phenomenal,” said Andrew Bos, manager of the Vernon Street bookstore.
He said Davis sold and signed 61 copies of his book during the one-hour event.
Most of the people in line at the book signing were older residents, bringing previous books and pamphlets written by Davis to be signed.
“I think the average age of the people in line for the signing was easily past 60,” Bos said.
Davis added new appendixes, including the history of city budgets and a list of Roseville parks and bike trails.
“It is going to be a great resource for us in the city government,” said Julia Burrows, deputy city manager. “If we need to know what our budget was in 1964, we have it all right there.”
Roseville Councilman Jim Gray said he thinks the final chapter added a tremendous amount to the book.
“We just can’t give enough accolades to Duke for his hard work on the book,” Gray said. “He has been so involved in the centennial and he is a great fixture of our town.”
Burrows said during the first weekend, about 100 books of the initial publishing of 1,000 books were sold. They were also given out to the dignitaries who spoke out at the birthday party.
“We are so lucky to have Duke as part of our city,” Burrows said. “As a native of Roseville, he has been busy collecting our history most of his life.”
The book is now available for $25 from the City Clerk’s Office at 311 Vernon St. Profits benefit the Roseville Arts Center.
CNS Staff Writer
Every centennial celebration needs someone like Roseville historian Leonard “Duke” Davis.
Davis, who has collected local lore for much of his 82 years, wrote an update version of his history of Roseville, Milestones & Memories: The Story of Roseville, California 1850-2009, especially for this month’s 100th birthday bash.
“More has happened in the last ten years than the fifty years proceeding that,” Davis said. “So this was a good time to update it and rewrite some of the stuff and put in another chapter we call ‘the rest of the story.’”
Davis looks much younger than he is. He tends to talk and walk quickly, and stand tall and straight. He hasn’t lost the bearing of an English instructor, his profession for 44 years.
He lives in a little house near the footbridge that crosses Dry Creek. His residence is tidy, but contains his large collection of memorabilia from Placer County’s past. He built his collection by noting obituaries of old-time residents and asking their families if he could look through their photographs and papers.
Davis is one of those old-time residents. He was born and raised not far from where he now lives. He went to Roseville High School, graduating in 1944 just in time to be drafted in World War II and see action at the final battle of Okinawa.
“I started college on the GI Bill, and thank God for that,” Davis said. He went to Placer College when it was in Auburn and then to Sacramento State, majoring in education and history.
His master’s thesis was on the history of Auburn; that sparked his interest in his own city’s history.
Davis spent 44 years teaching at junior and senior highs and community colleges in and around Roseville.
“As a teacher, in the summer I would always travel all around the world. I always come back here,” he said.
Rather than retiring to the golf course, he kept writing local histories.
“Everyone calls me the town historian. I guess it’s because I am the only one. I just take it grudgingly,” he said.
Roseville has changed from a small town where everyone knows everyone else to a city of more than 110,000 people. But Davis is one of many longtime residents who have chosen to stay in Roseville, helping retain some of that village feel.
Originally published for Roseville’s 90th birthday celebration, Milestones & Memories, was out of print until the new version was released last Saturday as part of the city’s birthday celebration. The release was at the new Turn the Page Bookstore, which had a line out the door before the 2 p.m. release.
“The book signing was just phenomenal,” said Andrew Bos, manager of the Vernon Street bookstore.
He said Davis sold and signed 61 copies of his book during the one-hour event.
Most of the people in line at the book signing were older residents, bringing previous books and pamphlets written by Davis to be signed.
“I think the average age of the people in line for the signing was easily past 60,” Bos said.
Davis added new appendixes, including the history of city budgets and a list of Roseville parks and bike trails.
“It is going to be a great resource for us in the city government,” said Julia Burrows, deputy city manager. “If we need to know what our budget was in 1964, we have it all right there.”
Roseville Councilman Jim Gray said he thinks the final chapter added a tremendous amount to the book.
“We just can’t give enough accolades to Duke for his hard work on the book,” Gray said. “He has been so involved in the centennial and he is a great fixture of our town.”
Burrows said during the first weekend, about 100 books of the initial publishing of 1,000 books were sold. They were also given out to the dignitaries who spoke out at the birthday party.
“We are so lucky to have Duke as part of our city,” Burrows said. “As a native of Roseville, he has been busy collecting our history most of his life.”
The book is now available for $25 from the City Clerk’s Office at 311 Vernon St. Profits benefit the Roseville Arts Center.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Folsom steps up DUI enforcement
By Steffi Broski
CNS Staff Writer
The statistics are grim.
Two years ago, the Office of Traffic Safety ranked Folsom 28 out of 106 California towns with populations of 50,001 to 100,000 for the most alcohol-related collisions.
In 2007, 55 people died in alcohol-related collisions in Sacramento County and 887 people were injured.
In February, an intoxicated driver hit a Folsom police officer, and a few weeks ago, a suspected drunk driver in Southern California killed Los Angeles Angels’ pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others.
“As a society, we have become complacent about drinking and driving,” said Folsom Police Chief Sam Spiegel. “People don’t think of it as this is a person that may be killing one of their family members.”
With more than 80 more Folsom DUI arrests in 2008 than 2007, and already 82 arrests in January and February of this year, it remains unclear whether the arrest numbers indicate success in the fight against driving under the influence or just showcase the dimensions of the problem.
Spiegel said it is possible arrests are up because of increased DUI enforcement. Fifteen more officers have been hired since 2007. In October, Folsom assigned an officer to DUI enforcement. Traffic Officer Robert Challoner now cruises the streets looking for traffic offenders, and in particular, those who are impaired due to intoxication.
“Last summer we saw an increase in drunk driving. We had regular patrolmen that saw the problem, but knew they were missing out because they had to take care of other calls,” Challoner said.
Upon arresting the drivers, the excuse is almost always the same. “They downplay it,” Challoner said. He said one of the biggest problems is the notion that “everybody drives drunk once in a while.”
But penalties are harsh. Spiegel said a first-time offender will have to pay thousands of dollars, deal with lost days at work, attorney fees, rehabilitation and meetings.
Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Kelly Clark said a third-time offender who causes an accident that injured someone will automatically be charged with a felony. Second and third time DUI offenses are common, she said.
While most DUIs in Folsom are related to drinking, drug and prescription medication use impair driving as well, Spiegel said.
People of all ages are being charged with DUIs. In Folsom, 200 people between 21 and 30 years old were the majority of DUI arrests in 2008, but there were almost a 100 offenders in their thirties and 73 offenders between ages 41 and 50.
“Last week I had a gentleman in court that was 81 years old,” Clark said. “DUI is one of those crimes that crosses all financial, ethnic and cultural boundaries and barriers.”
Clark, along with two district attorney criminal investigators and their supervisor Lieutenant Jason Gray, has formed the Recidivist Driving Under the Influence Program. The RED Team, which is financed with grant money from the state Office of Traffic Safety, is targeting repeat DUI offenders who have failed to appear in court. They will meet regularly with law enforcement.
“We just had our first meeting,” Clark said. “We talk about DUI prosecution and get all on the same page to see what really works.”
Clark said between arrest and court date, the offenders tend to “change their story.” At the meetings, officers receive helpful advice in how to gather enough evidence, such as feeling the hood of the car to see if it is warm from driving, measuring the distance between wheel and seat or asking the person if he or she was driving.
A few times a year, Folsom police set up checkpoints to catch intoxicated drivers. At a City Council meeting a few weeks ago, Spiegel asked the council for permission to apply for grant funding for, among other items, more frequent DUI checkpoints. The Folsom Police Department will be notified in five to six weeks if they received the grant.
City Councilman Ernie Sheldon said checkpoints are good, but DUIs are an “on-going, everyday affair.”
His interest in the topic is personal. Sheldon was hit by a drunk driver one late afternoon in 2005. He had a sore neck for a while, but said he was lucky – his injuries could’ve been much worse.
Although most alcohol-involved fatal collisions in California take place in the evening hours and shortly after midnight, the OTS numbers indicate that they continuously occur throughout the day.
Spiegel said the department works with several organizations in its fight against driving under the influence, such as Citizens Assisting Public Safety. A number of Folsom bars are giving out buttons to designated drivers, who will then be served only non-alcoholic drinks, oftentimes free of charge. If there is no designated driver, cabs are always waiting to take intoxicated passengers to wherever they’d like to go.
“I will never forget what the cab driver told us that one New Years Eve night,” Clark said.
She was in her twenties and out with girlfriends. At the end of the night, they ordered a cab. As they were sitting in it, the cab driver explained that it is cheaper to take a cab from Napa Valley to Los Angeles and back than to get a DUI.
“That always stuck with me,” she said.
CNS Staff Writer
The statistics are grim.
Two years ago, the Office of Traffic Safety ranked Folsom 28 out of 106 California towns with populations of 50,001 to 100,000 for the most alcohol-related collisions.
In 2007, 55 people died in alcohol-related collisions in Sacramento County and 887 people were injured.
In February, an intoxicated driver hit a Folsom police officer, and a few weeks ago, a suspected drunk driver in Southern California killed Los Angeles Angels’ pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others.
“As a society, we have become complacent about drinking and driving,” said Folsom Police Chief Sam Spiegel. “People don’t think of it as this is a person that may be killing one of their family members.”
With more than 80 more Folsom DUI arrests in 2008 than 2007, and already 82 arrests in January and February of this year, it remains unclear whether the arrest numbers indicate success in the fight against driving under the influence or just showcase the dimensions of the problem.
Spiegel said it is possible arrests are up because of increased DUI enforcement. Fifteen more officers have been hired since 2007. In October, Folsom assigned an officer to DUI enforcement. Traffic Officer Robert Challoner now cruises the streets looking for traffic offenders, and in particular, those who are impaired due to intoxication.
“Last summer we saw an increase in drunk driving. We had regular patrolmen that saw the problem, but knew they were missing out because they had to take care of other calls,” Challoner said.
Upon arresting the drivers, the excuse is almost always the same. “They downplay it,” Challoner said. He said one of the biggest problems is the notion that “everybody drives drunk once in a while.”
But penalties are harsh. Spiegel said a first-time offender will have to pay thousands of dollars, deal with lost days at work, attorney fees, rehabilitation and meetings.
Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Kelly Clark said a third-time offender who causes an accident that injured someone will automatically be charged with a felony. Second and third time DUI offenses are common, she said.
While most DUIs in Folsom are related to drinking, drug and prescription medication use impair driving as well, Spiegel said.
People of all ages are being charged with DUIs. In Folsom, 200 people between 21 and 30 years old were the majority of DUI arrests in 2008, but there were almost a 100 offenders in their thirties and 73 offenders between ages 41 and 50.
“Last week I had a gentleman in court that was 81 years old,” Clark said. “DUI is one of those crimes that crosses all financial, ethnic and cultural boundaries and barriers.”
