Russian River Fire Tax Proposal

[Rob]

The tax measure for Russian River Fire Protection District would change the current residential property from $40 per year to $140 per year. There is a public hearing on the issue Wednesday Jan. 6 at the Russian River Fire Station at 7:00 p.m. This tax is needed to sustain the current level of service. If the tax measure fails, service will be dramatically reduced. Some people have said the Fire District is over spending and mis-using money, according to comments made on the Press Democrat site. Those people making those comments have not educated themselves about Russian River Fire. Did any of you know the the Redevelopment Agency took over 30% of the Fire Districts budget this year? Redevelopment has taken over $1 MILLION dollars in just nine years. Former Supervisor Reilly assured the people the most money Redevelopment would take over 45 years would be $588,000. The Press Democrat will not publish those facts. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, Redevelopment and Community Development Agencies will not respond to my letters. Would any of you be able to survive if the County took 30% of your salary/budget? The Fire District would not have to place a measure on the ballot, if there were no Redevelopment. Please, support Russian River Fire any way you can. Write to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Go to the Fire District meetings. Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

[RussianRiverRattina]

Thank you, Rob, for reminding us about last week's hearing for the Russian River Fire Protection District's proposed tax hike. It's just as well that I was unable to attend, because I probably would have made a dreadful scene & demanded that Fire Chief Sean Grinnell reveal to us what freaking PLANET he's living on.

I live on Planet Rio Nido. I HUGELY appreciate the folks in our Fire Department for ALL the work they do. But ... This is a TERRIBLE time to request a tax increase, with so many local folks struggling with unemployment, foreclosure, & declining revenues for local businesses. I know that $140 per parcel per year sounds reasonable, but it still amounts to $15 per month per single family residence. That's an awful lot of rice & beans for struggling families.

What could Mr. Grinnell possibly be THINKING?

The Russian River has always been economically fragile & reliant on heavy support from "outsiders" in the form of tourists/visitors; distant employers in the inner Bay Area (to whom many of us commute -- or formerly commuted before getting laid off -- to earn the middle class salaries which enable us to pay property taxes & support local businesses); & County/State/Federal government programs which have been brutally cut.

Thanks to Proposition 13, recent buyers of homes & business properties pay WAY more in property taxes than folks who bought places back in the day. Anyone who has purchased a modest home in the Russian River area within the past 5-10 years for the obligatory $300-$400K is paying $400+ per month in property taxes. Many of these properties cannot be sold for anything close to what even the most prudent buyers paid for them.

It's AWFULLY danged hard to shell out this sort of money month after month -- especially when one's income has been drastically curtailed -- & to then hear public officials complain about needing to cut programs for lack of money. Where has all the money gone & how could anyone be pathetic & desperate enough to seek it from struggling folks like us?

If special districts & other public agencies require more money, then they seriously need to start putting their efforts & clout towards increasing employment & property values in our area, & reforming the State of California's inequitable tax system so more residents can afford to pay for the tax increases they need.

Otherwise, all bets are off ... you can't get blood out of a stone.

-- Elisabeth


The tax measure for Russian River Fire Protection District would change the current residential property from $40 per year to $140 per year. There is a public hearing on the issue Wednesday Jan. 6 at the Russian River Fire Station at 7:00 p.m. This tax is needed to sustain the current level of service. If the tax measure fails, service will be dramatically reduced. Some people have said the Fire District is over spending and mis-using money, according to comments made on the Press Democrat site. Those people making those comments have not educated themselves about Russian River Fire. Did any of you know the the Redevelopment Agency took over 30% of the Fire Districts budget this year? Redevelopment has taken over $1 MILLION dollars in just nine years. Former Supervisor Reilly assured the people the most money Redevelopment would take over 45 years would be $588,000. The Press Democrat will not publish those facts. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, Redevelopment and Community Development Agencies will not respond to my letters. Would any of you be able to survive if the County took 30% of your salary/budget? The Fire District would not have to place a measure on the ballot, if there were no Redevelopment. Please, support Russian River Fire any way you can. Write to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Go to the Fire District meetings. Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

[Rob]

