SAN GERONIMO VALLEY DISASTER COUNCIL GAINS MOMENTUM
By David Fisher
The council has elected new volunteer coordinators, Brian McCarthy, resident of Forest Knolls and Mike Stephens of Lagunitas. They are rapidly building a new team of Valley residents who are working to pump new energy into Valley disaster preparedness. Each Council meeting will present valuable practical disaster preparation information. The volunteer positions still open will be announced at the February meeting. Plans for the future will include things like scheduled training for residents, forming neighborhood groups, Barbeques, Fundraisers and community meetings to help maintain alertness and disaster preparation.
All Valley residents are invited to attend the SGV Disaster Council meeting on Feb. 27th, 7:00 pm at the Woodacre Improvement Club, across the street from the Woodacre Fire Station.
JANUARY C.E.R.T. CLASS GRADUATES EIGHTEEN VALLEY RESIDENTS
By Linda Nave
C.E.R.T., Community Emergency Response Training, provides the information and hands on experience for disaster service work. During January eighteen folks from the Valley participated in the C.E.R.T training class. Barbara den Ouden, Lagunitas, commented “the training was extremely helpful in all respects and I feel more connected to our community now.” Jeanette Rosen, Lagunitas, concurred adding “It struck me that there were not a lot of people there with young children, it seems especially important that families be informed and prepared.” Anne McClain, Forest Knolls, noted “We should get everyone we can to the Disaster Council meetings and organize our neighborhoods.” David Fisher felt ”They gave us enough information to prepare for a disaster.” Lifelong Valley resident Paul Berensmeier stated “I got this wonderful, safe feeling of camaraderie working with my Valley community and friends as we practiced saving people’s lives!”
To Sign up for C.E.R.T. Go to www.marincountycert.org or call Maggie Lang 415-450-7670
The March 10th & 17th class will be at College of Marin, April will be in San Rafael and May 12th & 19th will be in Nicasio. Students can earn volunteer credits by pretending to be victims during the mock disaster training portion of the class.
LANDOWNER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
By Dan McKenna
LAP Reports Coming, a brief description of what Landowners can expect and upcoming meetings. The Landowner Assistance Program reports are in the final edits by Lauren Hammack, the Project Manager. The reports should be delivered before the end of the month and a meeting of participants scheduled for early March to go over the reports and answer questions as needed. The final designs for the 10 properties are still on track for late March on early April. A workshop for all Valley Participants is scheduled for May 5th, at the CC 9 AM till 2 PM. Look for more information on the workshop in the near future.
WOODACRE FLATS SEPTIC WASTEWATER
By Eric Morey
The Woodacre Flats Wastewater Project continues with the petition-gathering deadline being extended from October 31st, 2011 to March 15th, 2012. Woodacre residents of the affected area will receive in the mail information regarding the new deadline, by which will determine if there is support in the Community to fund an approximately $250,000 Environmental Impact Report (EIR). If a majority of the affected residents agree to pay for the EIR the project will move ahead to the next phase; if not, the project will be abandoned. The Planning Group is concerned that this project may lead to more development in the Valley, eroding our rural character. The final decision on the project is scheduled for the end of March.