Gratitude for citizen engagement in Monte Rio
Much to give thanks for! I’m grateful for people stepping up and effecting change. We’ve had several homeless encampment fires last month on Bohemian Highway and the Grove. Kari Morrisey stepped up, engaged neighbors on Facebook and Nextdoor, and took to the hills. There she found a large encampment that even had tractors clearing roads on private property. The property belonged to the Torr family until just recently when it was purchased by Regional Parks. Responding to many emails regarding this, Lynda Hopkins also stepped up. She convened a meeting with team members from the DA, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, Monte Rio Fire Department, the Community Development Commission (CDC), a local attorney and the property owner as well as local homeless service providers. Additionally, Permit Sonoma has activated investigators in this area to cite a particular property — one which has generated concerns about fire — for code violations. Given the dangerous fire weather conditions, they are prepared to take the violator to Court to ensure the safety of the community. The Sheriff and DA's office are ready to enforce trespassing and related lawlessness that lead to fires. Supervisor Hopkins has also requested additional Parks Ranger patrols on the newly acquired property.
Kari Morrisey also started a user-group, Monte Rio Neighborhood Action Group, to share information and ideas about fighting our local fires, dealing with crime and abatement issues and generally keeping the neighborhood safe. Anyone can use the list serve by sending an email to mrnag@groups.outlook.com.
In other related news, after years of persistence, a vacation rental owner on Starrett Hill whose property is adjacent to an illegal meth addicts’ structure finally got county help. Leo Chyi from our 5th District office assisted. Permit Sonoma red tagged the property as uninhabitable, the sheriff department, CHP, and Dept of Transportation and Public Works removed the inhabitants, and cleared out abandoned vehicles and a ton of trash.
These are great examples of what can be accomplished with people engaging on social media and getting involved to make a difference in our community. I’m glad to see it!
On a personal aside, I just returned from a trip to Boston where I met 13 of my biological relatives who live in Cape Cod. We also stayed in Provincetown “P’town,” which is the largest LGBT resort in the nation, and of course Boston. They take Covid very seriously there. We had to get tested before landing, all restaurant menus are on-line (your phone camera brings up the menus), everyone wears masks, mall doors have self-cleaning handles, etc. The area is stunningly immaculate and beautiful. The parks are the best maintained I’ve seen. Fall colors and even a day of rain! The food, especially cannoli’s and seafood is awesome. And of course, American history for days. I wanted to help the airline and hospitality industry in a small way by traveling when they need you most. I highly recommend a trip there, as well as checking your DNA if you are adopted or interested in knowing more about your relatives or ancestry, and I’m thankful for the warmth and hospitality shown to me by my family. Life is an exciting ride if you leave fear behind and get out there.
Last, but certainly not least, it’s election time! Like visiting my new relatives, you leave politics behind, and I consider myself somewhat centrist, but we can do better, and we need to bring this country back to less polarization and more civility. Respect and learn from different opinions, but never stop fighting for the greater good. Please vote!
Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.
Vacation Wonderland, we just keep getting better…
