Health Hazard Created by Supervisor Hopkins and Other Supes

[Stuart]

This submitted to the Press Democrat for Close to Home consideration:

“Is there a health hazard?"Supervisor David Rabbitt asked this of his staff during the well attended County meeting Monday concerning the homeless issues. Unfortunately, as per their performance in this arena, the Supes blew it again. How? Because they combined two separate and very different issues into one public meeting. The first is solutions to the County homeless problems. Secondly, as the County representative stated, “ the emergency”Each deserves a public meeting.

The “emergency” is the fault of the Supervisors and in particular, Ms Hopkins as it is her jurisdiction.She is to blame for 200 people, today, yes, today, defecating and urinating on public property in our neighborhood! This has been going on for months, without proper removal of folks who have for some reason been anointed with a mantle of immunity to basic health standards.

People peeing and pooping on public property must be removed. Immediately. For Public Health, primarily, and creating a “Public Nuisance” a statutory and legal concern ignored by the Supes.The homeless have no more right to contaminate our Wright community than the Girl Scouts, Rotary, Veterans, 4-H Club, or any other group creating a cesspool.

Supervisor Hopkins let this situation start, did nothing about it and now everyone is wringing their hands. How would she feel about having 200 people camped out next to her organic farm and providing organic input to her soil with months of organic feces and urine? This is what she has allowed in our neighborhood, and now the Supes wail because they have not done their number one job: Protect the public.

Mr Rabbitt has apparently not even visited the cesspool on public land. How would he like that in his hood? Answer that, please Supervisors. Ah, NIMBY….To have to ask “is there a health hazard?", shows the utter ignorance of the issue. What do you think, sir, about people peeing and pooping for months in the bushes? Do you not consider that a health issue?Drive down Highway 12 and count the toilets. two are visible. For over 200 people?

These people should not even be there, so remove them and the toilets and put them in existing facilities with water and electricity, the Fairgrounds, which are sitting empty, and under the control of the County.

These Supervisors have allowed this problem to happen, specifically Ms Hopkins by permitting a clear danger to public safety and health.All the screeching is for the unfortunate homeless, let’s get back to protecting OUR community from open sewage and squatting on public property.This health hazard must be removed immediately and the County should begin to do the job it has neglected, resulting in this sewer in our midst.Yes, Mr Rabbitt, there is a health hazard. To even ask this question in public is a pathetic reminder that these Supervisors have no idea of what they have created, and now they are scampering with weak PR concern.

Stuart Kiehl
Wright Area Action Group

[SonomaPatientsCoop]

Well, for starters I'd point to the recent decision by the US Supreme Court not to review, thereby letting the lower court ruling from Idaho stand, that it was unconstitutional - and was "cruel and unusual punishment" to remove homeless from public property when the "state" could not provide them with a safe alternative.

[Stuart]

SCOTUS ruling did not address public defecation and urination, open fires or shooting up. On private or public property. That is ILEGAL. No one has the privilege to crap and pee in the town square. Or in our community.
How long do you think you, or I, or the homeless would last next to the property of Hopkins using the bushes for a half a year if not longer? This is a public cesspool allowed or ignored by Hopkins. She did not correct it and now the Supes are asking is there a public health issue? Add to the health and safety concerns, City and County officially endorsing " disposable needle bins" (!!!!), the real FIRE HAZARD. Yesterday, I reported an open fire, and was observed the day before, and an electrical line across the trail, to a tie in or generator..?
The PUBLIC has a right to not be contaminated or burned out of their homes. The PUBLIC's rights are being violated daily by The Occupation

[Stuart]

On Dec 27, 2019, at 2:27 PM, CMOffice wrote:

Good afternoon Mr. Kiehl,

The Joe Rodota Trail (JRT) is a Sonoma County Regional Park space. To address the growing homeless encampment along the JRT – at the direction of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors – the County of Sonoma activated its Emergency Operation Center on December 18th as a Joint Operations Center (JOC) involving participation from multiple County departments and non-profit service providers. The JOC is focused on resolving the situation on the JRT in a viable and effective manner. At a Special Meeting on December 23, the County Board of Supervisors approved $12 million to fund solutions to house and shelter those on the JRT. The Board’s approved solutions are as follows:

