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Hazel Mitchell passed away Tuesday March 4 at 4:33 pm.
UPdated Hazel, 90, was a larger than life force on the Sonoma Coast. In the early 60s she was one of the principals in the fight to stop the contruction of an atomic power plant by PG&E on Bodega Head.
She was active in local politics and land development struggles for the past 40 years. She is survived by her husband and constant companion, Wes.
The picture below is of Hazel protesting the PG&E Atomic Park display at the Sonoma County Fair.
Services will be on Saturday March 8 at 11 am
at Pleasant Hill Memorial Park, in Sebastopol -
Pleasant Hill Road at Elphick Road.
Local man finds 176 year old coin at Fort Ross
Ranger Report
By Daniel F. Murley
Though the chunky tarnished metal disc sat silent in Jim’s hand, locked in that battered, well-traveled coin was hidden a tale that screamed to be heard. In fact, the double-headed eagle, each head adorned with a little crown, seemed eager to screech out its story to anyone willing to listen.
While performing his daily chores on his ridge-top ranch a couple of weeks ago, local rancher, horticulturalist, environmentalist, political activist and all-around Renaissance man, Jim McCrumb, made a discovery of noteworthy historic importance. Diverted from his task to feed his pigs, he spied a glint of sunlight reflecting from an object on the well-worn path next to the fence in the sheep pasture. He nimbly hopped the fence to retrieve what he though was a metal “knock-out” from an electrical box. To his surprise and delight he held and gently rubbed a 176 year-old Russian five-Kopek piece between his cracked and calloused thumb and fore finger. Jim, being knowledgeable of local history, knew of the Russian presence here in Sonoma County from 1808 to 1841 and the 1831 date on this mud-caked copper piece placed it smack dab in the middle of the Russian “occupation.” After sharing his unbelievable find with partner Dave, Jim gave me a call. My exclamations of joy and tinge of jealousy were loudly expressed and the forest around my home echoed with, “Holy Mackerel! … I cannot believe it … When can I see it?” Jim cordially invited me to view the coin and I literally jumped at the chance.
As we walked to the site of the discovery we could look westward toward the coast and see the fog-shrouded ocean and when we stopped in the pasture, we looked back toward the Santa Rosa Plain, Mount Saint Helena and the Mayacamas Range. In this lofty spot we engaged in discussion and conjecture about the possible origins and the final disposition and deposition of the Russian coin. The first item to examine is actually from whence the piece came. I mentioned that during the reign of Emperor Nicholas I (1825-1855), the tsarist regime had two main mints, one in Yekaterinburg and the other in Suzun.
We examined the side opposite the double –headed eagle which read 5 Kopeks and had the initials, C.M. embossed on it. In the Cyrillic alphabet “S” is designated by a “C” so this coin came from the Suzun Mint in Siberia and was struck in 1831. We figured it had traveled at a minimum 6,000 miles from there to here. We also noted that part of Siberia was at the time of minting a vast boreal forest which has been recently clear-cut and we nodded at the similarity in the final resting place of the coin. Though here a second growth Redwood forest is prominent, around Suzun the taiga has been almost completely devastated.
Back from environmental concerns we discussed the way the coin got here to this exact location. The frequent appearance of Pomo Indian artifacts in the area shows a continuous seasonal occupation for thousands of years. In many nearby habitation sites, evidence of contact with the Russian settlement at Ross (POCC in Cyrillic) has been found. We speculated that a most likely scenario would be that the coin was acquired by a Pomo person at Ross or Port Rumiantsev (Bodega Bay) and carried back here to a coastal hills settlement and deposited here probably by chance. It was probably lost, inadvertently dropped on an old trail or just left behind in a rushed departure. However, it probably would have been a treasured trinket not for its fleeting unimportant monetary value, but for its contribution to the status of the individual who possessed it.
It is truly a treasured trinket to the man who found it nearly 200 years after it was deposited on the ridge top in the Sonoma County coastal range.
This year, we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Russian American Company’s arrival in our neighborhood here in Sonoma County and examine the legacy of both the ethnic Russians and the Native Alaskan marine mammal hunters who were brought here to serve the purposes of this Russian mercantile venture.
Jim McCrumb with 1831 Russian 5 Kopek coin By Daniel F. Murley
Tomales Regional History Center members presented dictionaries to all 3rd graders at Bodega Bay School. Tuesday January 14, 2008.
Announcement
The Bodega Bay Community Center will hold a meeting to decide the fate of the Community Center building and the organization. Recently the only active volunteers have moved from the area. The remaining members invite the community to participate in discussions to repurpose and revitialize the organization. The meeting will be Wednesday January 23 at the Community Center at 7:30 pm.
The Wednesday before that meeting the Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival will hold their monthly meeting at the Community Center at 7 pm. January 16, 2008.
THE TURKEYS TROTTED
It was an unseasonally pleasant day on November 27th, when 34 students from Bodega Bay School descended on Doran Beach for the 26th running of the annual Bodega Bay School Turkey Trot. Initiated by former teacher, Jim McElroy, in the early 1980's, this tradition has remained a favorite school activity over the years.
Beautiful weather and firm packed sand greeted these "turkey trotters" from grades kindergarten through 5th grade for this year's run. The one-mile course began on the beach near the ranger's kiosk and ended near the parking lot at the jetty.
A grand time was had by all-students, staff, parents, and even holiday vacationers visiting the beach - as they cheered on the participants.
Fourth grader Erik Avalos claimed the 2007 Turkey Trot title with an outstanding effort of 7 minutes 14 seconds. Following close behind was 3rd grader Miles Miller. Other top finishers included Jacob Fernandes, Jorge Hernandez and Luis Padilla. Erik received a champion's ribbon and a turkey donated by Don Young of Pelican Plaza Deli and Market. The fastest boy (Miles and Luis) and girl (Megan Rodriquez and Celeste Biegler) in each glass received a pupkin pie for their efforts. All participants were awarded certificates.
