Page 6 - Sonoma County Gazette Janaury 2019

LETTERS cont’d from. page 5
Although all police abuse and killings resonated with Big Man,
the killing of Andy Lopez was an atrocity that had occurred right after the National Day of Protest Against Police Abuse. The killing of a child in his community, a very few minutes away from our home.
Although this will never bring Andy back, although the man
who killed him is, as of yet, still unpunished, I would hope this settlement would, as the creation of that park did, give Big Man some peace. My heart, as Big Man’s was, is with Andy, his family, friends and this community.
Carole Hyams
THANK YOU!
Winter and trees are almost bare: Walking from the Sebastopol library toward Main Street I am embarrassed that, in this town where many would describe themselves as “tree huggers”, our city trees are so poorly maintained.
Big Man loved you, Andy Lopez.
The maple trees along Bodega Ave. have their west facing trunks sun burned destroying their cambium. The tree by the playhouse was dead for one summer season before it was replaced. The maple nearest the city hall was in decline this past year. I contacted Sarah Gurney and she referred me to Dante of Public Works; he replied that perhaps the tree would heal itself. It finally was replaced but the trunk wasn’t wrapped so the young bark will burn in summer sun. Replacement trees are stuck in a hole, two posts added whereby no strength inducing swaying of the trunk is possible and perhaps watered.
The pear trees along Main Street are supposedly to be replaced by Cal Trans with Crepe Myrtles. A good choice. But the differed maintenance of trees causes me to write this letter. Previous city councils used public funds to “plant trees” as if that was the end of responsibility.
Thank you everyone who joined us in making our Annual Holiday Social a memorable evening! The community spirit sparkled through with glowing, smiling faces and the wonderful Guerneville Parade of Lights floats creativity and beauty. We are a town to be reckoned with!
The condition of downtown trees shows a cavalier attitude toward the long term health of the trees. The trees have been left to grow with seemingly no structural pruning. For example, near the store Silk Moon there is a neglected tree that leans over parked cars and heaved the artful brick side walk. It should have had canopy end-weight reduction before the lean. The broken brick sidewalk was repaired with a blob of asphalt.
We want to give special thanks
to our D & G Equity and Russian River Vacation Home clients for your continuing support every year. You hold a vast part of our success and longevity.
Civic leaders want increased Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) by being a destination. I write to encourage city planners to annually fund maintenance of trees. Trees are a measure of personal values. Given care they bring beauty for generations.
What is the appeal of Sebastopol? Will our “funky” stores generate repeated cash flow? Will people stroll the streets? Well cared for trees enhance the impression that Sebastopol is a pleasant town.
Tony Bryhan, Sebastopol
6 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 1/19
Mr. and Mrs. Claus flew in to join us passing out gifts to children of all ages. Thank you Mr and Mrs. Santa! Hats of Andy and Shannon Amaya from Flavors located on Main St, across from Safeway donating gift cards as one of the presents given out.
On Tuesday December 11 the Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution providing an interpretation that Class I Bikeways are public parks as referenced in the Cannabis Land Use Ordinance. That means that the
two Class I bikeways not yet included in the Cannabis Ordinance, the West County Trail and the Joe Rodota Trail, will now require 1,000 foot setbacks from some cannabis operations.
Gifts were purchased by our
“go to” local Guerneville 5 & 10 who’s spirit forever shines in our community. Robin, Karen and Cindy, keep the light on! There is Jerry Knight and his elves who supplied Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus chairs to greet all who came. Many thanks!
All other existing trails in Sonoma County were already considered parks
in the Cannabis Ordinance. The General Plan, the overarching law for land use in our county, states under County Municipal Code Article II that “Park means all land or water owned, leased, managed, or controlled by the Sonoma County park system.” Under this provision, the West County Trail and Joe Rodota Trail were designated parks because they are managed and controlled by the Sonoma County park system.
Guerneville School Art and Music Program and 100% of the donations will be given to F.O.G.S. {Friends of the Guerneville School} to distribute to the program.
FOG applauds Lynda Hopkins, the other Sonoma County Supervisors and County Counsel for recognizing this oversight in the Cannabis Ordinance and for correcting the error. We are grateful for the outpouring of support for this issue from hundreds of trail users who sent emails and who attended the 12/11 hearing.
Jill DeProto, D & G Equity Management and Russian River Vacation Homes
Anna Ransome, for Friends of Graton (FOG)
OPINION: Walking by the downtown trees in Sebastopol
OPINION: Trails are designated Linear Parks
Hot chocolate and apple cider
were among beverages served with assortments of cheeses, dips, snacks many sweet desserts. Higher Ground Coffee joined us and served free Coffee and Herbal Tonic. You are all are the best!
The Board’s decision was not a whole new change in policy or a re-zoning as claimed by some, but rather a recognition that these trails are no different than other trails, that they serve the same function and that the municipal code definition should be applied equally to all trails operated by the Regional Parks system.
We raised over $500.00 for the
These trails are used by all ages, and the West County trail has been the only park available in the Graton area for many years. Graton residents and trail users felt so strongly about this that Friends of Graton (FOG) gathered close
to 600 signatures on a petition opposing a cannabis project along the trail that had applied for a lesser setback than 1,000 feet.
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