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C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
– E S T. 18 51
– Weekend Edition – mtdemocrat.com
FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2026
VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 47 | $1.00
Fond farewell to ‘ Doc’
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
City officials plan to turn the Midtown Mall into a civic center that will house city offices, council chambers and the police department.
Midtown Mall ID’d as future civic center Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
Golden History Days in downtown Placerville on Saturday, June 6, included a public memorial for local legend Davey “Doc” Wiser, who died this past March. The cowboy born a century too late was a fixture in El Dorado County, known for his Main Street stagecoach rides, Highway 50 Wagon Train appearances in a stylish horse-drawn buggy and much more. One of two memorials for Davey “Doc” Wiser, above, showcases photos and memorabilia next to the Belltower. Also nearby was a hearse containing Wiser’s cremains, Doc’s buggy and the Overland Express Stagecoach used by Wiser to give free rides for decades. Below, Supervisor George Turnboo, left, puts his arm around Pastor Larry Condit, second from left, during the memorial service. Speakers included Placerville Vice Mayor Jackie Neau, center, and Pony Express Re-ride National President Pam Dixon, right, along with Todd White, Sherry Souza, Hangtown Marshals Dakota and J. Sterling, Paul Zappettini, Albert Fausel, Deanna Fausel and Gwen Reid.
The Placerville City Council unanimously approved purchasing the Midtown Mall property at 681 Main St. during its June 6 meeting, advancing plans to create a centralized civic center that would eventually house the Placerville Police Department, City Hall functions and other municipal services. Interim City Manager Joe Wren presented the proposal, describing it as a long-term solution to the city’s facility needs while avoiding the high costs associated with new construction. ■ See CENTER, page A8
Supes extend trial for public comment process Noel Stack Editor
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
It’s status quo for public comments at El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meetings. Despite several requests from community members to go back to the old
system of allowing public comment at the time each discussion item is heard, supervisors voted on June 9 to stick with the procedure adopted this past January — frontloading comments at the start of board meetings for closed session, consent calendar and discussion items. Comments on public hearings are taken at the times those agenda items are discussed, as required by law. “I am actually liking the way this is going. I never thought I would say that,” District 4 Supervisor Lori Parlin said before making the motion to stick to bundled public comments through the rest of the year. “Really, I think it has gone well. I think it has made the public not go on and tell us about the weather wherever they are or, quite honestly, I’m going to say it, mansplain what we’re doing. That is just not helpful. So I suggest we stick with this a little bit longer, see if we can help … get everybody on board.” “I was not entirely in favor of the change, and yet went along with it ■ See COMMENTS, page A8
Plaque marks Mountain Democrat’s
★
★ 175 YEARS OF PRINT
Mimi Escabar Special Sections Editor
T
he Mountain Democrat was recognized for its 175 years of continuous operation with the unveiling of a plaque outside Placerville Hardware, 441 Main St. on Saturday, June 6, during Golden History Days. The hardware store is the steward of the newspaper’s early location downtown. One of the building’s doors still bears the publication’s name. Mountain Democrat staff took part in a ceremony starting at the Belltower. T. Burt McNaughton, Mountain Democrat COO; Noel Stack, editor; and Mimi Escabar, Special Sections editor, gave opening remarks, noting the history of the publication and thanking the loyal readers and advertisers for their support over
Photo by Marilyn Gilham
Mountain Democrat staff dressed for the occasion Saturday when a plaque was unveiled at Placerville Hardware, commemorating 175 years of continuous publication. Left to right: Features Editor Andrew Vonderschmitt, Morgan Vonderschmitt, Editor Noel Stack, August Vonderschmitt and Special Sections Editor Mimi Escabar. the years. The celebration then moved to the front of Placerville Hardware where the bronze plaque donated by the Native Daughters of the Golden West Marguerite Parlor No. 12 was unveiled. Later in the day members of Marguerite
Parlor No. 12 were honored to pass out Joan Barsotti’s book “Grandmother’s Bell and the Wagon Train” to families and children before the arrival of the Highway 50 Wagon Train that afternoon. The Barsotti family donated 150 books to be given away free to
the delight of visitors enjoying the Golden History Days festivities. “We want to thank Placerville Hardware, the Native Daughters of the Golden West Marguerite Parlor No. 12 and especially Deanna Fausel for making the event happen,” Stack said.