After school training program sponsored by United Way
Posted December 9, 2007 ------- by Sara Chiapetta --------- Many children take piano lessons, dance lessons, gymnastics, or learn to play soccer, basketball, etc. Very few children get formal training to combat kidnapping and abuse. radKids is back and gaining momentum.
radKids was welcomed once again at Bodega Bay area. This year, United Way of the Bay Area sponsored the Bodega Bay radKids (resisting Aggression Defensively). This ten hour instruction presented by the Bodega Bay After School Parent Co?]op Program started November 26-30th, 3:30-5:30 pm every day after school. Graduation was the 30th with diplomas, ribbons, awards, wrist bands, balloons, and gifts for those who participated and/or completed the ten hour course. Parents were given Fingerprint Safety Manual Kits and Parent Program Manuals outlining exactly what their child learned.
Twenty-nine children from K-5th grade participated with the help of the Bodega Bay Fire Department, Polly Klaas Foundation of Petaluma, radKids Instructors - Sara Chiapetta and Kelby Jones, radKids Assistant Instructor Lucy Rodriquez, Mirella Palomares-After School Parent Coordinator, along with many supportive parents and alumni graduates helping. The Program is designed to role play possible dangerous scenarios and learn how to get out of that situation by using physical skills and information the radKids instructors teach them. They are taught to yell for help, how to get away and run! The goal is to give the child Safety Empowerment over danger, how to recognize possible danger, and how to stay away from it. Sara Chiapetta, the After School Program Director says "If you can reach one child then we have done our job. What a child believes they can achieve does make a difference. If you can give children any edge over a scary situation then the Program has been successful. We try to build a safer world for them ?]even if its only one child at a time."
These three instructors have taught over 165 children in the Sonoma County area alone. This program began in 1998 and has been featured on "Americas Most Wanted", "The Today Show", CNN, and "Good Morning America". radKids has documented more than 150 successes in the prevention of violence and harm to children. Over 200,000 children have been taught across the Unites States.
This five day program teaches children ranging in K-8th how to protect themselves against abductors, bullies, child abusers, sexual assaulters and manipulators. Children are provided with the tools to recognize and avoid violence in their world. This age appropriate program believes in three basic principles the child learns immediately:
1. No one has the right to hurt me.
2. I don't have the right to hurt anyone else unless I need to escape physical danger or harm.
3. If someone hurts or tricks me, it's not my fault, go and tell a trusted adult.
The most important principle they learn at once is - "if no one believes them, then go and tell someone else, over and over again until someone listens!
A heavily padded instructor and student practice defensive scenarios - above
The class held still for a picture
Election results from Sonoma County Registrar of Voters at 10:43 pm, Tuesday Nov. 6, 2007
Shoreline
Unified School District Area 1:
Scott McMorrow 353 - 70.7%
Phillip Joaquin Torres 144 - 28.9%
Write-in candidate(s) 2 - 0.4%
Shoreline Unified School
District Area 3:
Vote For: 2
Monique Moretti 446 - 52.4%
Julie Ann Titus 242 - 28.4%
Margaret Lord 158 - 18.6%
Write-in candidate(s) 5 - 0.6%
Bodega Bay Fire
Protection District
Vote For: 2
Cathy Beck 324 - 38.1%
George Sage 201 - 23.6%
William B Wheeler 191 - 22.4%
Dave Kruppa 133 - 15.6%
Write-in candidate(s) 2- 0.2%
Measure F - Bodega Bay Fire Protection District
Yes 248 - 55.2%
No 201 - 44.8%
Bodega Bay Fire public employee compensation tables
A recap of the Bodega Bay Fire District Candidate's night
below
"The Birds" remake in "active development" in Texas
Inside pages of website updated
Bodega Bay Fire District Board held a Candidate's Night for the four candidates for the two seats up for election, Cathy Beck, incumbent, George Sage, incumbent, Dave Kruppa and William Wheeler challengers.
Candidate's Night Tuesday Oct. 23, 7:30 pm at Bodega Bay Fire Station -- John Dolittle, Bodega Bay resident, to moderate.
Boy dies in collapse of sand cave at Salmon Creek beach - Story below of similar tragedy in 1984
Salmon Creek water extraction limited
Public employee compensation schedules
Posted October 29, 2007 --------- With the Bodega Bay Firefighters union actively campaigning to unseat an incumbent Board member, employee compensation schedules are a part of the political discussion. The union has asked that their payroll rise to the level of the "norm." The union also asked the Board to consider an out of contract renegotiation with an average pay increase of 28 percent. The Board turned down that request but did grant a 7.5 percent across the board raise. A contractual 2.5 percent pay raise increase firefighter payroll by 10 percent effective July 1, 2007. Employee compensation for years 2004, 2005 and 2006 is available click here. In 2006 firefighters received total compensation ranging from $110,000 annually to $54,000.
Bodega Bay Fire District payroll schedules click here
Candidate’s Night
Posted October 26, 2007 --------- The audience booooooed, but only once.
The Bodega Bay Fire Board candidate’s night was complete with political, vague but upbeat sloganeering – “Do the right thing, common sense, best for the district, courtesy” – phrases. Two candidates, with carefully crafted but obscuring language, said they wanted higher taxes and higher payroll rates. Another separated herself from the union backed candidates with a fiscal responsibility message, becoming the taxpayer’s advocate. The fourth’s candidate is running on a lower taxes platform.
There are four candidates for two seats on the Bodega Bay Fire District Board of Directors. Two incumbents are seeking reelection with two challengers joining the fray. The two incumbents advocate very different paths. One of the challengers is part of a Bodega Bay Firefighter’s union endorsement ticket.
Who are the candidates? George Sage, incumbent, and Dave Kruppa, challenger, are the union endorsed ticket. Cathy Beck, the other incumbent, is the independent candidate. William Wheeler is the tax revolt candidate.
At the Bodega Bay Fire station meeting room a crowd of 30 citizens sat through a series of questions and answers by the candidates. After opening statements by the candidates, moderator John Doolittle asked all four three questions, each given three minutes to respond.
Question 1) Are you in favor of raising, lowering or maintaining the current property tax/assessment level? Why?
Kruppa: I favor maintaining the current level but to bring firefighter pay scales to parity with Russian River Fire.
Beck: Many see the tax as too high. We need to educate the taxpayer that we will eventually need to raise the tax to maintain the high level of service.
Sage: Maintain the current level but realize that taxes are bound to go up. We have plenty of money to buy new equipment. Later in the evening Sage said, “If you can’t afford the taxes, you can’t afford to live in Bodega Bay.” The audience reacted with gasps and shifting in their seats.
