Water, Water Everywhere
A big thank you to Rachel Dovey (“Wrung Dry,” May 29). I lived in Guerneville for 25 years, moving to Lucerne in March of ’02. In a burst of insanity, I sold my house in Guerneville and bought this one.
At the time of my move, I was paying $1.17 per Ccf with a continual billing of $41.27 every two months. I now pay $7.79 per Ccf.
I began both Lucerne Community Water Organization and FLOW. I found FLOW out of Monterey. They had just taken over their private water company.
I remember back in the early ’80s and Sweetwater Springs in Guerneville. Armstrong Woods Road was a holdout, and now, sitting across from the Coffee Bazaar, is Cal Water! Additionally, there’s Freezeout Road by the Duncan Mills Bridge. The infrastructure between that site and Casini Ranch is typical of Cal Water. You should see our roads after they actually do any work! I guess Caltrans just repairs it!
Anyway, thanks for the article.
—Lenny Matthews
Lucerne
I was traveling through Sonoma County a few weeks ago and read this article in the paper. Very well written, on an important issue.
Why don’t the residents being ripped off refuse to pay their water bill, send it to an escrow account managed by an impartial attorney or agency, and do so until these crooks change their billing practices? That would be a lot of power, and I doubt the company would cut off each and everyone’s water. Where are all the county supervisors here?
Just some thoughts rambling up the coast.
—Rudy Narensky
Timberlake, N.C.
My name is Bob Daddi, I am a director of Ojai FLOW. We are in the process of removing our for-profit water company. They have sued to stop an election for a bond that will allow to us purchase and remove them. Please go to the ojaiflow.com and contact us if we can give you any help. The only answer is to have elected CPUC members, not appointed. Call your senator and assemblyperson and ask for support. They should have a vested interest.
—Bob Daddi
Ojai
Better Beavers
Beaver value to streams and habitat is becoming better understood (“Beaver Fever,” June 19). Their impact on coho and bird life is just the beginning. Folks interested in learning more about their effect and managing their many challenges should come to Martinez for the sixth annual beaver festival in August.
—Heidi Perryman
Martinez
As progressive as California appears, its wildlife policies are antiquated and unfortunate. Glad to see some coverage. Looking forward to more great stories like this.
—Emi Kight
Via online
Library Hours
Great article on library closures (“Long Overdue,” June 19). Thanks for digging deep into what has now become a perennial problem. And who winds up bearing the brunt of the “supes” inaction? We do.
It’s not fair. And their favorite perennial byline, “We have no money,” no longer holds water, since they certainly don’t mind spending money conducting study after study to explore adding fluoride to our Sonoma County water supply—money which would be much better spent on something that so many Sonoma County residents could find truly beneficial: reopening our libraries to their full operating schedules.
Again, much thanks.
—Tom Bonfigli
Sebastopol
Thank you for providing some insight on why our libraries aren’t open as much as they used to be. It reminded me of the front-page article in the Press Democrat about the homeless population using the library, and the problems that some of them cause. Their article seemed to demonize the libraries by association, at a time when libraries need advocates.
I know that many staff feel under pressure to not criticize library management or funding for fear of being next in line for cutbacks. Thank you for being their voice.
—Jan Sheehan
Via online
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