Bennett Valley Voice

BENNETT VALLEY VOICE VOLUME 3 Number 2

Bennett Valley Homeowners Association

June, 1980

Memo From The Board

Since our last newsletter, the BHA successfully sponsored a candidates night for 1st District Supervisor candidates. vertising" for this event involved distributing 900 leaflets within the valley, posting several leaflets in the Bennett Valley shopping area, having news spots on KRO, and articles and/or announcements in the News Herald, Democrat, and Bennett Peek.

We have received very favorable feedback on this project. We were gratified that people felt the project was most helpful and worthwhile. The turnout was good, but we missed seeing many of you. As most of you know, the election resulted in a runoff between Robert Adams and Kathleen Hill which will take place in November.

It has been suggested that we try to have these candidates TALK WITH Bennett Valley residents, perhaps at the fire station, prior to the November election. We invite your response either pro or con. annual election meeting will be held July 23, 1980, at the B.V. Fire Station at 7:30 p.m., when three positions on the Board of Directors will be filled.

All members who have paid their 1980 dues are eligible to vote. Please put this date on your calendars and come. Planning for our get-together continues. Tentatively, it is scheduled for a Saturday or Sunday in early to mid-September. Specific information will be forthcoming. We need to get an idea of how many of you think you can come to help us in planning - primarily the locyou please help us get a rough idea by calling 542-7102 or 584-8063 or by contacting any board member?!

Bugged By Litter?

A State grant administered through the Sonoma County Public Works Dept. is helping to keep our B.V. roads cleaner. Service clubs and youth groups are earning $1 per bag for picking up trash along County highways. Recently a group of teenagers and a staff member from the Sonoma Adolescent Center at Los Guilucos donned orange "litter crew" vests & patrolled Sonoma Mtn. Rd., filling 24 bags.

They plan to use the money for educational field trips. If you know an organization that would be interested in participating in the program, or if you want to report a "trashy" road that needs attention, call the Litter Hotline at 527-2068, 8-11, M-F. Or leave a message at 527-2974, 8-5, M-F.

************************************************ Don't forget...

Election Meeting

July 23, 1980 7:30 p.m. ************************************************ BVHA

Board Of Directors

1979-1980 President Vice-President Secretary/Treasurer Tamara Boultbee Nancy Batson Barbara Maberry Ted Chamberlain Bill Jacobs Fred Hazlett Paul Hamilton Max Moberly Paul Mowbray In this issue we are including a list of current members. If you notice anyone - friend neighbor, etc. who is not listed and might be interested in the Bennett Valley Homeowners Assoc., please invite them to join and tell them about our next meeting, or give us their name... we'11 send them a copy of the newsletter Board meetings are the 4th Wednesdays of the month. One last word - if you have any suggest ions, sources of information, or specific information which would be helpful in our on-goin!

historical series of articles please let us know. Thanks for your support...have a great summer!

Candidates Night

On Tuesday, May 20, 1980, at 7:30 p.m. in the Yulupa School multi-purpose room, the Bennett Valley Homeowners Assoc., sponsored a candidates night for all lst District Supervisor candidates. Candidates present were Leo Dikinis, Kathleen Hill, Albert Heppe, Walter Pentz, and Laurie Simpson. Robert Adams could not attend, so his wife represented him.

candidate was allotted 15 minutes to address the audience and answer questions directed specifically to him/her, after which an open question and answer period was held. imately 65 to 70 people attended the meeting. Candidates drew numbers to determine the speaking order, with Kathleen Hill drawing the first speaking position.

Mrs. Hill lists an extensive political and civic background. She proposes improving Highway 12; abolishing inheritance taxes on farmland; developing further hydro-electric power (i.e. Warm Springs Dam) ; harvesting instead of mining gravel; establishing a Santa Rosa and Sonoma office at no additional cost to the taxpayer; and she endorses the General Plan.

Mrs. Robert Adams spoke of her husband's background in law enforcement, prior experience in management, and his civic activities primarily in connection with police work as well as with the Boys' Club (Mr. Adams is presently on disability leave from the Sheriff's Office). She declined to answer questions from the audience.

continued

CANDIDATES NIGHT continued Albert Heppe's varied background experiences, from teaching to trades to building telescopes, gives him real "hands on" experience" which he felt qualified him He stated Highway 12 the State Legislature and proposed dealing with problems the County can Walter Pentz mentioned his background experience with budgets, organization and management as qualifications for County He felt that County government hasn't kept abreast of the call of Prop. 13; that economy is called for by future additions to the budget; and that inter-agency cooperation in government is necessary.