Wheeler: I’m against Measure F and the underlying Measure E. Taxes are outrageously high. My neighbors and I were very angry when the tax envelopes first arrived after E’s passage. New ideas need to be floated to find the money from Sacramento to get tax relief.
Question 2) Do you feel firefighter/EMT [staffing] levels are too high, just right or too low? How would you change them, if appropriate? How would you fund them, if appropriate?
Beck: There seems to be a consensous in the community that there need to be more paramedics. Possibly we should pay to raise our firefighter’s skill level to paramedic.
Sage: There is a law that there should be four firefighters at any fire scene, two inside the burning structure and two outside. We don’t have the money to fund four on duty firefighters now. (Sage is mistaken about the two inside, two outside regulation. The third and fourth firefighters do not have to be from the same fire agency. A neighboring jurisdiction’s firefighters can provide the additional bodies. This is the case in many small fire agencies nationwide.)
Kruppa: Staffing is just right. Maybe there should be a vote about proper staffing levels.
Wheeler: I’m against hiring a fourth person. With my limited understanding of the budget, I fear a fourth person would cost the district $150,000 annually. The budget completely uses the existing tax. The firehouse seems to be a financial black hole – any money that comes near it is sucked in.
Question 3) What is your position on fire district consolidation? If in favor, how would you ensure that the taxes raised in Bodega Bay are not used to fund other fire districts?
Sage: I support consolidation and other joint powers agreeements similar to the agreement where we share the fire chief with Russian River Fire. He asked, What difference does it make what its says on the side of the ambulance?
Kruppa: I don’t have the background, particularly about tax issues, to answer.
Beck: I’ve investigated and found that the first savings after any consolidation is in the administrative costs, which we have already made. After that the organization grows and requires increased staffing levels. I voted against consolidation.
Wheeler: I’m not up to speed about consolidation. But consolidation with California Department of Forestry should be looked at. Possibly we should also look at privitizing the ambulance.
Additional questions from the audience took up over an hour. Some were directed at individual candidates or to all. Kruppa was asked to describe his experience with district finances. He said he had no experience but was a quick study.
Wheeler was asked, you suggested Bodega Bay should be a volunteer fire agency. How would you attract volunteers? He said there should be a system of incentives. We should hire a lobbyist to pound on doors in Sacramento to get some help.
Wheeler was also asked how would the firehouse remain open if Measure F was defeated. He said, I want voters to vote against Measure F. I’m told by the Fire Chief that there are sufficient reserves to operate for a year or so. In that time the board would have to find other sources of funding or go to the voters with a new tax measure. Voters could then decide what level of service and level of taxation they can afford.
Kruppa was asked, since you are union financed how would you do something the union wanted but that might not be right for the district? Kruppa responded, “I would do the right thing.”
A question to all the candidates was, how much of a tax increase is necessary to raise the union payroll level to the norm. Sage answered that no raise was needed.
Beck replied that she needed to find out what is the norm. She said that the prudent method of comparison would be to survey the payroll levels of 10 fire agencies of comparable size and activity.
Wheeler and Kruppa said, they didn’t know.
Beck was asked what was the biggest challenge facing the district? She said that labor costs have gone up $400,000 in the past five years.
The candidates were asked how does Bodega Bay tax compare to other fire agencies?
Wheeler said the tax is off the charts, by far the highest.
Beck: “I haven’t heard of any district in the country that pays as high a tax.”
When asked if the board could find a way for those on limited income to pay less taxes, Sage said, “If you can’t afford the taxes, you can’t afford to live in Bodega Bay.” Beck responded differently saying she believes the board of directors has the discretion to consider hardship cases.
An early question was how much money did George Sage spend on the campaign signs? He responded that he hasn’t spent any money on signs, the signs were put up by the firefighters union. Sage said, “Ask the union.” He said, I am proud to be endorsed by the union. Kruppa also said he didn’t know what the signs cost.
Two candidates, William Wheeler and Dave Kruppa were at a disadvantage since they are not incumbents. William Wheeler is the outsider running to protest the high rate of taxes for Fire service.
Cathy Beck is an incumbent in a proxy fight with the other incumbent, Sage. The candidates Sage and Kruppa are seeking election based on their endorsement by the firefighters union. Beck earned the ire of the firefighters union for asking hard questions about a union-backed plan for consolidation two years ago. At the time, the union demanded Beck and Director Barbara McElhiney resign. McElhiney had also questioned the claims that consolidation supporters made for potential savings. She pointed out that the consolidation proposal included increased staffing with no additional funding source identified. The two women declined to resign. The resulting flap exacerbated disagreements among board members. Board President Tony Anello, a retired firefighter and union member usually aligns with Sage on labor issues. Many of the votes on labor issues by the board are lost by a three to two margin.
Unabashed by their failure to force Beck and McElhinney off the board, Sage and the firefighters union solicited candidates to run against Beck. At least two other local men were approached but turned down the entreaty. “I wouldn’t run against Cathy Beck," said one who remains unnamed. Kruppa accepted.
In their closing statements the candidates touted the best reasons to vote for them. Beck answered first. “I’m not against labor but I am an advocate for lower taxes and for fiscal responsibility. Beck quoted advice from several fire chiefs: their worst nightmare is a labor-dominated board of directors.
Sage followed that he was in favor of consolidation and would argue in favor of higher pay rates or “parity with Russian River” for union employees. He also said that he was incredibly honest and honored that he received the union endorsement. He closed his statement saying he and Dave Kruppa were the most qualified and capable for the board “unlike Cathy Beck.” The audience booooed.
Wheeler said defeating Measure F would not lower taxes immediately but will create a discussion about taxes. Wheeler earlier referred to the passage of Measure E as somewhat deceiving since so few voters understood the tax consequences.
As the final statements ended Sage said Beck had not yet made a statement. Beck turned to him and said she made her statement just before you [Sage] made yours.
On the ballot November 6 are candidates for the Board of Directors and Measure F. That measure will enable the district to spend the money it collects under the tax approved by voters, Measure E, four years ago.
