Mountain Democrat, Friday, June 9, 2023

LATE DELIVERY

16-year-old killed in hit and run

Odin Rasco Staff writer

Pony Express re-riders hop from their horses and prepare to pass off the mochila — a square leather saddle cover made to hold mail — to the next rider ready and waiting at the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce in Placerville at 12:35 a.m. Thursday. The riders hurried down the hill from the Diamond Springs post office hoping to make up for lost time, but in true USPS fashion, the mail was delivered behind schedule. The annual Pony Express re-ride travels from Old Sacramento to Missouri, relaying the mochila every 1-5 miles day and night over 10 days.

Placerville bridging ‘tech gap’

■ City residents asked to take broadband survey

Odin Rasco

Staff writer

Placerville city leaders have begun to lay the groundwork for fiber optic internet service that could provide residents with super-fast connections to the web for a fraction of the price they pay for service today.

As modern life continues to rely more heavily on internet connectivity — from smartphones and computers to netconnected fridges and doorbells — the need for a more robust network makes itself apparent,

according to Steve McCargar, a senior management analyst brought on by the city to oversee the broadband project.

“When you look at what’s happening in the world today, particularly post-COVID, I think a lot of people understand and realize the importance of connectivity,” McCargar explained.

“We are going into this time where more and more people are working from home and more services are sucking up more bandwidth. The capacity of cable is extremely limited in relation to fiber optic, which has almost no limit to its capabilities.”

Fiber optic internet’s competitive edge in speed and reliability comes down to physics — as more electrical signals travel through traditional copper

wiring, the more the copper heats up, gradually impacting the e ciency of the signal.

Fiber optic cables are bundles of glass or plastic strands as thin as a human hair that infrared light passes through in a kind of digital Morse code at speeds nearing the speed of light.

Utilizing a $500,000 Local Area Technical Assistance grant from the state, city engineers and outside consultants have recently completed plans that lay out a potential map for routing the fiber that would allow for connection to every residence and business in the city. The next step, according to McCargar, is the “shovel-ready” plan, which entails getting feet on the ground and checking for potential hurdles to the map,

such as trees or roots in the way and planning how to pass along bridges. Once plans are completed, city o cials will be equipped with the information they need to determine equipment needs and costs associated with laying the 167 miles of fiber it will take to bring broadband to the city. The city has been preparing for broadband for some time by pre-installing junctions whenever the city takes on road maintenance projects, according to McCargar. Another junction is set to go into the ground soon, as the city will soon begin work to repair Broadway and add additional sidewalks.

“For years now the city, anytime they’re doing any type of work

■ See BROADBAND page A8

Law enforcement is on the lookout for a white 2018-22 Honda Accord after a 16-year-old boy from Pilot Hill died from injuries sustained in a hit and run on Highway 50 early Monday.

California Highway Patrol o cers received a call at 3 a.m. Monday reporting a pedestrian on Highway 50 west of El Dorado Road between Placerville and Shingle Springs, according to CHP documents. O cers arrived to the area and located a young man in the center median

JOSIAH STAYNER

with severe injuries; he was transported to U.C. Davis Medical Center for emergency treatment but succumbed to his injuries.

The pedestrian was later identified by the Sacramento County coroner as Josiah Stayner. Stayner, who went by

■ See STAYNER page A9

Cameron Park GM stepping down

Isaac Streeter Staff writer

Cameron Park Community Services District General manager André Pichly recently announced he would step down after a year and a half of service in the role.

Pichly cited a number of reasons for his decision to leave, including his eligibility for retirement as well as expecting his granddaughter’s birth in the coming weeks.

Most importantly, Pichly said, was his struggle to balance family life, maintaining his health, his work for the CSD and

his part-time teaching role at California State University, Sacramento. “A lot of this was driven by quality of life.” Pichly said. “It’s just not healthy for me at my age.”

Pichly, 62, has spent a majority of his 33-year

■ See GM, page A9

Mountain Democrat photo by

Odin Rasco

ANDRÉ PICHLY

ESSENTIALS

OBITUARIES

Warren Frederick Bryld

October 2, 1931 – May 13, 2023

Warren Frederick Bryld, born October 2, 1931, passed away May 13, 2023 at the age of 91. Warren was the son of Viola and Frederick Bryld and is survived by his beloved wife, Judy, daughters Vicki Hermone and Terri Shelby, grandchildren

Brianna Deaner, Jessica Watne and Dustin Shelby as well as great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 24 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 1200 Pinecrest Ct., Placerville. CA. 95667.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to First Lutheran Church, Placerville, California 95667.

Patricia Lynn Koszalka

Oct. 15, 1949 - Feb. 19, 2023

Patricia Lynn “Trish” Koszalka, age 73 of Placerville, died peacefully at home of natural causes on February 19, 2023. Her final hours were spent in the company of her loved ones.

Trish was born in Sacramento, California to Emanuel and Violet Koszalka on October 15, 1949. Having grown up first in Carmichael, and then in Pollock Pines, she was a 1967 graduate of El Dorado High School and lived her entire adult life in Placerville. She worked for El Dorado County in the Tax Collector’s o ce and in the Mental Health department before leaving to open and operate a board and care home for seniors for nearly 20 years.

