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I N E L D O R A D O H I L L S ■ MARCH 21, 2024
EDHCSD keeps Loewen report close ... for now, updates lawsuit against county Village Life photo by Noel Stack
The El Dorado Hills Fire Board’s newest member, Mike Hillhouse, said his goal is to keep the district moving in a positive direction.
Mike Hillhouse steps up Noel Stack Managing editor
W
hen Mike Hillhouse applied to serve on the El Dorado Hills Fire Board, he said he went into the interview “completely not expecting my name to be said” when the board made its selection among seven candidates. It was. Now, after several months on the job, the El Dorado Hills resident who wears a Central County Fire Department uniform during his day job, said
Noel Stack Managing editor
he’s already considering extending his one-year term appointment into four more years, should voters choose to elect him this coming November. Hillhouse is finishing the term started by longtime board member Jim Hartley, who died in August 2023. The new director praised Hartley as well as current and former board members. “I’m stepping into such a great thing,” he said, explaining that past boards’ decisions, plus the work done with the unions, have put the El Dorado Hills Fire Department in a great
El Dorado Hills Community Services District general counsel Derek Cole reported at the March 14 EDHCSD Board of Directors meeting that the investigation regarding former General Manager Kevin Loewen’s conduct while employed at the district is complete and a report has been submitted. However, he noted much to some residents’ dismay, “There is nothing we can report at this time,” citing attorney-client privilege. “I know there is a lot of interest in this report,” Cole said. “I certainly understand why.” Each board member and staff will have the opportunity to individually read the full report, after which, Cole said, they will hold a meeting and decide what information to release. The attorney also shared that he would be providing Brown Act training to EDHCSD board members next month.
■ See HILLHOUSE, page A6
■ See EDHCSD, page A6
DECISION 2024
Greg Ferrero, George Turnboo take supe Districts 1 & 2 Village Life staff As the El Dorado County Elections Department finalizes its ballot count, frontrunners in El Dorado County supervisor races are poised to take their seats in January 2025 — Brian Veerkamp in District 3, George Turnboo in District 2 and Greg Ferrero in District 1. Updated vote counts released by the El Dorado County Elections Department March 8 show Ferrero staying squarely in the lead for the District 1 board seat currently held by a termed-out John Hidahl. The count gives retired law enforcement professional Ferrero 63.74% of the vote in the district, which encompasses most of El Dorado Hills. Ferrero’s chief competition, charter school creator Margaret Fortune, trails behind at 28.91% of the vote, while Linda Campbell sits at 7.35% of the count.
On his campaign Facebook page, Ferrero thanks all his supporters, volunteers and donors. “Throughout my campaign, I have had the privilege of visiting with (thousands) of residents and listening to your concerns, hopes and aspirations,” the post notes. “As District 1 supervisor, I am committed to addressing the issues of our community and advocating for the well-being and prosperity of our residents. I look forward to serving you.” Fortune posted a message on her campaign website, margaret4supervisor.com, conceding the race to Ferrero. “I look forward to working with him as I continue my role as an elected leader on the El Dorado Resource Conservation District Board,” Fortune states. “I’m grateful for the support our campaign received. Thank you to all our dedicated volunteers who poured their hearts into this campaign. Knocking
on thousands of doors, meeting so many residents who care about our community and want to see it thrive was the experience of a lifetime. I will continue to be an active contributor to our community and help shape it for the better.” In the District 2 race, incumbent Supervisor Turnboo maintains his lead. Turnboo has garnered 54.41%, 7,062, of the district’s vote, according to the Friday count. District 2 encompasses the southern portion of El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Grizzly Flat, Somerset and much of the southern portion of the county. Two individuals hoped to unseat Turnboo — Kevin McCarty, who works in business compliance and has background in land use and government affairs, grabbed 26.74% of the vote; 18.85% of votes went ■ See ELECTION, page A5
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