Thank you for your thoughts and opinion. The Fire District is spending their reserves and will have to cut services, if the tax is not passed. This is thanks to Redevelopment. When it was created, the take away from the Fire District was reported to be $10,000 per year and over the life of Redevelopment, they would take a total of $588,000 (that is the total over 45 years). Reality is, Redevelopment has taken almost $300,000 just this year. They have taken over 1 MILLION dollars from the Fire District in just 9 years. This tax is about keeping the life saving service the Fire District provides. This tax is NOT about giving firefighters raises, NOT about buying new equipment/vehicles. I wish you would have been at the meeting. There was a great turnout and I hope more people will attend the next which is going to be Jan. 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the fire station in Guerneville. There is never a good time to try and pass a tax. The Fire District knows this. Do you know they have not raised the current tax since it was created back in the early 1980's? Again, if Redevelopment was not IMPOSED on the people and there was NO Redevelopment. The Fire District would not have to attempt to raise any taxes.


Thank you, Rob, for reminding us about last week's hearing for the Russian River Fire Protection District's proposed tax hike. It's just as well that I was unable to attend, because I probably would have made a dreadful scene & demanded that Fire Chief Sean Grinnell reveal to us what freaking PLANET he's living on.

I live on Planet Rio Nido. I HUGELY appreciate the folks in our Fire Department for ALL the work they do. But ... This is a TERRIBLE time to request a tax increase, with so many local folks struggling with unemployment, foreclosure, & declining revenues for local businesses. I know that $140 per parcel per year sounds reasonable, but it still amounts to $15 per month per single family residence. That's an awful lot of rice & beans for struggling families.

What could Mr. Grinnell possibly be THINKING?

The Russian River has always been economically fragile & reliant on heavy support from "outsiders" in the form of tourists/visitors; distant employers in the inner Bay Area (to whom many of us commute -- or formerly commuted before getting laid off -- to earn the middle class salaries which enable us to pay property taxes & support local businesses); & County/State/Federal government programs which have been brutally cut.

Thanks to Proposition 13, recent buyers of homes & business properties pay WAY more in property taxes than folks who bought places back in the day. Anyone who has purchased a modest home in the Russian River area within the past 5-10 years for the obligatory $300-$400K is paying $400+ per month in property taxes. Many of these properties cannot be sold for anything close to what even the most prudent buyers paid for them.

It's AWFULLY danged hard to shell out this sort of money month after month -- especially when one's income has been drastically curtailed -- & to then hear public officials complain about needing to cut programs for lack of money. Where has all the money gone & how could anyone be pathetic & desperate enough to seek it from struggling folks like us?

If special districts & other public agencies require more money, then they seriously need to start putting their efforts & clout towards increasing employment & property values in our area, & reforming the State of California's inequitable tax system so more residents can afford to pay for the tax increases they need.

Otherwise, all bets are off ... you can't get blood out of a stone.

-- Elisabeth

[Rob]

Did you know Russian River Redevelopment has taken $300,000 dollars from the Russian River Fire District this year? That's over 30% of the Fire District Budget. Mike Reilly told the press 9 years ago, "the most money taken from the Fire District over the 45 year life of Redevelopment would be $588,000". In just 9 years Redevelopment has taken over 1 MILLION dollars from the Fire District. How many of you could survive if the County took 30% of your income/budget? The take away will be more next year and even more the year after that. This Press Democrat will not print that. The Board of Supervisors, nor the Redevelopment and Community Development agencies will reply to my letters. Before people make ignorant comments about the Fire District, educate yourself about it. The budget is at the fire station for all to see. The Fire District has had meeting after meeting with little participation from the community.The staff members have taken significant cuts in their salaries and benefits. This tax is not about buying any equipment, its not about giving raises. This tax is about maintaining the service level to the community. Take the time to think about you or your family and friends. Wouldn't you want a prompt response, if an emergency happened to them?

[RussianRiverRattina]

On behalf of the Russian River Fire Department, you ask, "Would any of you be able to survive if the County took 30% of your salary/budget?" [as Redevelopment, budget cuts, etc. have done to RRFPD].

