Follow us on Newspaper of Rohnert Park-Cotati-Penngrove August 30, 2019- 12 Pages Sign up for the FREE e-Edition and get the latest local news deliverd to your mailbox Quote of the week: “When you haven't forgiven Friedman’s Home Improvement + Walmart those who've hurt you, you turn your back against your future. When you do forgive, you start walking forward.” Cannabis cultivation Rep. Thompson speaks at ― Tyler Perry and more projects By Paul Matli For Cotati residents who have attended a city hall meeting they SSU on climate change know the length can vary. Some can be 2 hours, 90 minutes or less than 40 minutes; which was the case Tuesday night. Just because I am an actor born in California the meeting was short doesn’t mean the council didn’t accomplish what they set out to do. on August 26, 1980. The meeting started off with the introduction and swearing in of I made my television debut on Police Officer Jerry Cunningham. After that wrap up the council an episode of “ER” in 2003. members got into the agenda portion of the evening. Gues I am best Who? known for In this case there was only one item up for discussion. The item my role as “James T. Kirk” was Fog City Farms asking the council to adopt resolution approving in the recent reboot of operation of a commercial cannabis cultivation facility with a max- imum cultivation canopy of 22,000. If approved the area would be the “Star Trek” franchise. located on 361 Blodgett St. in the Commercial/Industrial Zoning Answer: Chris Pine Chris Answer: district. Mayor John Dell’Osso and the council were very impressed with how thorough this presentation was and didn’t have any objections to the project passing it with a 4-0 vote. Of course, council members did have the opportunity to ask ques- tions. Councilwoman Susan Harvey had questions about the security Inside of the cannabis cultivation areas, since the building is filled with tons of windows. She was curious if the product would remain safe Congressman Mike Thompson with panel members Kaiser Dr. Joshua Weil, Kate Roney from Sonoma this issue from break ins. Her next question focused on wage benefits for the Academy, José Javier Hernández Ayala from SSU and Dr. Ann Thrupp. workers. She was very impressed with the wages Fog City Farms Robert Grant School board meeting 2 pay their employees and she wanted some detail on what full time New backpacks 2 benefits were offered for the workers. By Irene Hilsendager change is the most important generations, so continued the 20- Between 350 and 400 people issue facing us as a group of peo- year house veteran and local en- Sheriff’s office scam 2 Both of the answers Harvey received satisfied her and she joined the rest of the council in voting to pass the resolution. were in the audience to hear Rep. ple. We have a lot of other prob- vironment advocate on the Letters 2 Like every resolution, the council gave community members the Mike Thompson speak on the lems that we need to work on, efforts in Washington, D.C. Creek week 3 opportunity to speak about it. ever subject of global warming but if we don’t get this one right, Thompson who was an early USCIS guidance 3 All community members in attendance approved of the project and climate change. nothing else will matter. We have co-sponsor of the Green New 9-1-1 system 3 ‘Projects’ see page 8 Thompson says that climate no world to pass onto our future ‘Change’ see page 2 Calendar 4 Library news 4 Cotati City Council 5 GMC fundraiser 5 Issues and recognition but noBy Lanny council Lowery meeting Luau fundraiser 5 Community members gathered, an entire baseball team entered, Global Scholar 10 the council chamber filled with concerned citizens, and two council members, Mayor Gina Belforte and Councilman Joe Callinan sat Electric vehicle charging 10 on the dais. However, Council Members Susan Adams, Jake PG&E discount 10 Mackenzie and Pam Stafford were dealing with either pneumonia, Police Logs 11 post surgery recovery or a sick relative. No quorum (having at least three members present) meant no city council meeting. Mayor Belforte explained the problem to the room full of spectators. She and Callinan would however recognize the Rohnert Park baseball team for its winning of the state champi- onship and its participation in the Pacific Southwest Regional Tour- nament in Honolulu, Hawaii. Belforte read the Mayor’s Certificate Café Espresso of Recognition: “The Rohnert Park Cal Ripken U10 team, team Feature of the week member’s parents and coaches, for claiming the NorCal State Championship title and their participation in the Cal Ripken Re- gional Championship games in Hawaii on July 13 through July 21, 2019.” Head coach Erik Tucker, along with assistant coaches Jim Cheryl Nixon 3 Lemons, Dylan McReynolds and Ryan Bullard stood