I am getting more & more concerned that time is passing and the various law enforcement agencies are doing & saying nothing publicly about what has every indication of being a nefariously motivated hit & run.

The fact that we haven’t seen or heard anything beyond a poorly researched newspaper article doesn’t give me much hope at all that this will ever find resolution. And it pisses the hell out of me.

~jake

fred

Seems that reflexively defending their candidate is a bigger priority than upholding community watchdog values of transparency, accountability and advocating for the pubic good. Not to mention that they prefer to censure than to engage in open debate.

Their over-reaction and coverup seems to give credence to the seriousness of this situation.

So, that’s why Fred Euphrat got his letter into the Press Not Democrat, this morning…he made a donation to Ms. Fudge…

And according to a great new site, http://www.SonomaTruthTracker.com,

What the facts say:
FACT: Fudge took thousands of dollars from developers with projects before her on the Windsor Town Council, including $1,000 each from Frank and Bill Schellinger, the developers of the Hembree Village project, and$1,000 each from Cynthia and William Gallaher and from Jeff and Judy Meyer, the developers and land owners of Bell Village, a 25 acre proposed development including 400 residential units, a large grocery store in Windsor.

And Fudge, while Vice-Chair of SMART, took a highly questionable $2,500 campaign contribution from Railroad Square Associates, the sole developer selected to build the SMART station in Santa Rosa.”

Hmmmm, the fudge does not smell good !

From: Lester Schwartz [lester@fortrossvineyard.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 6:13 PM
To: ‘Jake Bayless’
Subject: RE: Jake Bayless’ Honyocker’s Perspective April 27, 2010

Dear Mr. Bayless,

It seems that you are determined to misinterpret everything I say.

This is not about Fritz, who is an honorable and respected member of the community and whose blacksmith conference is world-famous and a worthy contribution to the area.

My email was an effort to try and address the issues you raised and the rationale behind your arguments.

In the past, I have tried to address your concerns as best I could.

You have chosen to reduce the conversation to name-calling. Swearing at me is not going to make me more receptive to your point of view and is not productive. I see no point in further discussion.

Please post this response on your blog.

Lester Schwartz

I hope that we all are able to come together soon, with our “egos” left at the door, so we could really get to work to heal our home. We have fouled the nest egregiously, and I for one am literally sick from it. May we come together, right now……K

I do like what you do…a man after my own heart…passion is a good thing. As mentioned I would like to meet sometime when you come through Guerneville.

Loved that you were with child at the hearing (I wish my wife would stop by with our 6 year old, to me that’s what it’s about). As to the length of the BZA meetings, I call them B O R E D meetings because sometimes I just want to sneak under the table with my iphone and chat away!

I am attaching below a letter I sent Nancy with an OPED piece for Johanna Lynch. (I hope the tables come through on your website).

Blessings to all!
Tom Lynch
———————————————————
Hi Nancy,

I wanted to send you this Oped piece I sent to Johanna at Russian River Times explaining my position, but couldn’t find your e-mail. ( I found it)

As I said at the hearing I don’t have a problem with the tasting room, it was the events and I succeeded in limiting them. I want my friends on the Coast to know my concerns…changing demographics, losing population, high unemployment…

I would like to see some additional jobs that are not so resource dependent in West County. If we can improve communication infrastructure, we could support additional virtual cottage industry such as what Jake Bayless is doing. Of course a balance with agriculture done in a sustainable manner, hopefully one day a restored fishery and some additional construction jobs. Perhaps some assisted care facilities so our seniors that have lived here all their lives don’t have to go to Santa Rosa and get run over in a cross walk…remember Eula Long of Jenner?

Look at the census data for Cazadero…we’re down almost a 1000 from 1990-2000 (I have no idea where the 2010 census will take us). Look at the unemployment rate…and as a therapist you know very well the social consequences of no jobs, poverty, etc.

Anyway, it was just great seeing you and so many familiar faces and I wanted to share with you why on this issue I am the “loyal opposition”. There will be other issues that we will be on the same page with.