Trish lived by the maxim that when you take care of others, you take care of yourself. After her second retirement from her board and care home, she remained active in the community. Trish was a member of Placerville Kiwanis and participated in their e orts to serve others locally. She was also an active volunteer with Snowline Hospice, the El Dorado County Food Bank, and Meals on Wheels. She saw retirement as her opportunity to give back to the community that had been so important to her throughout her life.

Trish is survived by her husband, Mace Bannon; her son, Paul McHenry of Cupertino; her daughter, Marijane Boyd, of Bend, Oregon; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

At Trish’s request there will be no services. A celebration of life will be held at Henningsen Lotus Park on June 16, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. Food is served at 5:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor her legacy to volunteer in the community, contribute to the Kiwanis Family House at UC Davis Medical Center, or to contribute to a charity of their choice.

Linda Lucille Hill

May 2, 1937 – May 30, 2023

Linda Lucille Hill passed away at her home with family by her side on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. She was 86 years old. Linda was born in Trinidad, Colorado on May 2, 1937 to George Samuel East and Grace Lucille East.

In 1943 during World War II, the family moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico (the secret city) where her dad was an engineer with the Corps of Engineers working on the Manhattan Project. Linda had many stories of her young years during the war and learned to value what little the family had and make the most of it. She adored and loved spending as much time as possible with her Nanu and Nandad (grandparents) and had many stories about her special times with them.

After the war her family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1952 Linda’s sister, Terrianne, was born. Linda attended Ernie Pyle Junior High School and Albuquerque High School. In 9th grade she met her dear friend, Shirley, and they remained friends throughout all these years.

Linda met her soon-to-be husband, Richard Hill, on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. Linda and Richard were married on February 3, 1956. In 1961 the couple moved with their two young children, Cathy and Michael from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Livermore, California. In 1963 their third child, Steven was born.

Prior to her marriage Linda worked for a credit union. She also worked in the 80’s as a bookkeeper for Resources for Family Development. However, the majority of her adult life she was a stay at home mom devoting her life to her family.

In 1989 Linda and her husband moved to the Placerville/Somerset area where they lived on 5 acres. They enjoyed trips in their motor home to Arizona, New Mexico, New Orleans, Canada and Washington, DC.

Linda was a woman of many talents. She loved sewing and doing arts and crafts. She was a self taught artist. In high school she did beautiful water color and pen and ink drawings. Eventually she learned acrylic oil painting. In later years she took up cross stitch and created beautiful landscapes, still lifes and protraits. She made amazing Christmas decorations and ornaments, clothes and dolls. Linda also loved to bake, making delicious desserts for every holiday and family gathering. She was an amazing cook and could make something delicious out of nothing. Linda loved everything about New Mexico from the food to the Native American people and the beautiful turquoise jewelry.

Linda was preceded in death by: her parents, George and Grace East; granddaughter, Melissa Wood; daughter- in- law, Leslie Hill; grandsons, Ryan Wood and Jay Bingham.

She is survived by: her husband of 67 years, Richard Hill; sister, Terri Tafreshi; three children, Cathy (Richard) Wood, Michael Hill, Steven (Margie) Hill; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Wood, Megan (Matt) Short, Jeremy Hill, Crystal (Joe) Souza, Samantha (Don) Graham, Tom (Renee) Bettencourt and Pat Bettencourt and twenty greatgrandchildren, Asher, Silas, Zavius, Sorin, Xander, Kash, Rori, Madi, Ammiah, Nevaeh, Olivia, Steven, Ava, Brooklynn, Davin, Grant, Raelynne, Chrystian, Sofia, and Ellie.

Our mom, Nana, wife and sister was strong and determined. She was happy with the simple life, quiet, loving and compassionate. She always put others before herself. We will miss her gentle spirit and boundless love.

There will be celebration of her life with family and close friends on Saturday June 24th. Please call 530-391-0893 for details.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/ placerville-ca/linda-hill-11311776

Matthew Dale Mortensen

April 27, 1978 - May 25, 2023

Matthew died May 25, 2023. He loved to gold pan, ride his motorcycle, and was well known for his funny songs with his own lyrics. He is survived by his mother Kathy Mortensen, his sisters Katrina Bosworth (Je ), Mesja Weinberger, Sarah Spears (Danny), and a whole lot of nieces and nephew. He was a good little brother and uncle. You will be missed lots “Fatty Mattie”. We love you! Services will be held at the Pilot Hill Cemetery, 4781 Pedro Hill Rd., Pilot Hill, at 10:30 a.m., Saturday June 10, 2023.

Cynthia Geneva Rossi

Magee

June 4, 1954 – May 22, 2023

On May 22, 2023, Cynthia Geneva Rossi Magee passed on to be with her Heavenly Father. Cindy was the fourth daughter born to Drew and Betty Carpender Rossi on June 4, 1954, in Placerville. Cindy was 5th generation to be born in El Dorado County on both sides of her family. She graduated El Dorado High School in 1972, where she was a member of the ski team. In 1973, she graduated from Carmichael Beauty College as a licensed Cosmetologist. Later, she worked as one of the first female firefighters for the US Forest Service. She played soft ball for several years in the Leagues at Lions Park. Her love of the outdoors and horses led her to ride, in many parades, on her beloved horse, Connie, with the group of young women riders called “Girls of the Golden West”.

