Bennett Valley Voice

Bennett Valley VOICE

Volume 26, Number 1

Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association (BVHA)

January, 2003

Stay Informed! Stay Involved In Bennett Valley! A number of our neighbors, calling themselves Friends of Bennett Valley Fire, mobilized a strong community ettort to help pass the BV special fire tax, in order to increase our firefighters' pay. Through this effort, 75% of all BV registered voters or 1,333 people actually voted (a much higher percentage than usual), and 75.3% of those voting (1004 people) voted to approve this special tax.

Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association (BVHA) is one of the best ways to stay actively involved in the community and knowledgeable about local concerns. The BVHA mission is promoting and preserving the rural character and natural environment of Bennett Valley, while serving "as a forum for community participation and providing a bridge for communication..." Board of Supervisors Resolution #94-1042 "We all love this valley and we need a strong medium to make our opinions known to both neighbors and government." First issue of the BV VOICE, January, 1978 With this mission as our driving force, BVHA provided the following in 2002.

• Bennett Valley Community Forum, 2/2/02, with information on BV Fire, BV Water and Disaster Preparedness. • Six copies of the BVHA newsletter, the VOICE, sent out during the year to 900 BV parcels, either by e-mail or regular mail. In July & Sept. we also sent an additional 240 copies to registered voters, in the BV Fire District jurisdiction.

• <bennettvalleyhomeowners.org> web-page is available with updated information and to receive your ideas. • 290 Bennett Valley Calendars printed and sold for 2003. • "Clean up of BV Roads" held twice during 2002. • Letters of concern sent to Sonoma County re: naming rural driveways, Bennett Valley Water Study, & requesting a safety evaluation of the eucalyptus trees on Bennett Valley Rd. and Grange Rd.

• Reports made on meetings re: Annadel Wildfire Concerns. • Information distributed on Knox Locks, for fire protection. • Regular reviews of Board of Supervisors' agendas, Open Space meeting agendas, Public Works & PRMD actions as they relate to Bennett Valley. • Continued organizing of the Silent and Live Auctions for BV Community Days, to help raise additional money for the BV Volunteer Firefighters.

• Monetary contributions made to BV Firefighter Volunteers from BV Calendars and for use of BV Fire Station. • Board member, Jennifer Combs, applied for & received grant money ($3,000) for BV firefighters' safety clothing. • Consensus among a group of neighbors, 3 parcel owners and other BV residents was achieved after lengthy discussion at a BVHA Board of Directors' meeting (4/17/02), to help the Board determine its recommendation re: PRMD permits for a winery & zone changes for 2 parcels, on Jamison Rd.

• Gathered information in response to one BV resident's expressed concern about sulfur-derivative spraying (May to July) on some BV vineyards, to prevent mildew. • Candidates' Night held on 10/16/02, for Valerie Brown and Ed Kenney, the two candidates running to represent Bennett Valley on the Board of Supervisors.

Your continuing support is very important to us! Please send in your annual dues of $15, plus any donation you'd like to make, so that we may continue to actively pursue our mission. Please send your check in with the attached Dues Form and envelope. THANKS!

Welcome Valerie Brown! On Friday, January 17th, 2003, at 7:00 pm, at the Bennett Valley Grange Hall, we are cosponsoring, with the Grange, a get-together to welcome Valerie Brown as our newly-elected First District Supervisor. It is important for you to attend so that Valerie will know who we are and what's important to us. See next page for more details.

We're looking forward to seeing you!

Welcome Valerie Brown (con't.) The Bennett Valley Grange will provide afterdinner refreshments, including desserts, and various beverages at this event on Friday, January 17th, at 7 pm, sponsored by both the BV Grange and the Bennett Valley Homeowners Association. This will be a relaxed informal get-together, for the purpose of introducing Valerie to people interested in Bennett Valley and the BV Grange. During the evening, you can feel free to share your ideas or to ask questions.

