Bennett Valley Voice

Bennett Valley

VOICE

Inside This Issue

Bennett Valley 2000 Study Groups

Bennett Valley Fire District News

Health Care Issues For Pets

Community Calendar

Design Review Committee Vacancies

Volume 28 Number Two April, 1999

We Welcome

YOUR PARTICIPATION

Bennett Valley 2000

Follow-Up Study Groups

At the four Bennett Valley 2000 follow-up meetings, beld on 2/6/99, 2/20/99, 3/6/99, and 3/20/99, the following study groups, organizations, and or individuals have been selected to pursue these particular issues/concerns/questions/recommendations further. Anyone interested in joining in to help with a particular issue is encouraged to contact the individual(s) or organization named.

I. Transportation/Circulation: 2/6/99

A. Bike/Pedestrian Lanes: Dean Linscott Chair, (546-2434) Anita Engberg, Bob Hasenick, & Monica Schwalbenberg-Pena. B. Road Definition- Collector vs. Local vs. Arterial: Marilee Jensen (576-0405) & Tamara Boultbee (584-8483). C. Increased Funding for Road Maintenance: Dan Felciano (525-0862) will write an article for the VOICE focusing on these issues.

D. Speed Control: Marilee Jensen (576-0405) to co-ordinate follow-up. (Spencer Humphries to follow up on finding out about purchasing speed trailers and the liability.)

I. Communication: 2/20/99

A. Communicating with Bennett Valley Design Review; to develop a 1/2 page description and summary of BVDR: Monica Schwalbenberg-Pena Chair (542-8107), Bobbie Blair, Marilyn Stocks. Tamara Boultbee & Roger Creer will serve as BVDR resources. B. Communicating with Agencies: 1) Create a Directory of phone numbers and e-mail addresses for all county, local, and state agencies; and for both the BHA & BVDR Boards: Norm Dolan (546-3451), Judy Simpson & Lee Babineaux. 2) Bennett Valley's need for a community room or building for all community meetings: Dean Linscott Chair, (546-2434), Bill & Patty Allen, Scott Michael, Foster Beigler, Marilee Jensen, & Matt Phillips. 3) Annual Bennett Valley 2000 meeting: BHA Board of Directors.

C. Communication with The Bennett Valley Fire Department: Nancy Dell'Ergo Chair (525-1202), Bill Allen, Suzanne Dougherty, Marilee Jensen, Ray Longman, & Marilyn Stocks.

I. Land Use: 3/6/99

A. Agriculture Study Group: Steve Ribeau Chair (579-0338), Norm Dolan, Matt Phillips, & Rosemarie White. B. Water Study Group: John Votruba Chair, (523-3415), Patty Gundry, Marty McDonough, Andrea Wills. C. Commercial Development & Code Enforcement: Norm Dolan Chair (546-3451), Rosemarie White. (continued on next page)

(continued from page one This group is especially interested in soliciting participation from other Valley residents concerned about this issue.

Iv. Open Space & Scenic Corridors:

3/20/99 A. Open Space: Sally Weare Chair (527-6002), Diane Hichwa, Carol Hasenick, Chris Wills, Judy Temko, Liz Landreth, Marilee Jensen, & Lolly Mesches. B. Bennett Valley Area Plan; including Bennett Valley Development Guidelines & Bennett Valley Design Review Committee: 1) Availability to public: Liz Landreth (544-2960) 2) Informing real estate agents when "For Sale" signs go up for homes or when they appear in Multiple Listings: Lois Brown 3) Identification of a Bennett Valley telephone number with an answering machine and an e-mail address for timely response to Bennett Valley issues, concerns, and questions: BHA Board of Directors.

C. Sonoma County Permit and Resource Management Department: Ongoing communication with Greg Carr, Manager, Environmental & Comprehensive Planning Division: Rosemarie White (528-9965)

Report Of The Bennett Valley Community

Room Study Group

The above study group consisting of Bill & Patty Allen, Foster Beigler, Anita Engberg, Marilee Jensen, Matt Phillips, & Dean Linscott (chair met recently. They concluded that there was an important need for a separate meeting place in Bennett Valley other than the Fire Station and the Grange Hall. This Community Room would be available for meetings of the various community organizations without interfering with Fire Station activities and personnel.

The committee hereby solicits comments from Bennett Valley residents as to other potential uses for such a community room, and suggestions as how to fund its construction. Please send your comments and suggestions to Dean Linscott, 4877 Grange Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.

Openings For The Bv Design Review Committe

There are currently several openings on the Bennett Valley Design Review Committee. Members are appointed by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. Design Review consists of five members plus one alternate serving 5 year terms. Applicants must be residents of the Bennett Valley Specific Plan area, but do not necessarily have to be members of the Bennett Valley Homeowners' Association. At least two members should have professional training in architecture, landscape architecture, site planning, engineering, or similar fields. At least one member should be a rancher or farmer.

