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Sebastappeal By Sarah Glade Gurney - May 2019

A special thank you to the April 10 Bus Buddy volunteers — Katie Davis, Nick Vannucci, Dean Brittingham, and Linda Civitello — from our Senior Center for rousing their constituents to try the Local Shuttle #24 and for planning future excursions from the Center’s downtown location using public transit.

The Bus Buddy Program continues through May. Wanna find a buddy to help you learn about our bus? The May line-up includes:

May 1 - Bill Mattinson, SEB’s rep to the RCPA’s Citizen Advisory Committee

May 8 - Diana Rich, former Executive Director of SEB’s Community Cultural Center

May 15 - Linda Collins, Executive Director of SEB’s Chamber of Commerce

May 22 - Carolyne Stanton, Executive Director of Transition US, headquartered in SEB

May 29 - Cordelia Hurst, current Director of the SCCC

The Program will take a summer break and likely return in September and October. If you want to participate next Fall as a volunteer BUDDY, send an email tosarahgurney.seb@gmail.com.

May 9 — Bike To Work Day

Watch for first-time cyclists as well as dedicated bicycle commuters from 6 to 9 AM on Thursday, May 9.

Sebastopol will enjoy our usual BIKE TO WORK DAY energizer station at the Rodota Trailhead on Petaluma Avenue. This year, the “rest stop” will be hosted by Community Market, a returning partner and flood-recovered business, along with newcomer Pinnacle Capital.

Check out the brand new station up north on the West County Trail near SEB’s Independent Charter School and the O’Reilly Media complex, at the intersection of Hwy. 116 and Mill Station Road. Cherie from the Bicycle Coalition has organized a second station in town, secured this strategic location and its sponsor: our own Guayaki will host this new spot!

As if those “firsts” aren’t enough, Cherie has confirmed the “After Work Party” from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Crooked Goat Brewing, another flood-recovered business in The Barlow. Laguna Farm will provide locally-grown veggie appetizers.

The City of Sebastopol proudly supports this event and encourages all residents to get on your bikes for some part of BTW day and/or the month of May!

May 21 — Public Hearing on SEB’s DRAFT Budget for FY 19-20

The City Council will conduct its first public review of next year’s draft budget during the May 21 meeting. There will likely be several competing claims on the limited “discretionary” money in the City’s tight budget.

Please consider supporting the recommendations from the “Blue Ribbon” committee on Pedestrian Safety, a group comprised of: Police Chief James Conner, Lieutenant Greg DeVore, City Manager Larry McGlaughlin, Assistant City Manager Mary Gourley, Planning Director Kari Svanstrom, Cittaslow Co-Chair Tasha Beauchamp, and myself. The group’s recommendations are based on results of the Fall 2018 Pedestrian Safety Survey.

The group’s financially-LITE recommendations advocate for $10,000 for educational materials to teach pedestrians and drivers how “it takes two” to be safe on our sidewalks, crosswalks, and roadways. Additionally, they urge greater visibility for our Police Department’s current efforts as well as more enforcement.

The $10K proposal seeks funding for: the Slow Down Kitty; sidewalk stencils; educational hand-outs; a new “Sebastopol Cares” tip line; signs showing penalties for infractions; crosswalk stings; and upgrades to the PD’s website/Facebook pages.

The modest recommendation increases to $26,500 when it includes the purchase of a new radar sign/lightboard to notify drivers of events or changes on our roadways.

The Council will be choosing between these and other priorities. Come speak about what’s most important to you.

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