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Spring is our greenest season in Bennett Valley, and even the cloud formations are lovely.
The Bennett Valley VOICE
In this issue of the VOICE, we have an announcement of our third annual talk by Dr. Quinton Martins on his Living with Lions mountain lion project. It will be held on Thursday, May 17. We also have a brief report on awards given to Bennett Valley Fire District firefighters for their service during the October fires, a summary of roads that will be repaired in Bennett Valley and other areas during this construction season, and an announcement of Nate Belden joining the Bennett Valley Community Association as a board member.
If you have not done so already, please join or renew your membership for 2018. The dues are $20 plus any additional contribution you may choose to make. Send checks to BVCA, P.O. Box 2666, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 or pay online at www.bennettvalley.org by choosing “Join/Renew: BVCA Membership." For questions about dues contact Larissa Goliti at lgoliti@hotmail.com or 578-3453. For questions about paying online, contact Bill Finkelstein at 536-1026.
We need an editor-in-chief for the VOICE, and if you are interested please contact any board member. For the time being, we have to suspend the printed version. We apologize to members for this inconvenience.
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Photo by Quinton Martins, PhD/Principal Investigator/Living with Lions
Living with Lions—
Co-existence with an Iconic American Predator
by Craig S. Harrison, President of BVCA
We are delighted that Dr. Quinton Martins, a wildlife ecologist with Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR), will provide an update on the research results of ACR’s Living with Lions mountain lion project. His talk will be held on Thursday, May 17, at 7 PM at the Bennett Valley Guild Hall on Grange Road.
Quinton’s talks are always very popular and parking will be a challenge. PLEASE CARPOOL.
This community-based research and education project focuses on a study area that encompasses about 1,000 square miles, primarily in the Mayacamas Mountains (areas east of Highway 101 and west of 29) in Sonoma and Napa counties. The results are increasing scientific and public understanding of mountain lions, identifying priority habitat areas for conservation, and increasing appreciation for these important top predators. Since the fires, the project has included a stronger focus on human-wildlife co-existence – the how and why this is so important. This will be a valuable opportunity to get the facts and address concerns you might have.
Dr. Martins is leading the project and has already collared six mountain lions. Their movements are being tracked by satellite every two hours. The talk will focus on what Dr. Martins has learned so far, including home ranges, movement, and feeding patterns of four lions that overlap with Bennett Valley, Taylor Mountain Regional Park, and Trione-Annadel State Park. The talk will also provide valuable detail on how people can learn to coexist with these majestic predators.
The results of this work have already increased our knowledge of mountain lions in ways that support conservation across all species, educated the public about the role and importance of these top predators, and worked with landowners towards coexistence for the benefit of both our natural and human communities. For more information go to http://egret.org/acr-mountain-lion-project
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Bennett Valley Firefighters Honored
by Deborah Rogers, Bennett Valley Fire Board
On April 29, the Bennett Valley Firefighters were presented Challenge Coins by First District Supervisor Susan Gorin. Each Firefighter was honored with a coin and thanked by Supervisor Gorin for their service during the October fires. Fire Chief Dan George was in attendance, along with Deborah Rogers representing the Bennett Valley Fire Board.
The coins are the same that were presented to over sixty Sonoma County first responders in early January of this year. They are commemorative coins fashioned after coins given to the military for their service. Each coin lists on one side the names of each fire that was burning during the month along with the state flag. The reverse side has the flag of the United States, the date of the fires, and the caption Sonoma Strong.
Five thousand coins were purchased by the Sonoma County Community Foundation with donated funds and given to first responders and supporting personnel.
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Much of Sonoma Mountain Road looks like this after a storm.
Bennett Valley Roads to Be Repaired in 2018
by Craig S. Harrison, Save Our Sonoma Roads
The Sonoma County Transportation and Public Works Department has issued a list of planned pavement projects for the 2018 and 2019 construction seasons with tentative start dates. The funds for these projects were allocated in part as the result of advocacy by Save Our Sonoma Roads and its members.
In Bennett Valley, portions of Crane Canyon Road, Grange Road, and Sonoma Mountain Road are scheduled for work during August. There are many other roads on the list that you likely use. To see the three-page “Planned Pavement Projects 2018 and 2019,” including road names and locations, pavement treatments, and tentative construction starting dates go to http://sosroads.org/
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Nate Belden Joins
the BVCA Board of Directors
by Jean LaCombe, BVCA Nominating Committee
Director Debbie Forton tendered her letter of resignation from the BVCA Board of Directors effective April 15, 2018. As you may remember, four candidates ran for three seats on the Board in the November 2017 BVCA Election. Nate Belden received enough qualifying votes to be eligible for an appointment to the BVCA Board to fill the remainder of Ms. Fortons’ full term which ends this coming November. At that time, Nate will have the opportunity to run for a full three-year term.