Guess what? I would be THRILLED to have 70% of our household's previous income, instead of the 40% we've been scraping by on since my husband got laid off 12 months ago. Hasn't RRFPD Chief Sean Grinnell noticed that an awful lot of people are either un-employed or under-employed these days? Even many of the folks lucky enough to still have jobs are experiencing cuts in their hours & salaries.

Russian River residents & businesses cannot even afford the CURRENT level of taxes -- let alone tax INCREASES -- until home values improve & we get some decent-paying JOBS out here (or at least within commuting distance).

Rob, I do understand why RRFPD needs the money & feel awful about not supporting the tax increase. It's just that few people HAVE any money out here on the Russian River. Most folks I know are desperately struggling just to meet their basic needs & simply don't HAVE an extra $140 per year.

Of course I want adequate fire protection for my neighbors & me. But I also believe that people's basic needs -- such as food, electricity, & a roof over our heads -- must come first. And unfortunately, the latter item is in grave jeopardy for many of us. Have you seen the number of foreclosures here in Rio Nido recently? Have you wondered what becomes of the property owners &/or renters living in these places?




The tax measure for Russian River Fire Protection District would change the current residential property from $40 per year to $140 per year. There is a public hearing on the issue Wednesday Jan. 6 at the Russian River Fire Station at 7:00 p.m. This tax is needed to sustain the current level of service. If the tax measure fails, service will be dramatically reduced. Some people have said the Fire District is over spending and mis-using money, according to comments made on the Press Democrat site. Those people making those comments have not educated themselves about Russian River Fire. Did any of you know the the Redevelopment Agency took over 30% of the Fire Districts budget this year? Redevelopment has taken over $1 MILLION dollars in just nine years. Former Supervisor Reilly assured the people the most money Redevelopment would take over 45 years would be $588,000. The Press Democrat will not publish those facts. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, Redevelopment and Community Development Agencies will not respond to my letters. Would any of you be able to survive if the County took 30% of your salary/budget? The Fire District would not have to place a measure on the ballot, if there were no Redevelopment. Please, support Russian River Fire any way you can. Write to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Go to the Fire District meetings. Thank you for taking the time to read this post.




Thank you for your thoughts and opinion. The Fire District is spending their reserves and will have to cut services, if the tax is not passed. This is thanks to Redevelopment. When it was created, the take away from the Fire District was reported to be $10,000 per year and over the life of Redevelopment, they would take a total of $588,000 (that is the total over 45 years). Reality is, Redevelopment has taken almost $300,000 just this year. They have taken over 1 MILLION dollars from the Fire District in just 9 years. This tax is about keeping the life saving service the Fire District provides. This tax is NOT about giving firefighters raises, NOT about buying new equipment/vehicles. I wish you would have been at the meeting. There was a great turnout and I hope more people will attend the next which is going to be Jan. 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the fire station in Guerneville. There is never a good time to try and pass a tax. The Fire District knows this. Do you know they have not raised the current tax since it was created back in the early 1980's? Again, if Redevelopment was not IMPOSED on the people and there was NO Redevelopment. The Fire District would not have to attempt to raise any taxes.

[RussianRiverRattina]

Yes, Russian River Redevelopment has taken big chunks o' change from our special districts. And I am not thrilled with how the County has administered these funds or how they've worked (or not worked) with our communities. However, Redevelopment is a necessary evil. It's designed to set aside funds so that various components of blighted communities can sit down together to design & implement a strategic plan for revitalization.

I know that many people in our community bitterly resent redevelopment. But the fact is, we cannot have adequate fire protection, law enforcement, housing, education, medical/mental health services, waste disposal, water management, or ANYthing else without a viable tax base. And in order to have a viable tax base in the future, we need redevelopment.

Until we rehabilitate dilapidated properties, clean up our neighborhoods, improve the economic climate for local businesses, raise property values, attract year-round tourism, create jobs that DON'T depend on tourism, our communities will NOT be able to afford any tax increases. Public services depend on a viable tax base, and a viable tax base depends on the presence of a solid, middle class -- something that we simply don't HAVE out here on the River.

Furthermore, many of the folks who manage a middle class income are only able to do so by commuting to distant employers in the inner Bay Area. Needless to say, these people are rarely ever around when our various community meetings take place (i.e. RRROC, RRFPD, Sweetwater Springs, etc.).