In Memory of Judy Simpson It is with sadness that we report the death of Judy Simpson, a longtime resident of Bennett Valley. Judy, wife of Dr. Ron Simpson, mother of Scott and Dave Simpson and Susie McKee, and grandmother of 3, died of cancer in November. Judy, a Stanford graduate, was a den mother for Bennett Valley cub scouts, active in 4H, church secretary, gourmet cook, backpacker, a wild flower enthusiast, and above all, a good friend Judy volunteered to create the "A Guide to Bennett Valley" as a result of needs expressed by a number of BV residents for more information at a Community Forum in 1998. The Guide was published and mailed out in January 2000, with information on the history of the valley, various local organizations, annual events, the Bennett Valley Area Plan, and a number of important phone numbers, such as BV Fire station, Sonoma Co.

Animal Control, Wildlife Fawn Rescue, Public Schools, and Sonoma County offices. BVHA is no longer mailing out the Guide since it has been incorporated into other documents such as our web page (<bennettvalleyhomeowners.org>) and the Bennett Valley pamphlet, intended for BV residents and potential new buyers. We will always remember Judy's friendly smile, her sense of humor and her caring ways.

2003 Calendar Update The 2003 Bennett Valley calendar has been very popular and there are no calendars remaining. An additional 40 calendars were ordered when all of the original order of calendars was sold, but now the re-ordered calendars have also been sold. Any profit is contributed to the BV Volunteer Firefighters.

If you missed seeing the calendar, this year's calendar images will soon be shown on our website, <bennettvalleyhomeowners.org>. Thanks again to all participants who submitted the pictures that made this calendar so successful. Photographers and artists, now is the time to start capturing the images for our 2004 edition, so bring out the cameras and paint brushes to record the changing seasons and scenes of Bennett Valley.

House and Garden Audit By Sierra Cantor, Sotoyome Resource Conservation District Have you resolved to make a difference this year? You can start in your own home. Water quality has become a growing concern in California. One of the major sources of pollution is urban storm water runoff. Rainwater flushes streets, roofs, gardens and lawns carrying pesticides, trash, oil, grease and many other contaminants into local creeks, rivers and estuaries. Reducing the contaminants in urban runoff is only possible through changes in the actions of thousands of homeowners and residents.

The Sotoyome Resource Conservation District, in cooperation with the Matanzas Creek Stewardship Group, is offering a workshop on a new publication by Laurel Marcus entitled "The House and Garden Audit". The House and Garden Audit makes it possible for urban and rural homeowners and residents to evaluate chemical management and general use in their house and garden. Please join us on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the Bennett Valley Grange Hall.

The audit offers information on both human health and environmental effects of various practices and chemicals, describes alternative measures and materials and lists websites and other resources for finding additional information. The House and Garden Audit is a tool for homeowners to protect their family's health and the environment. Use the Audit as you walk through your house evaluating use and storage of chemicals in the home, energy and water conservation and recycling in kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and basement areas. Then take the Audit outside to the driveway, car, garden, lawn and, if applicable, creek.

As a rural residential owner in Bennett Valley, you will find additional information for septic systems, private dirt roads and driveways. If you have any questions about this meeting, please call Sierra Cantor at 569-1448. Grange Road Bridge Update Levi Gurule of Sonoma County Public Works Department reports that at this time they are completing the final plans and taking the necessary steps to go to bid in March, 2003. They're not sure what impact the State fiscal crisis will have on these plans, or if the County will be able to fund the county share for this proposed new bridge; 20% of the total cost.

NOTES: Bennett Valley Fire Station • Jason Mallory, one of our three paid firefighting engineers working at the BV Fire Station, reports that they are currently having good volunteer responsiveness. He says that when the current Volunteer Training Academy is completed in March, there will be five more volunteers in Bennett Valley.

He also said the morale is very high at the BV Fire Station, as reflected in the sign they put up in front of the Fire Station immediately after Election Day, saying, "Thanks for your support." • The Bennett Valley Fire Station has had a busy year with 250 total calls; about a 25% increase from the previous year.

• On 1/4/03, the Press Democrat reported that our Bennett Valley Firefighters are "refreshing their search and rescue skills in a week-long training session...". Jason reports that BV Firefighters have recently begun training each month with Santa Rosa Firefighters. This month the training includes learning to use a thermal imaging camera, to detect people's body heat, in order to locate them in a fire.