Clark, along with two district attorney criminal investigators and their supervisor Lieutenant Jason Gray, has formed the Recidivist Driving Under the Influence Program. The RED Team, which is financed with grant money from the state Office of Traffic Safety, is targeting repeat DUI offenders who have failed to appear in court. They will meet regularly with law enforcement.
“We just had our first meeting,” Clark said. “We talk about DUI prosecution and get all on the same page to see what really works.”
Clark said between arrest and court date, the offenders tend to “change their story.” At the meetings, officers receive helpful advice in how to gather enough evidence, such as feeling the hood of the car to see if it is warm from driving, measuring the distance between wheel and seat or asking the person if he or she was driving.
A few times a year, Folsom police set up checkpoints to catch intoxicated drivers. At a City Council meeting a few weeks ago, Spiegel asked the council for permission to apply for grant funding for, among other items, more frequent DUI checkpoints. The Folsom Police Department will be notified in five to six weeks if they received the grant.
City Councilman Ernie Sheldon said checkpoints are good, but DUIs are an “on-going, everyday affair.”
His interest in the topic is personal. Sheldon was hit by a drunk driver one late afternoon in 2005. He had a sore neck for a while, but said he was lucky – his injuries could’ve been much worse.
Although most alcohol-involved fatal collisions in California take place in the evening hours and shortly after midnight, the OTS numbers indicate that they continuously occur throughout the day.
Spiegel said the department works with several organizations in its fight against driving under the influence, such as Citizens Assisting Public Safety. A number of Folsom bars are giving out buttons to designated drivers, who will then be served only non-alcoholic drinks, oftentimes free of charge. If there is no designated driver, cabs are always waiting to take intoxicated passengers to wherever they’d like to go.
“I will never forget what the cab driver told us that one New Years Eve night,” Clark said.
She was in her twenties and out with girlfriends. At the end of the night, they ordered a cab. As they were sitting in it, the cab driver explained that it is cheaper to take a cab from Napa Valley to Los Angeles and back than to get a DUI.
“That always stuck with me,” she said.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Rancho tackles Folsom Blvd. zoning
By Megan Hansen
CNS Staff Writer
More than 20 business and property owners along Folsom Boulevard met with Rancho Cordova city officials on April 2 to discuss ways to improve this beleaguered stretch of road.
Some property owners say recent changes to the city’s zoning codes, rather than encouraging businesses, have created more vacancies along Folsom Boulevard.
The city approved zoning changes in November 2006, after passing the Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan in July 2006. The zoning changes limit the uses of some properties on Folsom Boulevard in hopes of encouraging less large-scale commercial development and more retail, residential and office space.
City Planning Director Paul Junker said the zoning changes are part of an effort to turn Folsom Boulevard into a thriving urban district. City officials want to create pedestrian-friendly gathering places for the community where there are now deserted parking lots and drive-thru restaurants.
“There is just too much ground and square footage in Rancho for it to all be commercial, so there’s a lot of mixed-use properties,” Junker said. “This plan is setting the vision to make the boulevard a center of activity with vibrant, people-friendly places.”
Property owner Gary Sostchen said the businesses on his property do not meet the new zoning code. The businesses can continue to operate, but if they vacant, Sostchen must fill the space within six months or find tenants that adhere to the new zoning code.
Sostchen said he has a 50 percent vacancy in his buildings, located behind Jiffy Lube on Folsom Boulevard. He said he can’t find tenants to fit the new zoning standards – a problem he didn’t have under the old code.
“I am three to four months away from abandoning the property because I can’t find tenants to fit the code,” Sostchen said. “I can’t get a business loan to refinance and may have to close businesses because lenders see nonconforming properties as an obstacle and won’t loan.”
Business owner Al Gonzalez has owned an auto repair shop at 10655 Coloma Rd. near Folsom Boulevard for 30 years. Gonzalez said he has been trying to expand for two years but encountered problems with the zoning code.
“The city has a vision and wants us to foot the bill,” Gonzalez said. “This is all about developers and investors. The city is setting up these properties to sell it to them and they want to divide us.”
Beth Walter, Folsom Boulevard property owner and past president of the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce, said zoning is an issue, but the city’s vision takes precedence.
“This is a very, very hot-potato issue,” Walter said.
Junker said the Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan will help attract people to Folsom Boulevard over time. The goal is to make Folsom Boulevard more than just a route to get to other places, he said.
“We think Folsom Boulevard should be a lot more successful and we need to create a path to build for the future,” Junker said. “There is a cost, there is pain right now but ultimately there will be an increase in all property values.”
Current law states that if property owners cannot find a tenant within six months, they forfeit their past property use and must abide by the new zoning code. Junker said it might be possible to extend the current six month vacancy period to 12 months.
Curt Haven, Rancho Cordova’s economic development director, said the purpose of the meeting is to look at the issues of Folsom Boulevard and develop a plan to help business and property owners.
The next meeting of the Folsom Boulevard Business Group will take place on May 7 at the Mills Station Building, and will cover the issue of financing for nonconforming use property owners.
CNS Staff Writer
More than 20 business and property owners along Folsom Boulevard met with Rancho Cordova city officials on April 2 to discuss ways to improve this beleaguered stretch of road.
Some property owners say recent changes to the city’s zoning codes, rather than encouraging businesses, have created more vacancies along Folsom Boulevard.
The city approved zoning changes in November 2006, after passing the Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan in July 2006. The zoning changes limit the uses of some properties on Folsom Boulevard in hopes of encouraging less large-scale commercial development and more retail, residential and office space.
City Planning Director Paul Junker said the zoning changes are part of an effort to turn Folsom Boulevard into a thriving urban district. City officials want to create pedestrian-friendly gathering places for the community where there are now deserted parking lots and drive-thru restaurants.
“There is just too much ground and square footage in Rancho for it to all be commercial, so there’s a lot of mixed-use properties,” Junker said. “This plan is setting the vision to make the boulevard a center of activity with vibrant, people-friendly places.”
Property owner Gary Sostchen said the businesses on his property do not meet the new zoning code. The businesses can continue to operate, but if they vacant, Sostchen must fill the space within six months or find tenants that adhere to the new zoning code.
Sostchen said he has a 50 percent vacancy in his buildings, located behind Jiffy Lube on Folsom Boulevard. He said he can’t find tenants to fit the new zoning standards – a problem he didn’t have under the old code.
“I am three to four months away from abandoning the property because I can’t find tenants to fit the code,” Sostchen said. “I can’t get a business loan to refinance and may have to close businesses because lenders see nonconforming properties as an obstacle and won’t loan.”
Business owner Al Gonzalez has owned an auto repair shop at 10655 Coloma Rd. near Folsom Boulevard for 30 years. Gonzalez said he has been trying to expand for two years but encountered problems with the zoning code.
“The city has a vision and wants us to foot the bill,” Gonzalez said. “This is all about developers and investors. The city is setting up these properties to sell it to them and they want to divide us.”
Beth Walter, Folsom Boulevard property owner and past president of the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce, said zoning is an issue, but the city’s vision takes precedence.
“This is a very, very hot-potato issue,” Walter said.
Junker said the Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan will help attract people to Folsom Boulevard over time. The goal is to make Folsom Boulevard more than just a route to get to other places, he said.
“We think Folsom Boulevard should be a lot more successful and we need to create a path to build for the future,” Junker said. “There is a cost, there is pain right now but ultimately there will be an increase in all property values.”
Current law states that if property owners cannot find a tenant within six months, they forfeit their past property use and must abide by the new zoning code. Junker said it might be possible to extend the current six month vacancy period to 12 months.
Curt Haven, Rancho Cordova’s economic development director, said the purpose of the meeting is to look at the issues of Folsom Boulevard and develop a plan to help business and property owners.
The next meeting of the Folsom Boulevard Business Group will take place on May 7 at the Mills Station Building, and will cover the issue of financing for nonconforming use property owners.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Roseville opens accessible parks
By Dan King
CNS Staff Writer
While in many public venues, access for people with disabilities has improved over the last few decades, all too often, access has meant nothing more than meeting the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
But the City of Roseville is going beyond the legal mandates and welcoming disabled residents to its outdoor facilities. Roseville’s Project Play has committed to building three universally accessible parks in three different regions of the city.
The idea is to make the parks enjoyable for all children, regardless of abilities.
Some of the features include ramps, hard-backed swings and “sensory fun” areas where children can make noise and feel textures. Cushioned rubber surfaces replace the usual sand and bark, allowing wheelchair access to the entire play structure.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that of the 2,122 disabled children aged 5-15 in Placer County in 2006, almost 60 percent live in Roseville.
Roseville resident Jackie DeMuth was a driving force in convincing the city to back universal access to playgrounds.
Her granddaughter, Zoie Digne, was born eight years ago with cerebral palsy and only weighed 1 pound 10 ounces.
“We saw her watching other kids doing things that she couldn’t do,” DeMuth said. “It was a process coming to grips with her disability, and the process included doing something for Zoie.”
They considered a swing set in the backyard, but it wouldn’t give Zoie a chance to interact with other children.
DeMuth discovered a non-profit called Shane’s Inspiration, whose mission is to eliminate bias against children with disabilities. They do so by helping to create universally accessible playgrounds and organize programs for children with disabilities to interact with children without special needs.
She brought the idea to create an accessible playground to the Roseville City Council in May 2007. Less than two years later, the first of the three planned playgrounds was opened to the public.
“My husband and I are thrilled to live in a community so willing to help others,” DeMuth said. “They have been so generous and so anxious to help.”
Councilman John Allard has served on the universal playground steering committee during the parks’ development. He says the speed with which the committee raised the funds and opened the first structure speaks volumes about the Roseville community.
“I’ve gotten tremendous comments and support from everyone,” he said. “I have not received any negative comments.”
Councilwoman Carol Garcia also serves on the playground steering committee.
“In these tough economic times, it is important for our residents to know the funds did not come out of the general fund,” she said. “The public funds that have gone into these parks came from various public grants, and the rest was raised from private donations.”
Jeff Dubchansky, assistant parks & recreation director, is the project manager for Roseville’s Project Play. He said public funds have contributed $1 million to designing, building and maintaining these parks. The projected cost for all three parks is $2.2 million. So far $790,000 of the needed $1.2 million has been privately raised.
Wesley Lujan, director of public affairs for Union Pacific was responsible for donating $30,000 from the Union Pacific Grant.
“It’s important for all children to get to play like other kids,” he said. “Secondly, our employees live in the area and we wanted to be part of such a strong public and private partnership.”
The three playgrounds are spread across the city, with one in Maidu Park at the southern end, one in Mahany Park in the north end and one in Royer Park in the downtown area. The Maidu playground opened to the public in late March and will have its grand opening celebration on May 2. The first part of Mahany Park’s playground is scheduled to open June 25.
