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Water ski the West County

By Anna Ransome

Update: Jan. 18, 2004

Anna Ransome sends the following update:

"Despite numerous calls to Ken Ellison at PRMD, we have not been able to confirm a new date for the hearing on the water ski lake. Since the county is required to give two weeks notice and the Planning Commission hearings are on Thursdays, the earliest date would be two weeks from next Thursday, which would be February 5. We will notify you via e-mail when it is re-scheduled.

"This blatant abuse of our zoning laws and General Plan must be prevented. We are planning a meeting at my house in Graton to discuss the water ski lake and the upcoming hearing . Two dates are being considered - Thursday 1/22 or Wednesday 1/28 at 7 pm. If you would like to attend the meeting, please cast your vote -- email me -- for your most convenient date and we will schedule it based on votes."

From the Jan. 16, 2004 West County/Forestville Gazette

When you consider bad planning debacles in Sonoma County you think of the obvious - the driving range on Highway 12, the ridge top houses at Fountaingrove, the massive habitat destruction on Westside Rd., but west county has its own claim to fame now, the water ski lake on Mill Station Rd in Sebastopol. Around nine families have bought into a club, with plans to hold events for up to 20 families at a lake that was constructed in 1997 for that purpose.

The owners of the property, Gerald and Shauna Bybee, formed a limited liability corporation with each principal receiving an easement to the property with their buy- in.

It's a win in Graton

By Vesta Copestakes

From the Jan. 16, 2004 West County/Forestville Gazette

Graton Votes to Form a District

By a special mail ballot at the end last year, 84 percent of the Graton sewer ratepayers who voted favored the formation of an independent district. The district will be called the Graton Community Services District (Graton CSD).

The new CSD will have the authority to own and operate the Graton wastewater facility located along the bike trail in Graton, and to establish local parks and recreational programs. The district will be run by the ratepayers, represented by a board of fellow ratepayers.

The immediate goal of the new District will be to implement an affordable ecological sewer upgrade project, to comply with State Water Board requirements. Once that is achieved the District will work to stabilize Graton's sewer rates.

A CSD celebration dinner will be held at a restaurant in downtown Graton soon - date, time and location to be announced. If you would like to attend the party please contact the Graton Community Services Project at 829-0636.