Efren Carrillo violates Sonoma County codes

[Larysa]

Greetings!

In the past two months, I have contacted Efren Carrillo’s office several times regarding the campaign billboards on Graton Road at Hicks and Mueller. I was ignored.

Last Sunday - May 20th - at the Graton Fire Department breakfast, I had an opportunity to ask Efren to remove the billboards, because they are too big and block traffic visibility. Cars drive very fast at this curve and there are no sidewalks only ditches, the billboards jeopardize pedestrian safety.

Efren suggested that I ask Ernie to remove them. I said I did not know who Ernie was - thinking it was someone whose job was to put up and take down campaign signs. Efren laughed and said he was talking about Ernie Carpenter. Suddenly I felt I was back in junior high school. How silly of me to think he cared about what I had to say.

I calmly restated my concern for safety and drew Efren a map of where the billboards were located.

"Alright. Alright. I'll have them taken down", he said as he pivoted away engaging someone else in a conversation.

Is Efren a man of his word or not? Apparently not - the billboards are still there. Please see photo taken today.

Larysa

CHAPTER 26 - SONOMA COUNTY ZONING REGULATIONS
Article 84. - Sign Regulations.
Sec. 26-84-030.(f)(1) and (6) - Permitted signs.
(f) Campaign and Political Signs. Campaign and political signs may be permitted in any zoning district upon being issued a zoning permit and are subject to the following criteria:
(1) No more than two (2) sixteen (16) square foot single-faced, nor more than one (1) double faced or wing type, maximum sixteen (16) square feet on each face, political or campaign sign is permitted, per parcel, in the R1 (single family residential) districts;
(6) No detached sign shall be located closer to a road, street or common driveway than the property line and may not obstruct sighting distance for vehicle traffic;
(9) The zoning permit shall be subject to revocation upon failure to comply with the above conditions.

[Gratongirl]

In the past two months, I have contacted Efren Carrillo’s office several times regarding the campaign billboards on Graton Road at Hicks and Mueller. I was ignored.

Larysa received a response within 2 hours of her e-mail. She may not like the signs, but they are not a hazard as she states.

There was no further response because it was confirmed by driving and walking the area that there is absolutely NO sight distance issue. Feel free to post the comment - as well as the fact that prior to receiving this e-mail, someone had vandalized the signs at this location and they had to be replaced.

The signs are there with the permission of the property owner, and are permitted under our guidelines. We have a permit for them. As relayed in the e-mail, they were at this location during the entire election cycle in 2008.

See below.
Susan


Begin forwarded message:

Date: April 19, 2012 10:14:54 PM PDT
To: GODDESS TRIBE
Subject: Re: Please remove billboards


Larysa:

I work for Efren at the county office.

While I live in Graton, I am not involved in the campaign sign placement. I have forwarded your message. You should know that the signs were at that intersection, with permission from the property owner, during the entire campaign season in 2008.

with respect,
Susan


On Apr 19, 2012, at 9:23 PM, GODDESS TRIBE wrote:

Dear Susan,

Please have both Carrillo campaign billboards removed at Hicks and Mueller on Graton Road.
They create a dangerous situation, since they distract drivers and block visibility for drivers and pedestrians.
I had a close call last night and out of concern for public safety, please have them removed ASAP.
Thank you very much!
Sincerely,
Larysa

[Glia]

If they are impairing pedestrian safety and the sight of drivers, then call the CHP and let them know. That IS their "department" out in the county.

Greetings!

In the past two months, I have contacted Efren Carrillo’s office several times regarding the campaign billboards on Graton Road at Hicks and Mueller. I was ignored. ...

[rossmen]

don't believe a thing that graton girl, aka susan upchurch, writes. she is efrans assistant. the picture clearly shows sight of line compromise. just because efran put his big ass signs there in 08 doesn't mean he is not violating code. efrans signs are over 16 square feet and he is probably very carefull about putting them on r2 property. still doesn't mean he can block peoples view of their turn. they love efren down at the permit department because with the able assistantance of upchurch they continue to screw people like me. to the tune of 11k. my crime? fixing an exsisting house. when i called carrillo for help upchurch showed up with the deal already printed. if you get in trouble with the prmd don't call our current supervisor, call a lawyer.

[Larysa]

Dear Susan,

What part of: "I had a close call last night and out of concern for public safety, please have them removed ASAP." do you still not understand???!!!

Last Sunday morning, Efren gave me his word that he would have them removed. If it was me, I would make sure my signs were in a safe place. And if anyone had pointed out that there was a potential hazard, I would apologize and remove the signs immediately. It's safety vs. politics.

If you read the code, these billboards are larger than permitted. Please go measure them - it's very simple to do.
And yes, they do block pedestrian visibility, especially the small children who walk back and forth to school.
This is an intersection with a crosswalk, on a curve where cars go quite fast and there are no sidewalks.

Back in 2008 I had expressed my concern to the campaign office staff (near Pacific Market) a few times - I was ignored then also. I get it: I didn't donate any money, so why should I matter.

Remember your job is about public service and I contribute to your paycheck.

Larysa

[Larysa]

Sometimes issues seem complicated, so I greatly appreciate a quote by Elaine B. Holtz posted on her website:

Elaine B. Holtz is the host of Women's Spaces: https://www.womensspaces.com/

“When our representatives are making important decisions that impact all of our lives I believe it is important to ask one basic question before making those decisions,
Is this good for the children?”

[photolite]

And how does that quote relate to an Efren Carillo sign?

Sometimes issues seem complicated, so I greatly appreciate a quote by Elaine B. Holtz posted on her website:

Elaine B. Holtz is the host of Women's Spaces: https://www.womensspaces.com/

“When our representatives are making important decisions that impact all of our lives I believe it is important to ask one basic question before making those decisions,
Is this good for the children?”

[meherc]

I give gratitude to Susan who has always been extremely responsive to my requests as has Efren. Of course, I don't expect them to change the color of someone's house because I don't like the color, or make the cars go slower past my house. But I'm sure they would listen and check it out.

Larysa received a response within 2 hours of her e-mail. She may not like the signs, but they are not a hazard as she states.

There was no further response because it was confirmed by driving and walking the area that there is absolutely NO sight distance issue. Feel free to post the comment - as well as the fact that prior to receiving this e-mail, someone had vandalized the signs at this location and they had to be replaced.

The signs are there with the permission of the property owner, and are permitted under our guidelines. We have a permit for them. As relayed in the e-mail, they were at this location during the entire election cycle in 2008.

See below.
Susan


Begin forwarded message:

Date: April 19, 2012 10:14:54 PM PDT
To: GODDESS TRIBE
Subject: Re: Please remove billboards


Larysa:

I work for Efren at the county office.

While I live in Graton, I am not involved in the campaign sign placement. I have forwarded your message. You should know that the signs were at that intersection, with permission from the property owner, during the entire campaign season in 2008.

with respect,
Susan


On Apr 19, 2012, at 9:23 PM, GODDESS TRIBE wrote:

Dear Susan,

Please have both Carrillo campaign billboards removed at Hicks and Mueller on Graton Road.
They create a dangerous situation, since they distract drivers and block visibility for drivers and pedestrians.
I had a close call last night and out of concern for public safety, please have them removed ASAP.
Thank you very much!
Sincerely,
Larysa