Perhaps by the grace of some miracle, the Russian River Fire Department will obtain its proposed tax increase. Otherwise, it'll have to muddle along with inadequate funds just like the rest of us.


Did you know Russian River Redevelopment has taken $300,000 dollars from the Russian River Fire District this year? That's over 30% of the Fire District Budget. Mike Reilly told the press 9 years ago, "the most money taken from the Fire District over the 45 year life of Redevelopment would be $588,000". In just 9 years Redevelopment has taken over 1 MILLION dollars from the Fire District. How many of you could survive if the County took 30% of your income/budget? The take away will be more next year and even more the year after that. This Press Democrat will not print that. The Board of Supervisors, nor the Redevelopment and Community Development agencies will reply to my letters. Before people make ignorant comments about the Fire District, educate yourself about it. The budget is at the fire station for all to see. The Fire District has had meeting after meeting with little participation from the community.The staff members have taken significant cuts in their salaries and benefits. This tax is not about buying any equipment, its not about giving raises. This tax is about maintaining the service level to the community. Take the time to think about you or your family and friends. Wouldn't you want a prompt response, if an emergency happened to them?

[Rob]

Again, Redevelopment has not done anything it was created to do. I keep hearing "if it (Redevelopment) works....." In case you have not noticed, Redevelopment has not worked. Who is really benefiting?

With Redevelopment taking so much away from the Fire District the emergency medical services and fire protection we know today, will be gone. Insurance premiums will sky rocket due to the fact the fire protection will be reduced. Insurance premiums will far exceed the annual tax the Fire District is seeking.

Just think about the big picture and the safety of your friends, family, neighbors, the firefighters and their families.

Thank you,

Rob


Yes, Russian River Redevelopment has taken big chunks o' change from our special districts. And I am not thrilled with how the County has administered these funds or how they've worked (or not worked) with our communities. However, Redevelopment is a necessary evil. It's designed to set aside funds so that various components of blighted communities can sit down together to design & implement a strategic plan for revitalization.

I know that many people in our community bitterly resent redevelopment. But the fact is, we cannot have adequate fire protection, law enforcement, housing, education, medical/mental health services, waste disposal, water management, or ANYthing else without a viable tax base. And in order to have a viable tax base in the future, we need redevelopment.

Until we rehabilitate dilapidated properties, clean up our neighborhoods, improve the economic climate for local businesses, raise property values, attract year-round tourism, create jobs that DON'T depend on tourism, our communities will NOT be able to afford any tax increases. Public services depend on a viable tax base, and a viable tax base depends on the presence of a solid, middle class -- something that we simply don't HAVE out here on the River.

Furthermore, many of the folks who manage a middle class income are only able to do so by commuting to distant employers in the inner Bay Area. Needless to say, these people are rarely ever around when our various community meetings take place (i.e. RRROC, RRFPD, Sweetwater Springs, etc.).

Perhaps by the grace of some miracle, the Russian River Fire Department will obtain its proposed tax increase. Otherwise, it'll have to muddle along with inadequate funds just like the rest of us.

[dragonnewt]

I, too, am a struggling Russian River land owner. This has been a very hard 2 years - we are evading foreclosure by the skin of our teeth. However, fire protection is not optional.

The fire district provides great protection on relatively little money. Kudos to them for the high level of service provided. The fire district has not been wasteful of their money. If the Chief says that they cannot continue to function without increasing the parcel tax, this is probably exactly true. Do I want to pay another $100/year? Not particularly, but I want it much more than the likelihood that I will have an emergency and the fire district won't be able to respond. The money has to come from somewhere.

Money for the fire district or anything else will not be coming from the state. It is extremely unlikely anything can be done about redevelopment and money siphoned from the fire department. It is extremely unlikely that the County will respond to this short-fall. Basically, this is the way fire districts are funded - the landowners pay for the protection in the fire district where they live.

Please thank the fire district, support and vote for the parcel tax, and find ways to save the family budget that don't endanger our community health and safety.


Again, Redevelopment has not done anything it was created to do. I keep hearing "if it (Redevelopment) works....." In case you have not noticed, Redevelopment has not worked. Who is really benefiting?

