Bennett Valley Voice

Bennett Valley VOICE www.bennettvalley.org

Volume 30, Number 5

Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association (BVHA) September, 2007 Sonoma Mountain Road Reconstruction Project Letter from Valerie Brown, Our District Supervisor, August 29, 2007 "I wanted to provide you with new information regarding the status of the repair to the slide and road closure on Sonoma Mountain Road. It has been the intention of the County to begin work on reconstruction of Sonoma Mountain Road in the late summer. Unfortunately, we are forced to change this plan due to the failure of the State to adopt the budget on July 1, and the direct impact this has on our ability to access Proposition 1B revenues.

forward with the reconstruction project. However, without the funding from Prop 1B we have no way to pay for the project. I want to assure you this remains a high priority for me, and the grading of a rough road would be a temporary solution to address our safety concerns for the area. Phil Demery and I will be attending a special meeting on Wednesday., September 12* at 7:00 pm at the Bennett Valley Grange Hall where we can address your questions further." Sincerely, Valerie Brown, Supervisor, Proposition 1B funds were programmed to fund a First District significant portion of the Sonoma Mountain Road slide repair. Due to the delay in budget adoption, we have been given conflicting guidance on the financial controls necessary for release of the Prop 1B revenues. Clean-up legislation may be required to resolve this conflict. Our best information leads us to anticipate a decision by the State in the next three Suggested Follow-Up Action: Call or write your State Legislators, Senator Pat Wiggins, Assemblyman Jared Huffman and Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, regarding the importance of arranging for the release of Prop 1B revenues immediately, as approved by the voters.

Refer to the telephone book for numbers to call or write. weeks, hopefully before the legislative session break in the end of September. First District Supervisor, Valerie Brown, and Public Works Director, Phil Demery, are the Sonoma County is unable to award a contract for speakers at the BVHA MEETING, Wednesday, this work until we know what is required to access September 12th, 7:00 pm, BV Grange Hall.

the Prop 1B funding. Because we cannot move forward with the contract, the Department will be

Description Of B.V. Roads

attempting to grade a rough road for emergency fire The 25 miles of roads in Bennett Valley are vital to access for the remainder of the summer and fall the health, safety and welfare of its residents. They possibly as soon as the week of September 3ª. This are also important to many who live elsewhere and use them road will be in the same area as the road is currently routinely to reach other locations.

located, and the Transportation and Public Works Emergency preparation and planning are high Department is using the information and priorities for BVHA and our road system is one of our recommendations from the geologist report prepared weakest safety links. Our main "through" roads, such for the reconstruction in moving forward with this as Bennett Valley Road, Sonoma Mountain Rd., and project. The road will be for fire and emergency Grange-Crane Canyon Roads, have deteriorated in vehicles only, and will not be available for personal the last two years to a level that is unacceptable to vehicles.

local residents and may impact property values. The "pothole brigade" cannot provide the sole We are extremely frustrated and disappointed to find maintenance for these roads, which increasingly ourselves in the position of being unable to move resemble rural roads in third world countries.

Some Additional Bennett Valley Road Issues Bennett Valley Wildlife Safari Compiled By Craig S. Harrison By Ray Lemieux (See Entry Form on back page.) The following questions highlight our interest in ! For 2008, the BVHA Calendar Committee is out on a knowing the County's plans regarding repairs and ! hunt (a la Canon, Nikon, Pentax, etc) for wildlife maintenance for Bennett Valley roads: ¡photos, past or recent, as long as they are local, ¡ showing once more the beauty and diversity of our • What is County policy for maintenance of rural i valley. Our calendar, now in its eighth year, is still a roads? Are there any plans for preventive ! "tradition" in the making, and one well worth maintenance to actually fix the problems?

! pursuing. The list of residents who have been • What percentage of the County road maintenance budget for fiscal year 2007-2008 is dedicated to involved in the production of the calendar, since ¡2000, is already much too long to name. rural road maintenance? How are funds for rural All agree, however, that this endeavor brings road maintenance allocated to the different rural i Bennett Valley residents • together, a rewarding roads? If road repair funding is allocated by usage, experience in itself, reminding all we are does this mean that rural roads may never ! community with a stronger bond than we are apt to improve, and can get even worse?

