Page 39 - Sonoma County Gazette - May 2019

May 19 ~ Town Hall on Emergency Preparedness
If you live in Forestville and have any interest, even just a mild curiosity, in how your home and neighborhood would blow up in a wildfire, this next Town Hall Meeting is a must. Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 19 from 3-5 pm
at El Molino Library for our Town Hall on “Emergency Preparedness”. The meeting’s being designed by our Fire Chief Dave Franchesci who has learned a lot on what works and what doesn’t when disaster hits. He knows every twisted road, every pocket canyon, every challenge we’ll face if anything like the October 2017 fires happens here. Turns out knowing what to do makes a difference!
April 18th Lower Russian River MAC Meeting:
Many people were there for a proposed update of the Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) but that is still in the works, so stay tuned for the NEXT LRR-MAC Public Meeting on June 20. This is an issue that keeps coming up and being pushed forward as the state tries to wrestle with the dilemma of upgrading private systems while recognizing that many people need funding to make the upgrades. So hang in there! We’ll try again in June!
And the program that works best is where communities “map” their own neighborhoods. It’s the latest thing. The firemen come meet you and your neighbors, provide key information like best escape routes, which neighbors need help getting out, who to call and what to do when you have only minutes to spare. And you in turn, can let the firemen know where dangerous piles of fuel exist, like up my canyon for example. The Fire Department finds that the more you know from them, the more they learn from you, the safer off we all will be.
West County Roads Update: Daniel Virkstis (Public Affairs Program Manager, Department of Transportation and Public Works) filled us in on progress being made to roads after winter damage. It’s a slow crawl through the county but progress is being made every day. Road crews are dealing with thousands of potholes, mudslides, and 110 slip-outs, primarily in West County. That’s when what is UNDER a road slips out from the pavement.
Chief Dave will introduce his staff and volunteers so you get to meet
exactly who you will be counting on if disaster strikes. Once Lynda Hopkins delivers an update on the County, we’ll dive right in to start creating these neighborhood groups. We’ll even hear from folks who have already done so. There will be examples of “Go Bags” you can buy or put together yourself, plus lots of information on what you or your animals might need. It will be
a great place to start sharing our concerns with those who, like us, take risks living in a lovely wooded area. Don’t miss it, I’ll put up plenty of pink signs to remind you.
In some cases roads had to be closed completely, but Public Works has been putting in long days to get us back to safe roads. They will keep addressing issues as mud turns to solid ground and fixes can me made safely. People asked - and received - answers on specific roads, so attending these meetings gives you information you really want to have.
Live Music As soon as the Town Hall is over, head down the street to this month’s Soul Café also on May 19 starting at 5. They are featuring Mariachi Jalisco. What fun! The Soup and Salad $10 meal supports Food For Thought who has just announced a “Welcome Home” program to provide healthy groceries and food to people just coming home from the hospital. Studies show we are most vulnerable to relapse at that time. With help getting healthy food delivered + love from the FFT volunteers, people have a much better chance of recovering completely. Let’s turn out and support them, plus hear some lively music too.
Dancers at El Molino High School present Dance Spectrum, their last performance of the season May 2, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, all at 7 pm. They are amazing. Also check out this year’s 600 Lions campaign. Last year 600 parents, teachers, former students and folks like me gave $100 each to save important programs. It’s happening again. It feels empowering.
The most encouraging news is that West County residents (do-it- yourselfers) is that Public Works is working on Private/Public Partnerships for people who just want to get it done and go out there to do it ourselves. PW wants it done RIGHT, so this partnership could work for everyone!
Summer Fun begins! There are two events coming up at the Youth Park you won’t want to miss. Sunday May 5, the Little League hosts all-day games, food, music, a jumpy house, tons of activities and a silent auction, all to raise money for our youth. I get the best stuff at those nonprofit auctions!
Cell towers are both wanted and feared so placing them properly is important. Diversifying technology (including burying cable under public roads) came up at this meeting as people are now looking at both sirens for emergency alerts and Ham Radio operators for civilian communications that work during power blackouts. More people are gaining these skills as local HAM clubs pop up on Sonoma County.
The biggest event each year at the Youth Park is their famous, fabulous and delicious BBQ on Saturday June 1, and Sunday June 2. It’s where carnival rides keep the kids thrilled, the contests keep us laughing, the music keeps
us dancing, the food keeps us happy, the crafts, the bingo, the playground,
the fancy cars all make for a great summertime gathering. It’s my favorite community party of the year. I’m recruiting folks to help sell drink tickets both days with three hours shifts, so let me know if you can. It’s great for people watching. Selling drink tickets is how the FPA helps the Youth Park, then the wine booth is staffed by the Chamber. It’s how the community comes together.
Sonoma County Radio Amateurs (sonomacountyradioamateurs.com) Calvin encourages us to connect with him about issues we have: 707-565-6418 or calvin.sandeen@sonoma-county.org.
And let’s not forget the Downtown Parade that Saturday morning June 1st. Theme for the parade is “Summer of Love!” Anyone who wants to be in the parade can get a form at Sequoia Real Estate downtown. Sweetest little parade around. Pancake Breakfast at the Methodist Church, then follow the Parade to the opening of the BBQ. Two days of pur FUN!
Tourism Impact Fund - this is money that Supervisor Hopkins garnered from TOT (Transit Occupancy Tax) money that our county receives from guests staying at our hotels and B&Bs, etc. West County generates the majority of these funds so Lynda is always championing our cause and got another chunk for us, LRR-MAC has formed a committee to draft principles, policies, and procedures on how this money will be spent.
Citizen oversight is essential - what do YOU want? Let us know!
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SoCo Report It is the best way to make sure Public Works knows about
a road issue from potholes to vegetation impeding your line-of-site. Take a photo at the location - send it on your cell phone if you can (online is also available) - and it will get logged into the system for repair. sonomacounty.ca.gov/Services/SoCo-Report-It/Submit-a-Service-Request/
Calvin Sandeen from the Economic Development Board (EDB) came to talk with us about cell phone reception and broadband access which is sketchy in West County. He encouraged us to keep sending data to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) so they can evaluate each location that has iffy service. The more people who take this survey the better CPUC knows where the dropout location exist and can work to fill them in.
The Citizen of the Year dinner has been moved to June 15! Community Fund applications are due June 15. Go to 95436.org to apply.
June 20 ~ Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council
Meeting. Agenda and location will be published on the website and posted
at the meeting site at least 72 hours before the meeting date. INFO: http:// sonomacounty.ca.gov/Lower-Russian-River-Municipal-Advisory-Council/ and Amie Windsor at amie.windsor@sonoma-county.org. 707-565-2866