She married Michael Magee in 1980. In 1986, she gave birth to their son Lucas Michael Magee. Luke was the light of her life. Cindy was predeceased by her parents Drew and Betty Rossi and her grandparents Will and Geneva Lawyer Rossi and Bert and Marion Jacquier Carpender. Cindy is survived by her son Luke and daughter-in-law Amanda, her grandchildren Christian, Haylie and Aden Magee, who were her pride and joy, her husband Mike, her sisters Linda (Gary) Parham, Drucilla (Wes) Moeding, Kristy (Skip) Lindstrom, seventeen cousins, numerous nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and many lifelong friends. Services are pending.

Peter Brown Wilkinson

Dec. 31, 1955 – Nov. 27, 2022

Peter “Pete” Brown Wilkinson, 66, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 27, 2022, from an enlarged heart. We find comfort in the fact that although he was taken from us too soon, he passed quickly.

Pete was born on December 31, 1955, in San Diego, California; he loved having a New Year’s Eve birthday; he always said, “There’s always a party that night!” He spent his childhood years in the San Diego area. While San Diego was a special place to grow up, he fell in love with Eugene, Oregon, when he moved to go to college and play baseball. The years spent in Eugene were some of his favorites. To know Pete was to know his love for the Oregon Ducks. After college, he moved to the Northern California area and began working for his brother’s pizza restaurants. It was there he met his wife and the mother of his children, Cindy. They were married in August 1980 and had 4 children; Meredith, Zach, Taylor, and Thaddeus. Pete was a very hands-on dad, happy to coach all their teams, cheer them on and share his life experiences. Pete’s enthusiasm for life was unmatched. Regardless of the situation, he was just happy to be in the presence of his family, friends, and even strangers. He will be missed by Cindy, Meredith (Nate), Zach, Taylor, Thaddeus, Granddaughters (Mabel, Hadley, and Eloise), Sister Susan Hall, Brother Steve (Cathy) Wilkinson, many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews, and his ever faithful four-legged friend, Ruger. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Anne Wilkinson, and brother-in-law Joe Hall. A Celebration of Life will be held in El Dorado Hills, Calif. on June 10, 2023. If you would like celebration details, please email PeteWilkinsonService@gmail.com.

David L. Combs

Feb. 12, 1946 - April 25, 2023

On Tuesday April 25th, David Combs of Pollock Pines passed away peacefully at Marshall Hospital in Placerville, California, at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife Carol Harrison, his son Skylar Combs and his sister Jana Reid. He was much loved by all his family and friends and he enriched the lives of all who knew him. David was born in Gold Beach, Oregon, and was raised in Santa Cruz. He lived for several years in Iran, Algeria and France and he was fluent in several languages. David was a teacher at Smith Flat Charter School and the University Prep School, where he taught many subjects including drama, Latin and French, and produced and directed numerous student drama productions. He was also a studio teacher of child actors on many movies and TV shows including The Wonder Years, Boy Meets World and Fuller House. David was always a lot of fun to be around with his dry wit and stimulating intelligence. He lived a long and full life and will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Sharon Gail Escobar

Nov. 9, 1937 - June 2, 2023

Sharon Escobar passed away peacefully at her home in Placerville on June 2, 2023 at the age of 85. She was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon to Russell & Clara Swenson. At the age of 9 her family relocated to Camino, California where her father began employment with the Michigan California Lumber Company as a lumber grader. After graduating from El Dorado High School in 1955, she planned to return to Oregon but her plans would soon change, while working at the tower fountain on Main Street. While working at the Tower Fountain, a handsome young man by the name of John Escobar who had just returned from the Korean War pulled up to the Bell Tower with water beads still dripping o his freshly washed car. Once she saw his beautiful smile, there was no turning back.

After many months of courting they were married in November 1955, the new couple settled on the Escobar family pear ranch on Cold Springs Road just outside of Placerville where she resided the rest of her life. John and Sharon were blessed with two children, Lori & John “Craig”. Sharon spent many years working on the ranch, including hauling pears on the flatbed truck to the Fruit House when it was located on upper Main Street in Placerville. Sharon was an avid baseball mom, supporting Craig from Hangtown Little League through Senior Babe Ruth. When Lori & Craig were grown she went to work for River City Bank when the new branch was opened on Main Street Placerville. She was employed by River City Bank for many years and worked her way up to loan o cer but retired as grandkids began arriving. She ended up with 5 grandchildren to pamper & spoil and did so in the best way possible, cooking her famous tacos, hand mixing milkshakes and hosting many pool parties! Sharon will be remembered as a loving wife, mom, grandma, great grandma, sister and aunt. She was loved & admired by all who knew her and whose lives she touched. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Russell & Clara Swenson, her husband John of 43 years, her beloved son Craig, brother Don & her sister Joy who she referred to as her “rock”. Survived by daughter Lori A Veerkamp (Doug), grandchildren Loni Brewster (Justin), Matt Veerkamp (Gretchen), John Escobar (Tara), Je Escobar (Jennifer), Jesse Escobar (Noel) and 12 great grandchildren. Her Christian faith sustained her and after the loss of her son in 2000, she facilitated a grief class for 13 years at Green Valley Church. She used her loss to help countless others in their time of grief. A memorial service will be held at the family property on Thursday June 15, 2023 at 5:00 pm, 2581 Cold Springs Road, Placerville.