¡ consider. Each year, the photographs with their • Many of our roads (e.g. Sonoma Mountain Road ¡selected theme draw our attention, not only to i between Bennett Valley Road and Pressley Road and much of Enterprise Road) lack modern road beds. i particular vistas many times unseen, though familiar, !

¡but also to the curious viewpoints of our fellow ! The same potholes form over and over again each ! inhabitants who become a little less unknown. And ! winter. These potholes, which were so enormous ! the proceeds from the sale of the calendars help last winter that warning cones were placed in some ¡ support our Volunteer Firefighters, upon whom we and circles painted around others, contribute to ¡all depend, as well as the Bennett Valley Grange.

accidents and damage vehicles and tires. Would a Above all, the BV Calendar is our very own, representative from Sonoma Co. Public Works be ! our yearly album of what can be found in our valley, willing to assess first hand some of our specific !a daily reminder of what we all share. For 2008, problem areas when they are more evident during the winter months?

¡we'll be going on safari, discovering our wildest ¡ neighbors, captured if only briefly, on camera! • Are there potential additional funding sources for our rural roads, such as those in Bennett Valley? • Sonoma County Transportation Authority has been focused on obtaining $351 million to address safety and congestion issues, such as the widening of U.S.

101. Is there any reason why they cannot address the maintenance of rural roads such as those in Bennett Valley? • The Circulation & Transit Element of Draft General Plan 2020 contains Policy CT-3j: Consider designating certain older rural roads in the unincorporated area as Heritage Roads in recognition of their unique aesthetic and historic character. Consider adoption of special design standards that would apply to proposed improvements in order to retain and protect that character where consistent with public safety. Where have Heritage Road programs been tried and how have they worked out? How might these apply to Bennett Valley so that we can have modern, reliable roads with a rural character?

! Here are a few things contributors should keep in ! mind: • Domesticated animals, adorable as they may be, must be excluded. • You may submit as many as five (5) entries of your i best wildlife "shots," keeping in mind that high-! resolution color images, in horizontal format, at !

least 4"x6" prints for judging, are the most desirable. For printing we will need either the original full-sized digital images on CD, or very high quality prints. !• Turn your entries in as soon as possible, at the very latest SEPTEMBER 15th! • Identify your entries by writing your name, address, phone number on the envelope in which they are submitted and label your prints to coincide with your numbered list of titles. Please also include a stamped-addressed envelope for return.

• Sonoma County charges "traffic mitigation fees" of $5,158 to $10,983 for new primary building permits and somewhat less for secondary building permits. It does not seem that this money is being spent on our local roads. Where does it go? ¡And then buy a calendar or three! They will again be ¡ available at Ace Hardware or Longs Drugs in the ¡Bennett Valley Shopping Center for a mere $15, and also through our Calendar Committee, by calling ! 528-6176. They make terrific holiday gifts!

L..-.-.

Bvha Ballot For Board Of

Director Elections, Due By 10/17/07

Four candidates for the BVHA Board of Directors, for three positions. Vote for only three candidates. Fay Blair James K. Cobb Frank LaCombe Richard Lukasko Please cut out and mail in, with your choices marked, per the following instructions. If you qualify, please vote by placing a check mark on the line next to the three candidates of your choice for the Board of Directors. Next mail in the ballot or the page as indicated below. To qualify as a BVHA voting member, you must be a dues-paying member of BVHA, as indicated by the check-mark in the "2007 member" box on your VOICE mailing label. You must also hold recorded title to real property located within the "Bennett Valley Study Area". If you have any questions about your membership status, the "Bennett Valley Study Area" or this election, please call Jean LaCombe, Chairwoman, BVHA Nominating Committee, at 585-3482, or email at <spinningsnake@peoplepc.com>.

For BVHA voting members, two envelopes are attached to this VOICE. After you have marked your choices on the ballot, place the ballot in the small envelope to maintain your confidentiality, and then place that in the larger "outside" envelope. Your name and address must be on the larger outside envelope, so that your membership status can be documented in order for your vote to be counted.

