Bennett Valley Voice

VOLUME 5 Number 3

Memo From The Board

Well, here we are, well into summer-even if summer weather hasn't arrived yet. We'd like to bring you up to date on items we've brought to your attention. 1. 7129 Bennett Valley Road. This lot solit was approved by the P.R.A.C. members with numerous conditions. However the Poard felt that hecause the problems of slope stability, etc. of the proposed roadway had not been sufficiently addressed, the necessary supportive studies had not heen provided and the problem of the erroneous zoning had not been resolved, the approval should be appealed to the Planning Commission. An appeal was filed and the hearing before the Planning Commission held on June 17, 1982. Their decision was to uphold the appeal - and deny the subdivision without prejudice. (Without prejudice means the applicant can submit a new plan within a vear's time.) We have just received notice that Mr. Neal, the applicant, has filed an appeal of the Planning Commission's decision. This will go before the Foard of Supervisors; however, no date has heen set.

2. The proposed change in Fire Protection Boundaries. The Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on June 29, 1982, on the LAFCO approval of the transfer of portions of Pressley Road and 3 parcels on PetaLuma Hill Road from the Bennett Valley to the Penngrove Fire Protection District.

This hearing was continued to JULY 27 at 2•15 P.M. so that Supervisor Adams could collect more information from all Bennett Valley Fire Protection District residents. LAFCO spokesman, Jim Moore, informed the Board of Supervisors that a protest petition needed to he submitted and that at least 25% of the area affected by the change needed to register a protest. Apparently noone was aware of this requirement before the hearing. Therefore, it is our understanding, Supervisor Adams plans to send out a survey to BVFPD residents to met their feelings on whether this change BENNETT VALLEY VOICE

Bennett Valley Homeowners Association

July, 1982

Board Of Directors

1981-82 President Vice-President Secretary/Treasurer Tamara Boultbee Nancy Batson Barbara Maberry Ted Chamberlain Max Moberly Bill Jacobs Paul Mowbray Sam Mitchell Warren Watkins ... . . ........ is warranted. It is very important to the welfare of the Bennett Valley Fire Protection District that you respond!

You may recall from our April newsletter, that your board of directors took a stand in opposition to the transfer. Essentially, our reasons are that the change does not improve the fire protection to the area proposed for detachment due to the similar response times between Penngrove's closest sub-station and Fennett Valley's main station plus the fact that there is already a mutual aid pact hetween the two districts.

However, the loss of revenue is significant as far as the Bennett Valley FPD is concerned and it would be detrimenta to the continuation of good fire protection as is now afforded Bennett Valley residents. WE URGE ALL MEMBERS, even if you've already called or written, TO RESPOND TO SUPERVISCR ADAMS' SURVEY!

Don't forget! .....

Dairies In

Bennett Valley?

In previous newsletter articles we have written about early agricultural pursuits in the Bennett Valley area. There were the vast acreages of vineyards around the turn of the century which were destroyed by disease and subsequently removed. Only recently have grapes made a significant comeback here uging pest-resistant varieties.

Even more recently, as has been reported, wineries have been established. But the question of what happened agriculturally here between the two wine grape booms has

dairies, con'a. 2 not been addressed. well, a little talk and research has revealed that many farm and ranch efforts had their day in and around the valley. In the early 1900's there was some timbering. Also, apple, pear, and walnut orchards were planted during these years, and substantial numbers of turkeys and sheep were raised.

Most of these activities are now minimal or non-existent. Additionally, our dairies are gone. It was somewhat surprising to me to discover that the dairy industry, which thrived in the 1930-1960 years, was probably the most dominant single purpose business ever to locate here! In fact, at one time there were in excess of 13 grade A dairies (processed into milk) and 9 grade B dairies (processed into cheese, etc) in the area stretching from the city of Santa Rosa to Enterprise Road and between Bennett Peak and Pressley Road. There was the Sartori dairy near the Bennett Valley market, the Dedekam dairy at the golf course, the Mitchell brothers dairy at Matanzas Creek dam, and the Gambonini, Carithers dairy where the landmark white Carithers home stands today. Up the valley, the LaFranconi dairy is now Matanzas Creek Winery and vineyard, the Walker dairy was across from the Woodside development, and the Jacobs and Burnside dairies were in the center of the valley behind walker's.

south was the Raffo brothers dairy on Enterprise road. The, remaining grade A dairies •included the Orr dairy along Pressley Road, the Guenza brothers operation at the end of Guenza Road (of course!), the Rucker dairy nearby, and the Moller dairy on Crane Canyon Road.