“It’s great the parks are in three different sections of the city, serving not only Roseville but other areas,” DeMuth said. “Maidu also serves children with special needs in Orangevale and Granite Bay. Mahany can serve Antelope, Rocklin and Lincoln.”
CNS Staff Writer
While in many public venues, access for people with disabilities has improved over the last few decades, all too often, access has meant nothing more than meeting the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
But the City of Roseville is going beyond the legal mandates and welcoming disabled residents to its outdoor facilities. Roseville’s Project Play has committed to building three universally accessible parks in three different regions of the city.
The idea is to make the parks enjoyable for all children, regardless of abilities.
Some of the features include ramps, hard-backed swings and “sensory fun” areas where children can make noise and feel textures. Cushioned rubber surfaces replace the usual sand and bark, allowing wheelchair access to the entire play structure.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that of the 2,122 disabled children aged 5-15 in Placer County in 2006, almost 60 percent live in Roseville.
Roseville resident Jackie DeMuth was a driving force in convincing the city to back universal access to playgrounds.
Her granddaughter, Zoie Digne, was born eight years ago with cerebral palsy and only weighed 1 pound 10 ounces.
“We saw her watching other kids doing things that she couldn’t do,” DeMuth said. “It was a process coming to grips with her disability, and the process included doing something for Zoie.”
They considered a swing set in the backyard, but it wouldn’t give Zoie a chance to interact with other children.
DeMuth discovered a non-profit called Shane’s Inspiration, whose mission is to eliminate bias against children with disabilities. They do so by helping to create universally accessible playgrounds and organize programs for children with disabilities to interact with children without special needs.
She brought the idea to create an accessible playground to the Roseville City Council in May 2007. Less than two years later, the first of the three planned playgrounds was opened to the public.
“My husband and I are thrilled to live in a community so willing to help others,” DeMuth said. “They have been so generous and so anxious to help.”
Councilman John Allard has served on the universal playground steering committee during the parks’ development. He says the speed with which the committee raised the funds and opened the first structure speaks volumes about the Roseville community.
“I’ve gotten tremendous comments and support from everyone,” he said. “I have not received any negative comments.”
Councilwoman Carol Garcia also serves on the playground steering committee.
“In these tough economic times, it is important for our residents to know the funds did not come out of the general fund,” she said. “The public funds that have gone into these parks came from various public grants, and the rest was raised from private donations.”
Jeff Dubchansky, assistant parks & recreation director, is the project manager for Roseville’s Project Play. He said public funds have contributed $1 million to designing, building and maintaining these parks. The projected cost for all three parks is $2.2 million. So far $790,000 of the needed $1.2 million has been privately raised.
Wesley Lujan, director of public affairs for Union Pacific was responsible for donating $30,000 from the Union Pacific Grant.
“It’s important for all children to get to play like other kids,” he said. “Secondly, our employees live in the area and we wanted to be part of such a strong public and private partnership.”
The three playgrounds are spread across the city, with one in Maidu Park at the southern end, one in Mahany Park in the north end and one in Royer Park in the downtown area. The Maidu playground opened to the public in late March and will have its grand opening celebration on May 2. The first part of Mahany Park’s playground is scheduled to open June 25.
“It’s great the parks are in three different sections of the city, serving not only Roseville but other areas,” DeMuth said. “Maidu also serves children with special needs in Orangevale and Granite Bay. Mahany can serve Antelope, Rocklin and Lincoln.”
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Rancho Cordova to vote on new tax
By Megan Hansen
CNS Staff Writer
Rancho Cordova residents will pay more for using their cellular phones if a proposed utility tax to fund police services and city improvements is approved in the upcoming special election.
The City Council voted 4-1 on March 5 to place the tax on the May 19 ballot. If approved, the tax will be used for police services, maintenance and improvement of city streets, graffiti removal and code enforcement. The measure requires a two-thirds vote to pass.
The proposed tax expands upon an existing utility users’ tax that goes into the city’s general fund. The tax is a 2.5 percent charge on electricity, natural gas, landline telephones, cable television and sewer service. Adoption of the proposed tax would extend the 2.5 percent charge to newer communication technologies, such as cellular phones.
Councilman Robert McGarvey said the utility users’ tax needs an update as more people eliminate their landlines, resulting in a loss of utility tax revenue.
“We have a utility tax in existence and it needs to be rewritten so it can handle today’s electrical uses on phones, cable and other modern utilities,” McGarvey said. “We’re seeing a loss in landlines and right now we’re looking for some way to upgrade the current language of the tax.”
City Manager Ted Gaebler said the tax would help preserve city operations.
“We’re trying to preserve income and maintain the existing taxes,” Gaebler said. “We have a tax we want citizens to have an opportunity to sustain.”
However, not everyone wants the tax on the ballot. Councilman David Sander expressed opposition to the measure.
“If this passes, I’ll pay tax on my cell phone that I currently don’t,” Sander said. “I’m worried because we haven’t prepared a public campaign or citizen outreach program to explain this tax.”
Councilwoman Linda Budge said the proposed tax is an attempt to keep up with changing technology and would help alleviate current revenue shortages.
“This is a response to changing times and changing technology,” Budge said. “This is a prudent part of an overall budget strategy to try to make sure that the forecast for the two and three years out is not as grim as it certainly seems.”
Donna Silva, city finance director, said extending the utility tax to more users and designating funds for a specific purpose would ease financial strain on the city.
“We are in the throws of a recession,” Silva said. “We have experienced million dollar year after year declines in our sales tax revenues over the past two years and our property tax revenues are declining due to foreclosures.”
If passed, Silva said the new taxes would be implemented after notifying utility companies.
“We would notify companies like Verizon, AT&T, Comcast and DirectTV to update their billing procedures,” Silva said. “They already have the mechanisms in place to tax residents and make sure the money gets back to the city because they already do it with landlines- it would just need to be updated.”
Voters will receive their voting materials in the first or second week of April.
CNS Staff Writer
Rancho Cordova residents will pay more for using their cellular phones if a proposed utility tax to fund police services and city improvements is approved in the upcoming special election.
The City Council voted 4-1 on March 5 to place the tax on the May 19 ballot. If approved, the tax will be used for police services, maintenance and improvement of city streets, graffiti removal and code enforcement. The measure requires a two-thirds vote to pass.
The proposed tax expands upon an existing utility users’ tax that goes into the city’s general fund. The tax is a 2.5 percent charge on electricity, natural gas, landline telephones, cable television and sewer service. Adoption of the proposed tax would extend the 2.5 percent charge to newer communication technologies, such as cellular phones.
Councilman Robert McGarvey said the utility users’ tax needs an update as more people eliminate their landlines, resulting in a loss of utility tax revenue.
“We have a utility tax in existence and it needs to be rewritten so it can handle today’s electrical uses on phones, cable and other modern utilities,” McGarvey said. “We’re seeing a loss in landlines and right now we’re looking for some way to upgrade the current language of the tax.”
City Manager Ted Gaebler said the tax would help preserve city operations.
“We’re trying to preserve income and maintain the existing taxes,” Gaebler said. “We have a tax we want citizens to have an opportunity to sustain.”
However, not everyone wants the tax on the ballot. Councilman David Sander expressed opposition to the measure.
“If this passes, I’ll pay tax on my cell phone that I currently don’t,” Sander said. “I’m worried because we haven’t prepared a public campaign or citizen outreach program to explain this tax.”
Councilwoman Linda Budge said the proposed tax is an attempt to keep up with changing technology and would help alleviate current revenue shortages.
“This is a response to changing times and changing technology,” Budge said. “This is a prudent part of an overall budget strategy to try to make sure that the forecast for the two and three years out is not as grim as it certainly seems.”
Donna Silva, city finance director, said extending the utility tax to more users and designating funds for a specific purpose would ease financial strain on the city.
“We are in the throws of a recession,” Silva said. “We have experienced million dollar year after year declines in our sales tax revenues over the past two years and our property tax revenues are declining due to foreclosures.”
If passed, Silva said the new taxes would be implemented after notifying utility companies.
“We would notify companies like Verizon, AT&T, Comcast and DirectTV to update their billing procedures,” Silva said. “They already have the mechanisms in place to tax residents and make sure the money gets back to the city because they already do it with landlines- it would just need to be updated.”
Voters will receive their voting materials in the first or second week of April.
Elk Grove transit fees rise
By Todd Wilson
CNS Staff Writer
In these tough economic times, many Elk Grove residents use the city’s e-tran bus service to commute to work as a cost-saving measure, but starting this month, they are saving a little less.
On Feb. 11, the Elk Grove City Council voted to raise transit fares for the first time since fixed route service began in 2005. The increase went into effect on April 1.
One-way cash fares for adults have increased from $1.50 to $2.25, a 50 percent jump in price. Monthly commuter passes rose from $60 to $100, a nearly 67 percent increase.
City of Elk Grove Transit Manager Tiffany Fink said there are two reasons fare increases could not be put off any longer.
The first is to meet a state mandate requiring transit agencies to recover a certain percentage of their operating costs from fares. The second is an attempt to reach fare parity with Sacramento Regional Transit with which e-trans has transfer agreements.
Fink said in order for e-trans to receive funding from the state’s Transportation Development Act, state law requires the agency to recover 20 percent of its costs from transit box fares. If the agency does not meet this requirement, it will lose both state and federal funding.
Fink said this had not been a problem – until now – because the law allows for exemptions to give new transit agencies a few years to build their services.
“Recovering 20 percent from fare boxes right out of the gate is difficult to do,” Fink said.
Also, RT requested that E-trans renegotiate the transfer agreements between the two agencies to avoid fare disparity, Fink said.
“Being out of parity could create a gap and one agency could end up owing the other money,” Fink said.
One solution is to charge the same fare. Elk Grove decided to match RT’s fare, rather than risk owing money, Fink said.
When e-trans began offering fixed- route bus service, its rates were benchmarked to RT’s. Since then, RT’s fees have increased while e-tran’s have remained the same.
RT Chief Financial Officer Dee Brookshire said RT began talking about renegotiating transfer agreements with other agencies last summer. She said a February 2008 transit fare study showed the transfer agreements from lower fare agencies decreased revenue for RT.
Brookshire said RT offers more routes and services, such as light rail, than its partner agencies, and therefore, has to charge more for services. She said RT decided to renegotiate the transfer agreements in light of $22 million in budget cuts from the state.
Brookshire said fare parity is not required by RT as a part of the transfer agreements, but the lower fare agency would likely end up owing RT the difference.
Brookshire said the transfer agreements do not benefit RT, but the agency is committed to them based on a mutual desire by all regional transportation agencies to make using mass transit easy for customers.
Fink said RT and e-tran are working to finalize their transfer agreements, and a new deal should be coming shortly.
Elk Grove residents who use the e-tran bus service to commute to work say they plan to continue using the service despite the fee increases.
Ellie Hough rides the bus to work in downtown Sacramento five days a week. She said even with the fare increase, using the bus is still the most economical way to get to work.