Mail the larger envelope (with the smaller envelope inside) to BVHA, P.O. Box 2666, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 so it is received by October 17th or you may bring the ballot in the envelopes to the BV Grange Hall on Wednesday, October 17th, by 7 pm. Your ballot will be disqualified if it is not received by this date and time.

You can vote for one, two or three candidates, but only one vote per candidate. There will be no write-in nominations and no nominations from the floor, as it is past the nomination deadline set by the BVHA Nomination Committee. Votes will be tallied and results announced at the end of the October 17th Board meeting.

Statements from the four candidates follow: 1.) Fay Blair - The following constitutes my application to become a director on the BHA Board. My wife, Linda, and I live at 7129 Bennett Valley Road. I am a retired CPA and Linda is an active CPA. I purchased the property in 1978 after falling in love with Bennett Valley during my first trip through it. Subsequently Linda and I became an item and moved into the property in 1985. We have cherished Bennett Valley as it is and it is our fervent hope that it remains in its present pristine condition way into the future. I would be happy to contribute my efforts to help the board accomplish this objective.

2. James K. Cobb - 4721 Pressley Road. Occupation: Attorney-Mediator, Law and Mediation Offices of James K. Cobb. Education: BA, Sonoma State University, 1974; J.D., Empire School of Law, 1987. Affiliations: Sonoma County Bar Assoc., (Board of Directors, 1996-1998) Licenses: State Bar of California, and California State Contractor. Statement of Intent I'm a Sonoma County resident of 27 years and a resident property owner of Bennett Valley since 1986. As an attorney, my law practice specializes in litigation and mediation of construction, real property and land use issues. As a resident of Bennett Valley, I am committed to promoting and preserving the rural character and natural environment of Bennett Valley as well as respecting individual property and privacy rights. I am a current voting member of BVHA and desire to serve on the Board of Directors of BVHA. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of Sonoma Advocates For Youth Development (SCAYD, 1997 - present) as well as Sonoma Co. Legal Services Foundation (1993-present), both non-profit organizations promoting youth programs and low cost legal services, respectively.

3.) Frank LaCombe - Homeowner's associations in general are perceived to be a select few with broad authority who busy themselves delving into property owners' rights. While I believe that we must be advocates of the pastoral stewardship of Bennett Valley and the adherence to the Bennett Valley Specific plan, I believe in avoiding micromanagement of the guidelines in the plan, leaving interpretation of the Plan to PRMD rather than neighbors. With the efforts of the entire Board the BVHA agenda has evolved into a forum for open discussion with the focus moving toward topics of benefit to the entire community, such as roads, emergency preparedness, even the cost of propane. I look forward to continuing to serve on the Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association, and furthering the spirit of open and inclusive dialogue with all the residents living here. In that vein, I respectfully seek your vote for re-election.

4.) Richard Lukasko - I was born and raised in Santa Rosa, and have been a resident of Bennett Valley since 2002. I am committed to promoting and preserving the rural character and natural environment of Bennett Valley. I have a doctorate in pharmacy and a master in business administration. My last professional position was an executive in a biotech pharmaceutical firm. As the owner/operator of a vineyard, and a charter member of the Bennett Valley Grape Growers Association, I believe it is important that we support agriculture in our area. As a member of the Board, I want to make sure that the interests of all homeowners in Bennett Valley are included in matters that affect the valley.

Bennett Valley Fire Protection District 6161 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa 578-7761 (Non-Emergency Business Phone) Board of Directors Mark Richardson, President Joseph Mazeau, Vice-President Marilee Jensen, Secretary Arnie Tognozzi, and Don D'Avanzo, Directors The Board meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday each month, 7:00 pm, at the BV Fire Station. You're welcome to attend, but please confirm the meeting date first. If you have any questions or concerns, you can leave a message for the Bennett Valley Fire Chief, Andy Pforsich, at 823-1084 Bennett Valley Paid Firefighting Staff 24-hour Shift Personnel: Lieutenant Gabe Stirnus, Engineers Kevin Burris and Matt Tognozzi Daytime Firefighters, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm: Engineers Danny Connelly and Steve Gritsch Firefighter Ronnie Lakin Supplemented and supported by approximately twentythree trained firefighting volunteers. Three volunteers per night are paid to sleep overnight at the Fire Station, for improved coverage and safety.

