Over time, I have heard some not positive remarks about health services in Amador County. Hopefully I can dispel them.

In the article (on Friday, February 19, 2021) about the double homicide, the person involved was described four times as the “Ione man.” This is an unfair and unrealistic description of him. He lives in the county, not the city, and only lives in an area with an Ione postal zip code. That is…

For generations, we’ve been told that money is power. It’s an axiom that continues to drive our politics. Despite being able to vote for our elected officials, once they reach public office, they’re all too often swayed by lobbyists and big money interests. Instead of representing the people…

We were reminded once again of the advantages of living in Amador County by the ease with which we received our first COVID-19 Vaccine. On February 10, we arrived at St. Katharine Drexel Parish about 20 minutes before our 11 a.m. appointment (made just one week before) and drove to the end o…

In response to Mike Sullivan (“History (hopefully) repeats itself,” Letters to the Editor, Ledger Dispatch; February 12, 2021):

In your February 19, 2021 issue, Mark Bennett wrote an impressive Letter to the Editor on “County Revenue.” Mr. Bennet feels that it is the environmentalist and conservationists who are to blame for Amador’s chronic shortage of funds. He cites the long delay of the Newman Ridge project, the …

I prefer to regard the following message as a public service announcement influenced by a profound sense of duty, obligation and responsibility.

We can all recall the unmistakable voice of Carly Simon singing her hit, “Anticipation.” She broke the word down into syllables for us, drawing the word out for maximum effect. I have a rhyming word that repeats in my ear every day and that word is dis-in-te-gra-tion. It pretty much sums up …

I quote the headlines of a Letter to the Editor of January 29, 2021, “Political ‘propaganda’ is an outrage to Amador citizens,” by Rachel M. Aguilera … hats off to you Rachel. I could not have said it any better. Your words are my words also and I can imagine many honorable citizens of this …

Since moving to Ione late in 2003, still serving as a psychologist at Preston Youth Facility, it has been my pleasure to meet some really great people. There is even the subjective idea that the most motivated and friendly personalities tend to gravitate to rural foothill communities, to get…

The February 5, 2021 article in the Ledger Dispatch entitled “Law enforcement fed up with lack of funding from county” documents a serious situation in the Sheriff’s Department. They blame the funding on priority decisions of the Board of Supervisors. But the Supervisors are making difficult…

Folks, this is to thank each and all of you, individuals and county Supervisors, that was supportive of my issue with Frank Axe’s email to me. I’m sure that what you Supervisors did to rectify this issue will gain you even more respect and support of your constituency. The solution was in my…

We need legislators that know simple right from wrong.

The pandemic played an important blow to many “historical” places and events this year, which traditionally are celebrated throughout Amador County. Just a few to mention are museums, Kennedy Mine, St. Sava Church, Chaw’se Indian Grinding Rock Park, Daffodil Hill and our vintage Gold Rush towns.

Considering the turmoil California has faced throughout this COVID-19 situation, we commend Amador County’s Health and Human Services for the job they are doing for the residents. My wife and I, having been scheduled for the first of two shots, were well ahead of our appointed time. We were …

As a constituent of Frank Axe, I was deeply disappointed in his response, however justified, to a provocative email that was brought up at the last Board of Supervisors meeting. But that incident should not overshadow the fine job he has been doing over the last years as District 4 Superviso…

Regarding, “Law enforcement fed up with lack of funding from county” (Ledger Dispatch, February 5, 2021). In the mid-1990s, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office was in much the same position it is in today. Underpaid and therefore understaffed, the agency had a difficult time recruiting and re…

I’m Melissa Haines Lavin with Amador Council of Tourism. Since November 2019, it has been a pleasure to serve as Executive Director and CEO of ACT after several years of working with a variety of business sectors here in Amador County.

As a District 4 resident, I am writing to express my strong support for Supervisor Frank Axe. He has served our district and our county exceedingly well since he was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2017. Frank has been a compassionate advocate and leader in addressing homelessness in …

On October 24, 2020 at approximately 8:20 p.m., a vehicle left its driveway across the street (18111 North Meadow Drive), traveled up the driveway, crossed North Meadow Drive and down our embankment at 18096 North Meadow Drive. The car ran into my deck, retaining wall and eventually through …

“Give equity a chance” and “… real need for equity in our country” were the commands in two letters in the January 29, 2021 Ledger Dispatch (Letters to the Editor).

A few weeks ago, Common Ground Senior Services’ walk-in freezer was down and we had to house over 300 cases of Meals on Wheels in a refrigerated truck provided by Foodlink Distribution.

America needs to manufacture again. America needs an industrial base in order to manufacture. America has to build the infrastructure to support an industrial base and manufacture products to compete in the 21st century.

Despite losing 62 court challenges of the 2020 election results by former President Donald Trump’s lawyers and his allies across 12 states, Congressman Tom McClintock claimed on the House floor that the recent election was tainted by a “corrupted process” and he questioned the legitimacy of …

After recently reviewing the full-page newspaper statement submitted by a since-named citizen of Jackson under the guise of “The honorable citizens of Amador County,” I felt compelled to address this unfortunate misrepresentation, as well as offer an alternative approach to this matter.

I’m sure that our county health department director and employees are working their tails off trying to get the vaccination program going. But I would suggest a modification of the program to help facilitate vaccinations. I’ve heard that while the actual vaccination takes very little time, (…

Recently, I responded to an e-mail sent to the Amador County Board of Supervisors by local resident Gary Dorall with rude and intemperate language. I have since apologized to Mr. Dorall. I wish to apologize publicly to my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors and the citizens of Amador Coun…

A peaceful transition of power