Nate’s Candidate Statement appeared in the September 2017 VOICE, should you want to refresh your memory regarding his qualifications. The remaining BVCA Board members welcome Nate to the Board and look forward to working with him.
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Bennett Valley Community Association
Board of Directors
www.bennettvalley.org
Craig S. Harrison, President craigspencerharrison@gmail.com 573-9990
Larissa Goliti, Vice-President and Membership Coordinator lgoliti@hotmail.com 578-3453
Gary Barner, Secretary gbarner@cds1.net 481-6196
Bill Finkelstein, Treasurer and BVCA Webmaster bill@williamfinkelstein.com 536-1026
Nate Belden, Director nate@beldenbarns.com 415-577-8552
Frank LaCombe, Director frankklacombe@gmail.com 585-3482
Deborah Rogers, Director and Bennett Valley Emergency Preparedness (BVEP) Coordinator
deborahrog@comcast.net 332-4753
James Cobb, Director cobblaw@pacbell.net 586-9172
Jamie Burkart, Director bc3burkart@gmail.com 303-859-0489
VOICE editorial team:
Vacant
Minutes for the previous meeting of the BVCA Board of Directors are typically posted on its web site soon after they are approved. You can find them at: http://bennettvalley.org/index.php/meetings/33-meeting-minutes
The forthcoming meeting of the Bennett Valley Community Association Board of Directors will be held at the Bennett Valley Guild Hall on, Thursday, May 17 at about 8:00 PM. The public is invited to attend. The Agenda for the board meeting opens with public discussion, with each presenter invited to address the Board for up to three minutes with name, address, and concern. Following public input, the board will formally elect Nate Belden to the board, and will continue with a report from the Treasurer, reports of any official notifications from the County, and a report from the Bennett Valley Emergency Preparedness Committee. Additional topics of discussion will include county roads, VOICE, the Fire Protection District, and potential speakers for 2018. Finally, the Board will appoint an Election Nominating Committee.
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Bennett Valley Fire Protection District
6161 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
bennettvalleyfire.org
707-578-7761
contact@bennettvalleyfire.org
Board of Directors
President: ArnieTognozzi
Vice-President: Joseph Mazeau
Directors: Deborah Rogers, Don D'Avanzo, and Mark Richardson
Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper: Lesley McCormick, 823-1084
Bennett Valley Paid Firefighting Staff
Fire Chief: Dan George, 481-8105 Email: dgeorge@sonic.net
Battalion Chief: Darrin DeCarli, 823-5502 Email: ddecarli@sonic.net
Battalion Chief: Adam Schipper Email: schipper@sonic.net
Officers: Lt. Travis Brown Andrew Tognozzi; Firefighter Nick Thyself
Full-time Firefighters: Scott Gratto, Brian Black, Ben Tapparo
Fire District Board Meetings: Second Tuesday each month, 7:00 PM, at the Bennett Valley Fire Station. Confirm the meeting date in advance by calling 823-1084.
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Bennett Valley Guild
Go to http://bvguild.org to learn more about the Guild, including the most current Guild calendar (click calendar) or, for an article on the early history of the Bennett Valley Guild (click history). Note: Ricardo's Bar & Grill, 2700 Yulupa, Santa Rosa, is donating 10% of all day sales on the fourth Tuesday of every month in 2018 to the Bennett Valley Guild Restoration Fund. If you have any questions, please call Bill or Patty Allen, 544-3721.
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Bennett Valley Community Calendar
Mark your calendars now!
Bennett Valley Community Association: Next meeting is Thursday, May 17, 7:00 PM, Bennett Valley Guild Hall at 4145 Grange Rd.
146th Annual Bennett Valley Picnic and Chicken BBQ: Sunday, June 3, Noon to 4 PM at the Bennett Valley Guild Hall, 4145 Grange Rd. Santa Rosa.
Bennett Valley Fire Protection District: Board of Directors meets the second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 PM, at the Bennett Valley Fire Station. Please call 823-1084 to confirm meeting date ahead of time.
Sonoma County Board Of Supervisors: Meets most Tuesdays at varying times; 575 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa.
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Emergencies. 911 or Fire Dispatch 576-1365.
Sheriff’s Office. 565-2121 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Sonoma County Road Maintenance (Public Works). 565-5100 to report dangerous potholes, fallen trees, landslides, or trash in the road. After hours, 565-2121 (Sheriff’s office). If debris or objects cause imminent traffic hazards on county roads, 588-1400 (California Highway Patrol).
Sonoma County Animal Services. 565-7100 (removal of large dead animals on the road).
Sonoma County Board Of Supervisors: Supervisor Susan Gorin (565-3752, susan.gorin@sonoma-county.org) represents Bennett Valley as the 1st District Supervisor. It's usually easier to reach her District Director, Pat Gilardi (565-3752, pat.gilardi@sonoma-county.org).
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