Bennett Valley Voice
March, 1997 - Facsimile from OCR text
Bennett Valley Homeowners'
Bennett Valley
VOICE
Bennett Valley Homeowners'
Association Volume 20, Number One March, 1997
A Message From The President
As I write this during the early morning hours, the sun is slowly reaching into the Valley and I am once again struck by the beauty of Bennett Valley and how fortunate and privileged we are to live here. Were it not for those few people who many years ago had the foresight to start our Association to save our Valley from overdevelopment, and those people who worked long and hard on the area plan, we would not have this wonderful place to live in and to enjoy.
Rumors abound in the Valley concerning everything from golf courses, additions to Annadel, increased densities, trailheads for the ridge trails , widening roads for bike paths, and freeway size bridges just to name a few...Some of these have no substance, at least nothing has been formally proposed, and some are, in fact, ongoing situations your board is currently working on with local officials. Through the Voice we will attempt to keep you abreast of what is happening that will affect us all. I would encourage all of you to attend an occasional meeting to bring up your concerns regarding the Valley or feel free to contact any of the Board members.
The Valley is today a real example of what can be accomplished by people working together to preserve an area that combines residences and agriculture side by side, and still maintain its scenic beauty for all to enjoy. Working together we can continue in the preservation of our Valley to the satisfaction of the majority of the residents; it will not be easy and not without some compromises, but as a community, we must work on it.
When your Association discusses any problems with government officials, they are always interested in how large our membership is so they can gauge the political clout we have. Needless to say, the more members, the more clout. So, why not take the time and make out that membership renewal check now while it is on your mind. We need your support in order to effectively represent the Valley.
Bill Sullivan
WILD TURKEYS (Meleagris gallopavo) For the last several years sightings of Wild Turkeys in Bennett Valley have been reported more and more frequently. Where did these Turkeys come from? The Wild Turkey was never native to Sonoma County. However, efforts to establish a wild population in Northern California be gan as early as 1911. That attempt failed. After that, the Fish and Game Commission tried to establish a population from game farmraised birds which came from Arizona stock. These attempts were also unsuccessful.
Finally in the 1970's, wild birds trapped in Texas were introduced into Northern California, and these birds survived and bred. The Turkeys we see in Bennett Valley come from this Texas stock. By 1980, birds were spotted at Hopland, and by 1986 near Geyserville. Now there have been frequent sightings of the Wild Turkey near agricultural areas and gently rolling oak woodlands throughout the county.
Here in Bennett Valley there is at least one large flock of between twenty or thirty birds which routinely leaves Annadel Park on Bennett Ridge and wanders around that neighborhood. The clucking and gobbling of the flock can uaually be heard in the very early hours of the morning when the birds head out to search for food.
This year chicks were spotted with several hens in a back yard on Rollo Rd. up on the Ridge. Wild Turkeys have been seen in other parts of Bennett Valley,but whether this is a different flock or whether this is the same flock wandering over a wide range is not known.
Wild Turkeys like oak woodlands or pine-oak forests, so this area is a perfect habitat for them They forage mostly on the ground in the HOWDY PARDNER!! first few hours at dawn after leaving their tree roost, and then again during the last few hours before sunset. Turkeys scratch in the ground or in leaf litter for seeds, nuts, and acorns which are their staple food. They will also eat insects, lizards, snakes, and frogs.
These large birds have also been spotted visiting birdfeeders and birdbaths. Wild Turkeys nest on the ground, and lay between ten and twelve eggs which are laid directly on the ground or on top of leaves. There is a gobbling season in the Spring During this time, the gobbling is much more prevalent and can be heard as far as a mile away. The male is gobbling to attract hens to open spaces so that he can put on a strutting display for them The male can be as large as twenty pounds. The female is much smaller at about ten pounds. Turkeys can live as long as ten years.
At the time the tirst Europeans came to North America, there were as many as ten million birds in what is now the United States. The population was decimated when settlers wiped out the Turkey's habitat. As in California, the Wild Turkey has been reintroduced in many parts of the country. Now the birds are making a comeback in much of their range, and it is estimated there might be as many as two million birds in the United States.
Board Of Directors
Bill Sullivan Ray Longman Nancy Dell'Ergo Eve Boling President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Directors Nancy Batson Roger Creer Marilyn Stocks Jim Katon
Board Vacancy
There is at the present time an opening on the BHA Board. This vacancy has occurred because of the resignation of one of the directors. If anyone is interested in serving on the Board for the remainder of this three year term, please contact Bill Sullivan at P.O. Box 2666, Santa Rosa, CA 05405.
P.O. Collection Box
Several residents have inquired if it would be possible to have a Post Office collection box installed in Bennett Valley. If one were available, people would not have to go into town to post mail. Also there have been robberies of mail in the Valley, and this would give residents another option for posting their mail.
According to Jeff Lelepich, Postmaster, a box could be installed here, and the best location he feels would be the firehouse. However, he needs requests from Bennett Valley residents asking for a collection box. So if you think this would be a good idea, send a letter requesting a collection box to Postmaster Lelepich, Santa Rosa, 05404. The more requests the better!
Thank You For Your
SUPPORT! The Bennett Valley Volunteer Firefighters, the Bennett Valley Fire District, and the Board of Directors would like to thank all of the residents who voted for Measure C. The continued support of your Fire District is greatly appreciated. Wells Wagner, Director MEETINGS The BHA Board meets the third Wednesday of every month, 7:30 PM at the Fire Station.
We would like to encourage your attendance; your participation is always welcome. You're Invited
Bennett Valley Grange
Open House
Sunday, April 13th, 1-4 PM Come learn what the Grange is and why the Bennett Valley Grange has existed for 127 years! See 4-H displays; plants for sale; Grange memorabilia and stories; Sonoma County Sheriff's Bomb Squad Demo. Refreshments will be served.
Let Us "Show-Off" For You!
BENNETT VALLEY VOICE BULK RATE
U.S. Postage Paid
Santa Rosa, Ca
Permit No. 945
Bennett Valley
Homeowners Assoc.
P.O. Box 2866 Santa Rosa, CA 95405
April 16,1997
The Sonoma County Permit & Resource Management
DEPARTMENT
Jane Soloman-Mcgee, Director, And Other
Department Heads Will Speak At The Bha Board
MEETING