Page 35 - Sonoma County Gazette October 2018

Guest columnist – Lois Lebovich
On September 25, 2018, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will
vote on the proposed Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) for the Lower Russian River area. This will fulfill Supervisor Lynda Hopkins’ campaign promise to assist our area to gain a form of self-government. The districts include Forestville, Hacienda, Rio Nido, Guerneville, Pocket Canyon, Monte Rio and Cazadero. To learn more about this, go to sonomacounty.ca.gov/ Lower-Russian-River-Municipal-Advisory-Council/ There are explanations of the map of the districts, the proposed number of delegates from each district, the qualifications required, etc. This work is being done by Amie Windsor, assistant to Lynda Hopkins. Our tax dollars at work for the good of our communities!
On September 26th, the applications for potential delegates will be available, and the closing date for applying will be Oct. 26th. Each district will have a set number of regular council members and one alternate member.
Who will step forward to represent our districts? These are unpaid positions. That’s if you are considering money as payment. If you are looking for a way to help your district and the Lower Russian River area as a whole, you will find payment in the thanks you will receive from the local citizens. Don’t laugh.
I’m no Pollyanna. I know some will never be happy no matter what. But the majority counts.
The purpose of the MAC is to give us a united voice with
the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Local groups or individuals can submit suggested issues to be considered. If the council decides to formulate
a recommendation, it will be sent to the Board of Supervisors, where all the Supervisors can vote on it. The MAC can request funds from the TOT money (Transient Occupancy Tax) that we pay to the county to help us deal with local problems with which we have been struggling for many years. Instead of scattered voices from many local groups, we will present one voice.
To gain this united voice, each district must find and help elect representatives to the MAC. It is up to every one of us to talk to those around us and urge people who care about our communities to apply for the MAC positions. I have been hearing complaints that this MAC will just be the “same old faces and the same old politics”. It won’t be if everyone helps. You don’t have to have any experience on a board to become a candidate for the MAC. You just have to want to change the status quo from the “same old/same old” to a better outlook and more positive vision for us.
As you meet in local organizations, as you talk to your neighbors on your street, as you go to your place of worship, or the library, or local busineses, or drop off your children at school, talk to those you encounter. Ask what they want from the MAC, and ask them to recommend people who might be willing to run for a seat. Talk it up, make people aware of what is going on, with the formation of this MAC.
We are going to be voting to elect these council members. And there will be a public caucus. But if we don’t find good candidates, WHO will we be voting for? Our communities need the help of all its residents. Apathy doesn’t work for the good. It drags us down.
Learn about it on the website, and talk about it. This is something everyone can do. Don’t leave it to someone else, or it won’t get done.
“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”—Edmund Burke, England
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”—Margaret Mead
Lois Lebovich is President of the Guernewood Neighborhoods Association, and a member of the Russian River Alliance. She can be reached at lmlebovich@yahoo.com.
It is getting dark as I write this, close to the Autumnal Equinox. The large redwoods outside of my airy cyber-hut are outlined in the dusk and remind me of the necessity to be fire-safe, if there is such a thing! As we approach the 1st Anniversary of the horrific firestorms of October, 2017, I know that many of us ask what can we do to prevent wild land fires? Folks from CalFire visited our neighborhood earlier this summer and left suggestions for residents to keep areas cleared of brush, sweep off roofs and note dead trees. The extreme beauty of our area needs to be protected by us, the ‘borrowers’ of the land.
The next meeting of the Cazadero Community Club will be on Tuesday, October 2nd-7 p.m. at Firehall #1. Join your neighbors in planning terrific events which benefit the entire community! Next up is the Annual Holiday Craft Fair—to be held on Saturday, November 10th, from 10-4 p.m. also at the Firehall. For vendor info, please call 632 5545. The Fair Cafe will offer tasty snacks and 20 crafts booths will feature lovely handmade gift items.
The Montgomery Elementary School students have a few fun activities scheduled for October. Oct 3rd Ms. Port’s TK through 2nd grade class will be going on a field trip to the Forest View Apple Ranch. Oct 11th is school picture day. Oct 12th the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department will
be on campus to give a few presentations and show the students how they operate. On Oct. 18th Ms. Port’s TK through 2nd graders will go on a field trip to Mulgrath Pumpkin Patch. And on Oct 26th the school will hold its annual Halloween Carnival.
Raymond’s Bakery continues to offer its delicious baked goods and Friday Night Pizza with live music. Both the Cazadero General Store and the Duncans Mills General Stores have a great assortment of daily groceries, tasty sandwiches and many locally produced items.
Remember Cazadero Supply’s 1st Saturday 15% off Discount Day for all of your Fall household, garden and vehicle projects.
Check out the website for the Cazadero Winery—cazaderowinery. com. Very interesting local lore and of course they produce many Gold Medal winning wines!
Important elections are coming up on Tuesday, November 6th.
I will never tell you how to vote, but I do like to emphasize how important your vote is! Please register soon—the Monte Rio Community Center has some forms that you just fill out and mail in-stamp provided!
I wish Very Happy October birthdays to Darius Drexhage, turning 31on the 5th, Matthew Tyson will be 28 on the 6th, Gary Tourady and Tony Landeros will celebrate on the 7th, Kim Spliethot on the 8th, Josh Ritter on the 13th, which is also my own very special birthday! Max Gradunov enjoys the 14th, Lacey Parmeter has her day on the 15th, Bud Baswell and Marilyn Buss share the 24th, Judy Mercieca celebrates on the 21st and Budi Luna on the 28th.
Joan Schiavone and Wendy Boom share the 31st-no tricks only treats!
Daylight Savings Time ends on November 4th, so please be extra careful around early students at the bus-stops.
Enjoy Autumn, drive safely and call me at 632-5545 or email mayawrld@sonic.net with info for your Cazadero column.
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