“The fare increases are the pattern of everything right now,” Hough said. “I can’t think of one of my bills that hasn’t gone up recently.”
State worker John Martinez also uses e-tran to commute to work. He said when he factors in the cost of gas and parking, the mileage on his car and the amount of time he would spend stuck in traffic, mass transit is the best option for him.
Martinez said the biggest problem he has with e-tran is that return service to Elk Grove stops in the early evening. Martinez said if he works late he has to find another way to get home.
“If they could take care of that with this increase that would be nice,” Martinez said.
CNS Staff Writer
In these tough economic times, many Elk Grove residents use the city’s e-tran bus service to commute to work as a cost-saving measure, but starting this month, they are saving a little less.
On Feb. 11, the Elk Grove City Council voted to raise transit fares for the first time since fixed route service began in 2005. The increase went into effect on April 1.
One-way cash fares for adults have increased from $1.50 to $2.25, a 50 percent jump in price. Monthly commuter passes rose from $60 to $100, a nearly 67 percent increase.
City of Elk Grove Transit Manager Tiffany Fink said there are two reasons fare increases could not be put off any longer.
The first is to meet a state mandate requiring transit agencies to recover a certain percentage of their operating costs from fares. The second is an attempt to reach fare parity with Sacramento Regional Transit with which e-trans has transfer agreements.
Fink said in order for e-trans to receive funding from the state’s Transportation Development Act, state law requires the agency to recover 20 percent of its costs from transit box fares. If the agency does not meet this requirement, it will lose both state and federal funding.
Fink said this had not been a problem – until now – because the law allows for exemptions to give new transit agencies a few years to build their services.
“Recovering 20 percent from fare boxes right out of the gate is difficult to do,” Fink said.
Also, RT requested that E-trans renegotiate the transfer agreements between the two agencies to avoid fare disparity, Fink said.
“Being out of parity could create a gap and one agency could end up owing the other money,” Fink said.
One solution is to charge the same fare. Elk Grove decided to match RT’s fare, rather than risk owing money, Fink said.
When e-trans began offering fixed- route bus service, its rates were benchmarked to RT’s. Since then, RT’s fees have increased while e-tran’s have remained the same.
RT Chief Financial Officer Dee Brookshire said RT began talking about renegotiating transfer agreements with other agencies last summer. She said a February 2008 transit fare study showed the transfer agreements from lower fare agencies decreased revenue for RT.
Brookshire said RT offers more routes and services, such as light rail, than its partner agencies, and therefore, has to charge more for services. She said RT decided to renegotiate the transfer agreements in light of $22 million in budget cuts from the state.
Brookshire said fare parity is not required by RT as a part of the transfer agreements, but the lower fare agency would likely end up owing RT the difference.
Brookshire said the transfer agreements do not benefit RT, but the agency is committed to them based on a mutual desire by all regional transportation agencies to make using mass transit easy for customers.
Fink said RT and e-tran are working to finalize their transfer agreements, and a new deal should be coming shortly.
Elk Grove residents who use the e-tran bus service to commute to work say they plan to continue using the service despite the fee increases.
Ellie Hough rides the bus to work in downtown Sacramento five days a week. She said even with the fare increase, using the bus is still the most economical way to get to work.
“The fare increases are the pattern of everything right now,” Hough said. “I can’t think of one of my bills that hasn’t gone up recently.”
State worker John Martinez also uses e-tran to commute to work. He said when he factors in the cost of gas and parking, the mileage on his car and the amount of time he would spend stuck in traffic, mass transit is the best option for him.
Martinez said the biggest problem he has with e-tran is that return service to Elk Grove stops in the early evening. Martinez said if he works late he has to find another way to get home.
“If they could take care of that with this increase that would be nice,” Martinez said.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Folsom reduces workforce
By Steffi Broski
CNS Staff Writer
Faced with declining revenue, Folsom city officials decided at the end of January to eliminate 55 positions within the city. Now, a retirement incentive program is expected to further shrink the city’s workforce.
The city approved the mid-year budget in late January. Four weeks later, the City Council adopted the incentive program, which offers an additional two years towards retirement to all eligible city employees in an effort to reduce the workforce.
“Let’s say somebody is 50 years old and has put in 18 years of service,” said John Spittler, director of Human Resources. “You can retire as if you had 20 years of service.”
Employees who are at least 50 years old and have invested in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can take advantage of this option. The city of Folsom is one of many agencies contracting with CalPers that have been allowed to offer the incentive because of budget cuts and layoffs.
“We don’t know the exact number of how many employees have accepted so far, but 15 or more have indicated interest,” said Spittler.
Employees interested in the 2-year incentive have to give notice by the end of May.
On March 10, the city sent out its lay-off notices to 39 employees. Out of the 55 eliminated positions, 16 were vacant.
For employees who worked their way up the ladder – from entry to intermediate to senior level – there is an opportunity to “bump,” which means accepting a demotion rather than a layoff.
“It’s a seniority-based system,” said Spittler. “People might keep working in the department, but at a lower level.”
One of the divisions affected by the layoffs is the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary. The zoo lost three part-time zoo keepers and a part-time cashier position in addition to three positions at its education department.
“It’s impossible to pin down what will happen today or tomorrow. There have never been layoffs like that,” said zoo spokeswoman Roberta Ratcliff. “But when there’s no money, there’s no money.”
All departing city employees will leave their positions in mid-April.
Zoo Manager Jocelyn Smeltzer said that despite losing positions in the education department, there will still be opportunities for education at the zoo “just not as many as we have been lucky to have in the past.”
Smeltzer said the docent program, which provides tours for school children, will attempt to fill the void left by the departing educators. Some community members have offered to write grant applications to secure more funding for the zoo, Smeltzer said.
City Council member Ernie Sheldon said each department in the city had to come up with an amount that could be cut. The bottom line is that the budget needs to be balanced- layoffs are part of that attempt, he said.
“We hate to do what we have to do, but times are bad right now,” Sheldon said. “We don’t have any bad people. We have exceptional employees that have been doing a good job.”
Though many city positions have been eliminated, a better economic future might re-create those positions.
“It’s hard to predict the future, but things always ebb and flow,” said Spittler. “If we have very, very different economic times in the future, who knows how the city will deal with that.”
CNS Staff Writer
Faced with declining revenue, Folsom city officials decided at the end of January to eliminate 55 positions within the city. Now, a retirement incentive program is expected to further shrink the city’s workforce.
The city approved the mid-year budget in late January. Four weeks later, the City Council adopted the incentive program, which offers an additional two years towards retirement to all eligible city employees in an effort to reduce the workforce.
“Let’s say somebody is 50 years old and has put in 18 years of service,” said John Spittler, director of Human Resources. “You can retire as if you had 20 years of service.”
Employees who are at least 50 years old and have invested in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can take advantage of this option. The city of Folsom is one of many agencies contracting with CalPers that have been allowed to offer the incentive because of budget cuts and layoffs.
“We don’t know the exact number of how many employees have accepted so far, but 15 or more have indicated interest,” said Spittler.
Employees interested in the 2-year incentive have to give notice by the end of May.
On March 10, the city sent out its lay-off notices to 39 employees. Out of the 55 eliminated positions, 16 were vacant.
For employees who worked their way up the ladder – from entry to intermediate to senior level – there is an opportunity to “bump,” which means accepting a demotion rather than a layoff.
“It’s a seniority-based system,” said Spittler. “People might keep working in the department, but at a lower level.”
One of the divisions affected by the layoffs is the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary. The zoo lost three part-time zoo keepers and a part-time cashier position in addition to three positions at its education department.
“It’s impossible to pin down what will happen today or tomorrow. There have never been layoffs like that,” said zoo spokeswoman Roberta Ratcliff. “But when there’s no money, there’s no money.”
All departing city employees will leave their positions in mid-April.
Zoo Manager Jocelyn Smeltzer said that despite losing positions in the education department, there will still be opportunities for education at the zoo “just not as many as we have been lucky to have in the past.”
Smeltzer said the docent program, which provides tours for school children, will attempt to fill the void left by the departing educators. Some community members have offered to write grant applications to secure more funding for the zoo, Smeltzer said.
City Council member Ernie Sheldon said each department in the city had to come up with an amount that could be cut. The bottom line is that the budget needs to be balanced- layoffs are part of that attempt, he said.
“We hate to do what we have to do, but times are bad right now,” Sheldon said. “We don’t have any bad people. We have exceptional employees that have been doing a good job.”
Though many city positions have been eliminated, a better economic future might re-create those positions.
“It’s hard to predict the future, but things always ebb and flow,” said Spittler. “If we have very, very different economic times in the future, who knows how the city will deal with that.”
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Yolo County facing layoffs, spending cuts
By Luke Gianni
CNS Staff Writer
Yolo County officials are scrambling to prepare this year’s budget which will include massive spending cuts, layoffs and significant reductions in services.
Officials said falling property taxes and dwindling state funding have left them with no choice but to direct all department heads to separate the indispensible components of their programs from those that the county could survive without – presumably to slash them.
“We’re at the point where we can’t tighten our belts anymore,” county spokeswoman Beth Gabor said. “Now it’s lopping off whole programs to meet out targets. There will also be a discussion about how many employees we are going to lay off.”
The county is facing a $22.5 million cash shortfall, nearly a third of its total budget.
The layoffs and program cuts are but one part of a multi-pronged solution envisioned by county administrators in their endeavor to tame the monumental deficit.
Officials will be meeting with union representatives to renegotiate pay, benefits and retirement contributions of all employees, from which the county hopes to save around $5 million.
Gabor said the county will also spend nearly half of its general fund reserves – $4.2 million – to narrow the gap.
In addition, officials forecast around $2 million in federal stimulus money coming to the county that will also help shore up the budget.
However, even with a new labor agreement, reserve spending and federal help, the county will still be about $11 million in the hole and that, officials said, will have to come out of somewhere.
“I expect we will see [cuts] all over the map,” said Pat Leary, assistant administrator for the county. “There may be some services lopped off all together. It’s obviously going to be an extremely, dramatic change.”
Leary said the details have yet to be hammered out, adding that there are no solid numbers on how many layoffs will be coming.
She said her department will meet again with the Board of Supervisors on April 21, ahead of the normal June budget deadline, to brief them on their progress in cutting the budget.
By that time, the county’s departments will have submitted their essential-vs.-discretionary budget wish lists. The board will then decide, item by item, which programs to keep funding, which to reduce and which to cut out all together.
“We asked for them to identify what their core services were,” Leary said. “It’s drawing a line between that what you need to provide and what would you like to provide.”
Taking a pay cut may be hard to swallow for county staffers, many of who were already on voluntary furloughs to help mend last year’s budget shortfall.
“As generous as our employees have been it has been tough,” Gabor said. “The reduction of their salaries across the board will be a hardship for many. We imagine some of our employees will be eligible for our services when this is all said and done.”