Remembrances can be made to Snowline Hospice.

Lynnette Rae

Appelbaum

Sept. 7, 1941-May 10, 2023

Lynnette passed away peacefully at home in Latrobe at the age of 81. She was born in Turlock to Robert and Myrle Domecq. In 1948 the family moved to Latrobe. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, George Appelbaum; her sons Jeffery (Sydney) and Craig Mize (Kathy), her sister Michele Souza (Jim), brothers Robert (Beverly) and Charles (Carolyn) Domecq; numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and their descendants; grandson Douglas Mize (Jenni) and the love of her life, greatgranddaughter Taylor Mallory Mize. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister Cheri Benjamin.

She graduated from El Dorado HS in 1959 and went on to obtain a BS in psychology from Sacramento State, the first in her family to obtain a degree. While raising her boys as a single mother, she often took in stray and needy people in need of housing. In those years, she supported the family by working as waitress, bartender and planting seedlings at the Institute of Forest Genetics.

Lynnette was a much-loved and respected member of the community. She worked with the Women’s Center in every position from answering telephones to President of the Board. After college graduation, she was hired as the County’s first Patient Rights Advocate for the mental health system.

After marrying George in 1984, she enriched her life by traveling to Europe nine times and also to North Africa, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Hawaii and on cruises to Alaska and through the Panama Canal.

She was a strict vegetarian (provided that bacon can be considered a vegetable). She was a founding member of the WORDIES Book Club, at whose meetings she never refrained from expressing her opinions.

In recent months, she astonished and delighted her friends by dying her hair bright pink (see the color photo in the online obituary). She was an advanced mahjongg player, a devoted yoga practitioner and a skilled maker of pine needle baskets. She loved, and was loved by, her two Siamese cats.

We will all miss her spirit, her commitment to the community, her devotion to her family and her sense of humor. A celebration of her life is planned for October 7 in the Shingle Springs area. All friends of hers will be welcome. Please consider making a donation in her name

Carol Ann Countryman Sadler

Jan. 16, 1964 – April 22, 2023

Carol was born in Panorama City, CA. She was the youngest of 4 siblings born to Kirk and Lois Countryman. The family moved to Placerville during Carol’s high school years. She was a 1982 graduate of El Dorado High School.

Soon after graduation Carol married Ron Marshall and they had two children Leanne and Ron.

In 1989 Carol was introduced to Buddy Sadler at Poor Reds by the bartender and her future fatherin-law Bud Sadler. They married in 1990 and formed a ready-made family of 5 with the addition of Buddy’s son Patrick. They made it complete with the birth of their son Zachary in 1992. Carol and Buddy were married until Buddy’s passing in 2018.

Carol married her current husband Robert Borthwick in May of 2022. Unfortunately their marriage was cut short by Carol’s illness.

Carol worked in the Insurance industry before joining Legacy Chillers Inc. where she worked for 12 years as a bookkeeper and sales representative until 2012. Currently she was a homemaker, entrepreneur and bookkeeper for her and Robert’s business enterprises.

Carol had the heart of an artist. She was known for her love for her family, her unique and whimsical sense of style, delicious cooking, beautiful quilts, her love of orchids and infectious laugh.

Carol is survived by a huge family, including her husband Robert Borthwick, children Leanne Marshall, Ron Marshall, Patrick Sadler, Zachary Sadler, Crystalyn Borthwick and Wesley Borthwick and grandchildren Caitlyn Garrigues, Cassie Garrigues, Cole Garrigues, Hayden Marshall, Willow Sadler, Penny Sadler and Wyatt Borthwick as well as her brother Perry Countryman (Jackie), her sister Patty Salee (Rick), and many nieces, nephews and cousins that will miss her dearly at Thanksmas celebrations and much much more. She was proceeded in death by her parents and her husband Buddy.

We have lost a bright star who made our lives better for knowing her. Her loyalty to her family was a treasure and her kind ways will be missed by all who loved her. She rests now in the loving arms of God and finally knows the peace she has longed for.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Green Valley Church on August 3, 2023 at 1 p.m. Wearing your most colorful hippy fashion is highly recommended.

OPINION

State transit systems’ pleas for aid haven’t moved those at the Capitol

California’s public transit systems say they are facing a “fiscal cli ” as ridership continues to lag behind prepandemic levels and federal emergency aid expires. If the state doesn’t cough up billions of dollars to underwrite bus and rail systems — they want $1 billion a year for at least five years — their managers say they will have no choice but to reduce service and/or raise fares, mostly a ecting low-income Californians.

Transit system leaders, their unions and supportive legislators recently staged an “emergency press conference” near the Capitol to raise the issue’s profile, as legislative leaders and Gov. Gavin Newsom work on a state budget that must be passed by June 15.

“It’s a do or die moment for transit in California,” said state Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat.

Transit’s pleas haven’t fared well so far. Newsom’s revised budget this month brushed them o with a vague pledge to work on the problem later.

Transit has some support in Assembly and Senate budget blueprints, but looming over the situation is the same cloud that a ects every other budget interest group this year — a massive deficit.

Newsom pegs the gap between income and outgo at $32.5 billion — up $9 billion from his initial budget — while the Legislature’s budget analyst, Gabe Petek, says it’s several billion dollars higher and that deficits will plague the state for several years to come.

