Supervisor Jack Garamendi, Calaveras County California District 2

Volcano Internet- Providing Free Hotspots

Volcano Internet is providing free internet in their service area. Originally conceived as a program to be implemented for fire emergency, Volcano has 7 free internet “hotspots” available. These sites are hardwired and will continue to work in a power shut off. Practice social distancing, stay in your car, be responsible for yourself and respectful to others and stay safe.

In addition, Volcano is providing free internet for low income qualifying families who have students at Calaveras Unified School District. Parents, look for information from the School District.

I want to thank Volcano and their employees for helping our community in time of need.

Please follow the Calaveras OES and Public Health Pages on Facebook to keep track of County information and advisories.

LOCATIONS:

1. Rail Road Flat, located near the Town Hall parking area, near the RRF School. Line Powered.

2. Wilseyville #1, located in the parking area in front of the Post Office near the old General Store. Line Powered.

3. West Point #1, Parking area in front of the West Point Veteran Memorial Building, across HWY 26 from the West Point Community Convenient Church. No Backup, powered inside the Hall. Will convert to line powering soon.

4. West Point #2, Parking area at Dollar General Store on HWY 26 Line powered.

5. Glencoe, Parking area near Ridge Road to RRF and HWY 26 Intersection near old Swiss 3 Way café. Line Powered.

6. Lower Dorray Road, at outdoor intersection of HWY 26 and Lower Dorray Road electronics on power pole with best access available at unpaved turn-out on HWY 26. Line powered.

7. Wilseyville #2 located at the Helicopter Landing Pad on Associated Office Road and North Railroad Flat Road. Line Powered. This hot spot is directed to first responders.

For the general public, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not currently recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect against COVID-19. Everyday preventive actions to help slow the spread of respiratory illness are recommended. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of face masks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). There are currently no cases of COVID-19 in Calaveras County. The health risk to the general public in Calaveras County remains low. For more information visit www.cdc.gov/COVID19

Do you have questions for your County Government? Want an update on County projects in District 2? Come to a general town hall meeting this Thursday (11/21/2019) 6-7:30p at the West Point Community Hall (22283 Hwy 26). There will be brief presentations by participants and then Q&A. Everyone is welcome.

West Point Town Hall. Thursday November 21, 2019 -7:30pm. West Point Community Hall, 22283 Hwy 26

Great Lumberjack day in West Point! Great parade and a wonderful event to celebrate the remodel of the Community Hall! Big thank you to the Lumberjack Day organizing committee and all the volunteers who make this annual event such a success!

Join Central Calaveras Fire, County OES, Sheriff Department and the Red Cross in a conversation to create a disaster preparedness plan for the Rail Road Flat and Glencoe Communities

Please join is for this important conversation!

Dear Friends,

I would like to announce that I will be seeking re-election to the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors in 2020. I believe we have made significant progress in our county over the last several years and I hope to continue this work on behalf of District 2.

Serving as your elected representative has been an honor and a humbling experience. You put your confidence in me in 2016 to represent you and advocate for our communities and I have done my best to serve you with integrity and energy.

We are a district of nine unique communities including, Paloma, Mokelumne Hill, Glencoe, Rail Road Flat, Wilseyville, West Point, Mountain Ranch, Sheep Ranch, and Calaveritas. We have worked together for the last three years to make our communities stronger, safer and more prosperous. I am proud to be your representative and will ask you to stand with me as you cast your vote in the 2020 election.

Please visit www.jackgaramendi.com to track our campaign.

Sincerely,
Jack

Jack Garamendi - Welcome

West Point Community Hall - Ribbon Cutting 10/5/2019 10:00am

Please join us for the ribbon cutting at the West Point Community Hall at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 5, 2019. During Lumberjack Days, the entire community is invited to the newly remodeled town hall as we recognize the work done and re-dedicate this historic community building! The hall will be open all day and the Red Cross will have displays for disaster preparedness, so stop by and enjoy the building and see the fine work that has been done there. This photo is of the group that has worked to bring this project forward, taken at the progress/planning meeting today in West Point. See you all on Lumberjack Days!

Hazard Waste Removal

Got Insurance Concerns? Attend the town Hall meeting with the State Insurance Commissioner. Monday 9/16 . San Andreas Town Hall.

West Point Community Hall - Construction Underway!

Calaveras County is conducting an extensive remodel of the County owned Community Hall in West Point. This exciting project is being funded through Disaster Preparedness Funds from the PG&E Settlement and will be completed by Lumberjack Days 2019! When the remodel is complete, the facility will be prepared to serve as an emergency evacuation site for all disasters as well as for community events. New insulation, kitchen facilities, ADA compliant bathrooms, storage and refinished floors are in the works. The old building was built with local lumber and Calaveras Cement, the bones are excellent. It just needed a good update to serve the community. We will refinish the floors, new paint inside and out and some finishes using locally milled lumber. We also have a group of community members who advised us on priorities, picked colors and will hang historic photos of West Point. Pictured is Patrick Martin, County Facilities Manager, and Kurt Stout. Patrick has fallen in love with the building and is doing a great job on a shoestring budget. Details on the new opening for Lumberjack Days to follow, but we hope the entire community will take time to visit the building on that day and take pride in bringing this building back to the glory it deserves.