Bennett Valley would like to get one of these cameras in the future through grants or donations. • BV Explorers are high school students who are coming every Monday night to participate in firefighting training, under the leadership of Firefighters Kevin Burris and Gabe Stirnus. They are looking forward to the intensive firefighting training camps lasting one week during Spring Break. When you buy the address signs from the BV Fire Station, for $12.50, the money helps pay for this training. As a recent State Farm brochure stated, "Protect your home and property from wildfire. Make sure firefighters can see your address." That is the purpose of these two-sided green reflective address signs which we're seeing more and more around Bennett Valley.

• Storm Preparedness: During the recent December storms, Jason Mallory reports that they received phone calls throughout the night, usually from people without power. Some people were even quite hostile, as if the firefighters should be doing more to get their power turned back on. As Jason said, "Our firefighters don't mind answering people's questions, but they have no control of the power being turned on." As we know, that's completely the responsibility of PG&E. During these storms, a number of people purchased or rented generators.

Jason is encouraging people to explore this option, especially if they have some special problems when their power is turned off. There were some indications in these recent power outages that power may have been off longer than generally experienced in the past. One person stated the following in a "Letter to the Editor" recently in the Press Democrat, after saying he had worked 27 years for PG&E, "I also know how badly that service has deteriorated in the past 10 years...Today they are managed by people who are more concerned about avoiding the necessity to pay double time, than they are about restoring service." This person recommends that people send any complaints they have about PG&E to the Consumer Affairs Branch of the California Public Utilities Commission, State Building, 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102, 1-800-848-5580.

While you can always call the BV Firefighters when you're having any questions or difficulties in a storm, please remember they are unable to do anything to help you get your power restored. Transition to New Fire Chief Kent Reynolds is planning to retire and his last shift on duty as the Bennett Valley and Gold Ridge Fire Chief will be on April 30, 2003. He and his wife, Lucy, have purchased a home in Grants Pass, Oregon and plan to move up there after May, 2003.

Assistant Chief Andy Pforsich will be taking Kent's place, effective May 1st, as both the Bennett Valley and the Gold Ridge Fire Chief. Kent and Andy started this transitioning in November, working with the Battalion Chiefs and the Administrative Assistants on budgets and finishing projects.

Everyone will start to see some changes that will reflect Andy's vision of the department. Kent is committed to helping with this process, in order to make a clean transition and will be acting as Andy's consultant during this transition period. Andy will be at the January meeting of the Bennett Valley Fire Board of Directors, (January 14th) and hopefully at the February, March and April meetings, also.

Bennett Valley Fire Protection District Board of Directors 6161 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa (707) 578-7761 Matt Phillips, Chairman Dan Felciano, Deborah Haarstad Mark Richardson, Nola Stans The Board meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, at 7:00 pm. at the BV Fire Station. The dates for the next few months are as follows; 1/14/03, 2/11/03 and 3/11/03. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you have any questions, you can call the Bennett Valley Fire Chief, Kent Reynolds or the Assistant Chief, Andy Pforsich, at (707) 578-7761.

Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death) on Bennett Ridge in 2002 By Rob Gross, Consulting Arborist, 12/13/02 (Bennett Ridge Community Association hired Rob Gross as a consulting arborist in August, 2000, then again in October, 2002, to examine and report on oak trees in the area. Here are parts of his report which are most likely applicable to other parts of Bennett Valley. The Bold type has been added by the Editor.) "An inspection of select residential gardens on Bennett Ridge led to the following observations in 2002: Symptoms of Phytophthora ramorum are widespread on the Ridge and the number of trees involved has increased during the past year.

Observed mortality of coast live oaks has not increased notably during this same time. Low trunk bleeding was not as obvious as it has been in the past either. Of all inspected oaks none had active cankers, rather the dead bark was dark and old—not active...the environmental conditions have not been conducive...to the development of P. ramorum...It appears we are experiencing mild and moist conditions right now, which are not going to bode well for the proliferation and development of this disease during the next several months.

