Support for instructors
On Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. the Windsor Town Council has its monthly meeting. Might you attend? One of the topics planned affects me personally — an elder who’s been teaching mindfulness meditation through parks and recreation the past two years, roughly eight semesters.
A few days ago, I had to step away — unless the council can step in and help design a path for me, and many others to return. What’s happening? Complex new requirements for contract instructors, including buying a Windsor business license, and “$1 million per occurrence” general liability insurance for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage.
Plus auto liability insurance (more than I currently carry) and even more requirements too lengthy to reiterate here, to give “total indemnity” for the town, legally where we teachers (and all other employees?) are concerned.
Initially I laughed — incredulous. I’d been teaching a single monthly class, 1.5 hours long — a sweet community service, not a money-maker. But looking into it, the business license costs $71; my auto insurer, Geico, has no policy to offer me; nor does State Farm, as I live in a mobile home, which disqualifies me. Their minimum would’ve been $500 a year, more than I make teaching, LOL!
What is going on? In a private meeting with administrators, I learned that our former contracts were a mistake of sorts, making the town too vulnerable in a lawsuit. Their insurance carrier clamped down. So it’s up to the town council members to consider altering the new requirements to something tenable for its vulnerable instructors, like me, having to resign or be fired from their positions with parks and recreation.
At the upcoming town council meeting, the administrators intend to instruct the council on what’s happening, anticipating further discussions will ensue. The public will have occasion to speak up as well.
Donna Legge, Parks and Recreation Director, kindly reported by email to me, “The town will continue to look at options and solutions while maintaining a desirable level of protection and compliance with existing policies and procedures.” She asked me to stay in touch with my supervisor, Maureen Landwehr, a hard-working public servant, struggling to keep the adult and child programming alive.
Marcia Singer
Santa Rosa
Dog park suggestions
Windsor is planning to build a new dog park this spring. We need to urge town officials not to make the same mistakes as in the past.
Build the park on a groomed, irrigated, grassy field where the animals can catch frisbees, chase balls and each other, not hard-packed dusty adobe that turns into mud in winter or some uncut foxtail-infested wasteland.
And certainly do not use those splintering, disease-bearing wood chips. Windsor’s pets need a safe place to run and socialize with their owners, not another out-of-the-way unused fenced lot.
“The committee process will include public outreach and recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Commission and finally, Town Council. We are not fixed to the location or design until there is a public process,” said Donna Legge, Parks & Recreation Director last week.
Dave Heventhal
Windsor
Food bank needs help
The Redwood Empire Food Bank has been responding to an increased need for food assistance as a result of the Mendocino Complex Fire. As of last week’s end, we distributed over 200,000 pounds of emergency provisions to Lake County. In order to sustain the food bank’s fire-relief efforts, alongside our regularly scheduled hunger-relief programs, financial donations and volunteer support are urgently needed. Visit refb.org to donate or volunteer.
Kevin West
Redwood Empire Food Bank
