Bennett Valley Voice

Bennett Valley VOICE

Volume 25, Number 3

Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association (BVHA) Inside This Issue Supporting our BV Firefighters A Barn Worth Saving BHA's Tentative Agenda, 5/15/02 BHA Board & Membership Share the Road BV Community Calendar Silent Auction Flier BHA Board Meetings Report Emergency Address-Sign Order Forms BV Fire Board & BV Explorer Report MAY, 2002

Who Are Our Bennett Valley Firefighters?

What Can They Do For Us?

What Can We Do For Them?

We now have three paid firefighting engineers been trained to assess possible injury or a who work 24-hour shifts at the Bennett Valley health crisis, and, as needed, provide immediate Fire Station. Their names are Jason Mallory, response to stop bleeding, administer CPR, or Jimmy Gloeckner and Trevor Galeazzi and one give oxygen or glucose for diabetic coma or of them is on duty at all times.

shock. Also important, they are equipped with and can operate a heart defibrillator, a proven All three of them have had many years of lifesaver in many instances. experience, first as Fire Explorers in high school, and then as volunteer firefighters prior to becoming paid full-time firefighting engineers working for us. Jason and Trevor were both raised in Bennett Valley and have done their volunteer work primarily here. Trevor's father was a Captain with the Bennett Valley Volunteer Firefighters for many years. Jimmy was raised in the Gold Ridge Fire District area, where his father and two brothers also have worked for years as volunteer firefighters. Both of Jimmy's WHAT CAN WE DO FOR THEM? Jason, Jimmy or Trevor are on duty for 24 hours at a time from 7am to 7am. Their work schedule averages 56 hours a week throughout the year, although they are not paid any overtime. In fact, Bennett Valley Fire can only afford to pay these highly qualified firefighters $8.90 per hour which is less than any other fire district in the area. Is this the right way to recognize their high commitment, extensive training and ongoing efforts to protect us?

brothers are presently employed as firefighters for other larger more active fire districts. Over the last eight to ten years Jason, Jimmy, and Trevor have each received extensive training both as firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Each of them also holds the special driver's license qualifying them to drive a fire engine.

WHAT CAN THEY DO FOR US? In addition to their fire protection responsibilities, their EMT certifications are of critical importance, since 48% of the district's responses are for medical and vehicle aid. Our firefighters can arrive at our emergency situations more quickly than anyone else, and they provide life-saving services while awaiting ambulance arrival. As EMT's, they have Our well-trained firefighting volunteers are an additional and essential part of this team. To assure the most rapid response to emergencies, we ask at least two volunteers to sleep over at the station every night from 5 pm to 7 am. These volunteers also must participate in the same 140 hours of stringent training each year required for our full-time firefighters. In addition to their professional responsibilities, they work ceaselessly to help raise funds for our Fire District's needs. These volunteers agreeing to sleep over do NOT receive help with their meal costs or other financial incentives from Bennett Valley Fire District, as is provided by other Fire Districts.

We need your assistance to provide better support for our Bennett Valley Firefighters!

Supporting Our Bv Firefighters

Frequently Asked Questions by Mike Hickey, Friends of BV Fire Protection District A number of our neighbors throughout the valley have hosted meetings in their homes for other neighbors to discuss our rescue and fire protection services, and why there are growing concerns that our future services may be affected by limited funding. In those meetings some questions have come up repeatedly, so we are sharing them here because they seem to be of broad general interest.

Are we seeing the quality of service decline for our rescue and fire protection? Absolutely not! We have a highly committed and well-trained group of firefighters who are performing at a high professional level. We are concerned about assuring this level of service for our future protection.