Also known as a Proposition Four limit, all tax agencies in the state are required to limit spending to a set formula. The formula is essentially a fixed amount plus increases for annual inflation. The fixed amount for Bodega Bay is smaller than the taxes collected under Measure E. When Measure E passed it had a provision allowing the district to exceed the limit for the next four years. That time is up. Proposition Four allows tax agencies to go to the voters every four years to exceed the limit. Many agencies do not need to ask for voter approval every four years because of automatic increases in the limit. Bodega Bay must because they raised the tax levels significantly (beyond the limit) with Measure E.
Proposition Four was enacted in the years following the passage statewide of Proposition 13 in 1978. Proposition 13 was the tax revolt that lowered high property taxes. Proposition Four was a companion measure passed to further limit state agencies, like the fire district, from oppresive taxes. A 50 percent plus one “yes” vote will allow the district to spend all the tax money it collects. A “no” vote will not stop the district from collecting taxes. Eventually the taxes will have to be returned to the taxpayers. Meanwhile the district could call elections (at taxpayer expense) until they received voter approval.
The Birds
Posted October 13, 2007 -------- It’s more than a rumor but not yet an absolute reality. There is to be a remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 cult classic, The Birds, so famously filmed in Bodega and its environs. The project is “in active development.” In Hollywood terms this period can last weeks, months and even years. Details are still unsettled, separate sources have each indicated a different screenwriter, one of whom previously worked on the Thomas Crown Affair and the other on Bogeyman. Let’s hope the former gets the job. Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes Company will produce. Bay, I’m sorry to say, is known in inside circles as a schlock, not an artist. He is very successful at what he does: Armageddon, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Transformers, mostly big action numbers with little characterization. Naomi Watts will play the Tippi Hedren/Melanie Daniels role only this time the featured blonde will be a single mother not an icy, uppity society dame.
Bodega has always reveled in its part in the production of the original The Birds,” in fact Tippi Hedren comes back for a visit and to publicize her Shambala animal sanctuary regularly. She probably named her daughter Melanie Griffiths after the character she played. Of course, the stories about Hitchcock are legendary. His films do not always stand the test of time. I am not in any way negating his genius. He just lacked today’s technology. The scene in the original when the school children are running out of the school house and the birds attack engenders laughter from contemporary audiences. So even though most remakes have a bad reputation, this one would be enhanced with contemporary special effects. Recall, however, the scene when Tippi is sitting in front of the jungle gym while the birds slowly assemble on it, all set to the hypnotic, repetitive sound of the round the children are singing. Don’t touch that piece. It’s perfect.
The new version is supposed to stay closer to the original story from which the movie was adapted. The Daphne Du Maurier short story first appeared in an anthology of her short pieces called Kiss Me Again Stranger. It was set in a small English seaside village. Mr. Bay has chosen to change the venue to Texas! It’s a travesty! It’s betraying something sacrosanct! The location has lead one blogger to comment that he wishes the birds would attack Mr. Bay. – By Diane McCurdy
Read more movie news and reviews by Diane McCurdy -- click here
Bodega Bay spelling bee winners are Corey Schmitt and Kyla Jackson. The will go to Tomales Elementary to compete at the district level.
Candidate's Night announced for Bodega Bay Fire District election
Posted October 9, 2007 ------- Bodega Bay Fire District will hold a Candidate's Night at the Bodega Bay Fire Station Tuesday October 23 at 7:30 pm. All are invited. A moderater, John Dolittle, will pose a round of questions to the candidates and then entertain questions from the audience.
Shoreline Schools Candidates' Night
Posted October 9, 2007 ------- Shoreline Unified School Board Candidates’ Q and A will be held Thurs., Oct. 25, at 7 pm, at the Tomales Elementary School Assembly Room, sponsored by the Marin League of Women Voters. The SUSD has three open positions, one in West Marin. Babysitting, light snacks, refreshments, and simultaneous translation will be provided. Call Michelle Vigeant at 878-2391 for info and/or to be involved in the event.
Election for Fire Board seats becomes a union affair
October 8, 2007 -------- Two candidates for seats on the Bodega Bay Fire District are endorsed by the Bodega Bay Firefighters Union. George Sage and Dave Kruppa have the backing of the local firefighter's union. The union is financing the campaign for the two. Sage is an incumbent with a record approved by the local firefighters. He endorsed union's recent request for an out of contract raise. The raise was characterized during Board of Directors discussions as averaging 28 percent. The Board finally decided on a on a seven and a half percent raise. Coupled with an annual cost of living raise of two and one half percent the firefighters received a ten percent pay raise on July 1. Their contract runs another year. Dave Kruppa was solicited by the union to run for election.
Cathy Beck has served on the Board for five years. She recently voted against the union's pay raise proposal. The union soon thereafter stepped into the election race with a candidate, campaign money and their endorsement. A recent mailing from the union to local voters endorsed Sage and Kruppa.
Two years ago, when Director Beck and Director Barbara McElhiney questioned the union endorsed plan to consolidate Bodega Bay Fire District with Monte Rio and Russian River (Guerneville) Fire Districts, the union called for their immediate resignation saying their lack of cooperation was hurting the consolidation effort and the District. Neither resigned. Eventually the Bodega Bay District directors slowed their participation in the consolidation effort. They chose instead to continue sharing the fire chief and executive assistant with Russian River Fire -- a practical consolidation. The cost savings were significant. Sage voted consistently to proceed with consolidation, often on the losing end of three to two votes.
Kruppa is a recent attendee at Board of Director's meetings, rarely speaking or participating in discussions.
DFG closes recreational rock fish season north central coast
October 2, 2007 -------- Sport fishing for rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, and greenlings closed from Pigeon Point to the Oregon Border (North and North-Central Management Areas) on Oct. 1.
The action was taken to prevent overfishing of the threatened rock fish species complex. The Department estimated the number of fish already caught this year and the projected catches for the remainder of the year to arrive at the closure decision. Poor salmon catches resulted in fishermen switching to groundfish as well as the increase in the daily catch rate could exceed the harvest guidelines. The oversished rockfish complex is undergoing a rebuilding of stocks after historically low levels in the past few years.
Federal waters are under similar restrictions. Combined with the state restrictions the limits will prevent the harvest from exceeding federal limits.