This completes the loop around the valley. The numerous grade B dairy operations sold their product for cheese making or used it in animal feed. These dairies were largely located along Grange Road or off Bennett Valley Road. You might ask "why did all these dairies locate in Bennett Valley?" or "What happened to all the dairies?".

First, I am told, the region was chosen because of its good climate, plentiful water, abundant feed, well-drained s011 and proximity to markets in Santa Rosa, Marin, and San Francisco. Milk trucks from Petaluma Co-op (Clover), Golden state (later Foremost), Stornetta, Marin Dell, Bordens, and Safeway were regular sights here, originally taking the milk in the familiar 10 gallon galvanized cans and later hauling it off in stainless steel tanker trucks. Of all the dairies in operation, only the Walker dairy chose to process its milk and deliver it locally to stores and homes.

Remember the refillable glass milk bottles at your doorstep? The closure of the Mitchell brothers and Jacobs dairies in the early 1960's ended the industry here. Larger, more modern dairies were in operation in the San Joaquin Valley. Land and feed costs had increased when the region became popular for homesites, horses, grapes, and golfing. Labor costs became prohibitive when automatic milkers and new barn designs came into use.

Poor health of some long-time dairymen forced them to shut down, and large ranches were divided into smaller ones. 8 Some of the cattle herds we see today in Bennett Valley are reminders of the once dominant industry • The dairy herds included Jersey, Guernsey, and Holstein.

Each dairyman had his favorite breed. Some said the Holstein gave the most milk but with lower milkfat. Others liked the Jersey because of its high fat content, but it yielded fewer gallons. Guernsey, I was told, was a compromise but had potential breeding problems.

Other remnants of the dairy era are still visible. Some of the lakes and ponds we see along the roads today were created to service the massive needs for water by dairies. Structures that are visible include the Matanzas Creek Winery which was a former milk barn. Other milk barns have become nice homes as evidenced at the old Rucker dairy, now a veal operation. The milk barn on the Jacobs ranch remains untouched since the last cow walked out in the early 1960's.

Barns on the Carithers, Mitchell, and Guenza properties are still standing. Look for these reminders of dairy prominance on your way through the valley. ..warren watkins.... In closing--our annual election meeting will be coming up in Octoberyou might want to circle the 3rd Wednesday now. We will be reminding you again before the meeting.

Have a safe & happy summer!

w. 0. & Ruth Adams Ed & Gail Akamine G. Aldridge James & Janet Alfieri Mr. & Mrs. John F. Azevedo Mr. & Mrs. Terry Babineaux Mr. & Mrs. R. J. Raculo Mr. & Mrs. F. W. Bartlett Nancy & Richard Ratson Bennett Valley Farm Bruce & Virginia Benson Mr. & Mrs. Fred Berger Mr. & Mrs. John Bertram Norm & Eve Boling Gordon & Tamara Boultbee Jan & Al Frutocao Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Buck Faith & Patrick Campbell Jeannine Carniato Robert & Patricia Carroll Mr. & Mrs. G. R. Chamberlain Mr. & Mrs • Ted Chamberlain Mr. & Mrs. H. H. Christensen Mel & Nancy Clarke Myron B. & Sue Close James & Margaret Coops Nilliam & Joan Costello Mr. & Mrs. Jacques Crapuchettes Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Cuneo B. J. & J. P. Dayton J. E. Destruel David C. Detrick Mr. & Mrs. Norman E. Dolan Ray & Carolyn Dowdy Grace E. Dumm Melvin T. & Helen E. Ehlers Norine M. Elledge Suzanne Emrich Marilyn K. Evans Yvette Fallandy Leonard & Bertha Fillmore James R. Fatland Richard Frahm Josee M. Ghilarducci Duncan & Helga Gillies James & Barbara Grant William & June Greer Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Gregerson Henry & Joyce Gronroos Thomas & Nancy Gross Walt & Carol Guanella Paul & Rita Hamilton Paul G. & Shirley I. Hannon Stephen & Mary Harper Doug & Sylvia Havemann Fred & Diane Hazlett Clifford V. Heimbucher Dick & Sandy Hensley

