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mtdemocrat.com
VOLUME 172 • ISSUE 14 | $1.00
Solar companies brace for
Human Rights Commission on chopping block
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2023
BIG CHANGES
Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
Odin Rasco Staff writer
El Dorado County solar companies are preparing for harder times on the horizon as a result of changes made to solar energy rules by the California Public Utilities Commission Dec. 15. The Net Energy Monitoring solar tariff will see its third significant revision, NEM 3.0, go into effect April 15. A press release from the CPUC states that the NEM 3.0 changes “promote grid reliability, incentivizes solar and battery storage and controls electricity costs for all Californians.” NEM 3.0 will see a shift in ■
See SOLAR, page A6
Ash answers call of duty Jana Rossi Staff writer
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hen Shelley Martell’s husband Bruce, a paramedic with the Contra Costa Fire Department lost his faithful companion, she saw firsthand the impact the loss of his best friend had. It also got her thinking about the importance animals play in the lives of everyday heroes and, more importantly the benefits they provide. Martell’s vision, The Paw Platoon Placement Program, launched soon after. The program is a first of its kind and is meant to give first responders a break from the stresses
Mountain Democrat photo by Jana Rossi
Ash has joined the Rescue Fire Department as a therapy dog, offering comfort and companionship to those on duty. their jobs create. These trained therapy dogs are there to serve alongside their fellow firefighters, by offering comfort and love during the most stressful times. While the pooches currently remain at the firehouse while on duty, Martell said she hopes one day the furry companions will head out on emergency calls and be there during crucial times. The first graduate from the program was a labradoodle named Blitz who reports for duty in the Folsom Fire Department. Since March of 2022, Martell
has placed five others, with a goal to have a service dog in every fire department. Ash is the latest active-duty doodle, who resides with the Rescue Fire Department. Capt. Brett Jones is Ash’s handler and described her in just one word, “Awesome.” As the handler, Jones takes Ash home with him when he’s not at the station and where, he said, she easily became part of his human and dog family. Ash has two dog siblings she romps around with while off duty. Ash’s greatest strength, according to Jones, is
listening. “She is there for me to talk to instead of talking to myself.” Selected dogs go through rigorous training and are chosen based on a skills assessment and their temperament. Martell said Ash has all the qualities she looks for in a recruit: a chill personality, sweet, a people dog, calm demeanor and some playfulness. For now, Ash is there for the men and women to “come home” to and listen to them, to be showered with pets ■
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors is considering disbanding the county’s Human Rights Commission. What was supposed to be a conversation regarding the purpose, membership and direction of the commission became a discussion between supervisors on its fate Jan. 24. District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin, who has served on the commission, said the commission is struggling due to not having “I don’t see the clear direction on how it should board at this operate. She also time allocating noted challenges what I see is the commissioners face such as rotating enormous amount members appointed of resources that each year and a lack of resources are really needed provided by the to make this county. The commission successful.” was formed in 2018 — Lori Parlin, with the purpose District 4 supervisor of promoting tolerance and respect among the county’s different races, religions and other characteristics in its residents. “It seems like when I was on there for a couple of years I felt like the wheel was constantly being reinvented of what the commission was to do, how it was to do it (and) there was a lot of frustration,” Parlin said. “I don’t see the board at this time allocating what I see is the enormous amount of resources that are really needed to make this successful.” Parlin recommended having a nonprofit take on the humanitarian mission and appointing a supervisor as a county liaison to the El Dorado chapter of the nonprofit Bridging Divide. Bridging Divide is a national effort to address growing social and political disparities in communities. “To me that seems like a good place for this effort … and it seems like (Bridging Divide) has the tools and has more flexibility than government for outreach, communication and bringing more sectors together,” Parlin said. Parlin stated she could not properly articulate the accomplishments of the county’s Human Rights Commission, noting administrative staff has been frustrated with the commission, including in reworking its agendas before public notice. Parlin recalled that the commission at one time created “havoc in the community” and violated the Brown Act in an email exchange while she was on the commission, a situation Parlin, the county’s chief administrative officer and county counsel had to step in and stop. “I really struggle to allow the commission that has no guidance and no boundaries on such important topics (to represent) us if we don’t know what they are doing and actually have a say,” Parlin commented. Parlin further questioned the commission’s 2023 work plan and what action was actually in its jurisdiction. Citing an example, Parlin pointed out the work plan consists of a 2023 speaker series that involves the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, with whom the county has an appointed liaison with. “That is a very delicate relationship between a sovereign nation to a county, and it is on their work plan,” Parlin said. “As far as I know, they think they are going to do this. This board didn’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ (and) county counsel didn’t have the opportunity to say ‘By the way, we have a liaison.
See ASH, page A5
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