The deficit is not the only hurdle. While transit leaders say the money is needed to maintain service while ridership rebuilds, there’s no particular reason to believe that it will return to pre-pandemic levels.

The state’s population is dropping and commuting has declined as many workers continue to do their jobs remotely. Moreover, there are rising complaints that buses and trains have become breeding grounds for criminal activity.

The poster child for the state’s troubled transit systems is Bay Area Rapid Transit, or BART, which has seen one of the largest declines in ridership, puny post-pandemic recovery and sharp criticism for operational shortcomings and rider safety.

The Not So Weekly Daley

Of

Richard B. Esposito Publisher Krysten Kellum Editor Noel Stack Managing Editor

Letters to the Editor

See you at the fair EDITOR:

We drove up to a parking place in front of the restroom that has a lovely green space with seating. The driver said, “This is a nice place right here.” It was.

The fairgrounds sta should have been in recovery from the AKC dog show: the glamour of the Irish setter, the majesty of the Leonberger, the three dogs of di erent breeds that had opened the door of their enclosure and were waiting patently outside it for their human to notice. But everything was picked up and tidy.

This day, sta were registering children for the mutton bustin’ event at the upcoming county fair; they were as excited as though the sheep were there with them. Nobody gets hurt, right?

How do sta go from one event to another so seamlessly? I was there to apply for a job, so maybe I’ll find out how they do it. Like a Broadway show, do you suppose, when you’re not supposed to see the seams? But this will be on stage without the curtain.

Elves, they said.

Purpose

EDITOR:

ELIZABETH CAFFREY Placerville

What is the purpose of life? I think that it’s finding something that gets you out of bed every single day, no matter how tired you are. You have to be brave enough to search for it and face every single fear that has shackled you to the ground. You must have faith that one day you’ll find it.

In addition, I think life is about experience and fighting every single day. I live so that when I die, I will have endless moments where I truly lived.

I don’t think life is about happiness. I feel it’s about conquering life. It’s about being able to stand in a room full of people and know who you are — knowing that you might not have done everything right but you are willing to su er and fight through everything life has to throw at you and conquer everything life has to o er.

I also think it’s about loving. No matter how much it hurts, we find a way to love. Sometimes life about being alone and sometimes it just gives you a taste of everlasting joy. I think life is beautiful because it’s practically unbearable 99% of the time but that 1% is the sweetest and most divine feeling. That 1% makes it all worthwhile. No matter how depressed or anxious I feel, every time I see someone I love, I realize it’s all worth it. Life is about slowing down sometimes and

taking a step back to see what truly matters. I’ve also realized that living life is selfless. I don’t live for me; I live for everyone around me. I live for God, I live for my friends and I live for my incredible family.

I don’t think anyone is willing to go through the amount of pain life throws at you for themself. Life is about finding something or someone that you are willing to live for. Dying for someone is easy but living for them is one of the hardest things to do.

RILEY SMITH El Dorado Hills

Rasmussen Pond

EDITOR:

My family lives in Cameron Park. When we visit we always enjoy walking to the pond daily to see the beauty of nature with a hope to catch a glimpse of wildlife (especially the swans).

Destroying this land to turn into yet more homes is a travesty. We beg you to reconsider as places like the Rasmussen Pond are disappearing at an alarming rate and we would love to save the beauty of this region for our future generations. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

RITA NYULASSY Rio Verde

Custer mailbox woes

EDITOR:

Why can’t the U.S. Postal Service admit that cluster mailboxes are a complete failure.

I have asked and given written notice to install my own lock mailbox at the end of my driveway. My request has been denied by the postmaster of the Shingle Springs Post O ce.

Why?

I have a solution to having our cluster mailbox broken into repeatedly over the years and the USPS can only sit on its hands and publicly state that the only solution is “reporting.” That is a load of B.S.

LESLIE DAVIS Shingle Springs

all the issues we face ... that’s the best you’ve got?

The existential issue of our time?

Environmental catastrophe, nuclear proliferation and war, incurable fatal viruses or even artificial intelligence? Very important for sure, but these potential calamities don’t hold a candle to trans girls competing against “real” girls in high school athletics.

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley called it the “women’s issue of our time” during CNN’s Sunday Town Hall with the former U.N Ambassador and South Carolina governor. She expanded on that theme

claiming, “a third of teenage girls contemplated suicide last year” because some day there could be “biological boys in their locker room” right after beating them in a 100yard dash.

Too bad Bugs Bunny wasn’t in the auditorium. I can just hear him saying, “What a maroon!” But Bugs wasn’t there and nobody else had the gumption to call Haley out on such blithering nonsense. Moderator Jake Tapper should have intervened then and there and asked several pointed follow up questions.

Like: “Are you out of your mind? You call something that ‘may,’ at some time, possibly affect a tiny

fraction of American girls ‘the women’s issue of our time?’ Do you believe Republican voters and Americans in general are really that stupid? Are you really that stupid?” Haley then expressed some exasperation noting, “My daughter ran track in high school. I don’t even know how I would have that conversation with her.”

If that conversation would stump her, how would she talk Vladimir Putin out of Ukraine or Kim Jong Un out of blowing up the world? How would she handle an invasion of the body snatchers or any other malevolent space aliens? I’d have to wonder, wouldn’t you?