More bay trees are symptomatic on the Ridge today than in the past. The role of the bay trees has been determined to be an important source of disease spore production and dissemination. This is due to the fact that bay foliage (not low trunk bark) is host to P. ramorum, allowing the pathogen to generate uncommonly high numbers of spores, which eventually rain down on the plants below.

...the Ridge and most other areas have an increase in number, size and density of bay trees...The bay trees as they are today increase the rate spread and severity of P. ramorum. When practical, bays should be removed to reduce treeto-tree competition for limited soil resources (water and nutrients), increase air circulation (drying), and perhaps most importantly, reduce disease spore production. Most yards on the Ridge can be thinned of bays with minimal visual impact. Unfortunately, if a yard is dominated by bay trees, thinning is of little value...

...Efficacy of (disease) sampling is highly varied and even Plant Pathologists may realize a marginal 10% accuracy...To date, ... repeated sampling,...has not confirmed the pathogen on the Ridge. In that the symptoms are common and consistent with P. ramorum it is assumed this is the agent responsible for the symptoms and loss of known host species...

The host list for P. ramorum is at 22 species and (it is expected) more host species will be announced. Most recent additions included poison oak and canyon live oak among others....the valley oak, blue and the Oregon oak are highly resistant to P. ramorum-consider these tree species for replacement of killed host species.

Disease killed oaks which pose a hazard should be cut down. Cutting diseased trees has no value as a disease control measure, but it can be used to manage hazard...chip and use (the wood) on site. Mulch (add water, air and nitrogen) to raise the temperature of the organic material to over 141 degrees to kill the disease spores.. Retain all wood on site (tarp?). Burn inside or outside...Disease killed trees are used by a number of wildlife species and their retention is encouraged where hazard potential is of little concern.

The insects associated with killed oaks have been clearly demonstrated to not be a primary causal agent. Insecticide sprays are NOT recommended for disease control and due to the environmental effects of such insecticide sprays, should be avoided... Pruning trees has little known disease influence on host species. Pruning does NOT make trees healthier or more resistant to the pathogen...

Fertilizing ...is of questionable value with this pathogen. Lots of talk out there, but not much support from the academic community for use of this group of products....remember vigor is not an indicator of disease resistance. Direct disease treatment will not be legally available until the product label is straightened out and this is (expected) to take a year or so. Use copper this year, some of which are currently labeled ...For up-to-date chemical applications...we recommend Bob and Duff's Pest Control (in Napa) at (707) 257-0411.

Avoid irrigation around our native oaks during the dry season they are adapted to. Moist conditions are required for disease development. Some gardens with irrigation, especially in association with dense bays are most susceptible to disease complications. Avoid any soil or mud or organic material movement which is one way the disease moves. Do not accept these types of material if you want to avoid potential contamination of the pathogen.

Expect an increase in disease occurrence and severity if precipitation is higher than usual. Report disease incidents and new locations to the Homeowners' association." (Bennett Ridge Community Association and/or Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association)

Deer or Dear, As The Case May Be By Joe Stans, 12/12/02 We all enjoy living in a rural area. Among the blessings and sometimes curses are the wildlife. I'm sure everyone enjoys watching the turkeys and deer as they wander around searching grass and seeds, until they find our expensive ornamental plants.

However, along with this bucolic lifestyle should come a certain sense of responsibility. Most of the time when a car and an animal cross paths the animal is killed instantly or is unconscious and dies within a very few minutes. Larger animals are often not so lucky. They can linger for hours, presenting a hazard to themselves, other vehicles and sometimes, people.

Larger deer can be dangerous if injured and should not be approached. Young deer can be approached with caution to assess injury. Placing a towel or blanket over their head will calm them and allow, at least, a superficial inspection. If the injury is a broken leg the animal can be turned over to Wildlife Fawn Rescue (see below) and will probably survive.

Whether large or small, determining the condition of the animal and calling for help is an act of compassion and responsibility we owe, at least, to our neighbors if not the animal. A firefighter from Bennett Valley and I had the distinctly unpleasant task of euthanizing a fawn the other day. Its back was broken and it had been partially eviscerated. It obviously could not have been saved but the driver of the vehicle that hit it should have stopped and should have alerted Sonoma County Animal Control, at (707) 565-7100.

