David French, a senior associate with ENS Resources and Amador County’s lobbyist in Washington D.C., paid the county a visit this week, taking three days to meet with county officials as well as tour various sites that may be subjects of federal legislation.

French, who’s been with the lobbying firm for the last five years, was previously director of the state’s relations with the Regional Council of Rural Counties. Prior to that he held a position in the office of former Sen. Tim Leslie. He began his relationship with Amador County over Indian gaming issues resulting from the proposed Plymouth casino.

“We realized a lot of the real decision making process would be in Washington D.C.,” said Amador County Administrative Office Patrick Blacklock, referring to the decision to take on French’s firm.

“The county wanted to educate delegates and key players in Congress about the issue,” said French. “We wanted to send the message that the county is willing to work with legitimate gaming operations, but that it had very strong concerns about Plymouth and Buena Vista. As long as the playing field was fair and level, they’d (the county) work with them.”

French reported that senators Boxer and Feinstein, as well as then Representative Doug Ose, all expressed support for preventing tribes from gaining trust status through federal legislation.

French is currently working with House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo on legislation that would “keep local government in the gaming process.”

Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Forster was recently in Washington D.C. speaking before Congress on the same issue.

According to French, Pombo will hold a few more committee meetings and will introduce legislation on the issue in a few months.

French’s latest achievement was a collaboration with District 3 Congressman Dan Lungren which may potentially bring $1.5 million to help Amador County’s transportation needs. Over $1 million of that money would go toward the proposed Regional Transit Center Project in Sutter Creek, with the remaining $500,000 to the Pine Grove Project on Highway 88.

The current legislation, HR 3, cleared Congress by a margin of 417-9 and is awaiting approval in the Senate. The bill could be on the floor as early as late April.

“We worked with the county to develop a list of needs,” said French, adding that the list was analogous to the Amador County Transportation Commission’s Regional Transit Plan.

“The key is to have projects that have local support and a realistic timetable. Then you have to work with staff or the delegates to educate them,” said French. “Another big part of convincing them is being viewed as an honest broker of information.”

French added that in his opinion, Lungren’s staff is especially capable and he welcomes the Congressman’s return to politics. Lungren’s staff, he said, has visited Amador County a number of times.

Another issue French is advocating is a collaboration with Los Rios Community College district to bring a virtual learning center to Amador County. The learning center would be a partnership with Cosumnes River College.

“It’s a well laid out and well supported project. Lungren is a leader on this. One of the things we worked out was the federal government’s need to participate,” French said, adding that this type of project has received significant support from the Bush administration in the past.

“The president is a big supporter of community colleges,” said French. “Requests have been submitted, there is a strong interest by staff and the program is likely to receive support.”

French had many words of praise for Congressman Lungren, indicating that he’s “demonstrated an ability to get his people out in the field.”

As part of his visit to Amador County, French will meet with ACTC’s Executive Director Charles Field. In addition he’ll tour sites of proposed Indian casinos in the region.

“The more I understand the projects and issues on a ground level, the better I can represent the needs of the county,” said French.