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Volume 171 • Issue 86 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
Monday, July 25, 2022
EDH Fire donates engine to Pioneer Noel Stack Managing editor
Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack
EDH Fire Chief Maurice Johnson and Pioneer Fire Protection District Chief David Whitt share a laugh during a special event at which EDH Fire presented Pioneer FPD with a donated engine.
Call it the beginning of a beautiful friendship. El Dorado Hills Fire Department and Pioneer Fire Protection District staff met July 14 at Pioneer’s Mount Aukum station to share stories, shake hands and celebrate a new role for an older engine. EDH Fire donated a Type 1 wildland/urban engine to its southeastern neighbor. The engine had been used as a reserve engine in El Dorado Hills and now takes on that same role in Pioneer. “The timing couldn’t be better,” said Pioneer Fire Chief David Whitt, explaining that some of the district’s vehicles have of late been plagued with mechanical issues. EDH Fire bought the engine new in 2000, according to EDH Fire Chief Maurice Johnson, and has meticulously maintained the apparatus to ensure its longevity. “It
has bounced around, covering for engines that have been down,” he said. The district could have sold the engine for about $50,000, the chief estimated, but said EDH Fire would rather donate it to a neighbor in need. “The fact that we’re getting this engine with their board’s blessing and our board’s blessing is unbelievable,” noted Whitt, who credits the smooth process to the relationship he and Johnson have — the two have known each other a number of years as they both served in Sacramento region fire districts prior to making the move to El Dorado County. Pioneer Fire Protection District covers about 300 square miles of rural terrain with one engine, shared Capt. Scott Ramsey, and the district’s backup is in the shop. Motioning to the new/old fire engine in the driveway, ready for the ceremonial push, Ramsey added, “Having this backup is huge for us.” n
See Fire enigine, page A7
Goats
on the graze Eric Jaramishian Staff writer
T
hese goats are hungry and Placerville has plenty of vegetation for them to munch their way through. The city of Placerville hired Rancho Cordovabased CAPRA Environmental Services Corp. to bring a herd of goats to go to work at Gold Bug Park, Lions Park and the slope north of lower Main Street/Placerville Drive under the El Dorado Trail — parcels city leaders prioritized for fire fuels n
See goats, page A7
Mountain Democrat photos by Eric Jaramishian
Goats eat up brush at Gold Bug Park in Placerville July 20, above. These grazers are part of Placerville’s strategy to make the city more fire resilient. Despite all the thorns, goats will eat blackberry bushes, left photo.
Tribute to Wally: Love and kindness — always Noel Stack Managing editor
P
roving it’s possible to cry and smile at the same time, about 200 people gathered at Hills PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
Church in El Dorado Hills Saturday to fondly remember local legend Wally Richardson, hearing heroic tales about his time in the Navy as well as about a hilariously won talent competition during which he wore wife Jenny’s bathing suit. Known for his words of wisdom (aka “Wallyisms”), infectious smile, enthusiastic wave and nonstop optimism, Wally touched many during his time in the community, including the countless elementary and middle school students he greeted and gave “k-nuckles” (fist bumps) during his morning walks. His actions were so appreciated a plaque and bench were installed on Francisco
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Drive for him in 2018, gifted by Marina Village Middle School and the Lake Forest Owners Association. Wally died May 21 at 98 years old, leaving behind his wife of 64 years, four children, five grandchildren and one great-grandson. Grandson Connor Lehner shared that he loved his grandfather’s “boyish and joyful energy, “adding that Wally could always make him smile, even on bad days. “You might have forgotten what he said but you never forgot how he made you feel,” added Wally’s nephew Greg Dollarhyde, who said he also appreciated his uncle’s sense of humor that started the day he was born.
Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack
Smiles and “k-nuckles” here — Wally Richardson’s family demonstrate his classic greeting (and his sense of humor) following a memorial service Saturday. Wally was a “surprise” twin, arriving about 45 minutes after his sister Virginia was born much to the shock of
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Dollarhyde shared one of the most humorous Wallyisms: “Don’t sweat
his mother and hospital staff, Dollarhyde said. The jokes kept coming throughout Wally’s life as his humor grew.
See Wally, page A6
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