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PLACERVILLE • 85 Placerville Drive (530) 303-8962 • JACKSON 705 S. State Highway 49 • (209) 560-6676 C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
– E S T. 18 51
– Weekend Edition – mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2025
VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 62 | $1.00
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
The 1906 Bridge is on city property but not maintained at present time. Some have expressed interest in reviving the structure.
Courtesy photos
Officials ponder bridge’s historical significance, future
California State Guard Deputy Commanding Gen. Duane Tadlock receives his insignia from Col. Jim Barry (ret.), a friend and mentor, left, and Tadlock’s wife Cassonda, right, at the promotion ceremony.
Andrew Vonderschmitt
Chris Woodard
Features editor
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
At the behest of Placerville resident Mike Drobesh the city of Placerville is seeking options for historical designation for what is known as the 1906 bridge located off Main Street between Canal Street and Forni Road. The 1906 bridge has been defunct since the Southern Pacific Railroad Company abandoned rail service to Placerville in the 1980s, according to Placerville resident and railroad chronicler Mark Acuna. Prior to that time the bridge provided crossing over Hangtown Creek for the railroad. It currently sits in a General Plan land use area within the Placerville Community Business District with no zoning designation. While other
parts of the SPRC right of way were purchased by Caltrans for the Highway 50 project, this parcel is owned by the city of Placerville. Director of Development Services Carole Kendrick outlined the challenges and opportunities for historical designation for said bridge. There are five possible routes to historical designation. The first three: California Historical Landmark, California Point of Historical Interest and California Register of Historical Resources all come with similar requirements such as confirmation of statewide or local significance, its role in historical events like the Gold Rush, a connection with rail or settlement history or a connection with notable figures. All three would require significant research and documentation to satisfy designation requirements. “The main street 1906 bridge is unlikely ■ See BRIDGE, page A9
A COMMANDING PRESENCE Placerville Police sergeant earns distinguished California State Guard title Staff writer
B
rig. Gen. and Placerville Police Sgt. (ret. annuitant) Duane Tadlock was recently promoted to deputy commanding general of the California State Guard, becoming the first general officer in the organization’s history to hold the rank without federal military service. “It’s never been done,” Tadlock said. “So I had to break some glass ceilings to do it.” Tadlock has served in the California State Duane Tadlock is a fixture in the PDD and community, often Guard since 1984, seen participating in events and supporting programs like Toys rising through the of Tots. ranks from enlisted to officer before career has been state certain federal military being promoted to training programs service,” Tadlock said. brigadier general. He that are not accessible Tadlock said to meet has completed 41 years promotion requirements, without federal status, of service and is the he explained. he completed both a longest-serving member “I had to convince bachelor’s and master’s in the organization’s the commands that degree at National history, according to the those substitutions were University, earning his California State Guard acceptable,” Tadlock said. master’s in homeland and PPD. “So that it wasn’t lesser security and emergency “I am the first Flag than but equal to.” management. This Officer Commanding Tadlock began his academic background or general that had no federal service. My entire served as a substitute for public service career
with the Sacramento Police Department as an explorer scout. He attended the police academy in 1986 and became a sworn officer a year later. Over the years, he worked for several law enforcement agencies, including the Elk Grove Unified School District Police Department, the California Horse Racing Board and the California State Lottery, where he was eventually promoted to chief. In addition to his fulltime law enforcement roles, Tadlock has worked with the California State Fair Police Department for 22 years and has served as a reserve sergeant with the Placerville Police Department for the last decade. According to the Placerville Police Department, Tadlock has 43 years in law enforcement and contributes to training, youth mentorship and faith-based community leadership. The department stated, “His ■ See TADLOCK, page A8
ED Disposal sorts through messy business of MRF remodel ■ Rate increases approved Jo Carrerow
Mountain Democrat correspondent El Dorado Disposal customers in El Dorado County’s unincorporated areas will see an increase on their trash collection bills. A 6.36% rate increase was approved at the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 29 on a 3-2 vote. EDD representatives requested a 2.74% rate increase for the final completion cost of El Dorado Disposal’s Material Recovery Facility improvements, plus 3.62% for the interim year rate increase. This was the second time a rate increase was approved due to overruns on the MRF project. The board approved a 3.23% rate in 2020 to cover the second $12 million on the project, which was then up to $24 million.
“In 2020 El Dorado Disposal came back to the board for a cost overrun. The original project was $12 million. In 2020 it went to $24 million and now the final was $38, which is why we’re back in front of you,” El Dorado Disposal District Manager Christopher Brown said. The MRF rebuild rate impact will affect curbside customers from 92 cents to $1.35 each billing cycle, depending on the size of trash can and where they live, according to information in a presentation by Christopher Brown and Dave Brown, EDD regional engineer, who worked closely on the MRF project. Exact rate increases are: Area A – 35-gallon can at $1.07, 64-gallon can at $1.35; Area B – 35-gallon can at 92 cents; Area C – 35-gallon can at 92 cents. The minimum charge adjustment when dropping off trash at the facility on Throwita
Way in Placerville would be 61 cents, with the average charge adjustment at $1.20. Dave Brown said the MRF project started in 2014 as requested by the county, and was included as part of a franchise agreement. At the time, the existing MRF was inadequate and the county desired a new facility. He said it was also less expensive to build a new building than to try to make improvements to the old one. EDD didn’t have a way of working on the existing MRF and still remain operational so a 36,000-square-foot building was approved. The new MRF was requested to improve and make the process safer when customers were unloading with separate tipping areas for commercial and residential, a drive-thru load out for transfer trucks and use of both ■ See RATES, page A8