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– E S T. 18 51
– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 33 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2025
Lilienthal named the permanent EDH fire chief
Baskets full of fun
Noel Stack Editor
Happy with progress seen so far, the El Dorado Hills Fire Board of Directors erased the “interim” from Fire Chief Michael Lilienthal’s title and approved 4-0 a threeyear employment contract with the newly named permanent chief. The contract takes effect May 1. MICHAEL LILIENTHAL “Mike has done a tremendous job,” said board President Greg Durante, commending Lilienthal for his handling of organizational and unexpected issues in his first few months on the job. The board named Lilienthal interim chief after the retirement of Maurice Johnson in December 2024. “I think he has done a stellar job,” said board VicePresident Tim White. Directors Dan Donelli and Kevin Gotro both praised Lilienthal for his leadership, noting that morale within the department has improved as has the public’s satisfaction with EDH Fire’s services. “You couldn’t have got a better man. Period,” said EDH resident Richard Ross. Lilienthal’s first few months included the unanticipated closure of EDH Fire Station 86 due to extensive mold damage, transitioning
Above, Natalia Fucci, 4, of Garden Valley (parents Danielle and Marcel) competes with other egg hunters for 3,000 plastic eggs hidden in the field near Sutter’s Mill at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park on April 19. The plastic eggs contained candy or a coupon for other prizes in the event sponsored by the nonprofit Gold Discovery Park Association. GDPA Executive Director Denise Karapinar said the turnout was bigger than last year and the organization welcomes donations for the event from the public. Upper left, Ronan Deal, 7, of Shingle Springs, left, and Barrett Soule, 7, of Logtown both ran to the far end of the field and worked backward to beat the crowd hunting for eggs at Indian Creek Elementary School on Easter Sunday. Lower left, GDPA board member and prize table volunteer Susan Zito of Placerville, left, reaches down to show prizes to coupon holders as volunteer Teagan Lorge, 13, of Roseville looks on at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park Easter egg hunt .
■ See CHIEF, page A8
Wildfire Safety Day is every day Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
This year’s Wildfire Safety Day on Saturday, April 26, is dedicated to the memory of El Dorado County Division Chief/Fire Marshal Lucas Shepard. The event, hosted by Placerville Fire Safe Council and the city of
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Placerville will bring together local fire and law enforcement agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses to share the latest in wildfire preparedness information with the community at the Midtown Mall. Providing comprehensive information on defensible space, vegetation management, home hardening and evacuation strategies, the primary objective is to safeguard lives, property and natural resources from the persistent wildfire risk that poses a challenge to residents within El Dorado County. The event will kick off at 10 a.m. and include opening remarks from Placerville Mayor John Clerici and District 3 Supervisor Brian VeerKamp. Information tables and demonstrations will be ■ See SAFETY, page A8
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
Above left, Kinsley Lewis, 4, left, and Adan Mendoza, 4, right, both of Placerville compete for Easter eggs with children in the 3-4 age group on the field at Indian Creek Elementary School on Easter Sunday. Children ages 0 through 12 competed for 4,000 eggs, 200 of which held a coupon for a $5 bill and another 200 eggs held a coupon for a $1 bill along with other coupons for toys donated by Toys For Tots. Center photo, Ryder Paulson, 5, of Lotus (parents Corie and Charlie) seems satisfied with his haul after the state park egg hunt. Above right, Ella Wager, 5, of Garden Valley, center, poses for a photo with the Easter Bunny and dad Scott at the Coloma event.
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