Page 39 - Sonoma County Gazette Juy 2019
P. 39

   What’s your vision for Forestville?
We all have one. Some would like to see Forestville become a Mecca for bicyclists from around the world like me and Brian Borchers from Russian River Cycle Service. Others have a vision of Forestville not changing one little bit, thank you very much. We know where we put our vision is where we put our energy, and where we put our energy is what tends to happen.
On June 20th, the Lower Russian River MAC (Municipal Advisory Council) met at the Guerneville Veteran’s Hall to listen to reports on Crime by Sheriff Mark Essick, and to get an update on the State’s mandate to clean up our cesspools, septic systems and all ways in which human waste gets into the Russian River. Scary stuff!
 One local vision that has manifested into something quite tangible is the Downtown Oaks Park. For example, that space started as
a vision years ago as a place for people to congregate and have fun. That’s happening this 4th of July at the Chamber’s Chicken and Oyster BBQ Party at the park. Yum. It’s Thursday between 1-5 pm and will replace the usual Tuesday Farmer’s Market that week. You’ll get to hear live music, get your face painted, have your kids burn off energy in the jumpy house and of course have the opportunity to purchase amazing local produce and fun crafty things. 4th of July in your hometown park with beer and wine, a hot dog from Russian River Weinery and more.
The county Board of Supervisors had just finished their budget review with major budget cuts, but because money came in through the Graton Casino tax, our local Sheriff sub-station was able
Did you know most of what is offered at the Tuesday Farmer’s Market is local? Each farmer has something special to offer. For example, Mary Rand from Hidden Lake Farms grows her produce within walking distance from the park. You can find local jeweler, Kelly Coffee, there with his hand-cut and polished stone jewelry. It’s amazing. In fact, Kelly can be seen from time to time during the week with his set up in the parking lot. Super cool items for sale. It’s hard to pick just one.
Supervisor Lynda Hopkins managed to sequester $300,000 for security in Downtown Guerneville that will be doled out over time, not all spent within one year. The Russian River Chamber of Commerce will work with local sheriffs to determine how this money can best serve the community to make both citizens and tourists feels safe.
Andrea Sarnataro worked with owners of the famous Beaujolais Café
in Mendocino and had a vision of taking over making their granola and Panforte. A Forestvillian herself, Andrea makes several kinds of both. I warn you, one taste of Beaujolais Panforte and you could be hooked. The offerings from Canneti Roadhouse Italiana are mouth-watering too. It’s a treat.
In the Lower River/West County communities last year they received 25,000 calls...37% of those were homeless-related issues. 13% of deputy’s
In a statistical comparison with a Sonoma Valley community with similar numbers, this one was dramatically divergent. Once they got into other crime comparisons like felonies, etc. the figures were almost identical. That gave us a good idea of how immensely our communities are impacted by the negative behavior of homeless people under the influence.
Something fun the Chamber has added on the third Tuesday evening is a “Flea Market”. If you have things you’d like to sell, and attracting people to a garage sale isn’t your thing, bring it to the downtown park those nights from 4-7. For only $20 you get a 10’ x10’ space and a ready- made audience from the folks there shopping, listening to the music and getting their produce for the week. My neighbor brought stacks of her used DVDs to sell. It was fun going through them and picking out some great movies I’ve been meaning to see. I hope she does it again.
Attendees brought questions and concerns and Sheriff Essick answered each one with what they have learned from their record-keeping, etc. He stressed several times that the most important thing citizens can do for the community, and for law enforcement, is to CALL 707-565-2121 EVERY TIME something is amiss. Getting these calls puts incidents on record and gives the department information they need to keep personnel on staff. Each time they have to interact with a specific individual that incident goes on record. Without these records, law enforcement is hampered in their ability to take care of issues the community depends upon them to solve.
I know it’s been a long time coming, but by the time you read this, sections of the West County Trail will finally be completed through the Oaks Park. The paved section should be done already and the “boardwalk” section through the lower wetlands should be in before winter. Another vision actualized by hard work from the County Parks Department in conjunction with our own FPA. Thanks to everyone who hung in there.
Discussion covered everything from ICE Raids to the cost of drug and alcohol use in our communities. 90% of vehicle accidents are the result of driving while under the influence. Addictive drugs increase violent behavior, etc. etc.
It completes a 13- mile section of the regional trail linking Santa Rosa to Sebastopol, Graton and us. Patience was required as this idea was hatched in 2010 with a Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan along the former Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railroad right of way. It took lots of configuration and re-configuration, but it happened, and we are beaming. Vision accomplished! Visit the FPAs website, 95436.org to learn more.
Neighborhoods are encouraged to form Neighborhood Watch programs and the Sheriff department will meet with neighbors to help make that happen.
30 years ago, five people sat around a kitchen table and had a vision. Provide food for those ill with the effects of HIV, and Food For Thought Food Bank was born. They have grown to be one of the most respected nonprofits in Sonoma County. Recently they expanded their mission to provide groceries and nutrition counseling to those with other illnesses as well. To celebrate the anniversary of their long and successful path, they invite you to a wonderful evening Sunday, August 11 from 4:30 to 8:30. Expect wonderful summer wines, dinner by Michele Anna Jordan, music and an auction at their “One Long Table” event at Vine Hill House. Google them to get your tickets. A special night.
What’s your vision for Forestville? What is it for yourself? As you can see, visions can become reality. It takes energy, it takes effort, it could take time, but just ask yourself or others, was it worth it?
The rest of the meeting focussed on the State’s mandate to clean up our waterways and get human waste out of the water. The front page article in this issue of the Gazette covers that topic so I won’t take up space here. Once
a month for years, the Community Advisory Group (CAG) meets to discuss how to solve this on-going problem, especially for homes right on the river. Progress is being made and the most important part is that funding is finally in the works for ways to help financially-challenged people upgrade their system to comply with state laws.
NEXT - in AUGUST - there will be a JOINT meeting of the
Coastal MAC and the Lower River MAC with State Senator Mike
McGuire. He will bring people up to date on issues at the state level that impact Sonoma County.
The NEXT MAC meeting will be the COAST Mac meeting July 17th in case you want to attend: sonomacounty.ca.gov/sccmac for INFO.
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to stay fully-staffed with a total of 15 personnel, 2 sergeants and 12 deputies, 3 of whom take care of our coast.
Homelessness and errant behavior kept coming up as one of the most obvious reasons for the need for heightened security. Not all homeless people are problem people, but enough of them have substance abuse issues that the Sheriff’s Department ran a comparison of the number of calls they receive to handle behavior issues of homeless people.
time spent was spent on homeless people issues.





































































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