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– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 27 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2025
Efforts dissapate on tobacco rules ■ Placerville extinguishes plans Andrew Vonderschmitt Features editor
At the March 25 regular City Council meeting the vote was 4-1 to kill the proposed tobacco ordinance. The ordinance, if passed, would have required any retailer who sells tobacco to obtain a tobacco retailer’s license, regulated tobacco product pricing and packaging, limited transferability of tobacco retailer licenses, banned single use e-cigarettes, required retailers to ID every consumer of tobacco products, prohibited flavored tobacco products and limited licenses to one retailer per 2,500 residents of the city. A principal concern pushing this action has been illegal access to tobacco products by minors. According to national studies quoted in the council’s Resolution No. 9371, passed on Oct. 22, 2024, 6.6% of middle schoolers used some form of tobacco product in 2023 which was up from 4.6% in 2022. Also in 2023, 10% of middle- and highschool-age students reported current use of some ■ See CITY, page A8
■ County takes a smoke break Jo Carrerow
Mountain Democrat correspondent A new year, a new board but no new tobacco ordinance yet — or possibly ever. Tobacco Retailers Ordinance 5211 was set to become law on April 1, but the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on March 25 to review the 16-page document for some requirements that just won’t work. Environmental Management Director Jeffrey Warren said the ordinance had been approved by the previous board on Nov. 5, 2024, with enforcement scheduled to begin April 1. With feedback collected through January, he shared, concerns arose, including business transferability, minimum pack size
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requirements, the carding age, minimum pricing regulations and the number of tobacco retail licenses available per population density. The existing ordinance requires that a person who sells tobacco obtain a retailer license and establishes the limit on number of tobacco retailer licenses to one retailer per 2,500 residents. There are 97 active tobacco licenses now. If the ordinance were in effect only 77 licenses could be allowed. “In accordance with policy A3, Health and Human Services and Environmental Management respectfully request amendments to ■ See COUNTY, page A8
Courtesy photo
Assemblyman Joe Patterson, left, honors Siri Nelson as District 5 Woman of the Year in El Dorado County for her commitment to health care in the community.
Marshall CEO earns Woman of the Year title Fernando Diaz Marshall Medical
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alifornia State Assemblyman Joe Patterson has recognized Marshall CEO Siri Nelson’s leadership and community impact by naming her the 5th Assembly District’s El Dorado County Woman of the Year. Nelson, who joined Placerville-based Marshall in July 2019, serves as the board chair of the California Hospital Association, which represents over 400 hospitals statewide. She was recently named one of the Sacramento Business Journal’s “Power 100.” “I am honored to recognize Siri Nelson as my El Dorado County Woman of the Year,” said Assemblyman Joe Patterson, a member of the State’s Subcommittee on Health. “With nearly three decades of experience in rural healthcare, Siri’s commitment to ensuring residents have quality healthcare is commendable. Under her leadership, we have seen expanded innovative healthcare services in our community, in addition to numerous new career opportunities for residents. Thank you, Siri, for your many incredible contributions to AD 5.” In just over five years, Nelson has transformed health care in El Dorado County, establishing Marshall as the region’s premier provider of high quality, comprehensive healthcare services. Her
vision and leadership guided Marshall through the COVID-19 pandemic to outperform other hospitals, resulting in the state asking Marshall to serve as a regional surge facility. She has directed the development of new services, partnerships and programs, and has expanded Marshall’s footprint of care to add vitally needed services in El Dorado Hills. Her championing of Marshall’s “Elevate” culture has fostered a patient centered approach that addresses the industry’s toughest challenges with innovation and compassion. She continues to lead with vision and impact, shaping the future of health care both locally and statewide. “I am humbled and touched by this honor,” said Nelson. “To be recognized for doing the work that I am passionate about, for believing that regardless of our size and location we can be an example of how to deliver excellent care with quality and compassion and for working day in and day out with extraordinary colleagues and community members ... there is no greater honor.” Nelson is a respected thought leader within health care throughout California and the United States. In addition to the California Hospital Association, she serves as member of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, past chair of the Sierra Health Collaborative, and past chair of the ■ See NELSON, page A8
Station 86 repairs under way with expected May completion Noel Stack Editor
Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack
Crews repair the roof at EDH Fire Station 86 on Bass Lake Road, part of an expansive mold remediation project that required the station’s temporary closure.
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El Dorado Hills Fire Station 86 is eerily quiet — and bare — these days. The walls have been stripped down to the metal framing inside the living quarters and the offices. The floors are cold concrete and ceiling tiles are missing overhead. But this is a good thing, interim EDH Fire Chief Michael Lilienthal said, as the mold remediation project continues to move forward with no surprises. Lilienthal closed the station in early January, just days after taking his new top role. Mold was initially found in November 2024 and remediated but then a retest found more, prompting the closure. The crew is operating out of a nearby rental home so there’s no impact to public safety or response times. ■ See REPAIRS, page A8
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