The best way to encourage the latter is with capital, not organizational money. He is for operating with zero budgeting and for diversified growth with streamlined regulations eliminate restrictive reguon buildings not housing people. the next speaker, attemptbackground talk and have only a question/answer period, but several people stressed their preference for background information and her political stance.

She advocates community centered growth with in-filling of city islands first of maximizing services; as a way dependence on foreign oil (better vice, bikeways, and more cost efficient use of utility lines); and as a method serving agriculture. She offered the concept of transferable development rights as a method of preserving agricultural lands fairly while allowing for growth.

Leo Dikinis states he disliked exclusionary building and felt bond issues should be used for funding streets. supports lobbying for Highway 12 improvements and fixing local roads to make them that "bedroom communities" won't continue as the following short question and answer period, questions were posed on the use of open space zoning and compensation to affected land owners; Prop. 9; impact fees for parks and schools; and candidates familiarity/lack thereof with the Bennett Valley Specific Plan.

A statement was also made that none of the candidates had addressed themselves to the concerns of Bennett Valley residents. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Historic Sites

The area around LaPaz Lane (Bottasso property) was purchased in 1871 by Walter Phillips. He developed 230 acres of choice land in grape and fruit culture. 130 acres were devoted to vines, producing the most approved wine of grapes grown in Sonoma County. There were 80 acres of Zinfandel, 20 acres of Grey Riesling, 15 acres of Burgundy, as well as other well-known, approved varieties.

A winery with a 150,000 gallon capacity was on the property. It produced claret and Riesling wine which always commanded the highest market rates. Part of the old winery and cellar still exists. The additional 100 acres was devoted to hay, grain and stock, and fruit.

Paul Mowbray

Viticulture In Bennett Valley

Occasionally I notice while driving in the Bennett Valley and Sonoma Mountain areas fields vaguely suggesting a checker-board of grass-covered humps, and I wonder about the history of this now-uprooted vineyard. same feeling arises as I give the venerable top row of my vineyard its 90th annual pruning.

This row, the only one remaining of the original vineyard, contains varieties which have, for the most part, disappeared along with the old settlers who planted them. The Alicante Bouschets and Palominos, with their thick stumps scarred by years of pruning cuts, 1o0k down the hill over the young and vigorous second-generation vines of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, and must know that their days Talk to an old-timer in Bennett Valley and ask him about the past.

He may perhaps recall how the valley and hills were an almost continuous vineyard. Local historians remind us that by the 1880's there were about 4,000 acres of vines here. Now there is about onetenth that number. But look around you! Scores of acres are being planted each year, & the area now boasts two commercial wineries with two more scheduled for the near future.

I predict that soon Bennett Valley and Sonoma Mountain will be registered winegrowing areas, similar to the Napa Valley and Alexander Valley. A correctly designated viticultural area should develop wines with a character essentially common to all of them and distinguishable from those wines of other viticultural Wine authorities are beginning to recognize the outstanding characteristics of our grapes grown on the relatively temperate slopes and valleys of Bennett Valley and and wineries are paying top prices for the best of the local production.

But quality alone will not insure the growth (and indeed the preservation) of agThis can be achieved only through sensible planning and a county-wide commitment to preserve and encourage agricI look forward to the day when those hillside "checkerboards" will sprout new shoots, and the "Bennett Valley" and "Sonoma Mountain" appelations will reap the full crop of recognition that they are just now beginning to harvest.

Patrick Campbell

There'S Coal In Them There Hills...

A little over one hundred years ago (1877) great excitement abounded in this area as a ledge of coal was discovered in Cotate or Taylor Mountain. It held great promise as a successful venture for the coal which was taken from the mine proved to be unsurpassed in quality by any which had been found up to that time on the west coast.

It must be said that Pacific coal was inferior to Eastern coal, however, since Pacific coal was more of a lignite than a true coal. It burned into ashes more like wood than coal. However, for domestic and steam use, it served admirably. Several indications of coal deposits had been found in Sonoma County but none had been developed before some of the wealthiest Sonoma County citizens organized a company with "ample capital" to work the Taylor Mountain mine.

