The Long Summer Grinds
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Follow us on Have a safe and sane Sign up for the FREE e-Edition and get the latest local news deliverd to your mailbox Independence Day Quote of the week: “Great leaders are almost Newspaper of Rohnert Park-Cotati-Penngrove always great simplifiers, June 28, 2019 - 12 Pages who can cut through argu- ment, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand.” ― Colin Powell Friedman’s Home Improvement + Walmart I am an actor born in Georgia on June 27, 1999. I made my feature ByTechnology Stephanie Derammelaere High School construction on schedule film debut at age 10 in a movie With less than forty business Gues called “GetWho? Low.” days until school starts, crews are working diligently to finish However, it took a series featur- transforming the old Waldo ing zombies to propel me to Rohnert Elementary School on mainstream fame. Bonnie Avenue into Technology Answer: Chandler Riggs Chandler Answer: High School’s new campus. While much work still needs to be done, one can already see the new classrooms, lab spaces, of- fices and outdoor spaces taking shape. Inside “The thought that the archi- tect, contractor and Josh Savage this issue ‘Tech High’ see page 4 The view from the campus entrance of the new and soon to be completed Technology High courtyard on grounds of Waldo Rohnert. Robert Grant School board 2 Residents get degrees 2 Wine committee 2 RP City Council, Grand Jury recommends DUI arrest 3 Water conservation 3 not business as usual improvements for So. Co. Water Calendar 4 By Lanny Lowery The 2019 Sonoma County tion projects, including the criti- recommendations to ensure our Fifteen minutes prior to the Rohnert Park City Council meeting Civil Grand Jury investigated the cal installation of 14 isolation region is ready for a large quake. Library news 4 on Tue., June 25, the city hall lobby filled with protestors holding risk of a major earthquake in valves that allow water to be cut Sonoma Water appreciates the So. Co. Housing vouchers 5 signs supporting Branch Wroth and his family, calling for police Sonoma County and the effect off and rerouted if an aqueduct is diligence and thoroughness of Summer lunches 5 oversight and accusing RP safety officers of brutality. When the that it could have on residents, damaged. The Grand Jury also the Grand Jury and looks for- Living with Lupus 9 meeting began, the council room saw a full house containing more due to impacts on water sup- credits Sonoma Water with twice ward to reviewing these recom- Report fireworks 10 than three dozen protestors, a five member elder abuse committee plies.H Because most people in updating the original hazard mit- mendations with its water and a handful of other spectators. Sonoma County rely on water igation plan to identify new is- contractors and preparing the re- DNA testing 10 The audience, quiet and respectful as Mayor Gina Belforte opened supplied by Sonoma Water to sues and to remove those items quired responses. Police Logs 11 the meeting, stood to honor the pledge. Then a slow build up of nine city contractors and special that have been completed. The report findings included: protest began as the council proceeded with business. districts, the Grand Jury’s report Further improvements are •HIn the event of a major earth- The mayor read a declaration proclaiming June as Elder Abuse focuses on how well-prepared planned as funding becomes quake, water supplies could be Awareness Month. As the proclamation was delivered, protestors Sonoma Water and its contrac- available. In the event of a major disrupted for days or weeks, but randomly started to hold up their signs. Belforte stated that 530 flags tors are to respond to a major earthquake, Sonoma Water has reduced water supplies may be flown would represent 530 reported cases of elder abuse. More earthquake. Among the Grand developed a triage plan for water provided through alternative signs lifted and snickering and some hissing permeated council Jury’s findings was “Sonoma delivery following larger quakes, means. chambers as the mayor advised people to contact RP public safety Water and its water contractors which includes coordination •H Measures implemented by Café Espresso to report cases of elder abuse. Grumblings began a slow crescendo maintain a well-designed system with water contractors, maintain- Sonoma Water to reduce the risk Feature of the week as committee members of elder care were recognized and during a and have made significant ing system pressure, providing of critical water shortages fol- photo shoot with the council members protestors spoke to each other progress in mitigating earth- public notice, isolating water lowing an earthquake have relied about their concerns. quake risks. Ongoing efforts are losses and using mutual aid and on state and federal grants, but