No one wants to hit an animal with their car and many don't have the ability or desire to deal with an injured animal. Please be sure to at least call an agency that can follow up, as described below. Wildlife Fawn Rescue* When this fawn was first found injured on the road, phone calls were made to Wildlife Fawn Rescue, at (707) 833-6727, but no one was available at that time. What alternatives are available for an animal injured by an automobile along the road?

Wildlife Fawn Rescue was called again later for more information. The person answering explained that at this time of year, the fawns are almost full grown. As wild animals, they are going to actively fight off any approaches by people if they are still able to. The outlook for these wild animals who've been hit by an automobile is not good, if they are not able to run away. If you are able to approach them or pick them up, they are probably too injured to be helped. This person from Wildlife Fawn Rescue said that veterinarians can't even let the larger wild animals in their offices, because these animals will tear up everything around them, trying to protect themselves.

Wildlife Fawn Rescue says they cannot help with fawns at this time of year, because of the size and age of the animal. Too much damage is incurred with no valuable help available to these larger "adolescent" or adult wild animals. If you come upon any injured animal, it is better not to touch it as it may cause injury to you. If you must handle a wild animal, be sure to wear thick gloves to prevent infection and to avoid disease exposure. If you are bitten or suspect rabies exposure, seek immediate medical advice. Try to keep an eye on the animal from a distance and call for further help. As stated in the previous article, placing a towel or blanket over their head may help reduce the trauma.

When you an injured animal, recommended that you call Sonoma County Animal Control, at (707) 565-7100, unless the animal is quite small and/or young, such as a spotted fawn. If the injured animal is a spotted fawn, then you may call the Wildlife Fawn Rescue at (707) 833-6727, or Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, at (707) 526-9453. They will attempt to get the injured fawn on a stretcher and take it to a veterinarian.

While you're waiting for help to arrive for this spotted fawn, you should try to keep it in a secure place away from children and pets. If possible, give it warmth, dark and quiet while you wait for help to arrive. If you do see an intact wild spotted fawn by itself in the brush, leave it alone. Do not go near it or touch it. Its mother will return to care for it much better than we can. Do not feed it or give it water. Wild animals can only live on food that is natural for their species.

Never give them cow's milk. It is against the law to keep wildlife in your possession. Enjoy your wild neighbors through observation only. Causing a wild animal to lose its natural fear of man through feeding or taming can be a death sentence for the animal. * *All of this information was from telephone calls with Wildlife Fawn Rescue and Sonoma Co. Animal Control and brochures published by Sonoma County Animal Regulation and Wildlife Fawn Rescue.

Minutes of the BVHA Board Meeting November 20th, 2002 The meeting was called to order by President, Marilee Jensen, at 7:30 pm. Board members present were Eric Burns, Tim Murphy, Helen Bates, Lolly 30 pm. Board men beat ge to Mesches, Michael Friedenberg and Bobbie Blair.

Guests present were Mary McElhaney, Charlotte Dolan, Mark Dolan, Suzanne Dougherty and Judy Temko. There was no public input. The minutes and the Treasurer's Report were approved as submitted. Monthly Reports: Sonoma County Public Works will be doing a safety evaluation on the eucalyptus trees and will trim them next spring, if there is money for the project in their budget, after the winter storms. Also reported was that smoke from Annadel Park during this last month was from controlled burns, supervised by California Dept. of Forestry (CDF). Levi Gurule from Sonoma Co. Public Works reports that the Grange Road Bridge project may start as early as May 15th, 2003 and possibly take two years.

The Bennett Valley Grange has suggested that we have a joint get-together to welcome Valerie Brown as our County Supervisor. The Board members all agreed this would be a good idea and Marilee will work with the Grange to choose a date and the format.

Old Business: 1. Bennett Valley Fire Special Tax Election Results: At first count this was approved by over 70% of the voters, but the final tally with all the absentee ballots should be done by next week. 2. BVHA Director Orientation, Annual Conflict of Interest Statements: A packet of information was given to the new director, Eric Burns, and all the directors signed the Conflict of Interest Statement.

