Council Joins Community To Appeal Dutra Approval

Council Joins Community To Appeal Dutra Approval

The Petaluma City Council voted tonight after a Closed Session  meeting, to appeal Judge Chouteau’s Dec. 23, 2011 decision (upholding Sonoma County’s approval of the Dutra asphalt factory at Haystack Landing. ) The Superior Court decision will  be challenged in Appellate Court in San Francisco by the City of Petaluma, holding together the  original coalition of plaintiffs, which includes Friends of Shollenberger Park, Moms for Clean Air, The Madrone Audubon Society, Petaluma Tomorrow, The Petaluma River Council and several individuals.  The vote was 6 in favor of appeal, and one, Council Member Albertson, against.

The Petaluma  Council heard citizens speak during Public Comment at 5:30 PM tonight at City Hall. People from all walks of life in Petaluma from Downtown Business Association Executive Director, Marie McCusker
  to David Keller, Petaluma River Council, to former Mayor Pam Torliatt  made a forceful case for the economic  basis of funding an appeal citing  tourism and Shollenberger Park as crucial economic drivers for Petaluma’s future.

The citizen comment period culminated with Sheri Chlebowski , Moms for Clean Air and Joan Cooper, Friends of Shollenberger Park spokesperson making the City Council the offer of $10,000 to help defray  the City’s  legal costs of the appeal. With the estimate from the City Attorney of a maximum of $18,500, the community has generously ponied up more than 50 % of the City’s projected legal expenses.

Mayor Glass commented that the strong response of the citizenry urging the Council to appeal figured into his vote to appeal.  He noted that the Dutra issue had catapulted many into political action who had never participated in the process before. The anti Dutra movement  is a reflection of the strong commitment of  the  people of Petaluma to preserve and protect Shollenberger Park and the quality of life as we know it in Petaluma.

Thank you to one and all for signing the petition, writing to the council, donating money and taking the time to come to the council meeting and speak, as well as talking to friends and neighbors. This shows how a community can pull  together and make a difference.

 Now on to the appeal – more fundraising for our own legal expenses will ensue – AND that means more parties! Events! And community fun.

 Next event: HANDS AROUND SHOLLENBERGER

 FEB 12 A VALENTINE FOR OUR PARK

STAND UP FOR SHOLLENBERGER RALLY HUGE !

400 hundred people and dogs gathered at Shollenberger Park to protest the approval of the Dutra Asphalt factory across the river from its paths. Oldsters, kids, dogs on leashes, babies in strollers, bikers, Occupiers all heeded the call to STAND UP FOR OUR PARK given by Friends of Shollenberger, Moms for Clean Air, and Occupy Petaluma.

It was a real Petaluma Grass Roots Day – the kind of experience that reminds you why we all love Petaluma and the Park so much and want to live here in peace and good health.

Click here for video

Bug Deakin, Heritage Salvage motored gallantly by in his Cutter, then stopped to read aloud his wonderful poem, “Ode to Dutra!” Poetry to tell Dutra to go way and leave our birds alone!

Hundreds waved from the Viewing Platform shouting DUCKS NOT TRUCKS and SAVE OUR PARK and NO DUTRA NO DUTRA.

The crowd then walked in solidarity together to the dredge spoil pond and stood before the expansive vista of the Measure D Voter Mandate protected wetlands.

“Look south,” Bill Kortum,  our much loved environmental leader and former Supervisor,  once said to me and then Sup. Candidate Mike Maguire. “What do you see?” “Nothing but wetlands and sky,”  we replied. “That’s because the voters wanted it that way .” Open and free of industrial blight and development.

Yes, nothing but  birds and blue sky and a view of a cleaner future for our children and their children. Worth appealing and preserving. That’s something.

Photographer Scott Hess captured the inspiring moment of young and old standing together united to save the park. Videographers Sebastian Nau, Kaye Chandler, Beau Bouverat and others filmed the crowd.

Friends of Shollenberger wants to thank Lorna Johnson and Eve O’Rourke for gathering the community together by envisioning this Rally and bringing us all together and giving us this wonderful day.

Also many thanks to OCCUPY Petaluma who kicked off  our rally on Saturday with a wonderful street side demonstration at Washington and Petaluma Blvd.

Our message to the City Council:

“Petaluma City Council must join the appeal. STAY THE COURSE.”

Write your City Council this week – AGAIN.


Drop Everything and Come to the City Council Meeting:
City Hall, English St. Petaluma, CA
JAN 23 7 PM MON EVE
Hear their decision face to face.
STAND UP AND BE COUNTED ONCE AGAIN


We will appeal and we will prevail

Join Us! Sunday, January 15 3:30p to 4:30p At Shollenberger Park!

Sunday promises to be a beautiful warm sunny day! Perfect for being outdoors!

Come join your friends and neighbors on a walk around Shollenberger Park on Sunday, January 15 from 3:30 to 4:30 to show your support for the park and the appeal.

Scott Hess will be there to take a HUGE group photo of us at 4:00.

The photo will be taken at the viewing platform - which is right across from where Dutra is planning to built its noxious asphalt plant.

Stand up for your wetlands and let everyone know you think the sanctity of our Shollenberger Park wetlands and the quality of life in Petaluma are worth saving.

Everyone - parents, kids, elders, runners, cyclists, birders, rowers, Occupiers, teachers, students: walk, run, dance, ride your bike, or paddle your kayak - and bring a friend or two! Bring the whole family! See you there!

Please share this email with your friends!

Thank you!!

Friends of Shollenberger Park