Give me a holler sometime and I’ll buy you a coffee!

warm regards and appreciation,

Tom Lynch
Cell 529-1890

________________________________________
From: Tom Lynch [mailto:tlynch@sonic.net]
Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2010 1:41 PM
To: Johanna Lynch (rrtimes@sonic.net)
Subject: Oped Planning Piece
Hi Johanna,

I don’t know when your deadline is but the following is a piece I would be honored if you were to publish in the Russian River Times.

Any questions please call…529-1890.

Thank you for your good works!

Tom Lynch

________________________________________
Over the last year the Sonoma County Planning Commission has unanimously supported the creation of four new tasting rooms (three with processing facilities) in Western Sonoma County. The General Plan 2020 continues to discourage new visitor/tourist related businesses outside of existing service areas with the exception of wineries.
With many manufacturing jobs moving off shore or out of state, along with the decline in the fisheries and construction industry, a bright spot remains in our local economy with agriculture and tourism. In order to allow wineries to be more economically viable they need to do everything they can to be able to successfully market their products. Part of that marketing includes tasting rooms that allow customers and members of “buyers clubs” to participate in appreciating the select terroir of the individual wineries.
Supervisor Carrillo recently returned from a CALAFCO conference on rural poverty and is concerned about economic impacts in our unincorporated areas. In some respects West County communities are dying as we lose more jobs and residents. Census data from 1990 to 2000 show a significant decline in population, and the unemployment rate of some of our villages is over 20% (see below charts). In addition to unemployment there is significant “underemployment” where people are no longer seeking work and are subsisting on very limited resources.
Due to demographic changes and economic decline, schools are closing, with those that remain open having larger class sizes, including two grades with one teacher. School bus services are being shut down affecting poorer students and increasing green house gas emissions. Reduced taxes equate to large reductions in essential services provided by government. Increases in unemployment may increase the incidence of alcoholism, drug abuse and family violence.
As progressives we need to acknowledge the role of economics with creating progressive change and social justice. We are all in this together and during these stressful times we must be mindful of working with each other toward improving our communities. I am proud to be part of that effort and look forward to working together toward a more sustainable future.
Tom Lynch
Guerneville
(Tom is an appointee of Supervisor Efren Carrillo’s to the Sonoma County Planning Commission)

Community Zip code 1990 census 2000 census Gain (Loss)
Cazadero 95421 2494 1569 (925)
Forestville 95436 7421 6201 (1220)
Guerneville 95446 5147 4893 (254)
Monte Rio 95462 1863 1524 (339)
Occidental 95465 2206 1878 (328)
Total 19131 16065 (3066)

95421, Sonoma County, California 95436, Sonoma County, California 95446, Sonoma County, California 95462, Sonoma County, California 95465, Sonoma County, California
Total 2494 7421 5147 1863 2206

U.S. Bureau of the Census
1990 Census of Population and Housing
95421 5-Digit ZCTA, 954 3-Digit ZCTA 95436 5-Digit ZCTA, 954 3-Digit ZCTA 95446 5-Digit ZCTA, 954 3-Digit ZCTA 95462 5-Digit ZCTA, 954 3-Digit ZCTA 95465 5-Digit ZCTA, 954 3-Digit ZCTA
Total 1,569 6,201 4,893 1,524 1,878

U.S. Census Bureau
Census 2000
===========================================================================================
http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/?pageid=1006
(click link City and Sub-County Places) Monthly Labor Force Data March 2010 – Preliminary
Labor Employ- Unemployment Census Ratios
Area Name Force ment Number Rate Emp Unemp
Guerneville CDP 1,500 1,200 300 21.2% 0.005157 0.010846
Healdsburg city 5,900 5,100 800 12.9% 0.022434 0.026030
Monte Rio CDP 800 600 200 23.3% 0.002733 0.006508
Occidental CDP 900 800 200 16.8% 0.003438 0.005423
Petaluma city 31,400 28,100 3,300 10.4% 0.123584 0.111714
Rohnert Park city 25,000 22,200 2,800 11.1% 0.097624 0.095445
Santa Rosa city 81,500 72,200 9,200 11.3% 0.317687 0.316703