Last year similar restrictions were also imposed for the same reasons. The closure affects only boat-based sport anglers. Commercial fishing limits were minimally increased for some species of the rockfish complex by both state and federal announcements.
Click here for Wini Hand obituary
Read about grass fire in Valley Ford with addtional photos
Photos by Jerry Dodrill
Read reaction of local resident to the tragedy at Salmon Creek in Letters -click here
Grass fire on Bay Hill Road
Posted September 16, 2007 -------- Saturday evening residents along Bay Hill Road heard a loud electrical crackling. Opposite the PG&E substation a transformer fizzled with a shower of sparks. The pole-mounted unit's demise lasted almost a minute. Within another few minutes the sparks ignited the grass and brush below. A steady and strong north wind fanned the flames into a quarter-acre blaze. The smoke and flames were visible from Highway One. Bodega Bay Fire responded with a fire engine and a water tanker. Valley Ford Volunteers, California Department of Forestry, Monte Rio Fire along with Bodega Volutneers were also dispatched to the 7:30 pm fire.
The fire was headed toward a wide expanse of chapparal to the east of the residences of Bodega Bay's old town. Firefighters encircled the spreading flames with a line of fire hoses to the west. They continued around the fire knocking down the flames. After containment and control firefighters from the several agencies mopped up, extinguishing hot spots and embers to ensure the fire was out.
Bodega Bay Fire Chief Sean Grinnell
Bodega Bay Fishermen's Salmon BBQ
Posted September 16, 2007 -------- Saturday's Salmon BBQ by fishermen was the best one yet. By 2 pm over 150 diners were served. Attendance by local residents and dignataries brought an extra level of light to the good weather. The event was a fundraiser to raise money to build the fishermen's memorial at Spud Point Marina.
Bodega Bay firefighter’s union rejects $2/hr pay raise for paramedics
Posted September 11, 2007 -------- The Bodega Bay Fire District Board of Directors heard a report from their employee relations committee Tuesday evening at their regular monthly board meeting. During at wide-ranging discussion about employee compensation issues, the committee reported they held a meet-and-confer session with the union about a pay raise for paramedics.
At the meeting, the union representative rejected the board’s offer of a $2 and hour pay raise. The raise was offered to paramedics. There are three paramedics at Bodega Bay. The three make up the one-person-24/7-staff of the paramedic ambulance.
Recently the Board of Directors rejected giving a pay raise as proposed by the union. The union contract will be renegotiated at the beginning of the next fiscal year, July 2008. That pay raise averaged 28 percent. Instead the Directors started a seven and a half percent pay raise, coupled with the contractual two and one-half percent. Union employees received a 10 percent raise at the beginning of the fiscal year.
At the Directors meeting, Union President Lou Castleberry said, “the union stands as a united front that the paramedic raise is not acceptable as a matter of fundemental principal.” He said the union did not want a splintering of their members that a raise for one class of employee class would cause.
Board member Cathy Beck said she proposed the raise for paramedics because the union has been insistent about the problem of high turnover rates of employees. Beck said she checked the tenure of the district’s employees and found that seven of eleven have been with the district more than five years. The three paramedics are all short term.
Castleberry agreed but said the $2 wasn’t going to solve the problem. Paramedics move onto other jobs with salaries of $90,000 and $120,000, he said. Bodega Bay’s paramedic salary is under $60,000 a year.
At the meeting Board President Tony Anello proposed the board designate a budget item to be called an employee retention fund. He said he wanted the employees to know what is available for employee raises and incentive pay. Board member Maggie Briare asked if that would simply raise expectations of the employees. Board member Barbara McElhiney asked how that would protect the taxpayers, after all, she said, it isn’t our money it is the taxpayer’s money.
Briare also pointed out that the union was very confrontational about the board’s decision to buy a solar electric system and how big the reserves should be. She said she was tired of hearing about how the board shouldn’t spend the taxpayer’s dollars but give it to the employees.
Anello argued passionately that there was bitter sniping and feelings between the board and the union. He plead that the board make an effort to placate the union. At the end of the discussion the board agreed to pursue the idea of an employee retention fund.
The board also heard a presentation by their legal counsel, Bill Arnone, about the recent California Supreme Court decisions regarding public and private records of government agencies. He said the court decided public employees have no right to privacy about their compensation. Bill said the district had an affirmative duty to assist any member of the public to locate and receive public records. As an example he said that a citizen could request the payroll and compensation records of individual employees. While the district could not give out tax documents, they must provide the annual compensation records for all individual employees. He said the court made a sweeping decision that eliminated any grey areas about what is confidential and what is public. He said there are limited exemptions but in essence every record about tax dollars must be revealed if a member of the public asks for it.
Another election: A race for Bodega Bay Public Utility District director's seat
Posted September 10, 2007 -------- Bodega Bay 17-year resident Rod Moore filed to run for a seat on the Bodega Bay Public Utility District Board of Directors. In this odd-numbered year, three of the five directors terms of office expire. The three incumbents have all filed to stand for election. This year only one director faces a challenger. Jim Gill, also a long-term resident and a Director for four years, faces Moore this November.
Moore, a retired civil engineer with extensive experience in public projects worldwide is running because "I believe my professional experience and qualifications would be of value in assisting the PUD to move forward in the increasingly and ever stronger regulated environment ..."
There hasn't been a challenger for a PUD directors seat since 1983. Three directors of the five have been appointed to their position, usually because no other candidate steps forward to apply for the seat.
Bodega Bay Fishermen put on Wild King Salmon Barbeque
Saturday September 15, Bodega Bay Fishermen host a Wild King Salmon Barbeque to raise funds for a memorial to local fishermen lost at sea. Grilled by expert fish cooks, the wild caught salmon for the event has been donated by local fish boats. This annual event will be at the Bodega Bay Grange on Hwy One. Served by members of the Fishermen's auxillary the event has been well-attended.
Service begins at 11 am and lasts until 6 pm or until the fish is gone. Along with the salmon, the menu includes green salad, corn on the cob, garlic bread and a soft drink. Adults are $18 while children under 10 are $10. There is a kids menu of hot dogs and corn on the cob.
Boy who died in Bodega Bay dune collapse identified
By STEVE HART, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Click to go to the Press Democrat website for the full story.