Leary insisted, however, that the county will eventually recover and avoided calling this recession a permanent paradigm shift into limited service. On the contrary, Leary said, the county will be forced to innovate and become more efficient, making it even more productive when the economy eventually turns around.
“Every recession is unique,” Leary said. “They are like children. They all have idiosyncrasies to each one. But part of what a recession does is it makes you look at your service and ask: Is this the best way we can provide these services? That is why these crises can be incubators for innovation. To the extent you can, you innovate and get new ideas and that’s your paradigm shift.”
CNS Staff Writer
Yolo County officials are scrambling to prepare this year’s budget which will include massive spending cuts, layoffs and significant reductions in services.
Officials said falling property taxes and dwindling state funding have left them with no choice but to direct all department heads to separate the indispensible components of their programs from those that the county could survive without – presumably to slash them.
“We’re at the point where we can’t tighten our belts anymore,” county spokeswoman Beth Gabor said. “Now it’s lopping off whole programs to meet out targets. There will also be a discussion about how many employees we are going to lay off.”
The county is facing a $22.5 million cash shortfall, nearly a third of its total budget.
The layoffs and program cuts are but one part of a multi-pronged solution envisioned by county administrators in their endeavor to tame the monumental deficit.
Officials will be meeting with union representatives to renegotiate pay, benefits and retirement contributions of all employees, from which the county hopes to save around $5 million.
Gabor said the county will also spend nearly half of its general fund reserves – $4.2 million – to narrow the gap.
In addition, officials forecast around $2 million in federal stimulus money coming to the county that will also help shore up the budget.
However, even with a new labor agreement, reserve spending and federal help, the county will still be about $11 million in the hole and that, officials said, will have to come out of somewhere.
“I expect we will see [cuts] all over the map,” said Pat Leary, assistant administrator for the county. “There may be some services lopped off all together. It’s obviously going to be an extremely, dramatic change.”
Leary said the details have yet to be hammered out, adding that there are no solid numbers on how many layoffs will be coming.
She said her department will meet again with the Board of Supervisors on April 21, ahead of the normal June budget deadline, to brief them on their progress in cutting the budget.
By that time, the county’s departments will have submitted their essential-vs.-discretionary budget wish lists. The board will then decide, item by item, which programs to keep funding, which to reduce and which to cut out all together.
“We asked for them to identify what their core services were,” Leary said. “It’s drawing a line between that what you need to provide and what would you like to provide.”
Taking a pay cut may be hard to swallow for county staffers, many of who were already on voluntary furloughs to help mend last year’s budget shortfall.
“As generous as our employees have been it has been tough,” Gabor said. “The reduction of their salaries across the board will be a hardship for many. We imagine some of our employees will be eligible for our services when this is all said and done.”
Leary insisted, however, that the county will eventually recover and avoided calling this recession a permanent paradigm shift into limited service. On the contrary, Leary said, the county will be forced to innovate and become more efficient, making it even more productive when the economy eventually turns around.
“Every recession is unique,” Leary said. “They are like children. They all have idiosyncrasies to each one. But part of what a recession does is it makes you look at your service and ask: Is this the best way we can provide these services? That is why these crises can be incubators for innovation. To the extent you can, you innovate and get new ideas and that’s your paradigm shift.”
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Blood donations drop in region
By Luke Gianni
CNS staff writer
With all the bad economic news, it may be a comfort to know you can access a basic medical examination that requires no insurance or money – only your blood.
That is one selling point of donating blood, according to the American Red Cross. Their organization conducts stringent – and free – blood screens, in hopes of drawing out more people to donate.
Many regional blood bank operators are apprehensive about how the recession might affect the region’s blood supply.
Their concern stems from what they see happening in regions like Yolo County, which has seen a slight drop in blood donations since the economic downturn. Although supplies there are holding steady, officials said they are have to work harder to find blood donors.
Fortunately, the drop in donations has largely been offset by a corresponding decrease in demand, according to Leslie Botos, spokeswoman for Blood Source, the county’s official blood donor agency.
“I don’t think there isn’t a blood bank in the country that hasn’t been affected by the economy,” Botos said.
The majority of the agency’s blood drives are conducted at businesses, and Blood Source relies heavily on donations from those employees, she said. When businesses close, the agency has to find a new place to hold drives. That results in the loss of some regular donors.
“Any time a business closes, you lose a familiar place to donate blood,” Botos said. “It’s been getting harder and harder each day and we have to get creative.”
Donors are often anxious about taking time off of work to give blood, Botos said. Furthermore, this type of philanthropy has taken a back seat to other priorities for many in Yolo County.
But as the bad economy has caused a decrease in blood donations, it has also served to lessen the demand.
Botos said Yolo County hospitals have reported a recent and significant drop in elective surgeries and that could account for the decreased demand.
Botos said she expects Bloodsource to collect far less this year than average, which is about 85,000 donations.
Sara O’Brien, spokeswoman for the Northern California Division of the American Red Cross, said regional supplies are at normal levels – that is to say they are very tenuous.
“It’s not like we have an excess supply,” O’Brien said. “We have just enough for a day-to-day basis. We would rather be operating on a week-to-week basis.”
O’Brien said her agency, which covers operations in the Bay Area and San Jose, has been monitoring the supply level in the wake of the country’s recent economic troubles.
“We haven’t seen a run up on blood, and elective surgeries have decreased,” O’Brien said.
The main obstacle to blood donations is the same as it has always been, she said – extremely tight standards.
“Only 38 percent are eligible to give blood,” O’Brien said. “And out of that 35 percent, only three to five percent actually give blood.”
Low iron levels and any blood-related ailments will disqualify a donor from giving blood, according to the policy of the Food and Drug Administration, the agency in charge of regulating blood donation in the United States.
The FDA also bars homosexuals, drug users and anyone who has traveled for three months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980 through 1996 from giving blood.
On the bright side, O’Brien said the FDA’s air-tight standards might be a selling point to those who have recently lost their health benefits.
“If you don’t have medical insurance, well, we really are doing a mini-medical health examine,” O’Brien said. “If they notice something wrong with [your blood], we will notify you right away.”
O’Brien said they screen blood for the most common sexually transmitted diseases as well as a few other ailments at no cost.
And if the economy has dampened your altruistic means, blood donation is free and always needed, she said.
“If you’re used to giving to charity ad now you can’t, at least you’re able to in a low cost way to make a difference in someone else’s life.”
CNS staff writer
With all the bad economic news, it may be a comfort to know you can access a basic medical examination that requires no insurance or money – only your blood.
That is one selling point of donating blood, according to the American Red Cross. Their organization conducts stringent – and free – blood screens, in hopes of drawing out more people to donate.
Many regional blood bank operators are apprehensive about how the recession might affect the region’s blood supply.
Their concern stems from what they see happening in regions like Yolo County, which has seen a slight drop in blood donations since the economic downturn. Although supplies there are holding steady, officials said they are have to work harder to find blood donors.
Fortunately, the drop in donations has largely been offset by a corresponding decrease in demand, according to Leslie Botos, spokeswoman for Blood Source, the county’s official blood donor agency.
“I don’t think there isn’t a blood bank in the country that hasn’t been affected by the economy,” Botos said.
The majority of the agency’s blood drives are conducted at businesses, and Blood Source relies heavily on donations from those employees, she said. When businesses close, the agency has to find a new place to hold drives. That results in the loss of some regular donors.
“Any time a business closes, you lose a familiar place to donate blood,” Botos said. “It’s been getting harder and harder each day and we have to get creative.”
Donors are often anxious about taking time off of work to give blood, Botos said. Furthermore, this type of philanthropy has taken a back seat to other priorities for many in Yolo County.
But as the bad economy has caused a decrease in blood donations, it has also served to lessen the demand.
Botos said Yolo County hospitals have reported a recent and significant drop in elective surgeries and that could account for the decreased demand.
Botos said she expects Bloodsource to collect far less this year than average, which is about 85,000 donations.
Sara O’Brien, spokeswoman for the Northern California Division of the American Red Cross, said regional supplies are at normal levels – that is to say they are very tenuous.
“It’s not like we have an excess supply,” O’Brien said. “We have just enough for a day-to-day basis. We would rather be operating on a week-to-week basis.”
O’Brien said her agency, which covers operations in the Bay Area and San Jose, has been monitoring the supply level in the wake of the country’s recent economic troubles.
“We haven’t seen a run up on blood, and elective surgeries have decreased,” O’Brien said.
The main obstacle to blood donations is the same as it has always been, she said – extremely tight standards.
“Only 38 percent are eligible to give blood,” O’Brien said. “And out of that 35 percent, only three to five percent actually give blood.”
Low iron levels and any blood-related ailments will disqualify a donor from giving blood, according to the policy of the Food and Drug Administration, the agency in charge of regulating blood donation in the United States.
The FDA also bars homosexuals, drug users and anyone who has traveled for three months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980 through 1996 from giving blood.
On the bright side, O’Brien said the FDA’s air-tight standards might be a selling point to those who have recently lost their health benefits.
“If you don’t have medical insurance, well, we really are doing a mini-medical health examine,” O’Brien said. “If they notice something wrong with [your blood], we will notify you right away.”
O’Brien said they screen blood for the most common sexually transmitted diseases as well as a few other ailments at no cost.
And if the economy has dampened your altruistic means, blood donation is free and always needed, she said.
“If you’re used to giving to charity ad now you can’t, at least you’re able to in a low cost way to make a difference in someone else’s life.”
Folsom looks to conserve water
By Steffi Broski
CNS Staff Writer
As the water levels in Folsom Lake fall to half of normal for this time of year, the city is ramping up its conservation efforts.
A Stage 3 water warning, designed to reduce water waste, will be effective March 3. The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Feb. 24 to invoke the Stage 3 water warning and to clarify water use guidelines during shortages.
After the city issued a Stage 2 water alert last year, residents met the goal of a 20 percent reduction in water use. Stage 3 further restricts water usage.
Landscape watering is limited to two designated days per week. Residents with even street numbers can water on Wednesday and Sunday, and those with street numbers that end in an odd number may water Tuesdays and Saturdays. All landscape watering must be done between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. The Stage 3 water warning prohibits the use of hoses without control valves.
“The new ordinance gives us the power to exercise penalties for the customers that don’t comply with the stage 3 water restrictions,” said Ken Payne, director of the utilities department. “But that’s not our approach. We want to work with our customers and help them comply.”
First time violators will receive a personal or written notification, but if there is a second violation within three months, a written notification and a Notice to Correct will be issued to the customer. Stage 3 mandates the discontinuance of water service if a second violation within one month is issued.
A third violation within six months may result in penalties up to $100 or the mandatory installation of a water meter, being billed twice the metered rate and possible discontinued water service.
“Up to today, we have not issued any penalties. That’s one of the nice things about this community, you have people that work with you,” said Payne.