Are we moving away from volunteers to protect us? No, just the opposite. Several of our concerned neighbors are looking for ways to reinforce our volunteer program and have put forth ideas to encourage retaining and motivating our volunteer firefighters. The BV Volunteer Firefighter Association members are unanimous in their support for the proposals being made.

is giving more taxes to the government a good solution to help fund our rescue and fire protection? The special tax increase being considered is dedicated solely to our Bennett Valley Fire Protection District and cannot be siphoned off by any other political unit. There is a legal "fire-wall" that assures 100% of our funds stay in our own district for our own benefit.

How will we decide if Bennett Valley residents want to increase their special taxes for this protection? The Friends of Bennett Valley Fire Protection District are hoping to contact each of the 1700+ registered voters covered by the Bennett Valley Fire Protection District, to explain the situation and get voters' response to increasing this special tax.* If the responses show enough support for this increase then it is expected our elected members on the BV Fire Protection District Board will put this matter on the general election ballot in November.

Once it is on the ballot, then two-thirds of us in this district, who vote either at the polls or as absentee voters, can implement this needed funding increase. *Please call 576-0405, if you haven't been contacted yet, to find out how you can attend a meeting and/or receive the hand-outs.

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Bennett Valley Tidbits

• Photographers and Artists The 2003 Bennett Valley Calendar is waiting for your entries. We accept slides, prints and photos of artwork depicting our unique, beautiful valley. This will be our 4* edition. Let's make it the best An entry form is included in this issue of the VOICE. Forms are also available on our web site: <bennettvalleyhomeowners.org> and at the Bennett Valley Fire Station.

• Would You Like To Have Your Home Evaluated For Fire Safety? If so, please contact the BV Firefighting Engineers (Jason Mallory, Jimmy Gloeckner or Trevor Galeazzi) at the Fire Station or by calling them at 578-8471. They have offered this service recently at our neighborhood meetings. Also, if you're willing to let them use your home for a training drill (on a Tuesday evening) give them a call. When the Bennett Valley firefighters have increased familiarity with your home, it may increase the protection you will receive in an emergency.

• Be Sure Your Home Can Be Located Easily In An Emergency. To do that you should have an Explorer's Address sign on the street in front of your home, as well as immediately in front of your home, if there is more than one home on same driveway. An order form is on page 7.

• As mentioned previously, we are writing an article for the VOICE about the life of the late Ruth Jamison Jacobs and her many years in Bennett Valley. We are in the process of obtaining information about her from family and friends. Please call Marilyn Stocks (528-2458) if you have some information about Ruth Jacobs which you'd like to share.

• Lack Of Funding Forces Partial Closings At Fire Stations. On Thursday, April 25th, 2002, the Press Democrat reported that two fire stations in South Lake County will be closed two days a week, because no money is available to fully staff them with two full-time firefighters, as required by CDF. Only 63% of those voting in that district voted for that special tax - not quite the needed 2/3's, so it didn't pass. Even worse, only 38% of those registered actually VOTED! Are you ready to get out to vote for the special tax increase needed to maintain the excellent rescue and fire protection which we have in Bennett Valley?

"A Barn Worth Saving"

Some Historical Notes by Melissa Masters All roads to Bennett Valley are scenic drives, but the most heartwarming approach is from the west. Winding •and picturesque, the Bennett Valley Road slips through nearby hills on both sides where vineyard and peaceful livestock dot the landscape. Nothing in Bennett Valley, once called Yulupa Valley, was contrived to lure and delight visitors. To some people it is fascinating, and fascination with the place lends to curiosity about the past, of lives lived here in these friendly hills of Bennett Valley.

The pioneers of Bennett Valley brought with them a strong sense of history and its value to posterity that still resonates in the Valley. One such pioneer has gifted to our history a beautiful and rich legacy that still can be seen today... The pioneer was Dana Boardman Bremner and the gift is a barn - a barn worth saving In the late 1800's, Mr. Dana B. Bremner settled in the valley with his wife Mary, their son Olney (who later became the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner) and Dana's brother, James, a carpenter by trade. Dana Bremner purchased 21 acres on the site which is now 5276 Bennett Valley Road. He was indeed a pioneer who had many occupations. As the local blacksmith, he was the first to shod oxen, and during the late 1800's, he ran a vacation retreat on the property.