His cousin, who had also been digging, was partially buried but escaped.
Two boys died in 1984 -- buried in dune sand
Posted September 4, 2007 -------- This weekend’s sudden death by burial in dune sand recalled an incident in early spring 1984.
Two local boys, Tony Arona and Leandro Gutierrez were playing near their homes. They lived on the cul-de-sac just across Bay Flat Road from Porto Bodega. Between the road and the offices of the trailer park/marina was an expanse of dune sand. The dune sand had for years lined the sides of Johnson Creek. A few homes lined the road to the west and butted up to the Bodega Dunes Campground.
At Porto Bodega a modest sand dune had some scattered eucalyptus trees. The trailer park was built on fill along the south side of Johnson Creek. The owner of the park Hans Schroeder was operating a bulldozer on the sand dune along Bay Flat Road.
The two boys aged 10 and 11 had played on that sand dune many times. They were about 200 yards from their homes. They lived on opposite sides of the cul-de-sac.
As the bulldozer made passes across the sand dune moving sand downhill, a cascade of sand was pushed to one side. The playing boys would allow the sand to bury their feet. They would climb out and wait for the next bulldozer pass. On the last pass, the boys were buried with a few feet of sand. They were unable to extricate themselves.
Alarmed passerby, the bulldozer operator started screaming and shouting. That brought other rescuers as well as Bodega Bay Fire to the scene. Scrambling in the shifting sand one rescuer found a hand and with a might heave brought Tony to the surface. The other boy was found nearby.
Both had ingested sand. Rescuers cleared their mouths and throats of the damp sand. CPR was started on both boys. At the time, the ambulance was not staffed with paramedics, so CPR continued as the boys were rushed to Palm Drive and Santa Rosa Memorial Hospitals.
Tony Arona was one of three sons of a Bodega Bay volunteer firefighter, Michael. His wife, Chris, had another older child. Michael worked as a deck hand on the party boat, Sea Angler. The mid-afternoon accident had the Sea Angler some miles at sea. Neighbors and the parents were distraught, shocked and angry. The bulldozer operator was blamed for the accident, allowing the boys to play near the machine.
Michael was told of the tragedy when the Sea Angler docked. A contingent of cars with Volunteer firefighters drove Michael and Chris to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Longtime family friends and relatives gathered at the Hospital to hear the outcome. Doctors were still doing CPR and life support. Tony’s heart was beating. He was put on artificial respirator. A brain scan was done but showed no brain activity. Doctors withheld pronouncing him dead while the life support continued and the family gathered to say their goodbyes.
By evening, life support was cut off and Tony was declared dead within minutes.
Leandro had already been pronounced dead.
A memorial service was held the little church on the hill, with a service performed by Reverend Earl Nevins.
Michael and Chris divorced within the year. She died of an accidental overdose of drugs about two years of Tony’s death. Michael died of complications of epilepsy about five years later. The other children were in the care of Michael and Chris’s parents.
The Gutierrez family moved from the area soon after the accident.
Buck on the rocks
Posted Sunday August 26, 2007 -------- A forked horn buck found himself on the rocks at Bodega Head Friday morning. A citizen reported to the Coast Guard and the Dept of Fish and Game the plight of the trapped deer. At this time, there is no further information on the whereabouts of the daredevil creature.
Photo by Bridget Kurz
Boat on trailer and van crash on Highway One
Tuesday August 21, 2007 -------- Heavy summer traffic was jammed Tuesday afternoon when a van and a trailer boat sideswiped each other on Hwy One just south of the Tides complex. The trailer boat was pushed off the roadway with the force of the impact. The van carrying a family to the beach sustained major damage to the front end. Two passengers from the van were transported to Palm Drive Hospital with moderate injuries.
Read the rest of the story and see two additional pictures click here:
Federal judge denies Pacificorp request to throw out Klamath dams toxins case
Joseph Cotchett and Robert Kennedy will continue to argue case against PacifiCorp
A federal judge ruled on Friday that a nuisance case against PacifiCorp can go forward. The claim filed on behalf of a group of Klamath Basin residents alleges that PacifiCorp’s Klamath River dams produce toxins that endanger plaintiffs’ economic well being and way of life. The ruling came as a result of PacifiCorp’s attempt to have the case dismissed.
“PacifiCorp’s attempt to rob Klamath residents of their right to a day in court has failed. This ruling means that PacifiCorp will stand trial accused of poisoning our river and thereby destroying the livelihoods and rights of Tribal members, fishermen and business owners,” according Regina Chichizola of the Klamath Riverkeeper, a non-profit plaintiff in the case.
Swimming with the kids
For the umpteenth year in a row, swimming lessons for kids were held at the Bodega Harbour Homeowner's Clubhouse pool in the early weeks of summer. Each year, kids from across the community are invited to spend a few hours each day to learn to swim. The lessons impart a useful life skill and are a lot of fun. This year the swimmers sent this note to instructor Sandy Horn.
SANDY HORN, swimmer and lifeguard EXTRAORDINAIRE, MANY THANKS from the children at Bodega Bay Elementary School for all the hours you spent in the pool teaching water safety and swimming these past two weeks! What a great opportunity for these children, especially growing up in an area with water all around. Also, a THANK YOU to Bodega Harbour Homeowner's Association and Kemper Sports for use of the pool without which these swim classes could not have occurred! THANKS, ALL AROUND!!
Union firefighters start new fiscal year with 10 percent raise
Posted August 17, 2007 -------- Bodega Bay Fire District union firefighters were granted a seven and one-half percent across the board pay raise July 10. The pay raise is on top of a two and one-half percent pay raise that started with the new fiscal year, July 1.
Bodega Bay Fire District Board of Directors at their regular July meeting approved the seven and one-half percent pay raise. The raise is an added benefit outside of the union contract. The union contract runs for one more year.
At the Directors regular meeting in June they considered a proposal from the union to grant pay raises ranging from eight to 41 percent. Those pay raises were also requested on top of the existing union contract. The Board voted against the union’s proposal in the June meeting. Their discussion centered on getting additional counsel from the Board’s lawyer. A question was raised about the legality of hearing a union proposal outside of the legal negotiation process.
At the July meeting Directors met in closed session with their attorney. Directors proposed and approved the 10 percent pay raise at that meeting.
