C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Weekend Edition – VOLUME 173 • ISSUE 110 | $1.00
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ADIOS, TACO BELL!
Photo by Shelly Thorene
Two deer take a break from grazing beneath a blazing red maple tree near Fort Jim Road last week. Fall color is at its peak around many parts of El Dorado County. Take a drive and enjoy Mother Nature’s splendor.
A PASSION FOR PARKS
Meet Placerville’s new Community Services director Odin Rasco Senior staff writer
F
ollowing the departure of Placerville’s prior Community Services director in the first half of 2024, the city recently brought on Denis Nishihara to take the reins. A Hawaii transplant, Nishihara has embraced the new role with enthusiasm and a passion for the career he’s cultivated over half his life. When Nishihara first moved to California from Maui at 20 years old, his life packed into some of the 17 boxes he and his first wife brought with them. He wasn’t searching for a career; at
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first, all he wanted was some money to pay the bills. “When I first started on this path, I was going to school at Cal State East Bay. I had just moved to California with my first wife and I just needed a part-time job,” Nishihara recalled. “I got a job with the city of San Carlos at its youth center and I just fell in love with the field. I didn’t realize it could be an actual profession, though.” Through guidance from mentors and a dedication to parks and recreation, however, Nishihara forged a path forward, building a decades-spanning career. When mentors explained that the best program development would require an aptitude for managing both money and people, he switched majors halfway through his bachelor program to focus on business studies. “Later, after I had a couple kids, I thought it would be a great idea to go to grad school,” Nishihara joked. He completed a master of business administration degree at William Jessup University, taking night classes while working full-time and taking care of four kids. “I love
“I’m from Hawaii, a place that’s really rich, culturally, and I feel like this area is the exact same way. There’s an enriched legacy here that I want to help uphold it.” — Denis Nishihara DENIS NISHIHARA my kids and I love what I do, but it was a hard time.” When he’s not working, Nishihara enjoys his time with his family, including his four children. He likes to spend time with them playing games, going on family adventures and watching anime. Through his career with local governments over the past 20-plus years, Nishihara has developed experience with recreation programs, park maintenance, special events, facilities management and more. Prior to taking his role in Placerville, he most recently served as general manager of the Arcade Creek Recreation and Parks District. Nishihara’s career started a new chapter
when Placerville brought him on board to serve as the city’s Community Services director in August. The city’s previous director, Terry Zeller, stepped away from the position for a different opportunity in March, closing out nearly five years of service in the role. Former Director Steve Youel stepped back into the role for an interim term while the city started the candidate search that ultimately found Nishihara. “I really love what I do and it’s a great opportunity to come here,” Nishihara said. “Don’t get me wrong, serving in Rancho is awesome, but I fell in love with the city, and the staff here and n See NISHIHARA page A5
Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian
After six years of vacancy, multiple incidents of vandalism and a fire, the former Taco Bell building in Pollock Pines will be torn down.
Derelict Pollock Pines building to be demolished Eric Jaramishian Senior staff writer
El Dorado County staff are planning to demolish the property of the former Taco Bell in Pollock Pines, officials confirmed. A request for the warrant to abate the property must be made; once staff have the warrant in hand, a sign with the intention to abate the property will be posted on the building for 24 hours, according to Communications Director Carla Hass. Then it is a matter of having a contractor to schedule the work. The Taco Bell closed in 2018. The building has been vacant since and the property owners have accrued thousands of dollars in fines for neglect and disrepair. The building has been repeatedly vandalized, including having multiple windows broken, and shows signs it was once used as a shelter for unhoused individuals. County staff attempted to contact Kilo Watt Investments LLC, a Wyoming-based company that acquired the land in 2020 but did not address complaints or pay any fines. A new owner, unidentified, later shared with county staff interest in renovating the space which would have waived all fees under the requirement that the building undergo necessary repairs and open the restaurant by June 2024. However, in September 2023 a fire started by a suspected arsonist damaged the structure. The property has been closed and fenced off since. Lic # 559305
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