C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
– E S T. 18 51
– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 13 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
SUIT UP
EDHCSD board shaken up with almost resignation Noel Stack Editor
Did he or didn’t he? That is the question regarding the status of El Dorado Hills Community Services District Director and board Vice President Chuck King, who on Jan. 23 sent a letter to EDHCSD General CHUCK KING Manager Mark Hornstra relating his intention to resign. Two days later King rescinded that letter but on Feb. 6 Hornstra and EDHCSD board president Stephen Ferry sent out a news release announcing King’s resignation and a vacancy on the board. King is listed as a director on the the Feb. 13 EDHCSD Board of Directors agenda, with an asterisk noting: “Per the advisement of the district’s interim general counsel, this director is exercising office notwithstanding an unresolved claim that his office is alleged to be vacant due to his purported resignation ….” “While it is true I did make notification to GM ■ See KING, page A8
Placerville considers collaborative fire resiliency strategy Andrew Vonderschmitt Staff writer
The Placerville City Council recently hosted a special meeting regarding the Community Wildfire Resiliency Strategy that is being steered by El Dorado County Resource Conservation District and involving a team of 13 people from four different agencies. This project has, to date, involved multiple steps including, public and stakeholder
MAIL LABEL
workshops, a fair amount of data collection and a wildfire risk assessment. Juliana Prosperi of WSP, an engineering and professional services firm, started the presentation. “We’re getting close to the finish line of wrapping up this plan,” Prosperi said as she gave an overview of the process. The strategy is meant to be a comprehensive plan that can guide wildfire preparedness, risk analysis and the development of mitigation projects. It will aid in collaboration, provide a model for risk mitigation and be an overall guiding document for wildfire prevention activities in the Placerville area. “It is a long-term action plan that will include a suite of different projects,” Prosperi said. One ambition of this strategy, beyond enhancing overall wildfire preparedness, is to integrate with existing and ongoing plans. ■ See STRATEGY, page A8
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
Members of Teamsters Local 150 out of Sacramento, instructor Rick Crowe, left, and Jody Johnson, right, direct students to enter a classroom one at a time for a decontamination simulation at a Hazwoper training session in El Dorado on Thursday. Hazwopers are trained in the clean-up of household hazardous waste after fires, floods and other natural disasters.
Hazwoper trainees hit the streets of El Dorado Shelly Thorene Staff writer
I
f you happened to be driving or walking down Pleasant Valley Road last Thursday you may have come across a startling sight — an ominous looking group of 25 students meandered along covered head to toe in hazmat suits with powered air purifying respirators, face shields, some carrying geiger counters and portable gas meters. The group made their way from their classroom at 6187 Pleasant Valley Road up through Hinman Alley near Poor Red’s, circled the building and returned to the parking lot behind their classroom. Afterward, they formed a circle and waited for their turn to enter the building one by one where each Hazwoper went through a decontamination simulation. The class is a collaboration between the El Dorado Office of Education, the Northern California Construction Training program and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which provides the
1 Dentist Dentist!
#
nine times! New Patients Always Welcome!
Jeff Little, DDS
General & Cosmetic Dentistry
“Look For My Column On Page 3 Today!”
Hazwopers in training wearing Hazmat suits with powered air purifying respirators, face shields, some carrying geiger counters and portable gas meters make their way back to the EDCOE classroom at 6187 Pleasant Valley Road on Feb. 6. The training is a precursor to employment in areas affected by wildfires, flooding and other natural disasters. up after fires, floods and other events where toxic household materials may have been released into the environment. He said that Hazwopers are currently involved in the clean up for the L.A. fires. Poor Reds Executive Chef Dean Hiatt happened to be walking to the El Dorado Grocery and Deli and said the clerk made a joke about him “messing with Hazmat stuff.” He shared that some of his guests at the restaurant were
instructors. The training is part of a 40- hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response course. The training follows a set of guidelines created by the Occupational Safety and health Administration to protect workers who handle hazardous materials in clean-up operations. NCCT instructor Brian Batch said the free training occurs three or four times a year and covers procedures for cleaning
“freaking out” as they saw the hazmat suits and Geiger counters. Hiatt followed the group to find out what was going on and got the information from a helpful student. Hiatt told the Mountain Democrat, “The optics were horrible.” He said he wished the group had a sign or a vest to indicate to the public that a training session was taking place. EDCOE Director of Alternative Programs Carey Buchanan said ■ See TRAINING, page A8
GOING SOLAR? 1515 5.000%3.61 5.30% YEAR3.250 YEAR 3.250 3.61
Let us Quote Your Project! HOME HOME LOAN Fixed RateFixed Rate LOAN
Annual Percentage Annual Percentage Rate Rate
• ReÀ• nance Purchase ReÀnance PLACERVILLE Purchase PLACERVILLE 4040 ElRoad Dorado• 622-1492 Road • 622-1492 • 4040 El •Dorado
180180 Monthly per $1,000Borrowed Borrowed MonthlyPayments Payments of $7.91 $7.03 $1,000 180 Monthly Payments of $7.03 ofper $1,000per Borrowed
Check the El Dorado Advantage: Check the El Dorado Advantage:
VOTED #1 FOR A REASON START SAVING TODAY!
(916) 298-0019
PLACERVILLE • (Downtown) Main • 622-0833 PLACERVILLE • (Downtown) 247 Main247 • 622-0833
✓ No application ✓ No application fee fee W. PLACERVILLE l e Dr.Lawyer & Ray• Lawyer W. PLACERVILLE • Placervi•l ePlDr.acervi & Ray 626-3400• 626-3400 ✓ No prepayment ✓ No prepayment penalty penalty • 694 Val Plelasant Road • 626-5701 DIAMONDDIAMOND SPRINGSSPRINGS • 694 Pleasant ey RoadVall•ey626-5701 Local processing and servicing CAMERONCAMERON ✓ Local✓processing and servicing PARKCameron • 4060 Cameron Drive • 677-1601 PARK • 4060 Park DrivePark• 677-1601
2024
3867 Dividend Drive, Suite A, Shingle Springs info@SolarSavingsDirect.com • solarsavingsdirect.com
PINESPony• 6462 PonyTrai Express Trail • 644-2363 POLLOCKPOLLOCK PINES • 6462 Express l • 644-2363 EL DORADO HILLSPark• 3963 Drive • 933-3002 EL DORADO HILLS • 3963 DrivePark• 933-3002 GEORGETOWN 193 • 333-1101 • 6310 Hwy.• 6310 193 Hwy. • 333-1101 Serving local over 54 years GEORGETOWN Member Member Serving our local our communities forEspanol over 54foryears Se communities Habla
Habla Espanol 800-874-9779 Espanol 800-874-9779 Maximum loan$417,000.00, $650,000, primary vacationresidence. residence. Se HablaSe loan vacation Maximum Maximum loan $417,000.00, primary orprimary vacationororresidence. NMLSR ID 479256 20%cash minimum downonpayment on purchase. equityonrequired on refiOther nance.loansOther loans under available underterms. different terms. 20% minimum downcash payment purchase. 25% equity25% required refinance. available different