The following is a column submitted by Mendocino County 3rd District Supervisor John Haschak. The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the Mendocino Voice.
Mendocino County declared a State of Emergency for the expected “Super El Niño” event. We must be prepared for flooding. The State of Emergency allows for expedited purchasing, advanced positioning of emergency supplies, and alignment with the state for additional aid. In order to prepare, we can all have a 14-day supply of life-sustaining medications, battery-operated flashlights and radios, and establish a check-in buddy system. These are especially important for older adults.
Through the persistence of neighbors living on the west side of 10 Mile Creek north of Laytonville, they finally don’t have to wet-cross the creek in the summer or park and walk on a pedestrian bridge during the winter. Determined neighbors had me visit over 8 years ago when it was a dream, pursued grants for many years until the bridge was finally built. It will keep cars out of the creek, maintain water quality for the Chinook and Coho salmon and steelhead, and provide a safer crossing year-round.
Replacing the collapsed Green Bridge in Covelo won’t take as long. The Department of Transportation is scheduled to rebuild the bridge next year as planned.
With campaign season here, there are many opportunities to get to know the candidates at all levels, who they are, and why they are running for office. Mike McGuire has often been in Ukiah and our district as he runs for Congress. Damon Connolly, who is running for McGuire’s State Senate seat, is holding a Town Hall in Covelo on Oct. 9 at 11 a.m. Our assembly member Chris Rogers said that he will attend the next Nuestra Alianza/Rotary fundraiser in Willits and has hosted Town Halls in Willits, Laytonville and Covelo. I appreciate that candidates for huge geographical areas are showing up in our communities and continue to represent us well.
As I write this, there is still fire danger. The rains have yet to fall and temperatures are still high. Remember that the Redwood Complex Fire started in October. Praying for rain but until then, please be careful.
The next Talk with the Supervisor will be on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 10-11 a.m. at Brickhouse Coffee in Willits. You can always contact me at haschakj@mendocinocounty.gov or call 707-972-4214.