Bodega Bay firefighters proposed the larger pay raise rejected at the June meeting, saying they are among the lowest paid firefighters in the North Bay area. The union did not present a comprehensive pay scale comparison but relied on base pay rates.
Bodega Bay firefighters do not contribute to their retirement plan and have full health insurance with no payroll contribution. For the 11 employees of the district, payroll costs are in excess of $1.1 million annually.
Four candidates file to run for two seats on Bodega Bay Fire District Board of Directors
Posted August 17, 2007 -------- November 6 will be election day statewide for many districts. The odd-numbered year elections bring all special district board members to the ballot. In Bodega Bay, the Fire District has two seats open for election.
Four people have filed nomination papers for the two seats. Both incumbents and two challengers have filed. The incumbents, George Sage and Cathy Beck will face challengers Dave Kruppa and William Wheeler.
Sage has served five years on the board. He also served a partial term before being recalled by voters in 1994. Beck has served five years after being appointed by the Board of Supervisors when the sitting board split 2 to 2 on filling a vacancy. The seat became vacant on the resignation of Bev Burton. Burton and Donna Freeman resigned after townspeople protested their vote to transform the district into a CDF (California Department of Forestry) contract fire station.
Beck lives in Salmon Creek. Sage lives on Bodega Head.
Kruppa, 51, lists himself as a retired steel worker and lives in Sereno Del Mar. His statement of Qualifications says he will “diligently support our firefighters” and “support attaining a competitive base of wages and benefits for our firefighters.” He was asked to run for district director by Bodega Bay firefighters.
Wheeler, 67, lists himself as an artist. In fact he is widely recognized as an expert “plein air” painter. He lives on Coleman Valley Road. He has served on several political boards and commission, currently sitting as a Regional Parks commissioner. His statement of qualifications says his goal is “to maintain the high level of service of the Fire District and to look for alternative funding sources rather than depend on property taxes.” He joined a delegation of Coleman Valley property owners who protested steep increases in fire district taxes. The newly passed Measure E included a provision that hit agricultural landowners hard. Taxes on some parcels went up by 400 percent. The Fire Board of Directors concluded the ag parcel provisions of Measure E were included by mistake and rescinded those provisions.
Beck’s statement of qualifications says “I take this responsibility seriously and act in good faith for the greatest good for all… strive to maintain the balance of spending tax dollars wisely.”
Sage does not list his age on his statement of qualifications but says he is a retired college teacher. He retired over 20 years ago. He wears a special hearing device to board meetings because he has trouble understanding what people say from across the room
Sage’s statement of qualifications says, “My re-election is endorsed and supported by the Bodega Bay Firefighters and Paramedics. Please vote for me and for Dave Kruppa, who also has the support of the District’s Firefighters and Paramedics.”
Salmon season slow
By JW Sharp
Posted July 28, 2007 -------- One of the wonderful things about fishing is that you never know what you’re going to get. Today might just be the day you land a 50-pound salmon that will have your friends all talking. Or maybe you’ll come in with ten little 20-pounders.
The spring 2007 season opened May 9, closed for June, and then reopened on July 1 for the area south of Point Arena. For some, it may as well not have opened at all.
“Not much happening with the salmon,” said Richie Francesci of Paisano Bros. Fish Company in Bodega Bay. “Pretty slow season so far.”
He said the biggest fish to cross his scales weighed 41-pounds dressed.
“That’s a big salmon,” he said, “but not abnormal. The majority of the nicer fish are around 30 pounds.”
Last year was tough on fishermen because the Pacific Fishery Management Council closed much of the fishery during the months of May, June and July, some of the most productive months of the year. No such closures or limits are in place this year, barring the June hiatus. According to Bodega Bay fisherman Junior Ames, the weather this year meant even that wasn’t much of a loss.
“June was all blown out,” he said. “We couldn’t have gone out anyway.”
Fisherman are dreaming of days gone by, when Paisano Bros. saw almost a quarter million pounds of bright pink flesh cross their dock each month. So far in July there has only been 100,000 pounds, Francesci said.
He remains optimistic, however, holding out hope that when the northern waters open on August 1, things will improve. He said many local family boats are already in Fort Bragg waiting for the first day of August to dawn.
“On Wednesday, it’ll open up to Horse Mountain,” he said. “We’ll see what that brings.”
Young man takes his life at the coast Wednesday
Posted Wednesday July 25, 2007 -------- A young man killed himself Wedneday morning at Coleman Valley Beach. The young man from the Russian River area drove his pickup truck at high speed off the cliff from a parking area adjacent to Highway One. The man's girlfriend reported he said he had nothing to live for after they broke up. Sonoma County Sheriff and State Parks had a "BOLO" or be on the lookout bulletin circulating that morning.
Initially reported as a car over the cliff, rescuers responded in full force. State Park Rangers, Bodega Bay Fire and ambulance, Sonoma County Sheriff's Deputies and their helicopter. Bodega Volunteer Firefighters responded to cover the Bodega Bay Fire Station while Bodega Bay firefighters where on the scene.
Rescuers could see the lifeless body of the young man from the cliff top. Initial reports from the scene were that possibly someone could be trapped inside.
The late-model pickup truck fell about 75 feet to the beach below. It landed nose first, bouncing and rolling and ejecting the driver. Assisted by Bodega Bay Fire ambulance crews, the man's body was removed by Sheriff's helicopter. Name of the young man has not been released by the Coroner's office pending notification of his family.
Below: the pickup truck is on the beach just north of the intersection of Coleman Valley Road with Highway One. HIghway Patrol officers and a Sheriff's Deputy survey the scene. Bodega Bay ambulance crew members with the pickup truck await arrival of the Sheriff's helicopter.
UPDATE: 7/27, 2007 -------- Sonoma County Coroner identified the man as Kirby Hardy, 20, of Santa Rosa.
Historic history book unvieled at Tomales Regional History Center
Posted June 26, 2007 -------- The Tomales Regional History Center
held a reception Sunday, June 24, for Ruth McCaughey Burke in honor
of the Center's recent publication of her book, An Intimate History
of Bodega Country and the McCaughey Family. The two volume set, running
to 1260 pages not including nineteen pages of black and white photographs,
is the result of years of volunteer work at the History Center. The
project was spear headed by Lois Parks, curator of the History Center,
and Meg Shores, who served as principle editor. The book is drawn from
the archives of Burke and her father, the late Howard C. McCaughey.