The position of Alternate Member has been created by the Board of Supervisors to insure that the Design Review Committee has the benefit of a full five member committee. The Alternate Member position shall be filled by a rancher/farmer, planner, engineer, or similar professional. This member may vote on items before the committee when one or more of the regular members are not in attendance Design Review meets every second and fourth Wednesday at the Bennett Valley Firehouse at 7:00 PM. Any residents who are interested in serving on this committee and feel they have the qualifications, should contact Supervisor Mike Cale's office. His number is 527-2241.

Community Calendar

The Bennett Valley Homeowners Meets The 3Rd

Wednesday Of Every Month At 7:30 At The Firehouse

The Design Review Committee Meets The 2Nd And 4Th

Wednesday Of Each Month Beginning At 7:00 Pm At The

Firehouse. Items Need To Be On The Agenda. Contact

Chairperson Tamara Boultbee At 584-8483.

The Bennett Valley Fire Protection District Meets The 2Nd

Tuesday Of Each Month At 7:00 Pm At The Firehouse.

The Board Of Supervisors Meets Every Tuesday Except On

Weeks When There Is A Holiday. Information Can Be Found

AT WWW.SONOMA/COUNTY.ORG

Upcoming Events

For Your Information

Debra Watts, Manager of the Sonoma County Code Enforcement Division is a great person to bounce questions off of regarding County Codes. This division covers everything from building codes to health and safety code issues. The County phone number is (707)527-1923.

Grange Annu

SPAGHETTI DINNER--

Saturday, April 24Th

Pancake Breakfas

Sunday, April 25Th

Bennett Valley Fire

7:00 Am To 1:00 Pm

Grange/Bvfpd Fire

Prevention Night And

Ice Cream Social!

Friday, April 16Th

Clean Up Bennett

Valley Day!!!

Remember Saturday, May Ist! Meet at the BV Firehouse at 8:00AM. Coffee & donuts will be served Please bring heavy duty gloves for protection. Bennett Valley Homeowners' Association Board of Directors Bill Sullivan, President (528-6804) Ray Longman, Vice-president (545-2054) Nancy Dell'Ergo, Treasurer (525-1202) Leanore Mesches, Corresponding Secretary (545-8684) Eve Boling, Recording Secretary (573-8614) Kent Chilcott Roger Creer (584-5199) Jim Katon (528-9487) Marilyn Stocks (528-2458) The BHA now holds its elections by mail.

All candidates must submit a brief statement with a biography and their reasons for running. Candidate statements will be published in the Fall issue of the VOICE, There are three seats up for election this Fall; if any resident is interested in running, please contact Bill Sullivan.

Bennett Valley Voice

Bennett Valley Homeowners

ASSOC.

P.O. Box 2666

Santa Rosa, Ca 95405

99

Norm & Eve Boling

2769 Rollo Rd.

Santa Rosa Ca

95404

Bennett Valley

Grange'S Annual

Spaghetti Dinner

Serving traditional red, pesto, and vegetarian sauces, fresh cooked pasta, salad, garlic bread, beverage, and more!

Saturday April 24Th

5-8PM $6 Adults $3 Children

All Community Residents, Their

FAMILIES,

And Friends Are Cordially

INVITED

Bennett Valley Grange/Bvfpd Fire Prevention Night

On Friday evening, April 16th, at 7:00 The Bennett Valley Fire staff, pm, the Bennett Valley Grange will volunteers, and their families are host an Ice Cream Social to honor the looking forward to this event and Bennett Valley Fire Protection District's the opportunity to meet and commitment to our community. This socialize with each of you. Please event will begin with an informal mark your calendars and plan on gathering among residents of the attending.

community, the Fire District staff, and To assure an ample supply of volunteers and their families. The goodies, please be sure to call Bennett Valley Grange will provide ahead of time (preferably by April the refreshments which will include 12th) to let us know how many are ice cream, desserts, coffee, tea, and planning to attend. You can call juices.

one of the numbers below: Following the informal gathering, the Bill Allen (544-3721) Bennett Valley Fire District personnel Jim Alfieri (528-7954) will make a presentation on Fire Marilee Jensen (576-0405) Prevention for the upcoming fire season which will include information for home safety measures. Thanks much. We look forward to seeing you on April 16tb!