I’ve always tried to stay away from “playing awful” as in “ain’t it awful” or “it’s never been this awful and it can’t possibly get any worse.” “Well, sure the Black Plague was uncomfortable, but nothing like this kind of awful.”

Haley made a few reasonable points (and showed a lot of stamina) during her two-hour stand-up presentation. I wouldn’t vote for her, but I’ll wish her luck against Trump, DeSantis and their kind — unfortunately, all real “issues of our time.”

Writer Chris Daley is a biweekly columnist for the Mountain Democrat.

CHRIS DALEY

SUMMARY California’s public transit systems say they are facing a “fiscal cliff” and are pleading for state aid, but so far haven’t gained much traction in the Capitol.

Too bad Bugs Bunny wasn’t in the auditorium. I can just hear him saying, “What a maroon!”

■ See WALTERS, page A5

DAN WALTERS

Harriet Richardson, BART’s inspector general, resigned in March, saying the system’s directors, managers and unions had obstructed her efforts to root out waste and corruption.

Richardson’s position has been created in 2018 as part of an effort to persuade voters to approve a transit ballot measure and Newsom appointed Richardson, the former Palo Alto city auditor.

“The board keeps wanting to support what the unions want and that is an interference in our work,” Richardson told the San Francisco Chronicle.

“It undermines our independence and undermines employees’ whistleblower protection rights and I just simply can’t agree

to it.”

Steve Glazer, a Democratic state senator from Orinda, resigned from a legislative committee studying transit finances, complaining that BART — which serves his East Bay constituents — was refusing to confront its managerial problems.

Daniel Borenstein, a columnist for the Bay Area News Group who has closely monitored BART’s performance for years, says the system doesn’t deserve help.

“Most BART directors won’t even consider trimming the district’s operating budget. It’s childish and fiscally reckless. And it demonstrates exactly why neither state lawmakers nor Bay Area voters should entrust BART with more money,”

Borenstein recently opined.

“BART doesn’t deserve a bailout until it brings its spending into alignment with the new reality. There is no sign of the system’s ridership returning to prepandemic levels — not in the foreseeable future and most likely not ever.”

It would be fair to say that BART’s sorry state drags down the more persuasive pleas of other systems for state aid — a bad apple, as it were, spoiling the whole barrel.

Dan Walters is a journalist and author who writes for CALmatters.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Rotten rafters found in Bass Lake Tank No. 2

Michael Raffety Mountain Democrat correspondent

After draining water from Bass Lake Tank No. 2 an inspection revealed “extensive corrosion and metal loss on the dollar plate, inner and outer rafters and some roof plates,’” wrote engineer Kailee Delongchamp in a May 22 memo to the El Dorado Irrigation District Board of Directors.

There are two Bass Lake tanks, each holding 4.1 million gallons of drinking water and serving Cameron Park and El Dorado Hills.

Edited by Will Shortz No. 0505

On Jan. 23 the board awarded Cal Sierra Construction a $2.9 million contract to recoat both Bass Lake tanks. When Tank 2 was emptied the structural damage was discovered, leading to a $754,816 change order. Total costs for the project include specialty coating inspection for

extensive corrosion is seen on an interior rafter of eiD’s Bass Lake tank No. 2, a 4.1 million-gallon drinking water tank in el Dorado Hills. this tank will be rehabilitated between June and september.

Courtesy photo

$69,677, specialty weld inspection for $25,000, capitalized labor for $27,00 and contingency of $75,480.

The board voted 3-0 to approve the change order. In attendance were Directors Brian Veerkamp, Lori Anzini and Alan Day.

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 334-2970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot. comt

6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@ greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/

1 “Impish Fruit” artist, 1943

2 Intrigue

3 Had dreams, presumably

4 Prefix on the links

5 Planet with a Wookieepedia page

6 Sources of some dings

7 First animated dinosaur (1914)

8 Words after a commercial break

9 The odd thing about laundry

10 Bunny slope option

PUZZLE BY JACOB MCDERMOTT

11 Doctor’s order

12 Needle work

13 Traveler’s approx.

14 They may be shaken, but not stirred

20 Delivery person’s uniform

23 Joint chief of staff?

24 Nellie Tayloe ___, first female governor of a U.S. state (Wyoming)

26 Source of the Amazon River

28 Peeked

29 Ransomware threat

30 Chalet alternatives

31 Series opener

32 Like a set without a break, in tennis 34 Telly on the telly, once 35 Part of many soccer team names 36 Tulipieres, e.g.

38 Was visually exciting

39 Like oocytes

40 Frontline workers, to many

43 First prime minister of an independent India

45 Whatever

47 Malady that rhymes with the area it affects

Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 7,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay.

AmericAN AssOc. Of UNiversity WOmeN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups. Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 417-7138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net

el DOrADO cOUNty AmAteUr

rADiO cLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe

Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels

**Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress)

**Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762

Ready for real change?

ceLeBrAte recOvery meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm at Bayside Church of Placerville, 4602 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. We are a Christ centered recovery program to find healing and recovery from our hurts, habits, and hangups. Email elebratercovery@ baysideplacerville. com. Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ CRBaysidePlacerville.

Struggling with life? ceLeBrAte recOvery is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at

DemOcrAts – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems. org for more information.