With Redevelopment taking so much away from the Fire District the emergency medical services and fire protection we know today, will be gone. Insurance premiums will sky rocket due to the fact the fire protection will be reduced. Insurance premiums will far exceed the annual tax the Fire District is seeking.

Just think about the big picture and the safety of your friends, family, neighbors, the firefighters and their families.

Thank you,

Rob

[oceanaocean]

I, too, am a struggling Russian River land owner. This has been a very hard 2 years - we are evading foreclosure by the skin of our teeth. However, fire protection is not optional.

The fire district provides great protection on relatively little money. Kudos to them for the high level of service provided. The fire district has not been wasteful of their money. If the Chief says that they cannot continue to function without increasing the parcel tax, this is probably exactly true. Do I want to pay another $100/year? Not particularly, but I want it much more than the likelihood that I will have an emergency and the fire district won't be able to respond. The money has to come from somewhere.

Money for the fire district or anything else will not be coming from the state. It is extremely unlikely anything can be done about redevelopment and money siphoned from the fire department. It is extremely unlikely that the County will respond to this short-fall. Basically, this is the way fire districts are funded - the landowners pay for the protection in the fire district where they live.

Please thank the fire district, support and vote for the parcel tax, and find ways to save the family budget that don't endanger our community health and safety.

This is exactly the reason why we fought redevelopment and challenged it in court, to our loss.

[RussianRiverRattina]

I agree that the Russian River Fire Protection District really needs the money, and I'll probably wind up caving in & voting for the danged tax. Despite everything, I DO believe what Sean Grinnell is saying & I AM a Liberal Democrat, for Pete's sake ...

But I'm STILL really ticked off. You wouldn't walk up to your friend who's desperately struggling to keep his head above water & ask him for money. But, for some reason, just about EVERYONE -- from the Big Bankers down to the Small Town Fire Chiefs -- seem to have no problem with asking unemployed/underemployed, underwater, already over-taxed homeowners for more money.

A friend of mine once said, "You can only squeeze the cantaloupe so hard, then no more juice comes out." The jobless rate in Sonoma County is over 10% (not counting "under-employment") and is probably even higher out here on the Russian River. This isn't just a statistic, it's your friends and neighbors.

I've noticed that many of you seem to blame our tax and financial woes on the funds being diverted to redevelopment. The real source of our troubles is Proposition 13, which caps the base-level of homeowners' property taxes to the price they paid for their home. This generally means that recent home buyers pay considerably more than long-time home owners.

If property taxes were distributed more equitably, our special districts would be better funded. You would also encounter far less opposition from those of us who paid $325K and up for our fixer/starter homes & (despite the County reassessing our home values), pay $300+ per month on property taxes, & could barely afford this even when times were good.

Remember ... you can only squeeze the cantaloupe SO hard ...

-- RussianRiverRattina



This is exactly the reason why we fought redevelopment and challenged it in court, to our loss.

[ChristineL]

Without Proposition 13 people who have worked hard all their lives would lose their homes as the real-estate taxes would keep going up. Hell, my mother and I would lose our house during these difficult economic times. We bought our house in Jan. 2002, we actually pay $5,000 in real estate taxes yearly and if there was no Prop. 13, they would probably be around $10,000 by now. My taxes do include a 2% cost of living increase every year as well as a long list of "special assessments" for water & sewer (1,500/yr.), Palm Drive, etc. These assessments, to which the Fire District increase will be added, already doubles my tax payments (without them we'd be paying around $2600/yr.). Whether a two unit house is a two family or two seperate units is based on the number of electrical meters, since two meters were installed prior to our buying the home, some of the assessments (like water/sewer) are doubled (although we have one water meter) and it is used as a two family.

Redevelopment takes money out of our community, and so far as I can see has not improved anything. The obsession with creating "affordable housing", will add population our present infrastructue really can't support. The real blight is all the empty stores on Main Street that the Landlords would rather leave to stand empty forever than help bring in new businesses by charging more reasonable rents.

Cleaning up and helping create a revitalized business community should be the priority. In this manner, there might be more local jobs for our neighbors and more business owners in our community.

I owe my life to our Fire District's Paramedics and do appreciate them. Without their speed and efficiency, I would be dead or brain damaged today...so yes...I to will probably end up voting for this increase we truly can ill afford.