• Master Leases: A service provider (non-profit) may lease an entire rental property, and then sublease it to people who are living on the trail. The County will establish the program and subsidize leases. The leases will include 6-7 units within 100 days or less, and will serve 20 clients.
• Shared Housing: Housing that allows each individual to have a private bedroom but shares common areas. This could include up to 6 multi-bedroom houses that will serve 60 people total, and can be available within 100 days or less.
• Indoor-Outdoor Shelter: Staff will use criteria to identify multiple indoor-outdoor sites. The sites may include a combination of on-site structures, RV hook-ups, and safe parking. Each site will be able to accommodate approximately 40 people currently living on the trail, and will be available in 60 to 180 days.
• Support Services: Services provide clients with the support needed to maintain housing. Services will initially focus on assessing occupants on the JRT but will follow clients in shared housing and the in-door/out-door shelter.
• Immediate Action: To improve conditions on the Trail immediately, the County is addressing pest control, placing additional hand washing stations and bathroom facilities, establishing needle disposal bins, providing trash removal, and hiring private security to protect well-being of occupants.

Residents may watch a video recording of the County’s December 23rd Special Meeting, view the staff presentation, meeting minutes, and more at the County’s website: www.sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4288946&GUID=F1C4C618-3EFB-49BF-B25D-A8FA0E5423A9&Options=&Search=

For more information about the County’s efforts, visit www.sonomacounty.ca.gov/CDC/Homeless-Services/ or contact Michael Gause at 707-565-1977 or [email protected].

To report suspicious and/or criminal activity along the Joe Rodota Trail, contact the Santa Rosa Police Department at 707-528-5222 (non-emergency line).

For more information about the City of Santa Rosa’s efforts to address homelessness, visit the City of Santa Rosa Homelessness Solutions webpage at www.srcity.org/691/Homelessness-Solutions.

Kali Mahre I Senior Administrative Assistant
City Manager’s Office | 100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 10 | Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Tel. (707) 543-3011 | Fax (707) 540-3030 | [email protected]

---

This is our reply to the City re making the Trail occupants more comfortable with "needle disposal bins"
This is insanity, where does the community fit in.
Conversations are taking place now whether to submit a Recall Petition on Hopkins for dereliction of duty.
Wright Area Action Group
----------------------------

Thank you for your response, however this is unacceptable.We do not want “needle disposal bins” being provided to any group of people who have been defecating and urinating in our community for months.
Are you kidding, “needle disposal bins”?????????

We do not want “improved condition”, we want a public health hazard, a fire hazard, a public nuisance removed immediately!
You are concerned about the “well being of the occupants”
This is too much, what about the bleeping well being our our neighborhood?

We do not want more facilities provided to people who have violated every aspect of respect, courtesy, cleanliness, health and safety.
Just yesterday, a neighbor saw smoke form the trail
Can you imagine if this had been the dry season?

We are starting to consider a Recall Petition for Supervisor Hopkins who has allowed this to happen in our neighborhood and we ask who specifically is responsible from the City side?
Please submit a name and we will take appropriate action against the City to do what the City and County have not done: Protect Public Safety
You both have created a cesspool and are now making it permanent?
No.

Stuart Kiehl
Wright Area Action Group

[finnie]

Mr. Kiehl is obviously unaware that Lynda Hopkins has been a staunch advocate for creating homeless solutions. The same cannot be said of her other colleagues on the BOS.

...Supervisor Hopkins let this situation start, did nothing about it and now everyone is wringing their hands. ...

[tommy]

I felt sad reading this.

...
The “emergency” is the fault of the Supervisors and in particular, Ms Hopkins as it is her jurisdiction.She is to blame for 200 people, today, yes, today, defecating and urinating on public property in our neighborhood! This has been going on for months, without proper removal of folks who have for some reason been anointed with a mantle of immunity to basic health standards. ...