Council member Ernie Sheldon said he would like not only to see penalties for people that waste water, but also rewards for those who conserve water. He said a combination of both would be ideal.
“You can’t just pound the guy in the head. You also need a reward of some sort. That’s just part of human nature,” said Sheldon.
Payne said within the next 60 to 90 days, the department will look at the possibility of lower rates for water conservers, but “nothing has been decided yet.” The cost of operating the water system stays the same whether a customer uses less or more water, Payne said.
The restricted water use will not affect new development, said Walter Sadler, assistant director of the Folsom Utilities Department. Contractors are already required to submit a plan for water use to the utility department prior to any construction.
As part of its water conservation efforts, the city is creating an irrigation plan for public parks and other public grounds.
“The city has invested $250 million in its parks over the last 20 years. We need to find out how to comply with the conservation effort, but at the same time protect the investment we have made,” said Sheldon.
The Parks and Recreation Committee is currently drafting an irrigation plan. The plan will include priorities for managing water usage in parks, said Robert Goss, director of the parks and recreation department.
The priorities will focus on protecting trees and sports fields. Cutting back on watering ornamental turf and shrubs will free up water for the sports fields that “we have heavily invested in,” Goss said.
“We will keep tweaking the plan until it saves at least 20 percent. Our goal is to protect the value of the infrastrcuture, since that’s where the public tax dollars went,“ said Goss.
He said if the Stage 3 water warning continues throughout the summer, Folsom’s parks will not be as green as they used to be, but the department is trying hard to avoid irreparable damage.
The new ordinance clarifies the five stages of water conservation from a Stage 1 to a Stage 5 water emergency. Each stage increases water use reduction by further restricting irrigation, ponds, fountains, car washing, pool refills and installation of new lawns and landscaping.
The decision on whether Folsom will implement a Stage 4 warning won’t be made before May, but if it stopped raining completely, it is a strong possibility, Payne said.
“We can’t predict what the weather is going to be like, The California weather can be weird. If we continue to stay dry, drinking water is the most important thing. Everything else will matter a lot less,” said Sheldon.
CNS Staff Writer
As the water levels in Folsom Lake fall to half of normal for this time of year, the city is ramping up its conservation efforts.
A Stage 3 water warning, designed to reduce water waste, will be effective March 3. The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Feb. 24 to invoke the Stage 3 water warning and to clarify water use guidelines during shortages.
After the city issued a Stage 2 water alert last year, residents met the goal of a 20 percent reduction in water use. Stage 3 further restricts water usage.
Landscape watering is limited to two designated days per week. Residents with even street numbers can water on Wednesday and Sunday, and those with street numbers that end in an odd number may water Tuesdays and Saturdays. All landscape watering must be done between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. The Stage 3 water warning prohibits the use of hoses without control valves.
“The new ordinance gives us the power to exercise penalties for the customers that don’t comply with the stage 3 water restrictions,” said Ken Payne, director of the utilities department. “But that’s not our approach. We want to work with our customers and help them comply.”
First time violators will receive a personal or written notification, but if there is a second violation within three months, a written notification and a Notice to Correct will be issued to the customer. Stage 3 mandates the discontinuance of water service if a second violation within one month is issued.
A third violation within six months may result in penalties up to $100 or the mandatory installation of a water meter, being billed twice the metered rate and possible discontinued water service.
“Up to today, we have not issued any penalties. That’s one of the nice things about this community, you have people that work with you,” said Payne.
Council member Ernie Sheldon said he would like not only to see penalties for people that waste water, but also rewards for those who conserve water. He said a combination of both would be ideal.
“You can’t just pound the guy in the head. You also need a reward of some sort. That’s just part of human nature,” said Sheldon.
Payne said within the next 60 to 90 days, the department will look at the possibility of lower rates for water conservers, but “nothing has been decided yet.” The cost of operating the water system stays the same whether a customer uses less or more water, Payne said.
The restricted water use will not affect new development, said Walter Sadler, assistant director of the Folsom Utilities Department. Contractors are already required to submit a plan for water use to the utility department prior to any construction.
As part of its water conservation efforts, the city is creating an irrigation plan for public parks and other public grounds.
“The city has invested $250 million in its parks over the last 20 years. We need to find out how to comply with the conservation effort, but at the same time protect the investment we have made,” said Sheldon.
The Parks and Recreation Committee is currently drafting an irrigation plan. The plan will include priorities for managing water usage in parks, said Robert Goss, director of the parks and recreation department.
The priorities will focus on protecting trees and sports fields. Cutting back on watering ornamental turf and shrubs will free up water for the sports fields that “we have heavily invested in,” Goss said.
“We will keep tweaking the plan until it saves at least 20 percent. Our goal is to protect the value of the infrastrcuture, since that’s where the public tax dollars went,“ said Goss.
He said if the Stage 3 water warning continues throughout the summer, Folsom’s parks will not be as green as they used to be, but the department is trying hard to avoid irreparable damage.
The new ordinance clarifies the five stages of water conservation from a Stage 1 to a Stage 5 water emergency. Each stage increases water use reduction by further restricting irrigation, ponds, fountains, car washing, pool refills and installation of new lawns and landscaping.
The decision on whether Folsom will implement a Stage 4 warning won’t be made before May, but if it stopped raining completely, it is a strong possibility, Payne said.
“We can’t predict what the weather is going to be like, The California weather can be weird. If we continue to stay dry, drinking water is the most important thing. Everything else will matter a lot less,” said Sheldon.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Citrus Heights budget in good shape, officials say
Dan King
CNS Staff Writer
The city has a reserve of $35 million, which exceeds their annual operating budget of $30 million, officials announced Thursday.
City Manager Henry Tingle said the city is less affected by the downturn because of its mid-range retail base and conservative spending. The city’s revenue is down this year by $750,000 but because of the reserve funds, the decrease will not result in loss of employees or benefits.
“Our primary revenue generation is retail,” Tingle said. “We were affected on the retail side, but most of our retail isn’t the high-end retail.”
Unlike many communities, Citrus Heights is not reeling from a decline in new construction. The city, which incorporated in 1997, has never had large swaths of land available for development.
“Our model never depended on growth,” Tingle said. “We knew we weren’t going to have growth. Where we had to focus our attention was cleaning up our neighborhoods, fixing up our streets, making our community safe and more attractive for people to buy their first home here.”
Gary Gordon, vice president of the Northwest Neighborhood Association, offered another reason for the city’s success.
“If it wasn’t for Henry Tingle, we’d be broke like all the other local cities,” Gordon said. “Citrus Heights doesn’t have a big staff, but they aren’t facing layoffs or furloughing workers.”
Tingle said the city doesn’t negotiate salary increases for the workforce until they have an idea how much money they will have in the coming year. If the revenue is up, salaries can be increased; if revenue doesn’t increase, salaries stay flat.
“There’s always the concept if we aren’t competitive we are going to lose people,” Tingle said. “Even the good paying cities lose good people. Nobody has done a detailed analysis of how much you are really impacted because your salary or benefits are lower than your neighbors. So everyone is under the delusion they have to keep up with the Joneses.”
Tingle said the city has tried to always stay within its means. It doesn’t increase the size of the staff in good times, so it doesn’t have to reduce it in hard times, he said.
The civic center is paid off, and construction on the community center across the street didn’t start until the city could come up with $10.5 million to pay for it.
“Everything you see around here, the citizens of Citrus Heights own outright,” Tingle said.
The city has a 10-year budget plan, which is adjusted every six months. The plan evaluates how spending will affect the city long term.
“We do struggle at times with resurfacing and repaving our roads,” said City Council Member Steve Miller. “We have to really plan ahead and prioritize what needs to get done and then make sure it gets done.”
The city sent about $3 million this year in property taxes to Sacramento County as part of its revenue neutrality agreement, which was a condition of incorporation designed to offset the loss of revenue to the county. The agreement is set up on a sliding scale, and allots property tax revenue to the county until 2021-2022.
According to a 2007 survey conducted by BW Research Partnership and paid for by the city, 89 percent of residents surveyed said they were satisfied with the job the city is doing and 50.5 percent said they were very satisfied.
Mayor James Shelby has served on the City Council since incorporation. He said the credit for the city’s success belongs to Tingle and his staff.
“The key is Tingle and his staff have worked for other cities with large budget problems,” he said. “They decided if they were ever in position to control things, they wouldn’t face the same problems. They would spend the budget wisely, and be aware it is the taxpayers’ money.”
Friday, February 27, 2009
Rancho planners approve casino and restaurant
By Megan Hansen
CNS Staff Writer
Rancho Cordova will soon be home to a new 24-hour casino and late-night restaurant, but not everybody is happy about it.
The Planning Commission voted 4-1 Thursday night to approve a conditional use permit for the Cordova Casino and Restaurant. The new casino will inhabit an existing building at 2801 Prospect Park Drive, north of White Rock Road near Highway 50.
Casino owners plan to open the business within six months. The casino will offer nine card tables 24 hours a day and an adjoining family-oriented restaurant will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily.
Brian Sobel, a consultant for Cordova Casino and Restaurant, said the owners are pleased with the commission’s decision.
“We’re very excited about coming to Rancho Cordova,” Sobel said. “We’re thrilled with the location and we believe we can make a material difference in the area and come up with an operation you can be proud of.”
Rancho Cordova City Manager Ted Gaebler said he supports the permit and told the commissioners that the business will be a good addition to Rancho Cordova.
“The prospect of adding a family friendly restaurant on this side of the freeway is great,” Gaebler said. “The 30,000 workers in this area will have a place to eat here.”
But not everyone is excited about the new business. Planning Commissioner Matthew Cummings voted against the conditional use permit.
“For me it’s location. We need to provide places along the freeway that identify what Rancho Cordova represents,” Cummings said. “There’s already a Hooter’s across the freeway and it concerns me now that there’s going to be a casino on the other side. In my mind it’s not the best image to convey.”
In a letter to the Planning Commission, Rancho Cordova Chief of Police Reuben Meeks expressed concerns about security and the need for increased police surveillance at the casino.
Meeks could not be reached for comment.
According to the staff report for the use permit, the police department estimated the new casino would require additional patrol staffing, incurring more cost to the city.
Principal Planner Bill Campbell said casino owners hammered out an agreement with city officials to help pay for police services.
Under the agreement, Cordova Casino and Restaurant will pay the city a minimum of $900 per year for additional police services. The agreement will go into effect after the business has been operating for one year.
“The agreement…will help offset the increased costs of police protection,” Campbell said.
Planning Commissioners expressed concern about the nature of the business, which combines a card room and family-oriented restaurant.
Sobel and architect Allan Hoshida said the restaurant and bar will be separate from the casino once the building is remodeled, much like the owners’ other business, The 101 Casino in Petaluma.
“The restaurant is a completely separate operation,” Sobel said. “Prices will be kept low to attract people, and families dine at the 101 Casino every day.”