I agree that the Russian River Fire Protection District really needs the money, and I'll probably wind up caving in & voting for the danged tax. Despite everything, I DO believe what Sean Grinnell is saying & I AM a Liberal Democrat, for Pete's sake ...

But I'm STILL really ticked off. You wouldn't walk up to your friend who's desperately struggling to keep his head above water & ask him for money. But, for some reason, just about EVERYONE -- from the Big Bankers down to the Small Town Fire Chiefs -- seem to have no problem with asking unemployed/underemployed, underwater, already over-taxed homeowners for more money.

A friend of mine once said, "You can only squeeze the cantaloupe so hard, then no more juice comes out." The jobless rate in Sonoma County is over 10% (not counting "under-employment") and is probably even higher out here on the Russian River. This isn't just a statistic, it's your friends and neighbors.

I've noticed that many of you seem to blame our tax and financial woes on the funds being diverted to redevelopment. The real source of our troubles is Proposition 13, which caps the base-level of homeowners' property taxes to the price they paid for their home. This generally means that recent home buyers pay considerably more than long-time home owners.

If property taxes were distributed more equitably, our special districts would be better funded. You would also encounter far less opposition from those of us who paid $325K and up for our fixer/starter homes & (despite the County reassessing our home values), pay $300+ per month on property taxes, & could barely afford this even when times were good.

Remember ... you can only squeeze the cantaloupe SO hard ...

-- RussianRiverRattina

[RussianRiverRattina]

Christine,

Thank you for your thoughtful post.

Sigh. I don't understand why property taxes would rise uncontrollably without Proposition 13. This doesn't generally seem to happen in similarly high-cost areas back East where I come from, where lots of folks own homes on modest, low, & fixed incomes. (Though it DID happen in Manhattan when then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg jacked 'em up by a whopping 18% & miraculously lived to tell the tale!)

However, I DO agree with you about our needing to clean up & create a viable business community, as well as the fact that there's too much emphasis on affordable housing & not enough on everything else. I guess I'm just feeling EXTREMELY annoyed with public officials who keep saying there's no money for anything, after years of failing to take leadership on the issues underlying the financial deprivation of their respective organizations.

Alas, part of the problem is ... US! Redevelopment funds are available to ANY organization (doesn't even have to be "official" with 501c status) willing to sponsor, develop and present proposals at the RRROC meetings. Developers, County agencies, homeless advocates & others with a stake in creating affordable housing get redevelopment funding because they are well-organized, know the ropes, and present strong proposals.

Unfortunately, we locals rarely ever seem to get organized, take initiative, and make sustained efforts towards getting things done. When we do, good things can & DO happen -- for example the Monte Rio Parks & Recreation Department & their supporters did a wonderful job with transforming the shabby old Koret Club into a beautiful state-of-the-art Community Center.

Getting community support for getting things done around here is generally like herding cats. We're an independent, eclectic, & fractious lot. Unfortunately, our lack of effectove self-governance is what caused Rio Nido, Guerneville & Monte Rio to be designated as a "Redevelopment Area" to begin with. Apparently, key quality of life indicators in these parts dropped to levels deemed unacceptable by clauses stated in the Health & Safety section of our State constitution, thereby triggering our descent into Redevelopment Hell.

-- Elisabeth


Without Proposition 13 people who have worked hard all their lives would lose their homes as the real-estate taxes would keep going up. Hell, my mother and I would lose our house during these difficult economic times. We bought our house in Jan. 2002, we actually pay $5,000 in real estate taxes yearly and if there was no Prop. 13, they would probably be around $10,000 by now. My taxes do include a 2% cost of living increase every year as well as a long list of "special assessments" for water & sewer (1,500/yr.), Palm Drive, etc. These assessments, to which the Fire District increase will be added, already doubles my tax payments (without them we'd be paying around $2600/yr.). Whether a two unit house is a two family or two seperate units is based on the number of electrical meters, since two meters were installed prior to our buying the home, some of the assessments (like water/sewer) are doubled (although we have one water meter) and it is used as a two family.

