Bottom feeding
EDITOR: Just when you think things couldn’t get more pathetic, try on the Barlow “see how many beers you can drink in a mile” fun run. Bottom feeding promotion at its worst. What’s next? The ever popular 5K run for winos? Marathons where the water stops are replaced by tasting? A merlot at #1, syrah at #2, a wine stop every mile. Start tipsy and get drunk. Better yet. The world famous Stoner Marching Band in the Apple Blossom Parade. And if you’re not depressed by those promotional concepts, stay tuned for the first Barlow’s World’s Cup Craft Beer Triathlon co-sponsored by “Drunks Are Us.” MADD to arms.
Neil Davis
Sebastopol
Hasty greed
EDITOR: Ever hear that old maxim, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?”
Last week, our SIRS (Sons in Retirement} west county chapter was graced by the presence of Fifth District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins. One of the subjects discussed was the county’s decision to implement a stiff licensing fee on pot growers wanting to sign up to legally grow their crop.
One of our members revealed that he had decided to forego signing since the Board of Supervisors has imposed a high fee per acre. As a result, as noted by the supervisor, not much revenue money has been raised for the county’s coffers.
Supervisor Hopkins remarked, “I voted for a lower fee, but was outvoted.” When I asked if she would say who voted against her, she demurred, but added, “I was the only vote for the lower fee.” The other four board members might have done better if they had listened to Ms. Hopkins, but in their haste to make a larger buck, they goofed.
Was it that she was new to her post? Sadly, it seems to be their hasty greed that now has resulted in lower marijuana revenue collections. Shakespeare called it, “falling off a horse by or-leaping while mounting!” Or words to that effect. Happy Blossom D’Vine.
Frank Baumgardner
Santa Rosa
Supes to vote on septic bomb May 8
EDITOR: As Realtors in the Russian River Region, we have been following the upcoming changes to septic regulations, which will affect approximately 45,000 residents of Sonoma County, many of whom will not know what hit them. Even some of the Supervisors, whose constituents will be affected, seem unaware that they are about to vote on new regulations which could easily result in future condemnation of homes as well as excessive cost for upgrades for many homeowners throughout the county. We support clean water and the environment, but burdening homeowners is not the answer.
OWTS – Onsite Wastewater Treatment System will be voted on by the Board of Supervisors on May 8. These new regulations are being driven by the state but will impact many homeowners here. If passed there will no longer be any voluntary repairs of septic systems or failed leach systems. New or replacement systems will require a two-foot separation to groundwater, proof of adequate soil and depth, and must be designed by a licensed engineer. The average cost for a replacement system may be between $35,000 and possibly up to $75,000.
Some replacement systems may require waivers from the state, a process that has not even been defined. There is currently no plan or monies to help anyone required to upgrade which will especially effect low or fixed income homeowners. If there are no permits on file for the septic system in the county records, the septic system may need to be inspected and possibly upgraded. Any cesspools or older systems will be required to be upgraded.
Although the county has stated that it has no condemnation plans, the fact that hillside homes which cannot be code compliant will require a waiver, which is not currently available, means that some homes will not be repairable.
If you have an emergency with your septic system it has been suggested that owners may need to pump their systems weekly until they can get it repaired. Currently the waiting time of a septic permit at the county is approximately five months. The new regulations will make the waiting time even longer. The cost to pump a system is anywhere from $400 up. That could total to close to $10,000 just to have your system pumped while waiting for the permit to be issued.
When the county is currently facing a shortage of housing due to the firestorms and the current lack of inventory, this entire OWTS rewrite will only make repairs and housing more expensive and take much longer. If you have a septic system that is older, we suggest you contact your Supervisor immediately to ask what their position is on OWTS reform. Do not be surprised if they are not even aware of the problem.
May 8 is the vote at the Board of Supervisors and time is of the essence. Please act now and contact your Supervisor and show up at the May 8 meeting.
For more information, please contact: Rich Holmer, Registered Environmental Health Specialist: 7327-8660; Susan Packer, realtor 7481-4617 and Kyla Brooke, realtor 481-0098.
Concerned realtors of the Russian River area