Bennett Valley Fire Station Notes • As of 8/31/07, Verizon Wireless has NOT filed an! application with Sonoma County PRMD for a cell; phone tower at the BV Fire Station, as previously! discussed. • An outside emergency telephone has now been installed at the BV Fire Station, to the right of the!

front door. When you pick-up the receiver, it automatically dials 911, to report an emergency. BV Firefighter Activities; July/August by Engineer Steve Gritsch Medical Aids/Rescues- 25; Structure Fires-3 Vehicle Accidents-11; Vegetation Fires - 6 Other-24 (Public Assist, hazardous conditions, false alarms, etc.) Total Runs: 69 Community Day: This year, the BVFPD: Firefighters' Association is hosting Community Day at!

the Matanzas Creek Winery on Sunday, September: 16. The event will run from 12-5, and will be a fun day. As always, there will be music, food, drinks, an auction/raffle, and other booths/events. We hope to see everyone there, and thanks again for supporting your local firefighters.

Training: If anyone driving by is wondering why! we have mutilated cars in our parking lot, here's the answer: August equals extrication training! This is the time of year we like to practice using the vehicle! extrication tools and get as creative and realistic with: training as possible. The best way to do this is by using cars either previously abandoned or impounded. With the support of local wrecking yards and impounds, we have a large disposal of vehicles to acquire for training.

Shift by shift, we have used the so-called "Jaws of Life," the hydraulic rescue tools, to work on cutting and removing doors, roofs, and other obstacles in an effort to free a simulated patient. As EMTs and Firefighters, we strive to work on freeing a trapped victim within 1 hour from the time of collision, called the "golden hour." If someone involved in a bad crash is able to be extricated, transported via ground or air, and reach a Trauma Center like the one at Memorial Hospital, during this "golden hour", then their chances for survival are very good. While this may seem like lots of time, surprisingly an involved extrication can take quite a long time, and with multiple victims, that time only gets longer. Add on the dispatch, fire department response, and transport times, and the golden hour mark can approach pretty fast.

With each shift training together, as if they were responding to an actual call, the smoothness and speed of the extrication gets faster and faster, resulting in a better outcome for the patient. Making Your Home and Property Fire Safe By Tamara Boultbee We live in an area of high to severe fire hazard Wildfire season is still with us and is a constant threat until after the first fall rains. Do you know how to protect your family and property should a wildfire occur? Do you know how to prevent or reduce the risk of fire damage to your home and property?

Fire Safe Sonoma, a local non-profit organization dedicated to fire safety education and support, has put together a 16 page guide for the homeowner. This guide provides information on how you can reduce the risks of fire damage to your home and property with step by step methods for making your property more fire safe. Learn how to create a defensible space around your home, how to design fire safe landscaping, and what to do and how to protect your property if/when a wildfire approaches.

This FREE booklet is available by calling the Department of Emergency Services, 565-1152, contacting our local fire station, or_by free download at www.firesafesonoma.org. Limited copies will also be available at the CERT table at Bennett Valley Community Day.

Be Prepared During Emergencies: Help Bennett Valley CERT Program Keep the Phones Working By Karen Sommer, 528-8982 AT&T Bulletin, July 2007 We have a new Community Emergency Response During a disaster, we need your help to Team (CERT) class starting on September 8*h ensure you and your loved ones can stay in touch— training people how to help save and sustain lives and emergency workers can rely on the phone following a disaster until first responders, such as system to coordinate relief efforts.

firefighters, can get there. The 20 hours of training When an earthquake, fire or other disaster will be on four Saturdays; September 8th, , September hits, people naturally want to call to reassure each ", September 29th and October 13th , at the other, but when everyone tries to call at the same Bennett Valley Fire Station, with BVHA agreeing to time, the phone system is strained to capacity.