The most notable occupation Mr. D.B. Bremner held was postmaster to the only post office ever located in Bennett Valley. We have a document from the U.S. Post Office showing that this post oifice opened on his property on June 21, 1892*... All that remains today of this historical site is the barn along side Bennett Valley Road The current owners of this property are now considering and exploring possible restoration options for the barn

Spring Roadside Clean-Up Day

DATE: Saturday, April 20th, 2002 It's hard to believe but this is already the fifth year that BHA has been sponsoring a roadside clean-up day in the Valley. This is now a twice-yearly event, thanks to Eve Boling who started this event in Bennett Valley, and to Sandy Sandine. This time one team even picked up litter all the way to Petaluma Hill Rd., and as intended, the new pick-up sticks, recently purchased by BHA, really helped prevent back aches We want to give a BIG THANK-YOU to all of the following for their help!

Bill Allen, Bobbie Blair, Norm & Eve Boling, Lois Brown, Terry Babineaux, Sandra Carr, Suzanne Dougherty, Gordon Endow, John Fitzpatrick, Pat Gundry, Mike & Patty Hickey, Frank LaCombe, Heather LaRiviere, Ray & Hilde Lemieux, Dave, Sandy and Deborah Sandine, and Lu Schultz.

Bha Board Of Directors Tentative

Agenda For The Meeting On 5/15/02.

• Call to Order, Public Input, Approval of Minutes and Treasurer's Report • Monthly Reports: BV Fire District, Sonoma Co. PRD, Public Works, Board of Supervisors, And Open Space District • Old Business • Friends of BV Fire update • Bennett Valley Silent Auction Report • New Business • Next meeting, Sonoma Co. General Plan Citizens' Advisory Committee

Bennett Valley Homeowner'S

Association (Bha) Board Of

DIRECTORS P.O. Box 2666, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 Marilee Jensen, President & VOICE Editor, (576-0405 - phone # and FAX #) Michael Friedenberg, Vice-President (579-5310) Helen Bates, Treasurer (695-8760) Bobbie Blair, Recording Secretary & Mailing List/Membership Coordinator (542-1608) Leanore (Lolly) Mesches, Corresponding Secretary, (545-8684) Jennifer Combs, Director, (546-1190) Jim Katon, Director, (528-9487) Tim Murphy, Director, (542-7114) Marilyn Stocks, Director (528-2458) We want to thank the many Bennett Valley residents who provide so much help in a number of different projects, including helping to clean-up litter in Bennett Valley and/or working as a "Friend of BV Fire District".

FOR 2002 BHA MEMBERSHIP, send your $15 annual dues to Blair/Dougherty, 7373 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Welcome to the following people who are first time members or former members who have joined since the March VOICE: Ronald & Annie Meints, Donald D Avanzo Family, Seung & Sophia Sonoma Mountain Zen Center, James & Nichole Duncan, Matt & Megan Phillips, Robert Baron, Clay & Anne Stephens, Gerald & Jacquelyn Chamberiain, Jean Zell, James Caudill, Horst Jung, Patrick Tracy & Laura Tracy Hawkins, Craig & Cheryl Johnston, Dan & Sherry Weinberg, Brad Hunter & Colleen Cotton, Cheryl & Keith Hughes, John & Labelle Groth, and Henri & Jeannette Pierre We also want to give a BIG THANKS to those who've contributed extra to BHA since the March VOICE, above the amount of their dues.