Jack

Today, representatives from Calaveras County and Amador County met with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to discuss how the lack of insurance is impacting our communities. I was joined by Al Alt-Calaveras CAO, John Osbourn-Calaveras OES, Chief Miller- West Point Fire, West Point Fire Board Member Greg Pryor and from Amador County, Connie Gonsalves -Jackson Vice Mayor, Pat Minyard -Amador Fire Safe Council and Chief White-Amador County Fire.

The meeting was well received and Commissioner Lara understood the issues and impacts that the lack of insurance can cause on small communities. He committed to doing a town hall in Calaveras as well as shared his priorities for improving access for our area. I believe we will see action by the Department of Insurance and I am thankful to Commissioner Lara for taking time from his schedule to hear our concerns.

If you have concerns of questions regarding your insurance, please call the California Department of Insurance at 1 (800) 927-4357.

Have questions about Butte Fire road restoration? Join us at the Mountain Ranch Community Club, August 15th at 6:00p and discuss the project with Public Works and myself. We will have a brief presentation, maps and time to discuss specific items related to timelines and projects. I hope everyone with questions/concerns/comments will be able to join.

At the end of July, Caltrans will construct a 4-way stop at the intersection of Hwy 49/Hwy 26 in Mokelumne Hill. After many years of pleading to make this dangerous intersection safe, Caltrans conducted several studies and determined that a 4-way stop was the best interim step as they consider and find funding for an alternative such as left turn lanes, a round-about or a stoplight.

Please be cautious of traffic while people learn this new commute pattern. While this new stop may cause some concern, there was no doubt that the intersection has not been safe for many decades and these road changes will save lives of friends, neighbors and loved ones.

Jack

The Board of Supervisors recognized the Valedictorians and Salutatorian from Calaveras and Brett Harte High Schools on Tuesday. It was great to recognize these outstanding students and their academic achievements. We are all very proud of them all. The photo is of the Valedictorians of Calaveras High School, Class of 2019!

Know someone who wants to help rebuild the roads damaged by the Butte Fire? The County is seeking workers to join the County Road Department as seasonal hires. Inquire directly to Calaveras County Human Resources.

Eight (8) Road Maintenance Workers needed full time until mid-November to support seasonal Butte Fire Road Recovery Projects. Apply on or before Friday, May 30, 2019.

Frog Jump is here!! Come to the County Fair May 16-19 at Frog Town in Angels Camp and enjoy the tradition! Today Calaveras County Employees and their families participated in jumping frogs. As Chair of the Board of Supervisors, I continued the traditional challenge to the Mayor of Angels Camp, Amanda Folendorf for jumping glory as well as a bet for lunch. I am proud to say that my frog "The promise of Paloma" not only won the bet, but won the county competition. Thank you to my nephew Garrett Hesser who went to a undisclosed pond on the ranch this morning to catch a champion for his uncle! Amanda and I face off again on the big stage in Frog Town on Sunday. Be sure to come to the Fair, enjoy the community and celebrate all that is Calaveras!

I want to thank everyone who came to the BOS meeting yesterday to stand up and fight for spending the Butte Fire Settlement funds in D2. You made all the difference by sharing your perspective and making clear and powerful arguments to prioritize recovery efforts. I could not have been prouder to represent our community!

By the end of the meeting, the BOS voted 4-1 to dedicate $13.45 million to rebuild the county roads in the Butte Scar, $1.35 million to support fire departments in D2 and $350,000 toward building resilient communities in West Point, Railroad Flat, Mountain Ranch and Mokelumne Hill for a total of $15.2 million. The remaining funds will be spent on supporting disaster preparedness throughout the county and for a reserve fund set to repay unreimbursed county expenses and/or unanticipated project costs related to the Butte Fire.

Approving the motion with four votes means that we can begin these projects immediately. This is a major victory for our district and our county. I am very pleased that the Board did the right thing and focused the funds on recovery for our communities, repairing our infrastructure, and preparing for the next disaster.

Tomorrow morning, Tuesday April 9 at 9:00am, the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors will decide the fate of the more than $20,000,000 PG&E Settlement. These funds need to be directed to rebuilding roads in the Butte Fire scar as well as improving the County’s infrastructure and preparedness for the next disaster. Calaveras County cannot expect any additional funds for repairs from the fire, so if these funds are not used as intended for fire recovery, it will add decades to bringing the roads and infrastructure back to pre-fire status. In order to start work this summer, the Board must act NOW.

I need you to show up at the Board of Supervisors meeting and remind your Board that we have not yet fully recovered from the Butte Fire and the most appropriate use of the Butte Fire Settlement funds is on recovery from the Butte Fire and doing everything in our power to prevent and prepare for a future disaster.