The council moved on to Department Head Briefings as Public needed to reduce remaining from other water agencies as implementation is behind sched- Safety Director Timothy Mattos reported about a new policy, “‘Safe risks.” needed. Sonoma Water main- ule. Habitat for Humanity 3 and Sane’ Fireworks or Risk Fines of $1,000. He stated that the city Since a natural hazard assess- tains and updates a variety of • More public outreach is had reduced the number of days for fireworks. (Last reported, the ment was conducted in 2008, emergency plans that guide re- needed to educate residents dates occur between June 30 and July 4.) The city has used a variety and its first Local Hazard Miti- sponse to all hazards and restora- about the risks and individual re- Weekly Columns of channels to get the word out to the public, including requiring gation Plan was prepared, tion of essential services. sponsibility for earthquake pre- two postings on each firework’s sales building. Sonoma Water has completed The results of the Grand Jury paredness, including maintaining Thomas Elias 5 On May 15, the council voted 5-0 to allow local law enforcement numerous natural hazard mitiga- assessment include findings and ‘So. Co. Water’ see page 2 Tim Mattos 5 to ticket and fine people who permit any use of fireworks on their Sweeping solutions 5 property not deemed “safe and sane.” Sparklers, ground fountains Words to ponder 5 and non-aerial spinners are among the list of state-approved fire- History 5 works. These fireworks must display a State of California State Fire Marshall Registered Fireworks seal. Undercover operation identifies Mattos went on to say that sector based deployment will be uti- lized as the safety department is going all out to have zero tolerance prostitutionOn Thurs., June 20, the Rohnert at Park local Depart- offered massage a sex act by the masseuse. parlors Officers from for illegal fireworks. His comments prompted some hissing in the ment of Public Safety, along with assistance from RP Public Safety then entered the business and in- audience. As the council discussed enforcement, many protestors FBI and the city’s Code Compliance Department, terviewed the masseuse as well as anyone else held up signs. conducted an undercover operation to determine if found inside regarding the prostitution and to de- Sportsman’s Report 12 Public comment followed. One person wondered how the new prostitution was occurring at local massage parlors termine if anyone was being trafficked. An inspec- Junior Racquetball 12 fireworks ordinance would be enforced and how police would where we have received complaints from the pub- tion of the businesses was then conducted by ‘RP Council’ see page 4 lic. The purpose of the operation was to determine Rohnert Park Public Safety’s Fire Marshall and a if the businesses were in violation of the city ordi- city Code Compliance Officer. Neither woman at nance and business licensing requirements for either location claimed to be trafficked, however Entertainment massage parlors, and to provide resources and as- they were offered access to resources if they de- Happenings at Cotati sistance to those working at the parlors or identify sired assistance. Additional follow up will be con- if anyone was being trafficked through them. It is ducted regarding the business license issued by the City Council not uncommon to find women being trafficked at city for both of these massage parlors due to the By Paul Matli massage parlors where prostitution occurs, and the violations found. women will be moved frequently from location to The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Farming, Cannabis and Energy. These were some of the topics location by the people running the parlors. Many is committed to stopping human trafficking, and Entertainment news 8 Mayor John A. Dell'Osso and his council members oversaw during “Mamma Mia” review 8 times they hold onto the women’s identification to ensuring that businesses within the city not Tues. night’s Cotati City Council Meeting. and other credentials, as well as hold debts over being used for the purpose of criminal acts. If you The meeting had its usual opening where members of the com- them that they are required to pay off by working or someone you know is being exploited or traf- munity had the opportunity to speak their mind about issues they at the parlors or other facilities. Therefore, it is not ficked for sex or any other purposes, please contact have with the city. Some members wanted ethics charges, others uncommon for the women to not come forward the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety at were concerned about roads and there was even a discussion about about being trafficked because of the fear that is (707)584-2600 for assistance. Also, if you suspect Scott Sheldon 10 Pocket Park. instilled in them if they do.