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C ali forn ia’s Olde st Ne w spaper
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Volume 172 • Issue 57 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
Friday, May 19, 2023
EDH hits pause on effort to incorporate Noel Stack Managing editor A $1 million price tag and not enough information proved too much for the El Dorado Hills Community Services Board of Directors, which made the decision last week to hold off kickstarting an EDH incorporation effort. EDHCSD General Manager Kevin “If it should fail, Loewen presented the cost estimate of which the last $970,000 to $1.2 one did fail, we million to launch an environmental analysis, spent $1 million cover Local Area potentially for Formation Commission nothing …” expenses, send out communications to the — Richard Ross, public and utilize legal El Dorado Hills resident counsel to help with the process. “That price tag for me right now is just a little high,” EDHCSD board Chair Noelle Mattock said. She and other directors, while seeing the merit of El Dorado Hills becoming a city, noted the community doesn’t have enough information or apparent enthusiasm for the CSD to make this effort to get cityhood on the ballot — at this time. Results from a public opinion survey released last month, for which nearly 650 likely voters in EDH responded, found that 47% supported incorporation. n See incorporation, page A8
Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian
Rafters float along the South Fork of the American River near Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park May 16.
Mighty river to see rafting season roll long
Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
W
hitewater rafting outfitters are expecting this season to be one of the best in recent
years. Central Sierra Nevada snowpack levels are epic this year — 325% above average for May 16, according to Department of Water Resources data — and the subsequent
runoff is changing the game for El Dorado County rafting companies that faced challenges due to drought years. Deric Rothe, 16-year owner of Sierra Whitewater Inc., n See River, page A8
Fire drill helps Mosquito residents prepare Odin Rasco Staff writer
Mountain Democrat file photo by Shelly Thorene
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies direct traffic as Swansboro and Mosquito area residents experienced a real-life evacuation due to the 2014 King Fire.
where community members will gather if the The Mosquito region’s two main Fire Protection access roads — District is working Rock Creek Road to keep Swansboro and Mosquito and Mosquito fire Road — are — Taffy Warner, Mosquito blocked during ready by holding fire drill organizer a fire. Residents a community fire drill Saturday, are encouraged to 10-11:30 a.m. participate in the drill; in addition to For the third year in a row Mosquito an evacuation site for people, there Fire personnel and community will also be a simulated evac site for volunteers will coordinate the drill at large animals and RVs. the Swansboro Airport. Firefighters, Mosquito’s unique geography with aided by support group members, will limited routes in and out poses a simulate the staging and set up of the specific challenge if a fire were to airfield evacuation site. come through. Though the limited In case of an actual emergency the airfield site is a holdout position n See Fire Drill, page A9
“Prior to the King Fire we’d had discussions about fire drills but after how we were affected we knew we had to act.”
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