It includes their own writing, as well as a wealth of material gleaned
from newspaper accounts, family correspondence, pioneer diaries, public
records, and local ephemera. For more than 20 years, Burke has undertaken
the monumental task of incorporating this information into a comprehensive
history of the Bodega area and its pioneer families.
Those interested in the book can contact the Tomales Regional History
Center at 707.878.9443 or email info @ tomaleshistory.com.
Left to right: Lois Parks, Ruth Burke,
signing her book and Ted Jones. Burke is signing a copy of the history
of Bodega as told through Ruth Burke . These are amazing two volume
books with wonderful historic photos. This has been a six year project
with the History Center.
DISAPPEARING COMMON BIRDS SEND ENVIRONMENTAL WAKE-UP CALL
Birdsongs that filled the childhoods of countless baby-boomers are rarely heard wafting on today’s spring breezes….
Once-familiar avian spectacles now elude young birdwatchers…
It’s not your imagination…
New York, NY, June 14, 2007 - A new analysis
by the National Audubon Society reveals that populations of some
of America’s most familiar and beloved birds have taken a nosedive
over the past forty years, with some down as much as 80 percent.
The dramatic declines are attributed to the loss of grasslands, healthy
forests and wetlands, and other critical habitats from multiple environmental
threats such as sprawl, energy development, and the spread of industrialized
agriculture. The study notes that these threats are now compounded
by new and broader problems including the escalating effects of global
warming. In concert, they paint a challenging picture for the future
of many common species and send a serious warning about our increasing
toll on local habitats and the environment itself.
“These are not rare or exotic birds we’re talking about—these are the birds that visit our feeders and congregate at nearby lakes and seashores and yet they are disappearing day by day,” said Audubon Chairperson and former EPA Administrator, Carol Browner. “Their decline tells us we have serious work to do, from protecting local habitats to addressing the huge threats from global warming.”
Read the rest of the story click here
Judge: counting hatchery salmon as wild violates law
Federal court sets aside controversial Bush Administration policy on endangered salmon runs.
SEATTLE – The Bush Administration's 2005 policy requiring fisheries scientists to count hatchery-bred fish in making endangered species assessments of salmon runs has been declared invalid. A federal judge in Seattle set aside the controversial policy as scientifically flawed and inconsistent with the Endangered Species Act.
The Court also set aside the listing decision for the Upper Columbia steelhead, which was treated with a lower level of endangered species protections due to the abundance of hatchery salmon in its habitat. The ruling came in twin decisions in related cases that were released today.
In setting aside the policy, the Court held "in evaluating any policy or listing determination under the ESA, [the Court's] polestar must be the viability of naturally self-sustaining populations in their naturally-occurring habitat.". The Court also focused on statements by federal experts and biologists declaring that the policy was biologically indefensible. "Nothing . . provides a scientific justification for basing status determinations" on both hatchery and wild fish together.
Read the rest of the story click here
Bodega Bay Fire District Board of Directors
Posted Wednesday June 13, 2007 -------- Tuesday evening's Board of Directors meeting wrestled with the pay raise demanded by the firefighters union. The June 12th meeting's usually small attendance swelled with firefighter's and their families. The issue comes before the Board of Directors with a year left on the current contract. The Board's decision to install a solar electric system sparked the request for a pay raise. Last year the Board decided to set the tax rate below the maximum allowed. That decision gave taxpayers a small break but was strongly opposed by firefighters.
This year the Board approved purchasing a second pumper fire engine, an ambulance, a water tender and paid off a large loan for an ambulance purchase five years ago. The apparent spending spree brought angry responses from firefighters.
Firefighters brought a list of problems the district faces, that they say will be corrected with the pay raise. They said the district faces a large turn over of new employees. This revolving door would be slowed with a pay raise they said. The union proposal also included equalizing pay rates with the Russian River Fire District. Both Bodega Bay and Russian River have the same local union representation. Another advantage, the union proposal claims would be allowing Russian River firefighters to work at Bodega Bay – or the reverse – when a regular firefighter is unable to report for work. Firefighter/Paramedic Joe Perez addressed the Board before they retired to closed non-public session to consider the Union proposal. His condemned the Board for irresponsible fiscal policy saying the firefighters deserved a raise.
The Union's proposed MOU was not released to the public in spite of it being listed as an agenda item. One board member, careful to not divulge matters deemed confidental acknowledged the pay raises ranged from 8 percent to 37 percent.
Three Board members questioned whether the proposed payroll hikes would accomplish any of the listed problems. The proposal's pay hikes were highest for employees already with the district and not at beginning steps. Whether availablity to work at both fire houses would be of any utility was also questioned since that could result in high overtime wages.
The board voted 3 to 2 to send the Board's employee relations committee back to meet with the union and bring another proposal back the Board.
Local woman earns top award
Kelly Prather of Bodega won First Place in the Advanced category at the Woodside Dressage on May 27." The Event At Woodside" is a major happening in the world of Dressage. This is a competitive event in which horse and rider are judged on elegance, precision and discipline of the horse’s movements in response to minimal signals from its rider. The two-day competition drew a large field of competitors. Held on May 26 and 27, it is part of the selection process for the Pan American Games.
First Place in the Advanced category was taken by Ballinakill Glory (stable name “Pippa”) and her rider/trainer Kelly Prather of Bodega. Pippa is owned by Andrea and James Pfeiffer’s Chocolate Horse Farms, a training stable in Petaluma.
Kelly is the daughter of Pat and Nancy Prather of Bodega, and has been riding since before she could walk.
All photos by Rose Halady of Bodega Bay
Read this informative article in the Marin I-J about Shoreline schools:
"Nearly half of students in Shoreline School District are Hispanic."
Follow
this informative series in the LA Times: Altered
Oceans 
What
carbon is doing to our oceans from the New Yorker
Past Headlines
New Feature: Sparsely
Sage and Timely by David Mitchell Censored
by order of Marin County Superior Court at the request of Robert
Plotkin, Point Reyes Dark --
Click for April-June 2007 News stories
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