Commentary 8-4-16

Notes from Fitch Mountain
The Fitch Mountain Association’s annual meeting and BBQ was held at the Villa Chanticleer on July 2. About 60 people were in attendance as Dave Henderson, the association’s president, welcomed everyone and read a message from Fourth District Supervisor James Gore who was out of the country at the time. Supervisor Gore pledged his continuing support for FMA’s diverse activities in support of the Fitch Mountain community. The Fitch Mountain community has been fortunate to have the positive support from Supervisor Gore and his predecessor, State Senator Mike McGuire.
Priscilla Abercrombie then led the group in a fun activity in which all attendees stood in a circle, introduced themselves, and stated how long they’d been on the mountain, and what was their favorite aspect of “FM life.” She was followed by Sonoma County Fire & Emergency Services (SCFES) Chief James Williams who explained how the newly-approved Fire Fuels Abatement Ordinance (pilot programs on Fitch Mountain and Camp Meeker) will work, with property inspections (by CalFire & SCFES inspectors) to start shortly. (Detailed info about this ordinance can be found on the FMA website http:fma.wildapricot.org).
Priscilla Abercrombie and Ginger Hobart, who are spearheading the FM Emergency Preparedness efforts, then demonstrated what an emergency “Go Bag” should contain and distributed FM maps so that neighborhoods could be defined, as a step toward organizing neighborhood emergency preparedness which will include volunteer neighborhood fire captain who will coordinate evacuation activities. Vern Losh, a retired fire chief mentioned the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program which could aid in this endeavor. The 2015 minutes were approved and the treasurer’s report made showing a heathy account balance.
All of the FMA officer and trustee candidates nominated were (re)elected by overwhelming majorities: Ken Hite and Pat Abercrombie to trusteeships, Dave Henderson as president, Marty Silge as treasurer, and Dana Eaton as secretary. The updated Mission Statement, which can also be found on the FMA website, was approved, with four nay votes, so it accurately reflects what the vast majority of the members want the FMA to be.
Next up was Al Pucci who floated the idea to the membership of two large signs “introducing the historic Fitch Mountain area,” to be installed on Powell Street and near the Golf Course on South Fitch Mountain Road. A show of hands revealed that a majority of the members present were not favorable to the concept.
Vice President Katherine Henderson presented the 2016 FMA Community Service Award to Laura Tietz for her many years of generous efforts to improve the fire safety on Fitch Mountain through her nonprofit, Fire Free Fitch. She announced that now that one of her goals has been met with the enactment of Fire Fuels Abatement Ordinance she will no longer be continuing Fire Free Fitch and will now be devoting her charitable time to educational programs for school children visiting the newly formed Fitch Mountain Preserve. She then floored everyone by presenting a $5,000 donation to FMA, doubling the association’s fund. Dave Henderson said that the trustees will discuss an appropriate use for this generous donation, but it will probably be earmarked for fire-prevention-related initiatives. Thank you, Laura.
The North Coast Water Quality Control Board has always, in its reports, referred to “an un-named creek on Fitch Mountain.” FMA decided to finally give it a worthy name so a large sign was unveiled, which will soon be mounted where the creek crosses North Fitch Mountain Road (by the redwoods, at the beginning of the path up to the Villa Chanticleer water tank). It reads: “Donita Proctor Creek – In grateful recognition for the many decades of devotion by Donita Proctor to the preservation of the water resources of the Fitch Mountain community.” The unveiling was greeted with prolonged applause.
Vern Losh, a member of the Kiwanis, introduced the Gutbuster Run, which will take place on November 5 of this year. The runners will be going up and over Fitch Mountain, not just around it. It is a benefit for stomach-cancer research and Vern needs volunteers to help during the event. He can be reached at www.gutbusterfunrun.com.
Kate Symonds and Mark Themig, the Community Services Director of the City of Healdsburg presented an overview of the current and near-future planning process for the Fitch Mountain Preserve. More info can be found on the City of Healdsburg’s website (www.cityofhealdsburg.org).
Ray Holley, who along with Laura Tietz and Mike McGuire founded the Fitch Mountain Fund, mentioned that it will cost $50,000 to $70,000 annually to manage the park. This figure could rise (and probably will). For the next four to six years this cost could be borne by the county hotel tax but there is no guarantee that this funding source will continue. Ray said that the preservation fund is looking to raise an endowment of least $1 million that will secure the park’s long term management funding. Anyone interested in donating and/or learning more about the fund can contact Ray at www.fitchmountainfund.org.
Dave Henderson then adjourned the meeting and thanked everyone for coming and participating in a very proactive FMA.
— Michael Haran is a Healdsburg resident