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SHARE THE ROAD! by Bob Hasenick "Our lovely area does not need more congestion due to tourists on wheels." "We live in a beautiful area that is used by cycling groups and individual cyclists. Let's make it safe for everyone." "There is no way to have bicyclists and motorists safely on certain parts of some roads." "I'd hit a bicyclist before swerving into ongoing traffic." The fifth quote is too appalling to reprint. These quotes likely don't cover every view in Bennett Valley regarding bicycling, but likely cover the diversity of views. The Catch-22 in these views is the desire to not want to have bicyclists in the Valley until the roads are safe, while not wanting to improve the roads to be safer. The actions of a few vehicle occupants probably pose a greater threat than the vehicles themselves including honking, yelling, throwing objects and using slingshots at the riders; two of these are felonies.

Fortunately this is more common outside the Valley than within. Also, most of the accidents in the Valley involve only one vehicle and hardly any involve bicycles. I believe that most BV residents strive to be courteous and respectful of bicyclists and only a few are "mean-spirited" toward them. I also believe that most would like to have a safer environment for bicyclists. Unfortunately, some view bicycles as an impediment to their personal schedules, especially when late for work or a soccer game, forgetting that bicycles have the same rights on the roads as vehicles.

All states have laws that grant access for bicycles to all roadways except freeways. Most countries have a more equal relationship between vehicles & bicycles; I've bicycled ¾ of the way across Paris during Friday afternoon rush hour and found drivers very courteous to bicycles, which is common across Europe and in selected areas of the U.S.

During January, the city of Santa Rosa was scored 87th out of 88 similar-sized cities in bicycle safety and will now receive funding to help them improve this track record. No stats are available for the County, though it seems that the Valley would fare pretty well.

In the late 90s, Bennett Valley Road moved from a high priority to a low priority in the Sonoma County Bikeways plan, partly because a few residents were more vocal than others with our Supervisor. I think many people view the section between Grange and Yulupa as the most dangerous for bicyclists and would likely support a safer environment. All the residents in that section would need to grant access; unfortunately a few would likely try to block this at present. Alternatives for any road include wider shoulders, designated bike lanes, and bike paths.

Each has advantages/disadvantages and specific legal definitions, and a different one may be appropriate for each setting. For Bennett Valley Road, a bike lane with a path around the large oak trees seems the most appropriate. I ask of you a few simple things: a.. Share the road peacefully with bicyclists.

b.. Participate in Bike to Work Day on May 16th. c.. Support a safer cycling experience in the Valley, possibly starting with Bennett Valley Road. d.. Wait the 5-10 seconds it will usually take for oncoming traffic to clear so you can give a wide berth when passing a bicyclist.

/ welcome your feedback through BHA and the VOICE. Bennett Valley Community Calendar 1.) Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association -The BHA Board meets the third Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm, at the Bennett Valley Fire Station. The next two meetings are May 15th and June 19th, 2002. Bennett Valley residents are encouraged to attend these informal, open forum meetings.

2.) Bennett Valley Fire Protection District -The Board of Directors meets the second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm, Bennett Valley Fire Station. The next two meetings are May 14th and June 11th, 2002. Bennett Valley residents are encouraged to attend these meetings. 3. Bennett Valley Grange #16, 129th Annual Picnic and Barbecue, Sunday, June 2nd, 2002 4) Bennett Valley Community Day with Silent Auction, Sunday, August 25th, 2002 See insert 5.) Sonoma County Board Of Supervisors meets every Tuesday (except on weeks when there is a holiday) at 575 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa.

You can call our Supervisor Mike Cale's office at 565-2241 for additional information. His administrative Assistant, Lynn Morton-Weil, is being very attentive to our District's business in Mike's absence. Page Four

Bennett Valley

Community Day Celebration!

August 25, 2002 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m. Jackson Park, Grange Road

Mark Your Calendar Now!!!

The Bennett Valley Volunteer Firefighter's Association is an important and valuable asset to our community. The BVVFA need our help in their effort to purchase additional life saving and fire fighting equipment. David Phillips This gives us a wonderful opportunity to thank these volunteers for their ongoing support. And this is where you can participate - we're looking for donation items for the Live Auction and Silent Auction. Be creative! Donate any of the following items or others - which can be auctioned off to raise money for this important cause.