Redevelopment takes money out of our community, and so far as I can see has not improved anything. The obsession with creating "affordable housing", will add population our present infrastructue really can't support. The real blight is all the empty stores on Main Street that the Landlords would rather leave to stand empty forever than help bring in new businesses by charging more reasonable rents.

Cleaning up and helping create a revitalized business community should be the priority. In this manner, there might be more local jobs for our neighbors and more business owners in our community.

I owe my life to our Fire District's Paramedics and do appreciate them. Without their speed and efficiency, I would be dead or brain damaged today...so yes...I to will probably end up voting for this increase we truly can ill afford.

[Rob]

Again, thank you for reading and participating.

Just a couple more thoughts....

Russian River Fire Protection District is a stand alone district, governed by a board of elected officials who live here in Guerneville, Rio Nido, Guernewood Park, Armstrong Valley and Drake Estates. It is not a branch, or a department of Sonoma County.

The new tax Russian River Fire Protection District is seeking is equal to .38 cents per day.........ok 38.35 cents per day........look at your tax bill and break down the other catagories, break those down per day. Gee, break down your cable bill per day.....

Yes Redevelopment funds are available for certain projects. Russian River Fire has received funds for the remodel of the Rio Nido facility and an emergency generator that runs not only the fire station, but the church hall (during emergencies). There is a hearing coming up before the Sonoma County Board of Supervisor's. During this hearing, the Board of Supervisors will decide to either fund the purchase of a new ambulance, or turn down the proposal. At the last RRROC meeting, it was unanimousley approved to be heard by the Board of Supervisor's. However, 5th District Supervisor Efren Carrillo was clear at the RRROC meeting about counsel denying the propasal, stating the ambulance does not fit the law of redevelopment. Russian River Fire can get funds for "bricks and mortar", not equipment. The ironic thing about that is the first paragraph on the Redevelopment website, it clearly states, "assistance to public safety entities in the provision of capital facilities and equipment to serve the Project Area and environs".

Other Redevelopment areas throughout California have funded equipment.

I do not have the date of the hearing. When I get the confirmed date, I will post it. The Fire District needs your support, anyway, anyhow......

Thank you,

Rob


Christine,

Thank you for your thoughtful post.

Sigh. I don't understand why property taxes would rise uncontrollably without Proposition 13. This doesn't generally seem to happen in similarly high-cost areas back East where I come from, where lots of folks own homes on modest, low, & fixed incomes. (Though it DID happen in Manhattan when then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg jacked 'em up by a whopping 18% & miraculously lived to tell the tale!)

However, I DO agree with you about our needing to clean up & create a viable business community, as well as the fact that there's too much emphasis on affordable housing & not enough on everything else. I guess I'm just feeling EXTREMELY annoyed with public officials who keep saying there's no money for anything, after years of failing to take leadership on the issues underlying the financial deprivation of their respective organizations.

Alas, part of the problem is ... US! Redevelopment funds are available to ANY organization (doesn't even have to be "official" with 501c status) willing to sponsor, develop and present proposals at the RRROC meetings. Developers, County agencies, homeless advocates & others with a stake in creating affordable housing get redevelopment funding because they are well-organized, know the ropes, and present strong proposals.

Unfortunately, we locals rarely ever seem to get organized, take initiative, and make sustained efforts towards getting things done. When we do, good things can & DO happen -- for example the Monte Rio Parks & Recreation Department & their supporters did a wonderful job with transforming the shabby old Koret Club into a beautiful state-of-the-art Community Center.

Getting community support for getting things done around here is generally like herding cats. We're an independent, eclectic, & fractious lot. Unfortunately, our lack of effectove self-governance is what caused Rio Nido, Guerneville & Monte Rio to be designated as a "Redevelopment Area" to begin with. Apparently, key quality of life indicators in these parts dropped to levels deemed unacceptable by clauses stated in the Health & Safety section of our State constitution, thereby triggering our descent into Redevelopment Hell.

