El Dorado County District 2 Newsletter

Supervisor Turnboo and Supervisor Parlin joined Greg Stanton and other experts on a field trip to the Sierra Institute in Plumas County as part of a tour of their biomass, milling, logging, and rebuilding operations. Plumas County has been impacted by numerous wildfires, so the Sierra Institute began working on ways to make use of the green waste and methods of building that will generate a more wildfire resilient community. One of the key concepts being developed by the Sierra Institute is wood utilization. By focusing on making the best use out of all wood coming out of the forests, the communities in Plumas County are benefitting from utilizing wood products in different ways and using different methods for construction that will define future building standards.

The biomass facility and milling operations that feed it are great examples of efficiency in green energies and outline the potential for economies of scale. The benefits of a biomass facility are many for El Dorado County, by providing a location to dispose of green waste in large quantities and generating electricity/heat as a byproduct. There is a potential for other byproducts to be generated, such as biochar and medical grade fluids. The Sierra Institute were tremendously helpful in educating everyone on how they operate and how proper wood utilization can be an economic benefit for the community.

Learn more about the Sierra Institute

Supervisor Turnboo always recommends that residents remain involved in their community and enjoys highlighting the accomplishments of civic action. In El Dorado Hills, the residents of several communities united to form the EDH South Coalition as a pathway to advocate for their communities. EDH South Coalition includes Concerned Residents of Heritage Village under the leadership of Bob Williams and George Steed, Citizens in Support of El Dorado Hills under the leadership of Chuck King and Tom Fox, and Four Seasons Civic League under the leadership of John Raslear and Eric Smith. Beginning with successfully lobbying for Supervisorial redistricting over two years ago, they worked to ensure their communities were grouped into a single Supervisorial district instead of being divided across multiple Supervisorial districts.

EDH South Coalition has been deeply involved in a number of reviews of development in the El Dorado Hills southern region. Supervisor Turnboo was so impressed that he subsequently appointed Bob Williams of Concerned Residents of Heritage Village to represent Supervisorial District 2 on the El Dorado Hills Community Council. The focused and well-articulated questions that residents have asked has provided a backdrop for discussion of how the approval process is conducted by El Dorado County. As a result of the diligent work by the EDH South Coalition and persistence from Supervisor Turnboo, the Planning Department of El Dorado County is actively reviewing the correctness of the project approval process. Supervisor Turnboo applauds the EDH South Coalition as they continue to protect quality of life and environment for residents of El Dorado Hills.

Review the current Supervisorial Districts Map

The Food Bank of El Dorado County was awarded “Nonprofit of the Year” for 2023 by California Assemblyman Joe Patterson. Supervisor Turnboo joined Mike Sproull and the Food Bank family for the presentation at the State Capitol in Sacramento. The Food Bank of El Dorado County was one of a hundred nonprofits that were awarded by representatives in California Government. The Food Bank of El Dorado County earned this award by partnering with thirty community-based organizations to provide an Emergency Food Assistance Network that feeds thousands of our friends and neighbors throughout El Dorado County. Food Bank founder Mike Sproull accepted the award on behalf of the Food Bank family, volunteers, and donors. The Food Bank is grateful to be recognized by Assemblyman Patterson and owes their success to everyone that has worked to help others through the Food Bank for over twenty years. The Food Bank of El Dorado County welcomes anyone that would like to check it out for themselves by calling (530) 621-9950 or emailing info@foodbankedc.org.

Visit FoodBankEDC.org for more information

Supervisor Turnboo was introduced to the South County Alliance (SCA) in 2021. SCA was formed by the residents of Grizzly Flats as an organization dedicated to bringing a Community Center to their community. Supervisor Turnboo greatly appreciated the concept of a Community Center in Grizzly Flats and started working with SCA to that effect. Supervisor Turnboo identified a strategically located parcel in Grizzly Flats owned by the US Forest Service (USFS) under the USDA and reached out to the USDA as a result. Supervisor Turnboo secured a meeting with the USDA. After meeting with staff from the USDA Secretary of Agriculture, it was decided to pursue using the USFS parcel for the Grizzly Flats Community Center and a community park. Supervisor Turnboo had another meeting at our local USFS office to iron out details and schedule a site visit to begin transitioning leadership for the project to SCA. The project is still being defined by the stakeholders, so stay tuned for further updates we move forward.

Learn more about the South County Alliance (SCA)

The first recorded Fair in El Dorado County was held in 1859 at Coloma and has grown over the decades to become the El Dorado County Fair that we know today. The El Dorado County Fair gives our community a chance to show off their unique talents and lifestyles as an expression of our cultural heritage. For longtime residents, the county fair can derive nostalgia by bringing back memories from the past to be introduced to the next generations as great traditions. The El Dorado County Fair is one of the bigger community events in El Dorado County and represents a yearlong effort by the El Dorado County Fair Board to bring the community together during warmer months. Running from June 15^th to 18^th, 2023, the fair theme is “Country Nights Carnival Lights” to set the tone for a much-anticipated weekend of family friendly fun. There will be many booths, vendors, attractions, rides and events, including a Junior Livestock Auction. Due to popularity, a Free El Dorado County Fair Shuttle service will be available for families who make use of free parking. Directions to the Fair are available and the El Dorado County Fair can be contacted at (530) 621-5860 or by email at fair@eldoradocountyfair.org.

Learn more from El Dorado County Fair & Event Center