Monica Schwalbenberg-Peña • Dinners for 2 Time Share Spots Artwork / Photographs • Get-away Trips Computer Training • Collectibles Denna Paulson

Questions Or Pick-Up?

Contact Bobbie Blair (707) 542-1608 or Heather LaRiviere at 522-0106 to arrange pick-up of your auction item, or for further information. Visit our website at: bennettvalleyhomeowners.org Donna DeLaBriandais Marge Alette Laurel Glen Vineyard Mary Mack Ed Teixeira

Report on the BHA Board Meetings There will be 300 BV 2003 calendars printed The Board of Directors Agenda for each meeting is posted again, with the quality at least up to the level it was on a bulletin board at the BV Fire Station, as well as the last year. The price of each calendar may increase.

BHA web-page, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting Fifty-eight BV parcel owners requested & received The agenda includes a brief description of items for the March VOICE by e-mail. This saved a proposed action or discussion, and information on the considerable amount of money. If vou want vour scope of the proposed action VOICE by e-mail, call Bobbie Blair at 542-1608 March 20th, 2002 - Board members present were Marilee Jensen, Helen Bates, Michael Friedenberg, April 17th, 2002 Board members present were Tim Murphy, Marilyn Stocks, Jennifer Combs and Marilee Jensen, Marilyn Stocks, Jennifer Combs, Bobbie Blair. Ten other BV residents attended.

Helen Bates, Lolly Mesches and Bobbie Blair. There Treasurer Helen Bates. presented a comparative financial analysis and a proposed budget for 2002. The Board tabled the budget approval until the next meeting. At Helen's recommendation, the Board oposed but il the ai were 28 other BV residents in attendance, many of them from Jamison Road.

The Treasurer's Report was presented along with the revised yearly budget for 2002 which the Board approved moving BHA funds from Charles Schwab then approved. It was reported that Bennett Valley to Luther Burbank Savings, to have lower costs. was one of the three areas approved for the ground Sonoma Co. Public Works is planning to start the water study plan by the Board of Supervisors.

replacement construction for the Grange Road A lengthy and informative exchange took place on Bridge next spring, with a temporary road detour. the application for the two parcels of land on Jamison Road, as carried over from the March 20th requested our input regarding application to change zoning on 2 parcels of land on meeting. All residents of Jamison Road had been Jamison Road from "Rural Residential" to "Diverse told this issue would be discussed at this meeting.

Agriculture" and to approve a new winery with a Volney Howard, owner of one of those parcels, who maximum capacity of 5,000 cases a year, "tasting by is applying for both the zoning change and the new appointment only", on one of those parcels of land.

winery made a presentation. Chuck Barr, owner of More information was needed before a decision the other parcel applying only for a zoning change, could be reached, so an extension was requested provided some information, also. A number of from PRMD until our next meeting.

questions were asked. After the discussion, the On the "Friends of BV Fire", Michael Friedenberg Board voted to recommend to PRMD that reported that a number of them attended the BV Fire application proceed in the approving process. Board of Directors' meeting on 3/12/02. Information Marilee reported she had heard from Daniel was presented to the Fire Board about the budgetary Derdula, a new owner of the parcel of land with "A figures being used for the proposed increase in pay Barn Worth Saving" (see page 3) who expressed for the BV firefighters, the stipend for the volunteer some interest in having the barn restored. A resident sieepers and other important items. Michael also attending the Board meeting said he would be very reported that small neighborhood meetings were interested in helping with that effort. We've shared being planned to discuss rescue and fire protection some information with the owner about possible services with Bennett Valley residents and why there resources and we're waiting to hear further.

are growing concerns that future services will be The Board approved a letter being sent to impacted by limited funding. Part of the purpose of Supervisor Cale recommending public safety officers these neighborhood meetings is to determine the have input into which Bennett Valley driveways be pulse of the registered voters in our Valley about a giver a different street name, to make them easier to proposed tax increase before putting it on the ballot locate in an emergency.