-- Elisabeth

[RR Chief]

https://www.russianriverfire.org/LOGO.JPG?d450fe2b05607ad24f6e4ae427d6342aHi everyone, my name is Sean Grinnell and I am your Fire Chief. I have read some interesting posts by everyone and I want to assure you that I am living on planet earth. I also realize that I am asking for a lot of money made worse by the economy. We will be asking you a second time to increase your fire taxes. Our first attempt in almost 30 years was soundly defeated. We are still here and we still need your help. We have listened to everyone that met with us to discuss our issues. We have redesigned a tax that is a lot more balanced, fair, and easily understood-very different from our last tax attempt. The amount we are asking for is only what is needed for the level of service provided to the Guerneville area. It is the same level of service you have known for almost thirty years...Three people on duty each day to serve your fire and medical needs...Our ability to provide this level of service will run out very soon. Given all the "take aways" and fees charged from the state and county-We cannot afford to maintain the daily staffing level. Wage freezes-pay cuts-chief sharing-administrative assistant sharing-limited training- and turning the lights off is not enough...Our employees are our greatest asset, without them we cannot do our job. Our employees are also our biggest cost and to balance the budget I need more money or I need to lay people off. We are spending our reserve; it will run out next fiscal year. The Board has directed me to maintain our current staffing until June 30. When the reserve runs out we will be forced to live within our means, but to do that we must take the biggest cuts yet, three people will be laid off and maybe more.

We provide fire and medical services, fire prevention, public education and we do not come to you very often in need...It is usually the opposite, we want to continue serving you as we always have. Prop 13 was not our fault, Education Relief Augmentation Fund (ERAF-money to schools) was not our fault, fees charged by the county are not our fault, redevelopment is not our fault...but we have to suffer these hits and still try our very best to provide you with a great service. Please do not hold us responsible for the actions of the state and county we are suffering right along with you. To lower the level of service below what it is now would be (in my opinion) a threat to the safety and well being of the Guerneville community and surrounding area.

Please visit our website at www.russianriverfire.org (https://www.russianriverfire.org) for regular updates. We are likely to go before the Board of Supervisors on February 23...I will let you know as soon as I can. Do not hesitate to ask me any questions here or by email from our website.

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to respond and to answer some questions...

Sean

[n4rky]

Forgive me for butting in. I don't live in the area so I feel I should confess up front that the only way I would be affected is if Russian River Fire were unable to respond to a mutual aid request.

There is a larger problem here than the fire district in that no one has taken responsibility for the unemployment problems that make this otherwise small and reasonable request an unbearable burden. We do not know if RussianRiverRattina subscribes to cable television and we should not assume that there is anything more to squeeze out of her budget.

We simply assume that RussianRiverRattina really can afford it and that a collective good outweighs the pain of the individual.

It can't work that way. Those who can afford to pay more are in fact riding on the backs of those who cannot. And if they are not going to take responsibility for their neighbors' unemployment, then the least they can do is to help out with this mutual benefit.

[Rob]

n4rky, your not butting in. Actually, you may be affected more than you know. The Russian River Ambulance responds to 350 sq. miles. From Forestville to Fort Ross and all points in between.

Additionally, I was not picking on anyone in paticular, as far as who can and who cannot afford a tax increase. I'm just trying to compare the cost. I too am struggling to provide for my wife and children, pay my mortgage as the "bread winner" and balance everything in between. I also am in the low-income catagory. I want to have the fire protection and medical services in place for the protection of my family and friends.

Thank you,
Rob

Forgive me for butting in. I don't live in the area so I feel I should confess up front that the only way I would be affected is if Russian River Fire were unable to respond to a mutual aid request.

There is a larger problem here than the fire district in that no one has taken responsibility for the unemployment problems that make this otherwise small and reasonable request an unbearable burden. We do not know if RussianRiverRattina subscribes to cable television and we should not assume that there is anything more to squeeze out of her budget.

We simply assume that RussianRiverRattina really can afford it and that a collective good outweighs the pain of the individual.

It can't work that way. Those who can afford to pay more are in fact riding on the backs of those who cannot. And if they are not going to take responsibility for their neighbors' unemployment, then the least they can do is to help out with this mutual benefit.

[RussianRiverRattina]

Rob & others have convinced me that RRFPD really does need the money from the proposed tax measure to provide the current level of service. They do an excellent job on a shoestring budget. Read more on my Russian River Rattina blog update at rrrattina.blogspot.com (https://rrrattina.blogspot.com/)