reimburse costs for those attending the class. We Network overload is usually caused by this huge can still accept additional applicants for this class. If surge of phone calls, rather than by downed phone you know of anyone that might be interested, please lines. let me know, so we can get them an application. The During emergencies, you can get messages plan is to have at least one other person from last to family and friends without contributing to the year's CERT class attend each of these classes to overload. Here's how you can help ensure the phone show support, help with sign-in, refresh their system is available for everyone.

knowledge, or to be "a practice victim". I'm planning to have the CERT trailer, CERT information and CERT Before a Disaster displays at Bennett Valley Community Day on Choose an emergency contact outside your September 16th. This will be a great opportunity to area. Ask someone who lives in another area to be show the community what CERT is and what each of your central contact. In case of a disaster, call that us can do to be more prepared.

person to say you're all right. Provide a list of people Sonoma County CERT is busy planning you'd like them to contact and tell the people on another County-wide challenge for 2008 and a miniyour list to call your contact, not you. That way you training later this year, for those who've completed only make one phone call to reach everyone. Get a CERT training. We are discussing various battery-powered radio and lots of batteries.

possibilities, so please let me know any ideas you You can hear the latest and disaster might have for additional training. Some of the information even if your power is out. ideas being discussed are: "Sheltering in Place", pet rescue and large animal evacuation, community During a Disaster storage caches and what they should contain, and Call 911 for immediate threats to your life or communications without telephones, including the property only. Use your radio rather than 911 for proper use of ham radio operators. The Wildland news about the disaster. To help ensure a fast Urban Interface module put on by the State has response: been postponed but I will keep you updated on • Stay on the line and wait for the operator, don't when that will be rescheduled.

hang up and redial. • Quickly state the emergency. • Answer all the questions you're asked. Be patient. In an emergency, such as an earthquake, network overload may cause calls to be delayed. So it may take a bit longer before you are able to complete a call. Here's what to listen for to determine is a call can be placed: • Normal dial tone: place your call.

• Silence: wait for dial tone: don't hang up as it will further delay your call. • Fast busy signal (twice as fast as usual): try again later. • A recording: it will report that all circuits are busy; try again later.

Fall Clean-Up Bv Roads Day!

Saturday, November 3rd, has been chosen for the next Bennett Valley clean-up roads day. We are asking volunteers to meet at the fire station at 8:30 am. Donuts and coffee will be served. Don't forget to wear sturdy shoes, gloves and a • hat for sun I protection. BVHA provides "pick-up sticks" that are a great help in preventing sore backs.

If it is raining, this will event have to be rescheduled. To confirm the date and time, please call Sandy Sandine, 579-0282. We really do appreciate those residents who come out to help keep our community roads free from litter!

Minimizing Your Propane Bill By Craig S. Harrison Last September I provided a comparison of propane prices for Bennett Valley, based on my telephone survey after I became very dissatisfied with my supplier. I noted that shopping for propane is not easy because prices change continuously, fixed price contracts are very expensive, and no company advertises its prices. Using the survey results, we signed up with Blue Star Gas. Blue Star is our fourth supplier in six years and I don't think we will be looking for a new one any time soon. All contacts with the company have been professional, prompt and responsive. Blue Star provides a solar-powered tank device that always signals the level of the tank to a monitor in your home and in Blue Star's office.

Despite high gasoline prices all year, our propane costs ranged from $1.85 to $2.06 per gallon. Blue Star has a special bulk purchasing price for residents in the Grange Rd. and Sonoma Mountain Rd. areas and the more of us that participate, the cheaper the rates can become.

De Carli's has a similar arrangement for residents of both Bennett Ridge and on Enterprise Under these pricing arrangements, the company agrees to a charge flat mark-up from the price it pays to the refinery (the precise details of which are confidential). Banding together into neighborhood groups to negotiate propane purchases is very beneficial and you are probably paying too much if you are not using one of the bulk suppliers in Bennett Valley. If you are new to the area, beware of special low price deals by some companies on a first tank for new customers, which will be generously recouped by the company in subsequent deliveries.