Bennett Valley Homeowners Association

July 1982 Ms. Ann Hodder L. B. Holloway O. P. & Mary Lou Hopkin Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Horgan Darryl & Linda Huismann Weldon & Gladys Jackson Bill & Ruth Jacobs Norman F. Jacobson Louis & Ruth Jaroslovsky Noral K. Jefferson Ron & Marcia Johns Jon & Betty Joslyn Ernest & Lorraine Keefer Joseph & Carolyn Keith Frank W. Kimper Fred & Penny King Mr. & Mrs. Clint Koch Mr. & Mrs. Edward T. Kreger Mr. & Mrs. Frank Krutak Barbara Kunz Frank & Marjorie Lange Rudy & Pat Lapera Paul & Maureen Larson Leo Leggins Jim & Verlene Leih Mr. & Mrs. Harold S. Levenson Mr. & Mrs. W. H. Loving Raymond & Peggy Longman William Morris McCarty Myron & Ann McClure Mr. & Mrs. Keith McDaniel Martin & 01ga McDonough Royal E. & Betty McShea Barbara & Ken Maberry Bill & Sandra MacIver Millie Mansfield Mr. & Mrs. Brian L. Marcar Larry & Joan Maroni Glenn Martinez James & Michele Martino Robert H. & Jessie Mastin Kenneth & Leanore Mesches Mr. & Mrs. Sam Mitchell Max & Dona Moberly Dr. & Mrs. S. L. Monroe June Mow Paul & Margie Mowbray Bill & Nancy Murray Michael F. & Adeena Nelligan Mr. & Mrs. George Nicholas Doug & Pat Noren Frank P. Pennucci Mr. & Mrs. Raymond L. Petersen Dale & David Phillips George & Margie Phillips Jack & Roberta Phillips Mr. & Mrs. Charles Quibell Barbara T. Reid John & Jean Richardson Mr. & Mrs. Kent Richmond Dr. Lois M. Roberts Douglas & Mary Agnes Robertson Frank & Carole Robison Douglas & Rollandine Rorick Richard & Karla Ruiz Mr. & Mrs. Jim Saitone Mr. & Mrs. David Sandine Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Savio Jacques & Sande Schlumberger Lucia & James Schultz Mr. & Mrs. Ron Schultz Robert Seisums, M.D.

J. Anna Settle Philip & Linda Sevier Mr. & Mrs. Michael Shane Tom & Mary Sh-rpe Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Shuitz Mr. & Mrs. E. Kent Sibbald Richard & Mary Sibbet Stan & Karen Sommer Rob & Sharon Sorani Eugene & Adrienne Staggs Bill & Kathy Stambaugh Mr. & Mrs. Edward Steensland Dave Steiner Clay Stephens Philip Fay Stevenson James & Marilyn Stocks Phil & Judy Temko Robert D. Thompson Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Thompson Jim & Linda Thorpe Dwight & Clarice B. Tipton Jack & Cheryl Tolin B. J. Tripp Mr. & Mrs. John F. Trowbridge Jane M. Turner Robert & Beverly Turner Mrs. William L. Velasquez Views Land Company Mr. & Mrs. C. R. Voigtlander Mr. & Mrs. Rolland Von Stroh John & Terry Votruba Mr. & Mrs. Harry L. Walker George M. & Anne Waller Ervin L. & Vera Watkins Warren & Marilyn Watkins Brent & Sally Welch Mr. & Mrs. Larry White Mr. & Mrs. Sam White Mr. & Mrs. J. Winset Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Q. Winter Mr. & Mrs. Adam Wolf Mr. & Mrs. Donald E. Wolf Judy & Tony Wolff Dave & Sue Zedrick Mr. & Mrs. Bill Zografos