[Stuart]

Ms Hopkins has the jurisdiction of The Occupation. This IS her responsibility. We are paying her about $125,000 a year to protect us. That is the primary function of most governments, national to local, to protect its citizens. She has failed in her job. She has not stopped a camp where for months people have been peeing and pooping in the bushes. The drug problem is so severe that "needle disposal bins" are officially being considered! My gosh! This is nuts. Plus the fire hazard, two days ago, people observed smoke from The Occupation. How about the Trail Fire? Jeez..

Ms Hopkins should have these over 200 folks as neighbors at her organic farm, 200 people would provide plenty of natural fertilizer.

She is responsible. For allowing this to happen and grow.

Yes, a Recall Petition is now being prepared.

With command comes responsibility and she has not only not done her job, she has utterly failed our community

Stuart Kiehl
Wright Area Action Group

[finnie]

Again, Mr. Kiehl has expressed his misunderstanding of how governance works in Sonoma County.
There are 5 supervisors and decisions by the Board require a 3-person majority vote. Some proposals require 4 of 5.
No individual member of the Board can unilaterally create policy.
Hopkins' frustrations were clear when she courageously said recently that the growing mess reflects "everything that’s wrong with government.”
The good news is that mounting public pressure has forced the Board and the County's Community Development Commission to get off their duffs and propose more immediate solutions.
We're anxious to see them succeed but only time will tell.

[patnicholson]

The circumstances presented in this email are factual in that the powers that be decided that even if the homeless could not be legally removed from the trail(to go where?) sanitary facilities(porta-potties) would not be allowed. It's my understanding that homeless action! used their funding to provide toilets once permission was given.

The supes created the "mess" by not allowing the presence of toilets.

And even though the decision to create new shelter and housing, $11./mill. spent, the homeless are still on the trail, through the cold and wet for another 2mos, before any of the new spaces become avail.

It it would be helpful ,to get in writing, why the fairgrounds is not avail.? I would like to hear any reasons given
that is keeping this resource from being used.

I am still hoping a campsite that provides shelter and warmth can be made avail. now which would make so many people happy

...People peeing and pooping on public property must be removed. Immediately. For Public Health, primarily, and creating a “Public Nuisance” a statutory and legal concern ignored by the Supes....

[podfish]

Ms Hopkins has the jurisdiction of The Occupation. This IS her responsibility. We are paying her about $125,000 a year to protect us. ....
She is responsible. For allowing this to happen and grow.

Yes, a Recall Petition is now being prepared.

With command comes responsibility and she has not only not done her job, she has utterly failed our community

Stuart Kiehl
Wright Area Action Group

o god, I know there are plenty of people who feel like screaming their outrage without feeling like they should bother to understand the details or, heaven forbid, have a solution in mind beyond "make this stop happening to ME". But I agree with Tommy, it makes me sad too to know that there seems to be an actual organized group with that attitude.

She does indeed have (some) responsibility and it seems to me that she's one of those taking it most seriously. No, her job is not to "protect us", especially since you don't seem to include the denizens of the camp as 'us'. Her job is way more complicated than that. Why don't you and your group come up with some solutions, with the aim of those solutions maybe going a bit beyond protecting you and addressing why this is happening and even more important laying some groundwork so it doesn't keep happening. Seems to me that Hopkins is one of the best at acknowledging all the stake-holders and at avoiding feel-good but ineffective action for its own sake.

[Stuart]

Hopkins is our representative. Hopkins has allowed this to happen. Hopkins has permitted 214 people to pee and poop for over six months in our community. How would YOU like people crapping and peeing and doing needles in your neighborhood? How would Hopkins? Why is there a need for "disposable needle bins" on the Trail???????
Pee, poop, needles, and yesterday and today open fires?????????
Public Safety comes over your personal opinions.
And, the folks who are about to move, can't take their kids out on the trail, loss of property values, fear of needles is something you want to permit ? Then, send your address and we will shift the folk to you....