Robert A. Thompson, then editor of the Sonoma Democrat, wrote "There is every reason continued

William & Ruth Adams Terry L. Babineaux Renato & Beatrice Baculo Richard & Nancy Batson Walter Benson Fred & Carol Berger Francis & Clara Bond Gordon & Tammy Boultbee Kevin & Jill Butler Robert & Patricia Carro11 Patrick & Faith Campbell Jeannine Carniato Peter & Louise Castellano Ted Chamberlain Kay Clegg Myron & Sue Close Jacques & Janet Crapuchettes Lenn & Marcella Curley Robert & Elizabeth DeRopp Norman & Charlotte Dolan Ray and Carolyn Dowdy Grace E. Dumm Roger & Judy Dumm Marilyn K. Evans M.P. Evenson Yvette Marie Fallandy Oreste & Josee Ghilarducci Mrs. John F. Gibson Robert & Jean Gilardoni Duncan & Helga Gillies Steven & Carolyn Greenberg William & June Greer Ralph & Verley Gregerson Paul & Rita Hamilton Fred & Diane Hazlett Clifford Heimbucher Richard & Sandra Hensley Ann G. Hodder

Bennett Valley Homeowners Association

ROSTER June 1980 Donald G. Hoffman O.R. & Mary Lou Hopkin Darryl & Linda Huismann Chuck & Val Hurley Bill & Ruth Jacobs Norman & Norma Jacobson David Jacobson W.H. & G.E. Jackson A. & Grace Jaeger Ernest & Lorraine Keefer Joseph & Carolyn Keith Bruce & Phyllis Kimbel Ed & Bonnie Kreger Mr. & Mrs. Frank Krutak Barbara A. Kunz Frank & Marjorie Lange Jim & Verlene Leigh Leo Leggins Leon & Cordella Liddell Peggy Longman Ken & Barbara Maberry James W. Maize James & Mildred Mansfield J. & Michelle Martino Robert & Jessie Mastin Philip & Nellie May Kenneth & Leanore Mesches Donald & Sondra Meyer Samuel A. Mitchell Max & Dona Moberly H. Lee Morton II Paul & Margie Mowbray Sandra & Bill Maclver Lt. Col. & Mrs. Myron McClure Keith & Elizabeth McDaniel Royal & Betty McShea Michael & Adeene Nelligan George & Eleen Nicholas Richard & Marie Nottingham Frank Pennucci David & Dale Phillips John & Roberta Phillips George & Elaine Proctor Barbara Tanton Reid Lois M. Roberts Douglas & Mary Robertson Frank & Carole Robison Jim & Alice Ruhlman Richard & Karla Ruiz Jacques Schlumberger James & Lucia Schultz Ron & Jo Schultz J. Anna Settle Michael & Janet Shane E. Kent Sibbald Robert & Sharon Sorani Eugene & Adrienne Staggs Cole & Judy Stevens James & Marilyn Stocks John & Lena Taylor Robert & Jocelyn Thompson Jack & Cheryl Tolin Jane M. Turner Clarence & Anne Voigtlander Henry & Ingeborg Walker Warren & Marilyn Watkins Brent & Sally Welch II Larry & Rosemarie White C.A. & Berta Wiggins Randall Wilkes Adam & Constance Wolf Donald & Joan Wolf Judith & Anthony Wolff Bill & Sharon Zografos

There'S Coal In Them There Hills, Cont Ued

to believe we are on the eve of opening up a deposit of coal which will be more valuable than any gold mine in the state. Should coal be added to our products, it would soon put Sonoma County in 1st rank of manufacturing counties as it is now lst in wine, fruit, dairy, lumber, and other products of the soil. " Whatever happened...

Firehouse News

Approximately 650 persons were served at the June 8th Farmer's Breakfast sponsored by the Bennett Valley Volunteer Firemen. The $1500 netted by this event will be used to purchase new equipment for the Bennett Valley Fire Protection District. Many thanks to Chairman Mark Mattiuzzi, who organized the fund-raiser, the firemen who flipped the flapjacks, and all of the Valley residents who turned out to support the breakfast and make it a success!

If there are any corrections to the r ister, please advise 80 we can change our records. Thanks