The Bennett Valley brochure was discussed; there are still 2,400 copies remaining. 3. Sonoma Co. General Plan Update: Possible water study will be done in Bennett Valley, funded by the Board of Supervisors, to study ground water supply and availability. If this study is approved, they would want to study 40 to 50 individual wells in Bennett Valley.

4. BVHA Web Page Update: Eric Burns has begun to fill in the gaps and update the web-page. 5. BV Clean-up Roads Report: Twenty-three people met and did a fine job at our last clean-up. Marilee will contact John Maitland in Public Works about the litter from Enterprise Road to Warm Springs Rd. (NOTE: John Maitland reports in a phone call on 1/7/03, that this will be picked up by the Public Works Litter Crew in the next couple of weeks, if there are no storms.) 6. There was no Board meeting in December 2002, as agreed upon by a resolution of the BHA Board of Directors at their January, 2002 Board meeting.

7. January 2003 VOICE: We have significant amounts of different colored paper left from the all the newsletters, so an upcoming VOICE will be in multiple colors. No reason to waste all that paper! 8. Bennett Valley 2003 Calendars: Sales have been very good. New Busin Amadel Vil 1. Annadel Wildfire Concerns: Marilee reported on the latest meetings concerning fire safety in Annadel. As the Bennett Valley Fire Chief, Kent Reynolds, has explained Bennett Valley is much safer next to Annadel than Oakmont and Kenwood, due to the predominant direction of the wind currents.

2. Michael Friedenberg brought up the issue of the BVHA Board of Directors having liability insurance: This lack has become more pressing because the former Bennett Valley Design Review Committee members have recently been sued individually by a dissatisfied Bennett Valley couple. The BVHA Board has no insurance covering actions and omissions and it may be a wise decision to look into this. Michael will get quotes and we will discuss this further at our January 15th, 2003 meeting.

Sonoma County General Plan Update The Citizens' Advisory Committee (CAC) will hold its regular monthly meeting on January 16th, 2003 (Thursday), 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm, PRMD Hearing Room, 2550 Ventura Avenue, Santa Rosa. There are also the following CAC Subcommittee meetings throughout the month of January, 2003; Riparian Corridor/Biological Habitat; Resources; Agricultural Processing; Agricultural Tourism; and Circulation and Transit. We encourage you to attend and participate in these upcoming meetings where there will be opportunities to participate in and learn more about the Update.

Contact Scott Briggs at 565-1936 for more information about these meetings.

The Board of Directors Agenda for each meeting is posted on a bulletin board at the BV Fire Station and on the BVHA web-page, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. The agenda includes a brief description of items for proposed action or discussion, and information on the scope of the proposed action.

BVHA Board of Directors Tentative Agenda For Meeting on Wednesday, 1/15/03, 7:30 pm • Call to Order, Public Input, Approval of Minutes and Treasurer's Report • Monthly Report: Board of Supervisors, Open Space District, Matanzas Creek Watershed Group, Sonoma County Public Works & PRMD Old Business • ANNOUCEMENT: Welcome Valerie Brown, 1/17/03, 7 pm, BV Grange Hall; BV Grange refreshments & Jennifer Combs' contributions • INFORMATION: Howard/Barr permits, Jamison Rd., Scheduled @ Planning Commission, Jan. 16th, 2:20pm and @ Board of Supervisors, Feb. 25, 2:15 pm.

• REPORT: Bennett Valley Calendar Sales • UPDATE: BVHA Articles of Incorporation Revisions, Tim Murphy • INFORMATION: New Residents Welcome Letter • UPDATE : BVHA Web-page • UPDATE:: Annadel Wildfire Concerns and Annadel Controlled Burns with Inmates • INFORMATION: Bennett Valley Brochures; available upon request; mailed monthly to real estate agents; new stickers.

• REPORT: Friends of BV Fire Completion • ACTION: BVHA Nominating Committee, 2003 New Business • Board Action /Resolution: Frequency of BVHA Board Meetings, possibly every other month, except when there are any special issues. • Board Action: BHA Board of Directors Liability Insurance; Reasons needed, cost, budgeting decisions.