[podfish]

Hopkins is our representative. Hopkins has allowed this to happen. ...

I fail to see how you've addressed any of the points, you've just re-iterated that you don't like it as it is. Sorry, you'll wait a long time for a post disagreeing with you about that. I haven't seen an advocate for encouraging crapping and peeing and doing needles. Or open fires. But 'vote the bums out' isn't a solution, it's not even a cry for help because there's no potential replacement who'd magically make it go away. How bout proposing what you'd like done, even in a very general sense, so we can understand what kind of replacement could be voted in who would implement any of it?

[Stuart]

STOP with your lies!
STOP with putting FALSE words in my mouth because of your viewpoint!
STOP with using words I have NEVER written or uttered, because of your narrow, limited opinion.

Please discuss the facts instead of your false verbiage and false dialogue of a pre conceived attitude.
A difference of thoughts and solutions is ok, but do not lie with your words attributing them to me!
Be bleeping fair or stay out of the arena.
Please send your address so the "disposable needle bins" can be on your property for those not peeing and pooping for the last half year in our 'hood, AND using so many needles that the City is now providing bins.

You want this, send your address and we will have solved some of the problem
I suspect you will be a whiner, winger, lying with words, and when it comes down to it, retreats.
Send your address so these neighbors of ours can be yours...
Cheers

[Ann Onimus]

Pretty much...where is your disdain for the City of Santa Rosa? This area is within the city. Supervisor Hopkins has NO JURISDICTION in this area...despite this, the BOS allocated over $11 million to a long term solution to this issue which will meet the edict of the courts. You are just an ill informed tool, Stuart.

[Stuart]

Please look at a map of the 5th District, the Trail clearly is IN her jurisdiction
And, I would not call it "disdain" of the City, however a dereliction of duty is more appropriate.
To officially discuss, and implement "disposable needle bins" in our neighborhood acknowledges the County's own classification as an "Emergency", indicating a complicit endorsement of the needle users, and what has been for months peeing and pooping in the bushes. Not to mention the real fire hazard, yesterday, an open fire I observed, wow, two close friends have lost houses, let's add The Occupation as another potential fire source....?
You want The Occupation as neighbors, go and volunteer to assist them to YOUR community.

[Farmer Lynda]

From Supervisor Lynda Hopkins

---

Hi Stuart —


We’ve never met (at least to my knowledge). Rather than immediately launching a recall campaign against me, maybe you’d consider first sitting down over coffee and discussing with me what solutions you’d like to see implemented regarding homelessness? I’m always open to new ideas and would be happy to sit down and discuss the situation with you.


I have been working 13 hours/day, 7 days/week on the job since the Kincade Fire, with as much of my time as possible devoted to trying to come up with solutions for the Joe Rodota Trail. I’ve been pushing County staff, who have a very traditional and institutional approach to addressing homelessness, towards more creative and community-based solutions (like outdoor shelters, which would allow us to voluntarily move the encampment with the support of residents and advocates. This could happen much more quickly than a formalized camp closure process which would have to abide by both the Boise decision and the injunction from Judge Chhabria as a result of Vannucci v. County of Sonoma et al).


A couple of things are important to recognize. One: as a result of these two court cases, we cannot legally arrest people for vagrancy, nor can we force them off public property unless we have provided an alternative, adequate place for them to go.

As County Supervisor,
I have oversight
over social services ...
However I have
no authority over any
law enforcement agency.

Secondly, I think your ire against me for lack of law enforcement regarding urination and defection is misguided. As County Supervisor, I have oversight over social services — hence the $11M in investments approved last week to try to provide housing opportunities, addiction treatment, wraparound services, and outdoor shelters to address the Joe Rodota Trail encampment. However I have no authority over any law enforcement agency. In unincorporated areas, law enforcement is the sole purview of the Sheriff and District Attorney, both of whom are independently elected. In the case of Joe Rodota Trail, it’s actually under the purview of SRPD, who reports to the City Council, not the Board of Supervisors.


