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Monte Rio Musings by Chuck Ramsey — August 2019

August already? This year is flying by. The fireworks last month were great as usual. The fireworks, as well as the Variety Show, are enduring historical events that make us proud of our little hamlet. Another recent standout are the efforts by Ed Brochu to beautify our gateway entrance with flowering plants. Kudos again to Ed!

We may be getting WCCS Empowerment Center classes at the MRRPD Youth Center building next to the tennis courts. The Empowerment Center will have classes mid-day mid-week. Classes are currently being held in the Russian River Senior Center and the Empowerment Center needs more space.

Update on the Air Quality Sensors: MRFPD unfortunately has decided not to take action on the request that would have provided monitoring sensors for our residents and for our school children.

Update on Noise Ordinance: There has been a lot of traction on this recently with over 300 petition signatures in support of a noise ordinance, as well as social media and a local news article on the subject. Russian River Alliance, along with some of its member groups, started this initiative last summer in response to public requests. Lynda Hopkins thought it would be a good initiative for the MAC to tackle when they were formed, but the MAC has not been able to begin the process of getting it on their agenda yet. There currently is a noise ordinance that only applies to vacation rentals. There are two issues with this. One, it doesn’t really help maintain peace and quiet if the offenders are not vacation rentals.

Second, there are only two people charged with enforcing this countywide (through Permit Sonoma) and they haven’t even been hired yet. We need a noise ordinance that is fair for all, covers all, and will be easily enforced. We’ve learned recently that the State had mandated all municipalities in 1992 to enact local noise ordinances. Asking our sheriff department or our county about noise ordinances and they will tell you we don’t have any. Upon further research however, a local resident found that we do have a “Disturbing the Peace” ordinance which does cover noise. The ordinance 4606, is in Sonoma County Municipal Codes Article VII Sec 4-101 and was enacted in 1992. Law enforcement is supposed to visit the offending party and if follow-up calls are later needed, the offending party is to be charged the expense of sending the deputies back out.

There is also CA Penal Code 415 “Disturbing the Peace” which covers excessive noise. So, if you are experiencing excessive noise late at night and have tried to contact the offender but with no satisfactory results, contact the Sheriff department and request they come out per the existing Disturbing the Peace ordinances. If you are still not successful, please email me so this matter can be further addressed. When you call about excessive noise late at night, you shouldn’t have to hear “there is no noise ordinance in unincorporated Sonoma County”. Everyone has the right to quiet enjoyment.

The 21st Annual Russian River Car Show is Saturday 8/24 at the Community Center. This is always a great event for all ages. There is also a pancake breakfast with a slide show from the Russian River Historical Society.

Later this year will be a fun party on the Ohana Floor at the top of Salesforce East tower in San Francisco on Nov 1st . This will be a fundraising event for Russian River Alliance to support their ongoing community work such as the Workforce Housing Fund. This fund supports our local workers by providing one-time assistance to overcome short-term difficulties such as workers experienced when resorts temporarily closed after the flood.

Looking forward to having all our resorts back open, hopefully in time for Lazy Bear! The new and improved resorts should keep the locals, workers, and tourists happy for many years to come.

Vacation Wonderland, we just keep getting better.

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