Summary Of Changes & Communication With The Bennett

VALLEY FIRE STATION (AS OF MARCH, 1999)By Marilee Jensen When reporting a fire or any other emergency in at 578-7761 or 823-1084 or on his e-mail at Bennett Valley, immediately call 911. <kreynols@firedept.net> 578-7761--This continues to be the number for Greg Martin, Bennett Valley Battalion ChiefBennett Valley Fire Station. When you call this -His pager number is 491-2335, and his e-mail is number during the work week from 8AM to 5PM, <gmartin@firedept.net>. Chief Martin is "On you will reach Gold Ridge Fire Station in Call" ten days a month for both Bennett Valley Sebastopol, where a secretary is available to and Gold Ridge. He also does administrative answer the phone. The Gold Ridge office will work at the Bennett Valley Fire Station respond to any questions about fires in Bennett frequently through out the month as well as on Valley, Bennett Valley Fire Station, Bennett Valley occasion at the three Gold Ridge Fire Stations.

Homeowners' Association, and Bennett Valley Design Review. After business hours and on the week-end, this phone number will not roll over to Gold Ridge and will ring at the Bennett Valley. 578-8471-- This is direct to Bennett Valley; it does not roll over to Gold Ridge. While the Bennett Valley Fire Station is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the station crews may be out on an emergency or special project.

Rick Delucchi & Dan George- - Battalion Chiefs employed by Gold Ridge but who are "On Call" ten days each a month for both Fire Districts. Whichever of these two Battalion Chiefs is "on call", reports to the Bennett Valley Fire Station each day, and also might be doing administrative work at Bennett Valley.

Kent Reynolds, Fire Chief, Bennett Valley Fire Protection District & Gold Ridge Fire Protection District. During the work week, he can be reached

Volunteer Fighters Needed

Kent Reynolds, Fire Chief Due to the demographics of the valley, we have seen a change in the makeup of our volunteer firefighting force. The large majority of the volunteers actually live within the city's boundaries. This is caused by the lack of affordable housing within the fire district.

When a 911 call is made in Bennett Valley, the Bennett Valley Fire volunteers and Fire District paid staff answer initially. The Battalion Chiefs and/or Fire Chief also respond unless they are told a chief officer is not needed But this is not enough. I know we have able bodied people in the community that would be willing to train long hours, work under extremely strenuous conditions both physically and mentally with only personal satisfaction as pay.

The fire district has recently started a firefighting explorer post for young people to get involved in the fire department and hopefully move up to a volunteer firefighter position; they are commonly called our farm club. What we are looking for is a person 28 years of age or older, in good physical condition, able to commit two Tuesday nights per month for training and to respond to an emergency when necessary. This is not for everyone, but if you are interested, please drop by the fire station and pick up an informational pamphlet.

Health Care Issues For

Bennett Valley Pets

Heartworm Disease In Cats

By Deborah Hodesson, DVM & Avra Tracht, DVM After many years of providing veterinary care for pets in Bennett Valley, we have identified certain health issues specific to this area. We appreciate the opportunity the Homeowners' Association has given us to keep you appraised of situations that affect your pets. In keeping with our commitment to preventative health care and client education regarding the the health of your pets, we at Bennett Valley Veterinary Clinic would like to provide you with information regarding heartworm disease.

As many of you know, heartworm, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, is a threat to all dogs in Sonoma County. Thus it is recommended that your dogs receive monthly heartworm preventative medicine called Heartgard. It is an extremely safe, effective dosage of the de-wormer Ivermectin.

Until recently heartworm disease was rarely seen in cats. The worms usually prefer the canines as hosts. It is commonly found in the wild population of foxes and coyotes. Also, with so much rain during El Nino, the population of mosquitoes greatly increased. As well, the influx of animals from outside the county has brought more potential for the heartworm. As a result of this increase in mosquitoes and hosts, we are discovering cases of feline heartworm.

The heartworm is a long slender white parasite that literally lives inside the heart. It is transmitted by mosquitoes that can fly up to a two mile radius. When an infected mosquito bites through the skin of animals, the larva penetrate into the tissues and begin to travel through the body.

The larva find their way to the heart where they grow into adulthood. This journey takes up to six months. If a male and a female are present, they produce "babies" called microfilaria. These microfilaria are shed into the bloodstream. When a mosquito then bites this animal, it picks up the "babies" with its' blood meal, and the cycle begins anew.

In the cat, the heartworm is less prolific but more damaging. Often, the life cycle of the worm is abnormal, causing adult worms to attach in various organs as well as in the heart. Due to the small size of a cat heart, even one worm can cause tremendous damage.

Heartworm disease in the cat is extremely difficult to diagnose and dangerous to treat. The symptoms may include vomiting, coughing, asthma-like respiratory signs, or sudden death. Due to the increased risk to our feline patients and the undesirable outcome of the disease, it is now advisable to give cats, as well as dogs, monthly preventative medicine.

Feline Heartgard is now available for you. Testing for the disease first with a simple blood test is recommended, especially those cats with any history of the above symptoms. To obtain Heartgard, a prescription is required We hope this is helpful in understanding heartworm disease. Feel free to call if you have any questions. Thank you.

Drs. Tracht & Hodesson can be reached at 525-9445