with Belforte and Callinan for a photo opportunity as Community Voice photog- rapher Robert Grant and many parent photographers captured this Weekly Columns moment of honor and recognition. Wearing their game jerseys and caps, the players smiled and held Thomas Elias 5 up the city certificate of recognition: Marshall Lemons, Roman Tim Mattos 5 Torres, Joshua Tucker, Dylan McReynolds, Matai Faagata, Blake Sweeping solutions 5 Kennedy, Jamie Norts-Vositos, Legend Haile, Anthony Barbato, Words to ponder 5 ‘Council’ see page 2 History 5 The Rohnert Park Cal Ripken Blue team was presented a proclamation from the Mayor Gina Belforte and Vice Mayor Joe Callinan on behalf of The City Council. The team member are: Anthony Barbato, Gauge Cummings, Ma’tia Fa’agata, Nathan Greiner-Hicks, Legend Haile, Gerardo Hernandez Jr., Blake Kearney, Marshall Lemons, Dylan McReynolds Jr., Dario Sparks, Roman Torres, Joshua Tucker, Jamie Norts-Vozaitis and Bay Boy Brayden Mcreynolds. Their coaches are: Manager Erik Tucker, A satisfied smile Coach Jim Lemons, Coach Dylan McReynolds and Coach Ryan Bullard. Robert Grant Sportsman’s Report 12 Rancho football 12 LearnBy Stephanie Derammelaere to becomethem interesteda naturalist and help support their fields so Entertainment Starting Sept. 10, the Fairfield Osborn Preserve, they can learn how to look for evidence and share a 450-acre preserve owned and managed by that information with school children.” Sonoma State University, will offer a four-day nat- Anybody is invited to participate who can walk uralist program to members of the public with the at least a mile and can commit to leading at least goal of becoming a docent to lead student field five tours for school children in grades three to trips during the school year. five on Tuesdays throughout the fall, or Saturday The training will take place every Tuesday from hikes for the public. The training is free, other than “The Book Club Play” 8 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. over the course of four weeks, a $40 registration fee to cover the costs of sup- “Gypsy” 8 with a practice tour on Oct 8. During the training plies. The school groups come primarily from Live Theater 8 community members will learn all about the local schools in the Rohnert Park Cotati Unified School flora, fauna and geology of Sonoma Mountain District. where the preserve is located, as well as how to “My favorite thing is to see the smiles on the share nature’s secrets with children. Topics will in- kids’ faces when they get to experience the out- Scott Sheldon 10 clude Native American cultural perspectives, wa- doors and when they make discoveries on their tersheds, aquatic insects, birds and mammals. own which are guided and supported by the natu- Ken Weise 10 Participants will also explore the eight ecological ralists that are trained through our community nat- communities of the Osborn preserve to learn first- uralist training program,” says Wittmann. hand what is covered in the classroom. Today, the Fairfield Osborn Preserve hosts Health... Once a participant completes the training they about a thousand children per year, who learn are invited to enjoy exclusive events and hikes everything from local flora and fauna, to Califor- Body... with regional experts. nia history depending on teachers’ requests and the Mind... “For example, we have one coming up about investigation and exploration on behalf of the chil- bats presented by our local bat experts who have dren. Sprit... their bat handling permit,” says Julie Wittmann, For those unable to participate but who would Naturalist Training Coordinator for the Center For still like to check out this preserve normally closed Julie Ann Soukoulis 9 Environmental Inquiry at Sonoma State Univer- to the public, Fairfield Osborn offers public hikes Steven Campbell 9 sity. “It’s an invite-only exclusive event for our every Saturday at 10 a.m. starting from Oct. 19 Jamie Sahouria 9 veteran naturalists. We do offer these exclusive through Nov. 23. The tours generally last until events every semester for our naturalists to keep ‘Naturalist’ see page 2 Khloe Kauwe, 8, of Santa Rosa, is all smiles after getting a face Dawn Dolan 9 painting at the Warriors 9th Annual Pacific Islander Festival. The festival was held on Sat, August 24 at the Rohnert Park City Center Plaza. In addition to the face painting booth, there were an assortment of booths, food booths, a performance by Kids By SozoIrene Hilsendager Studentwill fund and be aCenter host for a safe women willopens be available. Kuk Sool Won Rohnert Park Martial Arts Training Center, the Something our teens have space for the youth in the com- Every cent that is made at Warrior cheerleaders, music provided by DJ 5-O and been in need of for many years munity.