Randy Yaple, a consultant on behalf of The 101 Casino, said the restaurant is the most important aspect of the business.
“We can’t survive without the restaurant,” Yaple said. “We don’t make that much on card games.”
Cummings said he doesn’t think the casino needs to be open 24 hours if the card games don’t generate much revenue.
“Why would there be gambling after the restaurant and bar close? It seems unnecessary to have the casino be open 24 hours a day,” Cummings said.
Though the business may need increased police surveillance, Campbell said it will help Rancho Cordova.
“The property tax from the minor improvements and the increased sales tax will be of financial asset to the city,” Campbell said.
No one from the community commented at the meeting.
Pets abandoned in foreclosed homes
By Steffi Broski
CNS Staff Writer
Many Americans who have lost their homes to foreclosure leave more than broken dreams when they move out – Fido and Fluffy often stay behind too.
The more fortunate dogs and cats are dropped off at overflowing shelters, and rescue groups are faced with countless homeless pets.
“It’s not that pet owners want to get rid of their animals, but people are losing their jobs and homes. There are countless animals that are given to organizations and shelters,” said Laurie Rich, board member of the Folsom Feline Rescue. “I hope the economy improves fast, not just for you and me, but the animals.”
The pet advocacy group Lost Our Home calls it a “nationwide epidemic.”
“What really baffles me is that the whole foreclosure process takes four to nine months, it’s not like it comes as a surprise,” said Tina Eacret, board secretary and fundraising chair of Lost Our Home, a volunteer organization founded by Phoenix, Ariz. realtors distressed by the rising number of pets deserted in homes and backyards. The group works to locate abandoned animals and find them new homes.
“If people don’t give their pets to a shelter, they just starve to death in an empty house,” Eacret said.
With thousands of foreclosures in Sacramento County, it is now “pretty common” to find abandoned animals here, said Alexis Raymond, secretary of the Sacramento Area Animal Coalition.
“We have about 270 people, most of them rescuers, subscribed to an email list. They can post emails such as ‘an animal has been left behind, can anybody take a cat?’” Raymond said. “We have seen a big increase in those types of emails in the last one and a half years.”
Raymond’s advice to pet owners is to plan ahead. It is important to make your pet look like a good tenant to the new landlord, she said. A “good dog resume” includes proof of shots and references from previous landlords. If owners know it will be impossible to keep their pet, they should ask family and friends if they are able to foster or adopt their animal.
Cathryn Rakich, board member for Happy Tails, a Sacramento area no-kill pet shelter, said it is “traumatic” for pets, especially cats, to move from a loving home to a shelter. But a shelter is better than leaving pets behind. Eacret said they often find dead cats in abandoned houses because they are quiet; dogs typically bark to alert neighbors if they are abandoned.
Rakich said all rescue groups in the Sacramento area work closely together, and even if one rescue group can’t help a certain pet owner, another one might be able to.
Folsom Feline Rescue is not accepting any animals now after “having had tons of returns last year,” said Janet Bennett, who founded the group nine years ago with her husband John. Many adult cats that had already been adopted were dropped off again, and now the organization is more desperate than ever to find people to adopt the pets or foster families who are willing to give them a temporary home.
Theresa Pratt, pet sitter for Folsom Feline Rescue, has four rescued cats and urges everyone to not give up on their pet too soon. Many groups try hard to find ways to assist, Pratt said.
“There are a lot of good people out there, a lot of animal lovers that can help,” Pratt said.
Rich said even if many rescue groups cannot take anymore animals right now, they can offer free pet food or negotiate with a new landlord. But most charities are faced with a serious decline in donations while the need is larger than ever.
Still, the Folsom Feline Rescue is relentless in their efforts to help pet owners in need. Rich said people should not feel shame when they can’t care for their pet anymore.
“We are not judgmental about that,” said Rich. “We have a commitment and the commitment is to find Fido a home.”
Folsom Feline Rescue can be contacted at 916.365.4900 or visit www.folsomfelines.org for more information. Visit www.lostourhome.org for more information. Send an email to contact@sacanimal.org to the Sacramento Area Animal Coalition for more information or visit www.sacanimal.org. Contact Happy Tails at www.happytails.org.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Folsom considers water saving measures
By Steffi Broski
CNS Staff Writer
Folsom City Council member Andy Morin is glad to see rain clouds in the sky and welcomes every drizzle that touches the ground. But it won’t be enough to fill up Folsom Lake.
“Usually, the lake has about 1 million acre feet of water, (and) at this time of the year, around 500,000. We are looking at 250,000 acre feet right now, which is only half of normal and a quarter of full,” said Morin, who is a
One acre foot is the equivalent of 325,851 gallons; it would take more than 82 billion gallons of water to fill the lake half full again.
The city council discussed an ordinance Tuesday that would define five stages of water conservation and penalties for water waste. The council will vote on the ordinance Feb. 24, and if approved, it would be effective 30 days later.
For several months, the city has been trying to conserve water by installing meters and limiting irrigation.
In July, when the Bureau of Reclamation announced that it would deliver 25 percent less water to municipal suppliers, such as the city of Folsom, the city implemented a plan to reduce water use by 20 percent and declared a stage 2 “water alert.”
Morin said by the end of the summer, that goal was met largely by reducing irrigation to three days per week. The new ordinance clarifies five stages of water conservation from a stage 1 “basic” stage to a stage 5 “water emergency.” Each stage will reduce water consumption by increasingly cutting back on irrigation, ponds, fountains, car washing, pool refills and installation of new lawns and landscaping.
During stage 2 residents with even street number addresses water on Wednesday, Friday and Sundays, while residents with odd number addresses water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays.
One of the goals of the new measure is to define penalties for violating the city’s water use policy and enhance the city’s ability to enforce water conservation.
“We handle enforcement with a lot of discretion,” Morin said. “This is not targeted toward first time offenders, but we made sure the ordinance has enough teeth in it so we can come down on users that continue to waste water after several notices.”
After the first violation residents receive a personal or written notification of violation; the second will result in a written notification. A third violation could result in discontinued water service, a fine up to $100, mandatory installation of a meter, and other penalties as determined by the utilities director.
“We are basically trying to get people’s attention. This is for the guy that says: ‘I don’t care how much it costs, I just want my lawn green,’” said Walter Sadler, assistant director of the Folsom Utilities Department.
With the low water levels in the Folsom Reservoir, the city later this month is expected to issue a stage 3 “water warning,” Morin said. This would mean additional water use restrictions for parks and landscaping.
In June, Gov. Schwarzenegger declared a drought in
According to the Department of Water Resources, this year’s rainfall has been below average, and statewide reservoir levels are only 68 percent of average for this time of the year. In 2008, they were at 80 percent of average. Morin said the city won’t know the extent of the drought until May.
In an effort to control water waste, meters are being installed in all residential homes. By state law, the city must install water meters by 2013. City Manager Kerry Miller said the meters will make customers more conscious of their water use. It is anticipated that by the end of summer, all Folsom residential homes will be metered, city officials said.
“We do live in a desert,” Sadler said. “And the situation is bad enough now to have everyone concerned.”
Job seekers flock to Raley Field
By Luke Gianni
CNS Staff Writer
Thousands of job seekers braved several hours of long lines and paperwork Saturday at Raley Field in West Sacramento in hopes of finding temporary work for the upcoming minor league baseball season.
A line of hundreds could be seen snaking out from the entrance of the park into the main lot as the team’s mascot walked through the crowd, giving high-fives to those patiently waiting in what would be a very long wait.
“How do I get that job?” one man in line asked.
The job fair, which was held over the last two Saturdays, is an annual event leading up to the River Cat’s season. However, park officials said this year fielded many more applicants than usual – and perhaps a wider variety of candidates as well.
Recently laid off engineers, EMTs, business consultants and other causalities of the economic recession marched incrementally forward to their chance of becoming hot dog vendors, parking lot ushers and janitors.
“It’s been hard,” said Mark Langford, 34, an out-of-work computer network engineer. “Mostly on my wife because not having any cash flow doesn’t help us out.”
Langford earned a certificate in network engineering a couple years ago but couldn’t find steady work and was recently let go from a seasonal job at Macys.
Before the downturn, Langford said he and his wife would reserve for themselves one special night of the week for a date.
“Now it’s like once a month,” Langford said. “I am still looking and that’s the best I can do. My wife sees that and she knows it.”
Langford’s story was echoed among many slogging their way toward a chance at a brief interview in front of Raley Field staff members posted at fold out tables inside the park’s concourse.
One of those in the long line was Tiffany Lighter, 30, who was laid off from her job as a medical clerk at Sutter Hospital in San Francisco in November. The setback forced her to temporarily drop out of school.
“I was half way through a master’s degree,” Lighter said. “But right now, I need to pay my bills.”
She lives at home with her mother in Sacramento and said she is on a daily mission to find work no matter wherever or whatever it may be.
“It’s been hard,” Lighter said, but adding she knows that other people in Sacramento have it much worse. “I have a home and I still have lights and food in my fridge.”
The state’s unemployment rate climbed to 9.3 percent in December, according to a California Employment and Development Department report, two percentage points higher than the national average.
Some in line said they thought the days of vying for low-wage work were permanently behind them after they graduated college.
However, the state’s bleak economic conditions led them to reconsider, despite their developed resumes.
“I’ll take anything,” said Mark Garbe, 36, who was recently laid off from Home Depot.
Garbe said he left his job at the hardware franchise because of what he saw as a lack of opportunity for promotion. He thought with his more than two years of cashier experience he would find another job quickly.
“Stupidly, I didn’t know this was coming,” Garbe said. “When even Taco Bell tells you they’re not accepting applications, you know things are bad.”
On the bright side, Gabe Ross, Raley Field spokesman, said the thousands who turned out for the fair will ensure a good field of candidates for the 350 jobs available.
“It was large turnout,” Ross said. “We can only imagine the current economic climate is contributing to the amount of people looking for a job.”
Ross wouldn’t comment on how much the positions paid, but said his organization offers a “wide variety” of temporary jobs.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Walgreens Comes To Anatolia
By Megan Hansen
CNS Staff Writer
The cluster of houses in Rancho Cordova’s Anatolia development is surrounded by empty lots and ragged “coming soon” signs.
Only one sign is new, set in front of a construction site framed by a field of green grass. It advertises the only store for miles around – a new Walgreens.
Walgreens is projected to open its doors at 4050 Sunrise Blvd. in Rancho Cordova in March. It is the closest thing Anatolia residents have had to a grocery store since people began moving into the housing development, a few miles south of Highway 50, in 2005.
Derek Price and his family moved to Anatolia four years ago. Price said he is thankful for the Walgreens, but thought it would only take a year for a grocery store to be built in the area.
“We were supposed to have a Raley’s and a Safeway here,” Price said. “It sucks because it’s 20 minutes to any Bel Air or Raley’s and the closest thing is Costco- but that requires buying in bulk which can be expensive.”