in November. The election will cost the Fire District Those in atlandance were toldithat they could about $5,000 and in order to pass, 2/3's of those hear further about what the "Frients of BV Fire" voting must approve it. The BHA Board approved were doing at the meeting the new wight, on April an allocation of $500 to be used for printing, etc. for 18th, at 7 pm, at the Fire Station I was also this effort. Jennifer Combs reported she is exploring announced that the next Sonoma Co. General Plan grants for the Fire District through corporations and meeting was to be held on April 18th, 6-9 pm.

the private sector. Joe Stans has applied for a The Board approved a motion to ask Sonoma government grant for BV fire equipment. County Public Works to evaluate the safety of the There will again be a fund-raising Silent Auction at large eucalyptus trees along Bermett Valley Road and Grange Road. Cal-Trans has removed a number the Community Day Celebration this summer, on August 25th, to benefit the Volunteer Firefighters.

of eucalyptus near the town of Sonoma following a fatal accident and a near-miss from branches in See the inserted flier. BHA has agreed to pay up to $500 of these publicity costs, such as for the fliers. these aging tree Page Six

Bennett Valley Fire Explorers * 6161 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, 95404 * Telephone 578-7761 EMERGENCY ADDRESS-SIGN ORDER FORM AND RECEIPT (Please print clearly) Customer name:_ Customer Address Telephone: Street Number: Quantity:_ _x $12.50 each = $ Where do you want the mounting bracket for this sign? (circle one) Side Top Bottom None Street Number: Quantity_ Where do you want the mounting bracket for this sign? (circle one) x $12.50 each = $ Side Top Bottom None This space for Explorer use: Date customer called: Date paid: Received by: Called by:_ Paid by: Cash Check # Amount Paid Customer's signature

Bennett Valley Fire Protection

District Board Of Directors*

6161 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa Marie Nottingham, Chairman Matt Phillips and Nola Stans *Two Board members have resigned to address pressing personal situations. The next Board meeting will be on May 14th, and it is expected that the Board will appoint two replacement Board members at that time, to bring them back up to full Board membership.

Everyone is welcome to attend this BV Fire Board meeting. Contact Kent Reynolds, Bennett Valley Fire Chief, at 578-7761 for any input or questions.

Bennett Valley Fire Explorer Report By Matt Phillips

The Bennett Valley Fire Explorers received enough from the donations sent in by Bennett Valley residents and the address signs sold recently at the pancake breakfast ($250 worth) to cover the costs of sending them to their training academy in March. This academy was a boot-camp style learning environment that lasted one week. They were either learning in a classroom or on the fire ground every day for at least 12 hours.

When they got back, they had college units, several state certificates that will assist them in getting hired later down the road, and new knowledge that they are good at what they are doing. I have now authorized some of the Explorers to assist in a support role on certain incidents. They are not allowed to participate in active fire suppression activities or run chainsaws or the Jaws of Live, but they are allowed to help us get our jobs done. This is good for everybody because the Explorers are learning how the whole thing works, while the firefighters are getting much needed help. The program works and it is well worth the money. They are all looking forward to bright futures and I get inspired by these great kids every single week.

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Calendar Photo Entry Form

2003 Deadline: August 31, 2002 NAME: ADDRESS: PHONE:

_ Number Of Entries:

• Photos of the valley and photos of original paintings of the valley are acceptable. • A horizontal format works best on the calendar page. • Please put the photo title and date taken on the back of each picture. • Please do not put your name on the back of the photographs.

• If you want your pictures mailed back to you, please include a SASE. Mail this form and photos to: Stephanie Zaborowski 4184 Sonoma Mountain Rd. Santa Rosa, 95404 We are happy to answer questions. Call: Judy @544-0234 or Suzanne @ 542-1608