GOLD rUsH cHOrUs now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing fourpart harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575

Hangtown Women’s teNNis club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 8am-10am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $50/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654. mArsHALL HOsPitAL AUxiLiAry is looking for volunteers. It is a rewarding opportunity to do something for the community. We will be holding interviews on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Please contact Linda Grimoldi at 530-6202240 or call the Auxiliary Office at 530-626-2643.

seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG

Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)6216304 to leave a message and get started.

tAxPAyers AssOciAtiON Of eL DOrADO cOUNty

Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that affect them. Our meetings are held every Monday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Denny’s Restaurant, Fair Lane Drive, Placerville. Meetings are open to the public except the first Monday of each month. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a nonpartisan organization

Boatloads of fun

Photos by Cecilia Clark Cardboard boat builders put their skills to the test at the Cameron Park Community Services District’s cardboard boat races held May 27 at the CSD pool. Construction materials were limited to cardboard, styrofoam and duct tape. With a push from their parents the cardboard boat racers begin their journey across the water, right photo. Paddles at the ready, Zyzzk Joyce, 8, from Rescue and friend Evan Utley, 7, from Gilroy, left photo, prepare to put their boat to the test. The duo placed first and the rig they built even had cup holders.

Skylar Huitt, 12, abandons ship. She and brother Austin Angeli brought their vessel up from Folsom, winning the Titanic Award for the most spectacular sinking boat.

Despite steering issues, Cameron Park youngsters Sarah Lanzani, 7, and Logan Longacre, 5, navigate their boat to second place. They also won the Judge’s Award.

Senior sluggers to play in Optimist All Star games

Isaac Streeter Staff writer

Four senior baseball players will represent El Dorado County in the 52nd annual Optimist Baseball All Star game Sunday, June 11.

Pitcher Jackson

Klahn will represent Golden Sierra on the Small School South roster. Klahn made nine appearances on the mound, winning three games and striking out 50 batters. At the plate, he hit .343 in 35 at bats. Oak Ridge will be represented by two infielders, Joe Carroll and Luke Williams on the Large School South roster. Carroll, who primarily played third base for the Trojans, hit .312 and led the team in doubles while finishing second in hits with eight and 24, respectively.

Williams, the other Trojan infielder, led Oak Ridge in both hits and runs — 29 and 26 respectively — en route to a .299 batting average. Williams also led his squad in stolen bases, swiping 11 bags in 29 games played.

Ponderosa will send infielder Ian Holt to compete alongside both Carroll and Williams on Large School South’s roster. Holt hit .295 and his three home runs led the Bruins in the category. His 29 RBIs and 26 hits were also all categorical leaders for Ponderosa.

The All Star game will be held at Army Depot Park in Sacramento with first pitches scheduled for 4 p.m. in the Small Schools game and 5 p.m. in the Large Schools game. General admission for adults will be $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for students and $3

COMICS

■ SHOE by Jeff MacNelly

for children 12 years old and younger. Children younger than five will be admitted for free.

All proceeds from the game will be donated to youth projects and programs across the greater Sacramento area according to Wally Borland, the Optimist Breakfast Club of Sacramento’s baseball coordinator.

“These Optimist All Star games provide the top senior athletes of Sacramento and Greater Sacramento the venue to showcase their skills and prowess,” Borland said. “Their selection is to honor them and their schools, and reflects the culmination of their hard work, diligence and excellence in this sport and their school, as well as their coach’s commitment toward their player’s endeavors.”

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5.25 3-month

5.25

■ TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter

■ RUBES by Leigh Rubin

■ SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Most relationships come with caveats and conditions, and yet there are some relationships that seem beyond all that. You really do believe in extending unconditional love to some people. Who and why?

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). If only you could get to a destination by merely wanting to be there. But since you can’t today, you’ll move and shake, putting yourself in the thick of the action where you can feel which direction everything is going.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re curious, willing to dip a toe into the unknown, and more than capable of handling whatever comes of that. Even so, keep your distance from weird energy. Good things to borrow: library book, pen... Bad thing to borrow: trouble.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). A very effective process can seem like a mess to behold to the outsider who doesn’t know better. But to the insider who understands what’s getting made and how things come together, the same process is fascinating and beautiful.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Let the others fight over who owns a thing and who gets credit, money and status from it. You’re more interested in the general usefulness of the thing. Can it be played with, leveraged or traded? You’ll use things very well regardless of who they belong to.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ve known the lingering shadow of loneliness and recognize when it’s settled on someone else. You’ll help. Even the shortest conversation can have an enormous impact to alleviate the pain

of isolation. Your smile has healing power.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). A problem that’s very real to a 5-year-old may seem ridiculous to a teen and irrelevant to the autonomous adult. Life gets simple when you skip the mundane struggles, opting only for the timeless ones.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The schedule that worked for you before does not quite represent your current needs and priorities. It’s possible something is demanding attention you can’t afford to give at this time. A few tweaks can make things work much better.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Even as a powerful commander of your own vessel, you can still be surprised at the strong impulses, preferences and behaviors that can overtake you. Today this happens beautifully and to your benefit.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Healing takes time and has many stages. Things do not get magically better in one day. Adjust your expectations to allow for ups and downs, blips and bumps in the road.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It can be like a torture to tolerate the soft grating of boring discourse. When what’s going on has no relevance or interest to you, don’t wait to act. Change the channel, set

on the roads they’re going to lay conduit,”

McCargar explained.