Megan McMurtry, of Rancho Cordova’s Economic Development Department, said the zoning is in place for grocery stores, but stores have decided not to build.
“Safeway has gone through the entitlement process but has chosen not to proceed with building,” McMurtry said. “Raley’s has yet to go through the entitlement process.”
Representatives from Safeway and Raley’s could not be reached for comment.
Terri Fairley has lived in the area for more than two years. She said a Raley’s “coming soon” sign has been on the same corner for at least two years.
“We did think the grocery stores in the area would be built much sooner,” Fairley said. “I assumed once a grocery store was here, all the rest would follow.”
The area surrounding Anatolia lacks not just a grocery store, but any other stores or restaurants. The closest shopping center, with a Costco and a few fast food restaurants, is more than four miles away.
Jon and Yvone Silao moved to Anatolia two and a half years ago with their son and his fiancé. They too have noticed the lack of retail development in the community.
“I was expecting at least a grocery store,” Yvone Silao said. “Walgreens will help but a grocery store and a small mall would be nice.”
McMurtry said grocery stores and other amenities will come in time, but businesses like Safeway won’t build until there are a certain number of residents in Anatolia.
“There has to be a minimum number of rooftops within a certain radius of the store before they’ll locate there,” McMurtry said. “Grocery stores carry perishable items and they want to make sure there are enough people to buy these items so there is no waste or loss of revenue.”
Silao and other Anatolia residents said they believe there are more than enough people in the area to sustain a grocery store.
“I’m a little upset because [the stores] don’t think about all the people from Mather, Rancho Murieta, Elk Grove, Sunridge and the surrounding areas that would shop there,” Silao said. “They’re not including the entire demographic of the area in their count.”
The city of Rancho Cordova has plans to attract more retail businesses and fully develop the Anatolia area. McMurtry said she hopes Anatolia residents will get more retail stores in the future.
“Anatolia was approved by the county before Rancho Cordova became a city and took it over,” McMurtry said. “We want to grow our retail base [there] but with the economy, now is not the time to do that.”
Residents like Price said they want a grocery store but are grateful for the new Walgreens.
“It’s about time we got something out here. It’s not much but at least it’s something,” Price said.
CNS Staff Writer
The cluster of houses in Rancho Cordova’s Anatolia development is surrounded by empty lots and ragged “coming soon” signs.
Only one sign is new, set in front of a construction site framed by a field of green grass. It advertises the only store for miles around – a new Walgreens.
Walgreens is projected to open its doors at 4050 Sunrise Blvd. in Rancho Cordova in March. It is the closest thing Anatolia residents have had to a grocery store since people began moving into the housing development, a few miles south of Highway 50, in 2005.
Derek Price and his family moved to Anatolia four years ago. Price said he is thankful for the Walgreens, but thought it would only take a year for a grocery store to be built in the area.
“We were supposed to have a Raley’s and a Safeway here,” Price said. “It sucks because it’s 20 minutes to any Bel Air or Raley’s and the closest thing is Costco- but that requires buying in bulk which can be expensive.”
Megan McMurtry, of Rancho Cordova’s Economic Development Department, said the zoning is in place for grocery stores, but stores have decided not to build.
“Safeway has gone through the entitlement process but has chosen not to proceed with building,” McMurtry said. “Raley’s has yet to go through the entitlement process.”
Representatives from Safeway and Raley’s could not be reached for comment.
Terri Fairley has lived in the area for more than two years. She said a Raley’s “coming soon” sign has been on the same corner for at least two years.
“We did think the grocery stores in the area would be built much sooner,” Fairley said. “I assumed once a grocery store was here, all the rest would follow.”
The area surrounding Anatolia lacks not just a grocery store, but any other stores or restaurants. The closest shopping center, with a Costco and a few fast food restaurants, is more than four miles away.
Jon and Yvone Silao moved to Anatolia two and a half years ago with their son and his fiancé. They too have noticed the lack of retail development in the community.
“I was expecting at least a grocery store,” Yvone Silao said. “Walgreens will help but a grocery store and a small mall would be nice.”
McMurtry said grocery stores and other amenities will come in time, but businesses like Safeway won’t build until there are a certain number of residents in Anatolia.
“There has to be a minimum number of rooftops within a certain radius of the store before they’ll locate there,” McMurtry said. “Grocery stores carry perishable items and they want to make sure there are enough people to buy these items so there is no waste or loss of revenue.”
Silao and other Anatolia residents said they believe there are more than enough people in the area to sustain a grocery store.
“I’m a little upset because [the stores] don’t think about all the people from Mather, Rancho Murieta, Elk Grove, Sunridge and the surrounding areas that would shop there,” Silao said. “They’re not including the entire demographic of the area in their count.”
The city of Rancho Cordova has plans to attract more retail businesses and fully develop the Anatolia area. McMurtry said she hopes Anatolia residents will get more retail stores in the future.
“Anatolia was approved by the county before Rancho Cordova became a city and took it over,” McMurtry said. “We want to grow our retail base [there] but with the economy, now is not the time to do that.”
Residents like Price said they want a grocery store but are grateful for the new Walgreens.
“It’s about time we got something out here. It’s not much but at least it’s something,” Price said.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Elk Grove Residents Oppose Wal-Mart
By Todd Wilson
CNS Staff Writer
The Elk Grove City Council chambers were standing room only Wednesday night as more than 150 residents gathered to voice their concerns over plans for a new Wal-Mart store.
The controversy began in January, when the city council learned that retailer Target pulled out of plans to anchor the 16-acre The Vineyard at Madeira shopping center and the property was purchased by Wal-Mart. The project is surrounded on three sides by residential housing, including the Del Webb Glenbrooke senior community.
The council approved the shopping center project, located at the southeast corner of Bruceville Road and Whitelock Parkway, in June. Mayor Patrick Hume explained to the crowd Wednesday that once the council approves a retail project, it cannot reject a proposed user as long as they conform to the original design plans set forth for the project.
Hume said he hoped that Wal-Mart, which normally operates its stores 24 hours a day, seven days a week, would agree to limit its hours of operation at the new store from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“We intend, as forcefully and aggressively as we can, to ask that Wal-Mart be a good corporate neighbor, and restrict their hours of operation for this store,” Hume said.
Hume said Wal-Mart has the option of rejecting the Council’s requests.
“At that point, then, they are creating an adverse situation that would probably not bode well for any future development they wish to do.”
Wednesday night, speaker after speaker came forward and told the Council they were worried about hours of operation, traffic congestion and the potential for an increase in crime because of the store. Many noted that Wal-Mart already has a 24-hour store located less than two miles from the new project.
Del Webb Glenbrooke resident, Debbie Sareeram, said her home sits right next to the site, and lights from the parking lot will shine directly into her bedroom.
“It’s very disheartening for us to now find out that there could now be a 24/7 operation there, which will definitely affect our quality of life,” Sareeram said.
Although not a part of the original design plans, Target had agreed to limit its hours of operation at the shopping center. Wal-Mart reached an agreement with the city of Galt to limit its hours of operation for a store being planned in that city.
Following the meeting, Linda Ford, chair person of the Elk Grove Coalition Advocating Proper Planning, said her organization is not opposed to Wal-Mart building a store at the shopping center, but has issues with the hours of operation.
“We’re opposed to a 24/7 store in a residential neighborhood,” Ford said. “It’s unacceptable.”
Ford’s organization was formed in 2005 as part of a successful effort to stop the planned building of a Wal-Mart superstore in Elk Grove.
Council member Gary Davis said that after listening to residents’ concerns, he is going to do everything he can to oppose the building of a Wal-Mart store in the shopping center and encourage the retailer to find a better location for its store outside of a residential neighborhood.
Council member Jim Cooper said he will also oppose the store and that his biggest concern is a possible rise in crime in the area.
“I don’t have a lot of respect for Wal-Mart,” Cooper said.
Representatives from Wal-Mart did not attend the meeting, nor did they respond to requests for comment. Council members said they have meetings scheduled with representatives from Wal-Mart in the coming week and would relate citizens concerns to the company.
CNS Staff Writer
The Elk Grove City Council chambers were standing room only Wednesday night as more than 150 residents gathered to voice their concerns over plans for a new Wal-Mart store.
The controversy began in January, when the city council learned that retailer Target pulled out of plans to anchor the 16-acre The Vineyard at Madeira shopping center and the property was purchased by Wal-Mart. The project is surrounded on three sides by residential housing, including the Del Webb Glenbrooke senior community.
The council approved the shopping center project, located at the southeast corner of Bruceville Road and Whitelock Parkway, in June. Mayor Patrick Hume explained to the crowd Wednesday that once the council approves a retail project, it cannot reject a proposed user as long as they conform to the original design plans set forth for the project.
Hume said he hoped that Wal-Mart, which normally operates its stores 24 hours a day, seven days a week, would agree to limit its hours of operation at the new store from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“We intend, as forcefully and aggressively as we can, to ask that Wal-Mart be a good corporate neighbor, and restrict their hours of operation for this store,” Hume said.
Hume said Wal-Mart has the option of rejecting the Council’s requests.
“At that point, then, they are creating an adverse situation that would probably not bode well for any future development they wish to do.”
Wednesday night, speaker after speaker came forward and told the Council they were worried about hours of operation, traffic congestion and the potential for an increase in crime because of the store. Many noted that Wal-Mart already has a 24-hour store located less than two miles from the new project.
Del Webb Glenbrooke resident, Debbie Sareeram, said her home sits right next to the site, and lights from the parking lot will shine directly into her bedroom.
“It’s very disheartening for us to now find out that there could now be a 24/7 operation there, which will definitely affect our quality of life,” Sareeram said.
Although not a part of the original design plans, Target had agreed to limit its hours of operation at the shopping center. Wal-Mart reached an agreement with the city of Galt to limit its hours of operation for a store being planned in that city.
Following the meeting, Linda Ford, chair person of the Elk Grove Coalition Advocating Proper Planning, said her organization is not opposed to Wal-Mart building a store at the shopping center, but has issues with the hours of operation.
“We’re opposed to a 24/7 store in a residential neighborhood,” Ford said. “It’s unacceptable.”
Ford’s organization was formed in 2005 as part of a successful effort to stop the planned building of a Wal-Mart superstore in Elk Grove.
Council member Gary Davis said that after listening to residents’ concerns, he is going to do everything he can to oppose the building of a Wal-Mart store in the shopping center and encourage the retailer to find a better location for its store outside of a residential neighborhood.
Council member Jim Cooper said he will also oppose the store and that his biggest concern is a possible rise in crime in the area.
“I don’t have a lot of respect for Wal-Mart,” Cooper said.
Representatives from Wal-Mart did not attend the meeting, nor did they respond to requests for comment. Council members said they have meetings scheduled with representatives from Wal-Mart in the coming week and would relate citizens concerns to the company.
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