Jack

I NEED YOUR HELP!

The distribution of the Butte Fire Settlement funds will be finalized at the next Calaveras County Board of Supervisor meeting on Tuesday, April 9 at 9:00 am. Please come and support the use of these funds for Butte Fire Recovery efforts and to improve our county’s infrastructure for fire preparedness and prevention. It is critically important for members of our community to speak up during public comment to explain why the settlement funds should be used for finishing repairs on the roads and county infrastructure that were damaged by the Butte Fire as well as prevent future fires and promote community resiliency.

It is vital that citizens remind the Board of Supervisors that we have not yet recovered from the Butte Fire. Let’s make it clear that the most appropriate use of the Butte Fire Settlement funds is on recovery from the Butte Fire and doing everything in our power to prevent and prepare for a future disaster.

CALL TO ACTION!

The distribution of the Butte Fire Settlement funds will be discussed at the next Calaveras County Board of Supervisor meeting on Tuesday, March 19th at approximately 1:30 pm. Come out to support the use of these funds for Butte Fire Recovery efforts and to improve our county’s infrastructure for fire preparedness and prevention. It is critically important for members of our community to speak up during public comment to explain why the settlement funds should be used for finishing repairs on the roads and county infrastructure that were damaged by the Butte Fire as well as prevent future fires and promote community resiliency.

Opinions have been expressed that the PG&E settlement funds could be spent on county projects unrelated to the Butte Fire or saved for a rainy day. Therefore it is vital that citizens remind the Board of Supervisors that we have not yet recovered from the Butte Fire. Let’s make it clear that the most appropriate use of the Butte Fire Settlement funds is on recovery from the Butte Fire and doing everything in our power to prevent and prepare for a future disaster.

District 2 residents,

Happy New Year and best wishes for 2019! Yesterday I was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve as the Chair for 2019. It has been 11 years since our district last held the Chair of the Board and I am honored that my fellow Supervisors voted 5-0 to bring the gavel back to our District. I also wanted to welcome our new and returning Supervisors, Ben Stopper (Rancho Calaveras- District 5) and Merita Callaway (Hathaway Pines- District 3) to the Board.

I believe 2019 will be a good year for Calaveras. We live in a great county surrounded by natural beauty and populated by people committed to their community. I encourage everyone in 2019 to embrace all the good in our community and at the same time roll up our sleeves to solve the common challenges we face.

Thank you for your support, friendship and advice and I look forward to working with our community and our Board of Supervisors in 2019 to create a safe and prosperous road to the future.
Jack

Replace your old wood stove! Everyone is eligible.

Volunteers Needed!

District 2 Residents,

Calaveras County needs your help to serve on various County Boards and Commissions for 2019!

A complete list of Boards and Commissions can be found at: http://calaverascountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Board and is listed below. You can also apply online for these positions.

Of particular need are volunteers to serve on the West Point and Rail Road Flat Cemetery Districts. If you live in these communities and have an interest, please apply.

There is also a need for volunteers for the Fish and Game Commission. So, if you have an interest in promoting outdoor recreation and conservation of our natural resources, please apply.

For further information, please contact Diane Severud, Clerk of the Board at [email protected]. (209) 754-6370

A very fun time cutting the ribbon for the new bridge in Rail Road Flat! I want to thank all the contractors, public works employees and especially the neighbors who endured the long construction process. The bridge looks great!

District 2 Voters,

I want to encourage all registered voters in Calaveras County District 2, to get out and vote! While I recognize there are many passionate views regarding state and national issues, there are several local issues that deserve your consideration and I hope, your vote.

Measure G (County Wide): I support this measure because it increases the Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) for Calaveras County, providing needed funds for roads, the Sheriff, fire protection and tourism. This is a tax that is placed on Hotel/Air B&B rooms, focusing on visitors to our county, not on Calaveras County residents. YES on G

Measure D (Central Calaveras Fire and Rescue Protection District): This parcel fee is needed to maintain current levels of 24/7 fire and medical protection. If it passes, Central Fire will be able to retain its paid Fire Officer positions so it can be fully staffed to provide immediate 24/7 response. Measure D would increase the District’s parcel tax by $85.00 per year, an increase that would amount to 24 cents per day. This parcel tax is collected locally and will go directly to your local Fire Fighters. YES on D

Measure F (West Point Fire Protection District): This measure does not increase taxes within the District. This measure allows the District to spend grants and revenue we receive from the State and existing special taxes. YES on F

Thank you for supporting Calaveras and District 2. Voting is one of the greatest privileges and one of the most important responsibilities of being a citizen. These three local issues are important to our county and to District 2 in particular. I hope you will consider supporting them with your vote on or before November 6.

If you live in the Butte Fire area and still have these signs up, you may take them down and dispose of them or contact the county for assistance.

Great day in West Point for Lumber Jack Day! Events all day long, so come on up and enjoy this great day in the mountains! Thank you to all the volunteers who make this event 44 years strong!