The District Attorney has told me in the past that she will not prosecute nuisance crimes related to homelessness, but I don’t like providing secondhand information, so you should check with DA Jill Ravitch directly to discuss her policy. Ultimately, arrest is the wrong answer to unaffordable housing, poverty, low

jail costs nearly
$200/day per inmate.

wages, inadequate healthcare, mental illness, and addiction, which are just some of the causes of homelessness in Sonoma County. In addition to that, criminalizing homelessness wastes taxpayer dollars. Jail is one of the most expensive forms of housing we have in Sonoma County. As Sheriff Essick told me at a recent meeting, jail costs nearly $200/day per inmate. And the jail is full, so if you want to suggest arresting homeless people and jailing them for public urination, you need to think about who you’re going to let out in order to let new inmates in.


With regards to public health concerns, this is absolutely a top concern of mine and I have been urging public health to consider declaring a public health emergency for months. They previously did not feel that the encampment met the criteria for a public health emergency, and ultimately it is our public health officer, Dr. Celeste Phillips, who makes the call so as to avoid “politicizing” these kinds of decisions. While they are the experts, I agree with you that the Joe Rodota Trail has presented a public health emergency for months.

I absolutely support
the fairgrounds as an
alternative camping location

Finally, I absolutely support the fairgrounds as an alternative camping location and was the one who brought the idea into the public discourse. I met with advocates to assess the fairgrounds site and got the idea incorporated into a board agenda item. Staff subsequently backed off the idea. While it’s not exactly “on” the table right now, it’s not yet “off” the table, either, and the Board of Supervisors has granted budgetary authority for $2M to solicit proposals for indoor/outdoor shelters which could include the fairgrounds. So — stay tuned, line up support, and keep advocating for this proposal. I’m only one vote of 5 on the Board of Supervisors, and two of my colleagues have expressed public concerns regarding the use of the fairgrounds.


The amount of time it has taken to mobilize County forces is frustrating. I have been pushing the County of Sonoma to address the deteriorating situation on the JRT for months. In fact, I’d requested that the encampment be agendized for public discussion by the Board of Supervisors in mid-October, and was urging staff to come up with creative solutions to address the growing crisis — but then the Kincade Fire hit, and staff was forced to turn their attention to emergency operations, sheltering, and short-term fire recovery.

One last note — the Joe Rodota Trail is inside the city limits of Santa Rosa. The City of Santa Rosa is now broken into political districts, just the way the County is, but we don’t yet have any locally elected representatives for the area of southwestern Santa Rosa that includes the JRT. (Southwestern City Councilmembers will be elected in November 2020.) Because we have no locally elected representation at the City level, I have been meeting with Mayor Tom Schwedhelm to discuss solutions and I appreciate his availability and attention to the issue. But I am also hoping that the City will step up and provide further assistance. I have managed to secure $11M on the County side to address the Joe Rodota Trail, which includes more General Fund money than the County has ever spent before on homelessness. But regular police or fire department patrols from the City of Santa Rosa to address concerns like open flames and public safety would be very helpful, and unfortunately this is not a service I can provide from the County side of things.

Take care,
Lynda

PS — the best way to reach me about this topic for followup is via my work email at [email protected].

...Supervisor Hopkins let this situation start, did nothing about it and now everyone is wringing their hands. How would she feel about having 200 people camped out next to her organic farm and providing organic input to her soil with months of organic feces and urine? This is what she has allowed in our neighborhood, and now the Supes wail because they have not done their number one job: Protect the public.
..

[Stuart]

Supervisor Hopkins, Your 5th District map clearly includes the JRT. Which makes it your jurisdiction. You are our elected representative and must be held accountable.
Are you saying the Trail is not in your jurisdiction?