Here Comes The Sun By Jon Dale, Alter Systems Dealer (510) 868-0564, x123 People and businesses are turning to solar power as a way to reduce greenhouse gases, lower electricity bills and obtain energy independence. During the past year alone, over 3,500 California homeowners and companies have embraced solar power, generating enough clean, renewable energy to keep more than 5 million TONS of greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere.

Saving the planet is one thing. The economics of solar also make it a compelling investment. Advances in technology plus state and federal incentives have lowered the cost of solar energy so it is cheaper in most cases than PG&E. Plus, solar power systems, which can last 40 years or more, increase property values without incurring higher assessments or real estate taxes. If you have ever considered going solar, you can learn more from one renewable energy dealer, Alter Systems, at the Bennett Valley Community Day. They will have a demonstration model and a representative there to answer your questions about solar power and whether it makes sense for you. (Of course it is always recommended you consult with more than one dealer for an investment such as this.

Editor) Sonoma County General Plan 2020 The Board of Supervisors is having hearings on the proposed changes in the Sonoma County General Plan. Supervisors will hold three more public hearings in mid-September on the proposed general plan. Then they intend to debate policy changes, with a vote likely next spring. The current schedule for September, 2007, as printed in the Press Democrat is as follows: Agricultural resources, land use, area plans: 1:30 p.m. Sept. 13; Land use requests: 6 p.m. Sept. 19; Agricultural resources and land use: 1:30 p.m. Sept. 20; Meetings are held in Supervisors' chambers at 575 Administration Drive. Deadline for written comment: 5 p.m. Sept. 28.

Copies at: www.sonoma-county.org/prmd/gp2020/index.html

Bennett Valley Communitycalendar

If Interested, Remember to Mark Your Calendars. ¡1.) Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association ¡(BVHA): 2007 meetings; Wed.'s Sept. 12"h, Oct. 17th ¡and Nov. 14'h. See Page Six for tentative agendas. ! 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.

¡ Please call 823-1084 to verify meetings in advance. :3.) Taylor Mountain Exploration, LandPaths, Sat., ; Sept. 15, Moderate hiking; 3-4 miles, call 524-9318. : 4.) Bennett Valley Community Day, BV Firefighters, ; Sun., Sept. 16th ', Matanzas Creek Winery, noon-5pm (5.) Art on the Ridge: Sat. and Sun., Sept. 22" and ; 23rd, 12 noon until 5:00 p.m. Look for the yellow i balloons on the mail boxes of nine different Bennett Ridge homes; includes displays of eighteen different artists.

(6.) 23d Annual Artrails Open Studio weekends: ! Visit Bennett Valley "Artrails" artist studios. Sat. & ¡Sun.'s Oct. 13-14-20-21. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ! You may call Sonoma Co. Art's Council, (707) 579-2787, for go to website www.artrails.org. :7.) Bennett Valley Grange Spaghetti Dinner, Sat., ; Oct. 20th ", 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Watch for the signs.

:8.) Sonoma County Board Of Supervisors meets ¡ every Tuesday (except on weeks when there is a ; holiday) at 575 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa. ¿You may call 565-2241, if you have any concerns.

Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association (BVHA) Board Of Directors P.O. Box 2666, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 Tim Murphy, President tjmcpadvc@sbcglobal.net,_542-7114 Craig Harrison, Vice-President charrison@hunton.com, 573-9990 Helen Bates, Treasurer hbates@att.net, 695-8760 Connie Montague, Recording Secretary ecmonty@teevax.com,_542-4987 Eric Burns, Director datamonk@svn.net, 584-7531 Larissa Goliti, Director Igoliti@hotmail.com, 578-3453 Paul Hamilton, Director, 527-0671 Frank LaCombe, Director franksgarage@peoplepc.com,585-3482 Dan McCaskle, Director dangmccaskell@aol.com, 546-6155 • BVHA Membership Coordinators- Larissa Goliti, 578-3453, and Jean LaCombe, 585-3482 • BVHA VOICE Editor - Marilee Jensen, 576-0405 marileejensen@sbcglobal.net • BVHA Nominating Chair, 2007 — Jean LaCombe, 585-3482, spinningsnake@peoplepc.com Come Join BVHA; Support Your Rural Community and Be Eligible to Vote If you haven't already joined BVHA, don't forget to send your check in now. The goal is to preserve and protect our lovely valley, and your continued support is the one way it can be done. Also you need to send in your $15 dues in order to vote in the upcoming election this month for the new members of the BVHA Board. Send your check to: BVHA, P.O.Box 2666, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 Brief Summary of BVHA Meeting, July 18th • There was a discussion about emergency preparation, both CERT training for individuals and COPE for neighborhoods, coordinating their efforts to be prepared. Three neighborhood efforts were specifically discussed, that is Bennett Ridge, La Paz Lane area and Pressley Road (just off Sonoma Mountain Road).The names of those residents with CERT training are available through Karen Sommer and the Bennett Valley Fire Station.