• Board Action: BVHA 2003 Budget - Analysis of VOICE costs and distribution.

Bennett Valley Homeowner'S

Association (Bvha) Board Of Directors

P.O. Box 2666, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 BVHA Web-Page <bennettvalleyhomeowners.org> 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) Eric Burns, Director, Web-Page Coordinator (584-7531) Jennifer Combs, Director (546-1190) Tim Murphy, Director (542-7114) Marilyn Stocks, Director (528-2458) BVHA Mission Statement: "Committed to promoting & preserving the rural character and natural environment of Bennett Valley." For 2003 BVHA Membership, please send in your $15 annual dues plus any donation you're willing to make, so that we can continue to work on pursuing our mission. You can send your check in with the attached Dues Form and envelope, to Blair/Dougherty, 7373 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95404.

Thanks to so many Bennett Valley residents for all of your help in accomplishing our mission! Get Your E-Mailed VOICE Faster and Help Save BHA Money! At the present time sixty-three (63) of our residents receive the VOICE by e-mail. They not only get the VOICE 2 to 4 days earlier than the printed copy but they are helping save BVHA money. These people saved us $122.10 this last year. The Board voted to send all issues of the VOICE to all residents of the Valley, regardless of whether or not they were paid members of BVHA, in an attempt to keep all Valley residents informed. This was approved only if the budget would allow. The more people that elect to receive the VOICE by e-mail, the lower the costs will be and better the chance we can continue to send it to all who own BV property. Please help us if possible. Check the proper box on your membership application or, if you are not going to join but want the VOICE, please call Bobbie Blair at 542-1608, or e-mail her at <dreams7373@earrthlink.net> with your name and e-mail address. Let's try to get 600 member households this year!

Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association, P.O. Box 2666, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 BVHA web-page <bennettvalleyhomeowners.org> BVHA Mission Statement: "Committed to promoting & preserving the rural character and natural environment of Bennett Valley." House and Garden Audi Grange Road Bridge Update NOTES: BV Fire Station Transition: New Fire Chief Sonoma deal sue on Bennett Valley Community Calendar 1.) Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association -The BVHA Board meets the third Wednesday of the month, 7:30 pm, at the BV Fire Station. The next meeting is on Wednesday, January 15th, 2003.

There is a possibility the Board may decide at their January meeting to meet only every other month, unless there is a special issue which needs our attention, so be sure to call 576-0405, if you're considering attending the February meeting. Or you can check our web-page <bennettvalleyhomeowners.org> for information about the next meeting. Everyone is invited to attend the BVHA Board meetings.

2.) Bennett Valley Fire Protection District -The Board of Directors meets the second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm, at the Bennett Valley Fire Station. The next two meetings are January 14th, 2003 and February 11th, 2003. Everyone is also invited to attend the Bennett Valley Fire District Board of Director meetings.

3.) Bennett Valley Grange #16, Welcome Valerie Brown Get-together, Friday, January 17th, 2003, 7 pm, sponsored by Bennett Valley Homeowners' Association and Bennett Valley Grange. After-dinner refreshments and various beverages will be served by the BV Grange and everyone is invited to attend. 4.) Sonoma County Board Of Supervisors meets every Tuesday (except on weeks when there is a holiday) at 575 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa. Valerie Brown is the Supervisor for our First District. You may call her or Lynn Morton-Weil, her Aide, at 565-2241, for the various meeting times or if you have any questions or concerns.

Bennett Valley Homeowner'S Association Annual Membership Dues, 2003

NAME: ADDRESS: PHONE #: Please mail in this form with your annual dues of $15, plus any donation you're willing to make, so that we may continue to pursue our mission. Mail the envelope to Blair/Dougherty, 7373 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 or call (707) 542-1608.

Please be sure to circle Yes below, if you want to receive the VOICE electronically, rather than through the mail, and enter your e-mail address. THANKS! Please circle one of the following: Yes No E-mail address _ Telephone # We also want to hear from you, so please be sure to include any comments or concerns you might have or any corrections or additions we should make to your name(s) , address, or telephone #. If you don't have enough room, insert additional paper. Thanks!

Comments/Changes: -