Expand

Whether we have "met" is entirely irrelevant.
You and the other Supes have enabled and allowed an Occupation of our community
Now, the City and County will provide private "security assistance" to the occupiers????
And "establishing disposable needle bins"
And more
It is illegal to start fires, pee or poop, shoot up on public property. Before the toilets were installed, somewhat establishing this as a defacto permanent encampment, they were not removed and a public cesspool was the result.
You are responsible as the most highly elected official and you must be held accountable.
Your words pale compared to ugly reality of permitting an Occupation.
We are being occupied. Yesterday, I saw an open fire and orange electrical cord across the trail, which is a fire hazard. You have permitted and allowed this, excuses notwithstanding.

Reality matters. If you can't figure out how to remove them from our neighborhood you should be removed.
Set a date within one month that you guarantee we will have our safety back and all occupiers removed and we will cancel the recall.
Cheers
Stuart

[podfish]

...
Your words pale compared to ugly reality of permitting an Occupation.
We are being occupied.

her words may be pale, but they're an honest and complete description of the situation. Colorful words may be more fun, but they add heat not light.

her post too asks you for some suggestions about solutions - which you don't have to offer, it's not your job, but it makes your posts nothing more than a wailing about the unfairness of it all. I suppose your approach fits with the tenor of the times, but your reference to the unfortunates on the trail as "Occupation" has an ugly resonance. Unless you mean to embrace that association? and again, pretending that there are people in the wings who are able to do better work than Linda Hopkins has, who will jump in as soon as she's recalled, is wild fantasy.

[Stuart]

whether she is recalled or not is up to the public, 15% and we will see the results..
re my term, Occupation, that is what it is, politely, no apologies
when the City and County are hiring "private security for the occupants" that is just crazy!!!!
Security from themselves? We taxpayers are paying for private security and needle disposal?
This is beyond reasonable comprehension in any society

Re your question of my solutions, yes, you correctly state it is NOT my job, it has been the job of Hopkins
And she has failed, dismally. Just look at the Trail. You want to talk to the law abiding, non peeping and pooping in the bushes, shooting up, having illegal fires people, just go across the wall to the folks impacted now every moment of their day and night! With their kids! people are moving out!

And the City and County are "establishing disposable needle drops"?????????????????????????????
You want that in YOUR neighborhood? No one does
My solution, free, save $12 million, manage and organize County property at Fairgrounds or Chanate or both, bring in managers so as to not impact the neighbors, and give seven days notice that all people and possessions along the trail will be removed.

[Stuart]

FYI, just one, of many, real life impacts of the Trail, and what Hopkins has permitted to happen. This is not my opinion, this is the Trail today!
--------------


Thank you for your efforts, Stuart. I think it’s important to recognize that this is an ongoing issue that Hopkins has not addressed. I have lived in this neighborhood for 3 years and have never felt comfortable taking my daughter on a bike ride on the trail (even though I was looking forward to it when I bought a home here). I have witnessed ongoing drug use, drug sales, nudity/urination and defecation, and camping, aside from the current encampment. Officials should have helped when there were less people and it would have been easier and less costly to manage.

[Stuart]

A RECALL HOPKINS bulletin board has been set up for any interested in the thoughts of the community impacted by the arrogance and ignorance of the Supervisors. We suggest you browse though a few other related threads and you will find close to 99% in agreement that our community has been violated and the recourse is the removal of Hopkins.
https://nextdoor.com/g/ejjxhv31h/?is=tophat

Please participate if inclined, including, Ms Hopkins. This is Democracy. You have failed us so we are seeking a remedy.

Stuart Kiehl
Wright Area Action Group

[tommy]

Thank you Lynda, for your post on Wacco, and for your courageous stand, on finding a solution to those camping on JRT.

I'd campaigned & voted for Noreen... however you have my full support now... because of how you've stepped up to the plate, to find a solution to the JRT.

From Supervisor Lynda Hopkins

---

Hi Stuart —
...