• During the Treasurer's Report, the Bennett Valley t-shirts were discussed, as they have already exceeded their costs by $700. The Board agreed to use this money to increase the disaster preparedness efforts in Bennett Valley and to reimburse CERT trainees for their initial costs.

• The BVHA website is <www.bennettvalley.org> as now shown on the first page of the VOICE. •Cell Tower; Per Craig Harrison, no decision has been made as to whether the tower will be a multiple or single tower. Guest Ed Montague shared that if you're interested in the appearance of a tree cell phone tower, as has been proposed by Verizon Wireless for BV, there is one to see on Roberts Avenue in Santa Rosa, off of Sebastopol Road.

• A decision was made by the Board to send out fliers about the special BVHA meeting on Sept. 12th with Valerie Brown and Phil Demery as speakers, as well as put signs up about the week before the meeting. •Bylaws Revisions: Tim Murphy gave copies of the bylaws to the board to consider changes at a future meeting.

• Sonoma County Public Works will pick up garbage left along the road when they are so notified, usually within three to seven days. The number to call to report roadside garbage is 576-7280. Ask for Hank. They may also be willing to clean-up graffiti, depending on the circumstances, location, etc.

Board of Directors Tentative Agendas Wednesday, September 12*h ", 7 pm, BV Grange : •Speakers Valerie Brown and Paul Demery. See Page One for more detailed information. There will be both presentations by the speakers and questions and answers from the audience. : • Updates on BVHA 2008 Calendar, BVHA Website, and the BVHA Board elections.

: Wednesday, October 17th ', 7 pm, BV Grange • Consideration of Bylaws revisions 1 - Election results ; - After adjournment, selection of BVHA officers by new Board for next year

Help Needed!!

BV Road Clean-Up CoordinatorS) Brief Job Description: Set date, clear with BV Fire Station, contact Public Works to order trash bags, & arrange for trash pick-up. Have new date added to sign, to be posted on BV Rd. near Galvin Park 2 to 3 weeks before event. Arrange for 2 dozen donuts, coffee (decaf and regular), and bottled water. Need sign-up sheets for volunteers. Equipment such as vests, pick-up sticks, caution signs, etc. are taken to the Fire Station on the morning of the clean-up. We need your help in arranging for this, generally twice a year.

Bennett Valley Wildlife Photos Needed!

Entry Deadline: SEPTEMBER 15, horizontal high resolution color prints (digital or film - 4" X 6" minimum) 5 entries per person, S.A.S.E. Send to B.V.H.A. 2008 Calendar Committee, 2663 Bennett Ridge Rd., S.R. 95404, 527-6002 (See Page Two, for further details.) TITLER FORMAT (digital or film) DATE 1.)_ 2.)_ 3.)4.)_ 5.)Name Address Phone

Page Two Page Three Page Four Page Five Page Six Page Seven Bennett Valley Homeowner's Association P.O. Box 2666 Santa Rosa, CA 95405 Website: www.bennettvalley.org Valley community participation and provide a bridge for communication between government agencies and the Bennett Valley community." Return Service Requested BV Wildlife Deadline, Soptember 15 (2008 Calendar) Meeting w/ Valerle Brown, Soptember 12