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Volume 171 • Issue 143 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Local elections are called Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer
Gotberg tallied 1,599 votes, Clerici 1,424 and Yarbrough 1,294. In a statement to the Mountain Democrat, Gotberg shares that she is looking forward to working with fellow council members. She has some things on her mind as she enters her term. “I hope to bring broadband internet and more workforce housing to Placerville,” Gotberg
New Placerville City Council members Nicole Gotberg, John Clerici and David Yarbrough will take their seats next week. El Dorado County Registrar of Voters Bill O’Neill on Dec. 1 certified the final results of the Nov. 8 election.
Funding next step for new safety facility Eric Jaramishian Staff writer How to fund a public safety facility that would house Placerville Police Department and El Dorado County Fire Protection District personnel came into question Nov. 29 at a special meeting of the Placerville City Council. The need for a new facility is driven by inadequate and dated infrastructure currently used by the two departments, and filling that need is estimated to $43 million to $66 million on the high end. The council gave direction to staff to explore funding options. The police and fire departments now operate out of two downtown Placerville locations — police headquarters are located on upper Main Street and the fire department’s Station 25 sits on Sacramento Street. Presenting a space needs assessment and feasibility study to the council, City Engineer Rebecca Neves identified avenues of
funding, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Department Grant and Loan Program, which funded the El Dorado County sheriff ’s public safety facility at 200 Industrial Drive completed in 2019. At the time it was considered the largest capital project in El Dorado County’s history, costing $60 million to build out the 108,000-square-foot facility. Councilmember Dennis Thomas noted the buildings both departments are currently occupying are too small and the proposed facility is much needed for first responders. “If you look at the sheriff, he really created a building for the next 50 years,” Thomas said. “Now, here we are starting this journey as well. I think this is a much-needed thing as a community and for our first responders as well. The (first responders) have been really underappreciated in occupying those
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states. Clerici and Yarbrough were unable to be reached as of press time. A swearing-in ceremony is slated for the Dec. 13 City Council meeting. Incumbent and local business owner Dennis Thomas will not return to the council, losing his n
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Storybook ending
Rain on the parade was the talk of the town as preparations for the 44th Hangtown Christmas parade pushed on, rain or shine. The storm broke for crowds to see magical snow rather than rain falling over the parade route. Pictured above is Grand Marshal Albert Fausel reading to children “A Christmas Carol” that, like the parade, had a storybook ending. Fausel is the third-generation owner of Placerville Hardware but insists he’s just a community-minded, small business owner and a family man. The Flying Arrows Equestrian Drill Team, right, rides in style. Photos by Laurie Edwards n see more photos on page A3
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