C a l i f o r n i a ’ s O l d e s t N e w s pa p e r – E s t. 18 51
mtdemocrat.com
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Cannabis limit miffs growers
Volume 169 • Issue 79
A ‘Pleasant’ Fourth of July
n Sheriff’s Office enforcing
county’s 6-plant ordinance
Dawn Hodson Staff writer El Dorado County lawmakers May 5 voted to allow residents to cultivate no more than six cannabis plants. With the El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office ramping up enforcement of that limit over the past two months, local growers are voicing complaints. Enforcement of county Ordinance No. 5122 began May 10, according to a press release from the Sheriff ’s Office. “Since the start of enforcement on illegal marijuana grows, the El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office has served more than 100 criminal search warrants, which have resulted in the eradication of more than 126,000 illegal marijuana plants,” states the release. “The ordinance is clear regarding the number of marijuana plants per residence as six. The search warrants we have executed have been on illegal marijuana grows much larger than (six), many consisting of thousands of marijuana plants.” The El Dorado Growers Alliance later that day also issued a statement, claiming the Sheriff ’s Office had been aggressive in enforcing local cannabis regulations and accusing deputies of “terrorizing the community.” “At several properties they caused extensive property damage such as destroying greenhouses, ransacking houses, breaking windows and destroying safes,” states the growers alliance. Sheriff ’s officials contend all searches are done under warrant. “We have recently seen complaints on social media regarding the Sheriff ’s Office destroying property, including safes and greenhouses,” states a post to the EDSO Facebook page. “If the contents inside a safe are part of the search warrant, it will be searched. Safes have only been broken into when the owner refuses to provide the combination, flees the area and/or a locksmith is unavailable or unable to open the safe. It is also a common practice and for health and safety measures that ‘hoop houses’ are dismantled due to health concerns and heat prior to personnel beginning the eradication process.” One county resident challenging the six-plant limit argued a need to grow a certain amount (more than six plants) to treat a medical condition. But that argument failed to impress the county Planning Department, which denied the request, saying it didn’t demonstrate undue hardship or unique circumstances. Deputy county counsel Breann Moebius explained that despite the woman’s claim, Proposition 64 gives n
Democrat photos by Kevin Christensen
Despite COVID-19 restrictions canceling Fourth of July celebrations in El Dorado County, the community of Pleasant Valley was still able to hold its annual Independence Day parade, adapted to social distancing as a “cruise” through town. Pleasant Valley resident Jill Kearney, above, in her 1923 1-ton Model-T truck, travels the parade route joined by other locals behind the wheel of all sorts of vehicles, including dune buggies, classic cars, ATVs and more, all decked out in the stars and stripes as riders tossed candy to spectators lining Pleasant Valley Road. The cruise was sponsored by the Pleasant Valley Community Hall and Boy Scout Troop 460.
John Lohmiller and Jill Garcia wave to the crowd from the cockpit of their red-white-and-blue buggy.
Pleasant Valley residents Gary and Kathy Ames take in the festivities on the tailgate of their truck.
Classic cars like Pleasant Valley’s own Bob Flores’ black and white 1957 Chevy roll down the Fourth of July “cruise” route. Hallie Snyder, 5, and her brother Evan, 8, wave to parade participants.
See more photos online at mtdemocrat.com
See Cannabis, page A3
Going orange
Sought-after ORHS quarterback chooses Syracuse Thomas Frey Staff writer
Democrat file photo by Kevin Christensen
Oak Ridge quarterback Justin Lamson announced he will continue his football career at Syracuse University Friday. Lamson has shown he is capable of not only throwing the football, but also running the ball.
LEES’ FEED
1 DENTIST!
#
Three Years Straight!
After throwing for 3,114 yards in his first year as Oak Ridge High School quarterback in 2019, Justin Lamson has committed to continue his football career at Syracuse University. Lamson, who is headed into his senior year at Oak Ridge, announced through a video on Twitter that he will make Syracuse his next home. “I know they’re going to throw the ball a lot,” Lamson told 247Sports June 22. “Coach (Sterlin) Gilbert said the offense is going to be ‘no huddle, no mercy’ with the goal of getting as many plays in as possible to wear down the other team. I had a 20-minute FaceTime call with coach (Dino) Babers on my drive out there and
20 14 -2
Largest selection of mens workwear and western wear. ARIAT denim, apparel and boots.
01 6
New Patients Always Welcome!
Jeff Little, DDS General & Cosmetic Dentistry
“Look For My Column On Page 3 Today!”
ue Boutiq NOW ! e in -L n O
Shop locally!
530.677.4891
Mountain
Democrat 2019
4110 Datsun Ct., Shingle Springs • leesfeed.net
he’s a funny guy and someone I think would be fun to play for.” Syracuse head coach Babers and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Gilbert have used quarterbacks in Lamson’s 210-pound, 6-feet 3-inch mold their entire coaching careers. In 2012 and 2013 Babers and Gilbert held the same titles at Eastern Illinois University where they coached Jimmy Garoppolo into a second-round NFL draft pick and current starting quarterback of the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. In fact, Lamson is very similar to Eric Dungey, who was the quarterback for the Orange from 2014-18 and threw for more than 9,000 yards and ran for almost 2,000 during his college career where Syracuse n
See Lamson, page A3
15 YEAR 2.625 3.250 2.90 3.61 HOME LOAN Fixed Rate
Purchase • Re�nance
Annual Percentage Rate
Monthly Paymentsofof$6.72 $7.03 per 180180 Monthly Payments per $1,000 $1,000Borrowed Borrowed
PLACERVILLE • 4040 El Dorado Road • 622-1492 PLACERVILLE • (Downtown) 247 Main • 622-0833 W. PLACERVILLE • Placerville Dr. & Ray Lawyer • 626-3400 DIAMOND SPRINGS • 694 Pleasant Valley Road • 626-5701 CAMERON PARK • 4060 Cameron Park Drive • 677-1601 POLLOCK PINES • 6462 Pony Express Trail • 644-2363 EL DORADO HILLS • 3963 Park Drive • 933-3002 Servingour ourlocal localcommunities communitiesfor forover over5461years years GEORGETOWN • 6310 Hwy. 193 • 333-1101 Member Serving
Check the El Dorado Advantage:
✓ No application fee ✓ No prepayment penalty ✓ Local processing and servicing
Se Habla Espanol 800-874-9779 Maximum loan $424,100.00, $417,000.00, primary or vacation residence. 20% minimum cash down payment on purchase. 25% equity required on refinance. Other loans available under different terms.
Call (530) 344-5000 for convenient home delivery and free online access to www.mtdemocrat.com 2 col (3.3”) x 1.5” Mountain Democrat