“Which is relatively inexpensive to put in at the same time. So then when it comes time to actually build the project out, it’s just a matter of running the fiber under the streets and to where we want them to go. So there’s a lot of forethought in that.”

The city’s geographical location provides unique advantages for connecting to the wider fiber optic network. With California setting the goal of building out the entire “middle mile” network by 2026, companies such as Golden State Net are creating the infrastructure that will provide a link between the global internet and “last-mile” providers — which Placerville would become. Golden State Net has been building along Highway 50, meaning that Placerville is an on-ramp to the wider network once it runs its fiber. Placerville also can expect a reliable connection; it has a level of network redundancy other areas may not, as it can route service to main internet hubs along Highway 50 or Highway 49 depending on potential system failures, McCargar explained.

Placerville’s plan to “bridge the technical gap,” as McCargar puts it, is modeled on a similar project undertaken in 2010 by the city of Ammon, Idaho. With a need to monitor city infrastructure, Ammon

established a supervisory control and data acquisition network. Unlike most cities, Ammon decided to utilize fiber optic lines for the SCADA system and later decided to expand the network to provide broadband to the city’s residents.

“It has had a substantial impact for residents here,” said Dan Tracy, technology director for Ammon. “We ran a survey last year and of over 200 responses we received very positive feedback and only two negative responses.”

The Ammon model that Placerville aims to emulate is akin to building roads, according to McCargar.

“The way we’re approaching it is that we are building the ‘roads,’” McCargar explained.

“Right now Comcast and AT&T have their own roads for their own service. We would make the road and whatever internet service providers want to use those to provide their service can.”

Ammon residents can access a web portal on the city website that lists the internet service providers that service the area and provides information on cost, data caps and other service details. Residents can enroll into service directly from the portal and can change service just as easily, according to Tracy. The costs may surprise Placerville residents who pay for higher-tier internet services; an example Tracy provided shows that an Ammon resident

paying for gigabit speed internet — 10 to 20 times faster than typical cable internet — might see a monthly bill of $30 that covers maintenance and installation amortization, as well as service.

The next step for Placerville staff is gauging potential interest from city residents.

The city has launched connectplacerville.com to provide a one-stop resource for residents to learn about the broadband plan; the site is also home to a survey that will help determine how the city will approach plans in the future.

Those who respond to the survey can opt to be entered into a drawing that will give three winners $100 gift cards to spend at local businesses.

The plans are still in the early phases and some details will still require hammering out between consultants, the city and residents as time goes on. Costs will spread out further the more residents connect to the system; McCargar explained it was too early to commit to a set cost but estimated connecting a home or a business to the fiber optic network would run between $5,000 and $8,000 that could be amortized. McCargar and Morris both shared they felt the project was a high priority for the city’s long-term future.

“Internet is something that we think is going to become an essential service like water or electricity,” McCargar said.

Stayner Continued from A1

Jo, had been missing an hour prior to the incident, according to social media posts by his family. A recent photo of Stayner was shared with a caption indicating he had gone on a walk near Missouri Flat Road at 2 a.m. and had not responded to calls or texts for some time, and that the family had filed a missing person report with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.

Destiny’s sister Sydney Fleharty to help with funeral costs. In addition to Jo’s death, his family has also been attempting to find a new place to live, according to the fundraiser page. As of press time, community members donated more than $12,000; the fundraiser can be found at gofundme.com/f/ josiah-stayner-funeralcosts.

“damn good,” and was compassionate and protective of his siblings, who are devastated by the loss.

“Our family is struggling to know a beautiful soul was taken and we are homeless and now having to plan a funeral for our sweet boy,” Destiny wrote to the Mountain Democrat.

A GoFundMe to help Jo’s family — his father Nathan, mother Destiny, older sister Trinity, twin sister Jasmine and younger brother Isaiah — has been set up by

Stayner was a student at Divide High School in Georgetown, and Destiny described him as a deep thinker. His mother shared that Jo played music and was

GM Continued from A1

“It’s a very challenging job,” Pichly explained. “It’s better for me to step away, enjoy retirement and let the next person take on the role.”

Pichly added he remains satisfied with his work and said he thinks his lasting legacy will be the relationship developed between the CSD and Cal Fire. In the wake of Pichly’s leaving, Jill Ritzman will come out of retirement

to assume the title as interim GM.

Ritzman previously served in the same role from 2017 until Pichly took over in December 2021.

The incident is being investigated as a hit and run by the CHP; readers with any information regarding the incident are asked to contact investigators at (530) 748-2450. career in the parks and recreation sector. He said working as a general manager of an agency is a whole different beast from his previous roles.

The CPCSD Board of Directors will begin searching for a permanent general manager in the coming weeks.

“This job is where a future city manager or general manager of a large (nonprofit or private agency) can come in and cut their teeth,” Pichly stated.

In his retirement, Pichly will continue as a part time professor at Sac State in the College of Health and Human Services.

A leading man worthy of your love awaits. Stop by and adopt. M, black, Lab/Pitbull, 2 yr.

She is looking for her furr-ever friend. Can you adopt and be there for her through all kinds of weather? Gray Pitbull 5 mo.

NIKKO (A152984)

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