The Union Democrat 06-13-2015

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COLUMBIA HOOPS: Hoyt at the helm, C1 MORE IN SPORTS:Phil Cokeback in ALwith Toronto, C1

OPINION:Parrotts Ferry Bridge emerging,A4

1 HEMOl HER LODE'S LEADING INFORMATION SODRCE SINCE1854 • SONORA, CALIFORNIA

WEEKEND

JUNE 13-15, 201

TODAY'S RijLDiRBOAR D BRIEFING

CalaverasCounty PlanningCommlSSIOn —Marijuana

collective denied building rezone.A2

Guy Bradley AWard —Wildlife

TuolumneCounty BoardofSupervisors

TuolumneUtilities District

Budget, music fest permit top agenda

Connection golicyreview drawscrowd

ber are scheduled to be considered expenses unknown at this time. by theTuolumne County Board of Under the proposed budget, the Supervisors at Tuesday's meeting. county isset to add 16 new fullThe board will convene at 9 time positions over the next fiscal a.m. to vote on a recommended year that runs through June 2016. By ALEX MacLEAN Some of the new positions inpreliminary budget for the 2015The Union Democrat 16 fiscal year that begins July 1. clude 11 employees to sta6'the new A separate hearing is planned Mother Lode Regional Juvenile DeA $153 million spending plan and for Aug. 18 to consider a final tention Facility and three that were a special-use permit for the Straw- budget that will account for state berry Music Festival this Septem- spending and other revenues or See BOARD /Back Page PUBLICMEETING:Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors, 9 a.m. Tuesday, fourth floor, County Administration Center, 2 S. Green St., Sonora.

lawman Baker recognized.A2

CalaverasUnified — School trustees to review 2015-16 goals. A2

ScholarshipsCalaveras andTioga high school scholarship recipients announced. A3

Poll question — This week's poll question asks, "Would you support legalizing marijuana in California?"A4

YOSemite —Lightning fires burn in, near Yosemite.A5

Groups battle to end homelessness among military veterans By ALEX MacLEAN The Union Democrat

A network of charitable, g overnmental an d f a i t hbased organizations in Tuolumne County are reaching out to local homeless military veterans who are struggling to getoffthe streets. These groups have come together to help homeless vet-

Dantche —Missing

erans obtaingovernment ben-

man's cell last used in Murphys area.AS

efitsand apply for programs aimed at ending homelessness among those who served in the nation's armed forces. "Some of these veterans don'teven realize there are benefits they could be receiving," said Craig Hempler, vet eransrepresentativefor Give Someone a Chance, or GSAC, a Sonora-based homeless ad-

Roadwork — Alist of roadwork planned in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties, including time, date, location and possible delays.AS

SIERRA LIVING • ROOM TO GROW: Habitat ReStore expands, looking for volunteers.B1 • IN THE GARDEN: Traps, poison best for gophers.B1 • PLANTING:Some plants thrive when grown from seed.B1 • WATER WASTERS BEWARE:¹DroughtShaming on rise.B2

NEWS ELSEWHERE • DROUGHT:Water cuts ordered for California farmers.A6 • TRADE BILL:The House delivered a blow to President Obama Friday and left his trade agenda in doubt.A6

NOTICES

SoapboxDerby — Tuolumne township will be the site today and Sunday of the Northern California Soapbox Derby. The derby will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Start line will be Gardner Avenue, and drivers will race down Pine Street, which will be partially closed during the event.

Board-Certified Cardiologist

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The Union Democrat

A review of a Tuolumne Utilities District draft policy for new water service connections drew a capacity crowd, including several local realtors, to Friday's meeting of the TUD Water Committee. Counting TUD sta6' and two directors who came as observers, more than 25 people showed up for the committee meeting. When all chairs in the committee room were full, District Manager Tom Scesa decided to move the meeting to the boardroom where the TUD Board of Directors normally convene. Peoplein the realestate sector came to the meeting in part because of how the dry policy review was described in background information put together by Scesa and district stafF for Friday's meeting. There is concern among residents and ratepayers that TUD is allowing new water connections in the midst of drought and mandatory water conservation, district sta6'said in their report. Concerns voiced by public and members of the TUD Board of Directors have led to uncertainty among TUD staff and developers about TUD's position on water supply availability for new connections, district stafF said. "Some members of the public are wondering why the district does not institute a moratorium on new water connections," district stafF said in their report. TUD stafF believe a moratorium is unwarranted and would produce "unnecessary financial and social harm to our community," the report states.

vocacy organization.

See TUD/Back Page

The nonprofi tgroup,founded by Hazel and Dick Mitchell, has identified more than 30 homelessveterans residing in Tuolumne County. Many formerly homeless veterans hold Hazel Mitchell in highregard forher efforts. She's recovering from a recent bout with congestive heart failure, though she plans to undergo a medical procedure in the next couple of weeks that will hopefully correct the issue. Courtesy photo Over the past few months, The Jones family (from left): Back row — Samantha and William; and the Mitchells' organization front row — A.J., 5, and Dominic, 7, visit Pinecrest Reservoir in June. has managed to help seven veterans and their families find housing through the VETFAM program administered by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Stockton. "We're trying to get all of their military records up to dateand fi nd outwhat they're eligible for and whether they qualify," Hempler said. The VETFAM program, funded by a federalgrant, provides "rapid housing" assistance for eligible veterans, which can cover first and last

month's rent, a security deposit, move-in fees and up to $1,000forvehiclerepairs. Tuolumne County recently became eligible for a portion of a $500,000 grant through the program following a local survey in January that Alex MacLean /Union Democrat counted more than 25 home- Susan Feighery, veteran services program director for Catholic Charities less veterans. Of the Diocese of Stockton (left), Dick Mitchell, co-founder of the Sonora'The program has housed based Give Someone a Chance (center), and Craig Hempler, veteran representative for GSAC, talk about programs aimed at helping homeSee VETERANS /Back Page less veterans.

QSjde

Courtney Virgilio, MD

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By GUY McCARTHY

Calendar .......... Comics............. Crime ............... Obituaries........

......A2 O p inion............. ...... C5 Sierra Living..... ......A5 S p orts................ ......A5 T V .......................

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SonoraNishSchool

Chabot is new chief admin By SEAN CARSON The Union Democrat

The Sonora Union High School Board of Trustees announced at a meeting on Friday that Principal Pat Chabot will be the district's new superintendent. Chabothas worked forthe Sonora Union H igh School District for 22 years,starting as a math teacher and spending the past eight years in administration. He hasserved asprincipal since2014. After making the announcement, board member Jeanie Smith addressed those in attendance about potential concern regarding the board's choice. "I know that there has been some talk that this was a predetermined decision, but it was not," Smith said. Smith said numerous applicants were considered, both from within and outside the district,beforedeciding on Chabot. The vote to hire Chabot as superintendent for the next school year was unani-

mous, said board President Rob Lyons. Chabot recei ved a bachelor's degree in packaging engineering from Michigan State University and worked in the aerospace industry prior to earning his master' s degree in education at the University of Texas, Arlington. His entire career as an educator has been See CHABOT/Back Page

Monday:High 96, Low 56

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Specializing in Cardiovascular Care

Dignity Health.

• Cardiovascular Consultation and Diagnostic Testing • Cardiac Rehabilitation • Five Medical Board Certifications

Mark Twain Medical Center

Heart Center

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