C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 175 • ISSUE 20 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026
County Chamber CEO steps down Noel Stack
Your passion, commitment and friendship have meant more to me than I can fully express. “Together, we’ve celebrated successes, worked through challenges and helped our local businesses and community grow stronger,” she continued. “I am deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished and grateful to have been part of something so meaningful. “What I will miss most are relationships,” Brent-Bumb added. “The conversations, the collaboration and the shared dedication to making El Dorado
Editor
El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce CEO Laure BrentBumb announced her retirement Friday after 26 “incredible years.” “This is a bittersweet moment, as the chamber and this community have been such an important part of my life for more than two decades,” BrentBumb wrote in her message. “I have had the privilege of working with so many wonderful business owners, community leaders, board members and volunteers.
County a vibrant place to live and work have been the greatest rewards of my career.” The El Dorado County Chamber Board of Directors expressed its sadness at the loss, noting in a statement, “While it is impossible to list all her accomplishments, we know that Laurel is most proud of her annual Leadership Program and her tireless advocacy for the business community. Under her leadership local businesses have been able to count on her support and guidance whether they are ■ See BRENTBUMB, page A5
Mountain Democrat file photo by Shelly Thorene
El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce CEO Laurel Brent-Bumb has retired from her role after 26 years on the job. She will continue to work with the chamber in other capacities.
Courtesy photo
Brad Gates has been selected as the next fire chief of the El Dorado County Fire Protection District. He will spend the next several months working alongside retiring Fire Chief Tim Cordero to ensure a smooth transition.
Brad Gates to lead unified fire district Jacob Poganski El Dorado County Fire Protection District
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
Brad Gates has been selected as the next fire chief of the El Dorado County Fire Protection District as the district completes its annexation with the Diamond Springs–El Dorado Fire Protection District. Under Chief Gates’ leadership, the district will continue its commitment to delivering excellent service to the community while strengthening collaboration and support with partner agencies. With the retirement
of Diamond Springs– El Dorado Fire Chief Matt Gallagher and the upcoming retirement of El Dorado County Fire Chief Tim Cordero, the governing boards of both districts determined that the newly unified organization required a modern, dynamic leadership structure designed to meet the growing operational, administrative and strategic demands of a large, all-risk public safety agency. This model reflects the increasing complexity of today’s fire districts and positions the organization for longterm sustainability and regional leadership. After careful consideration, the boards initiated a nationwide recruitment process led by an independent consultant. The selection process included participation from the human resources committees of both boards, full board interviews and a stakeholder panel consisting of representatives from El Dorado County, the city of Placerville and private-sector leadership within the county. ■ See GATES, page A9
DON’T MISS
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
Mothers who have lost children to deadly drugs or have children struggling with addition speak at a powerful El Dorado Hills event set up to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and carfentanil. Left to right are Lisa Scott, mother of Travis Scott; Beth Arvantis, mother of Michael Selling; Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil; Laura Didier, mother of Zach Didier; Susan Palmer, mother of Nick Palmer; Laura Collanton, mother of Spencer Newsom; and Jacqueline Carrigg, off stage, mother of Kayla Anne Carrigg.
GONE TOO SOON Moms share stories of children lost
Staff writer
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others who lost children to fentanyl poisoning told their stories in a powerful public forum. El Dorado Hills resident Kelley Nalewaja, — El Dorado County whose son Michael, deputy and resource officer 35, died in November Dan Freeman 2025 from using cocaine laced with carfentanil, organized the public speaking event to raise awareness and invited local law enforcement, government officials, first responders and the community, sharing with those present that the gathering would also serve as her son’s memorial. Speakers included event emcee El Dorado Hills interim General Manager Stephanie McGannJantzen, Deacon Brian Smith of St. Patrick Catholic Church, El Dorado County District 1 Supervisor Greg Ferrero, representatives from both U.S. Congressman Tom McClintock and California District 5 Assemblyman Joe Patterson’s Grieving the loss of her son Michael to fentanyl poisoning last November, Kelley Nalewaja shares her story as his sister offices, El Dorado County deputy and resource Caroline, left, supports her mom. officer Dan Freeman, El Dorado County deputy district attorney Matt Gallagher, El Dorado Hills Fire Chief Mike Lilienthal and California District together a presentation on fentanyl to educate 4 Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil. Avanti Ramamoorthy, school children and give a visual representation of representing the Youth Action Council Oak what happens in an overdose. Ridge High School, spoke about substance use “We show them what a medical code looks like. prevention and mental health awareness. Awareness is what the sheriff ’s office is bringing Freeman told the crowd at Marble Valley and beyond that, total enforcement,” Freeman Academy in El Dorado Hills deputies get the said. “When people seek help, our HOT teams information directly to at-risk young people direct people to Marshall Hospital. We have through the SCHIELD Program in elementary fentanyl and carfentanil in our community and and middle schools — Safeguarding Children these hard conversations have to begin at home.” through Healthy Initiatives, Education, Law ■ See LOST, page A9 enforcement and Deterrence. EDSO also put
Gold Mine
The
Published bi-monthly in the Mountain Democrat and Village Life
We have fentanyl and carfentanil in our community and these hard conversations have to begin at home.”
Shelly Thorene
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