[Stuart]

Past is Past, today is the reality along Rte 12. The Notice of Intent WILL be certified and we will get 15% of the last vote to put it on the ballot. Our leader has failed us and must be held accountable. Go to the Nextdoor thread of RECALL HOPKINS, just started, and a few others from the last few days and you would be shocked at the frustration of the community being violated. And the City and County allocating "private security for the occupants" and "disposable needle bins" !!!!!
Are they nuts? OUR money for private security for the "occupants"??
Hopkins must be held accountable. She denies it is her jurisdiction on this forum and when a map from her own website is provided, she is silent. And wants "coffee", when no one in her office has responded to ANY of her constituent calls. RECALL HOPKINS bumper stickers encouraged to be made by all and shared.
This is Democracy. Do your job or next person up.
Look at The Occupation as you drive down Rte 12 and say you would welcome new neighbors.
The poor folks on the other side of the wall have lost tons on their investments, much less fire hazard, needles etc. This is NOT acceptable and the leader must be held accountable. Recall Hopkins.

[Stargazer]

Hopkins is just a puppet. Who are the real culprits? Not defending her. Just saying.

[ladybug5]

I always see a red flag when people whine about something but will not actually TALK to the person they
have a problem with. This is so complex. What is your solution Stuart.. ?(Sorry if you have presented
this already, I missed it) Calm down and have coffee!

Past is Past, today is the reality along Rte 12. ...

[Stuart]

Funny, she wants to talk now, when none of my calls were returned or those of others. If you see "red flags" have you seen the Trail, have you seen the proposal providing "private security for the occupants" and
"establishing disposable needle bins"? Had you seen for six months nudity, pooping, urinating, drug dealing and use, shooting up with needles, etc on the trail?
The camp has been established on the watch of Hopkins. Ask her why she denies it is in her jurisdiction when it is on her own website? Ask her why she has allowed this to grow to what the County termed Monday an "emergency"
This was her job and just go down the Trail to see the results. Yesterday and day before there was an open fire, and I can go on. Health, safety and now fire hazards !!
And we are paying tax dollars for private security for the "occupants?"
Who do they need security from?
This is crazy and the leader is accountable, sorry, time to pay the piper.
The unfortunate fact is too little too late. I have written numerous solutions, actually for years, printed in the Press Democrat. Namely, what the County owns. It is free, Fairgrounds and or Chanate and manage it.

[podfish]

Calm down and have coffee!

????

[Stuart]

Thanks, coffee too mild, heading to The Occupation to get a fix, maybe score some meth, wondering if the authorized "disposable needles bins" have been put up by the City yet, might take the kid for a stroll through the needles, step around months of dog and human crap, ahh lovely wine country living...Hey, let's share this with the world, betcha the tourism folks would be onboard....

[Shandi]

It IS being shared with the world, and I'm surprised the tourism folks aren't onboard, since it will affect their bottom line, as well as the neighbor's. With all the money the wine industry makes, you'd think they might be willing to collaborate on a solution, even though it's not their job.

Sometimes the only way to get needed action is to visibly disrupt the status quo, with an Occupation, and that's what the homeless are doing, right in our faces.

Thanks, coffee too mild, heading to The Occupation to get a fix, maybe score some meth, wondering if the authorized "disposable needles bins" have been put up by the City yet, might take the kid for a stroll through the needles, step around months of dog and human crap, ahh lovely wine country living...Hey, let's share this with the world, betcha the tourism folks would be onboard....

[Imagery]

I believe Stuart is simply spewing diarrhea out of his pie-hole.

How do I come to this conclusion?

1. Blaming those NOT committing the offense for the actions of others. Supervisor Hopkins is NOT urinating or defecating in public, and she is NOT responsible for the actions of those who do. She is working to find solutions which are sustainable and address the underlying issues which create homelessness.
2. Inability to offer solutions that take into account the scope of the issue. Stuart dismisses the suggestion that instead of being a distraction (and part of the problem), that he provide suggestions for solutions.
3. Unwillingness to sit down and discuss the issues rationally and intelligently. Stuart is suggesting a recall of one of a microscopic handful of honest politicians.
4. Using slander and salacious hyperbole instead of facts and reason. If people were held responsible for their words and actions, perhaps they'd shut up if they couldn't help out.