Merry Christmas!

Photo and card by, Kim Sallway.

The Redway Fire Department with Santa, Saturday before Chistmas. Santa was making a list and Checking it twice. That's me On the lower left. Pete Genolio, and Aroura Studebaker. The mystery answer is Mark Martin. Fun was had by all. we saw more kids this year than we have in years.

The photo of Aroura looks like she may have gotten her share of candy canes also. I wondered why we almost ran out!

Our nieghbors to the south.

Ukiah Valley Fire District gets new fees approved
By ROB BURGESS The Daily Journal
Article Last Updated: 07/23/2008 12:04:37 AM PDT

Based on new development

Larger-scale development in the Ukiah Valley Fire District will come with a new cost thanks to an action of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
A 39-cent per square foot fire protection mitigation fee was approved unanimously during the board's regular board meeting.
Dan Grebil, UVFD chief, said the responsibilities of the district are continuing to grow.
"The district provides protection to about 80 square miles outside of Ukiah," he said. "We received 1,020 calls for service last year. We are a single-purpose district -- fire protection."
Grebil said every square foot added in the district was another square foot the district was responsible for.
"Whether your position is no growth, slow growth or pro growth, it is fair that new development pay for this fire protection," he said. "We looked at various potential fees for growth. We've lumped it into one rate. Any new added square footage is an incremental impact to the district."
Grebil said smaller-scale buildings would be spared from the new fee structure.
"We exempted accessory buildings to the fees," he said. "Each parcel is exempt up to 500 square feet of addition. We won't even see permits for repair and maintenance. We will see remodeling and additions to structures permits."
Third District Supervisor John Pinches said he was concerned about other fire districts in the county being left out of potential new sources of income that could spring from new fees.
"If this is good for Ukiah Valley (Fire District) why isn't this good for the rest of the fire districts in the county?" he asked.
Jeanine Nadel, county counsel, said the cost of hiring a consultant to bring the issue forward is too much for most districts.
"Every fire district has the ability to do what UVFD has done," she said. "They're all aware that they can do this."
Grebil said other fire districts in the county would greatly appreciate the funds, but didn't have the capital to make the initial investment.
"It will take us 625,000 square feet of new development to recoup consultant fees," he said. "The amount of the money to do the study is not worth it for some districts. They're all entitled to it. Ask them if they're flush with money they'll say no' with some expletives added on the end."
Before the item was passed unanimously, Board Chair and 2nd District Supervisor Jim Wattenburger said he supported the proposal and urged his fellow board members to vote likewise.
"Every fire district, if they had the ability, would have to come forward and ask for approval," he said. "Some will never be able to do that. Some will and others will follow in quick succession after this district. I am not a great believer in fees, but I would vote for this fee every day of the week compared with some of the others that are being shoved down our throats by the state. It was conducted and conceived on a local, autonomous basis. I think this a correct direction for the board to be moving in."
Rob Burgess can be reached at udjrb@pacific.net.

Cooking today for barbecue saturday

Now it begins!

I'm going to just keep adding to this post as the barbecue progresses. So don't think you've seen it all until I tell you. Or 'til the fat lady sings!

This is the kitchen crew simmering down the thirty-two gallons of sauce. From the back left is Jim Hoeffer, Pete Genolio with the canoe padle stirring the sauce. In the middle row left is Jayce Snodgrass and Aurora Studebaker. In the front row demoing the can opener is Kayla, she belongs to Aurora. She is a real sweety and a real handful, but she is actually a lot of help. The Kitchen crew also made three gallons of the chilli dry-rub that goes on the Buffalo and the beef.

Not shown is yours truly, Ernie. I was taking the picture. The rest of the crew was out back unloading the silt that we use to cover the pits. Tomorrow night I will be more responsible and take more pictures... that is if I can get people to stand still long enough.

The meat wrapping crew

The man in Burgundy shirt shirt in front is our former fire chief, Ed Brady, who now travels the world anywhere that he doesn't have to fly on a plane. The man with the spicy fingers is our current Fire Chief, Brian Anderson. The man standing beside him is Tom Willis. The man with the antique wrist watch is Jim Hoeffer. The man just beside him is Pete Genolio. The man with the tan hat is Patrick Dowd, of the world famous Dowd family. The man way in back with his hands in the victory vee is Vern Snodgrass. To the left of him in back is Scott Trombola. And last is the assistant chief, putting the final tie on a package of meat, Roger Ralsten.

Carnitas just dropped in the pan to sizzle!





The Chief's truck, and Our newest truck across the street Utility 5841

This is me, Ernie Branscomb, last Christmas. I'm the one in the middle. I just wanted to have my picture with the rest of the group.

Redway responds to sewage/fuel spill.

The Redway Fire department responded to the scene of a sewage spill at hooker creek. The truck went off the freeway, over the bank, and landed sideways on Hooker Creek Road, broke in two behind the cab, spun around and slid down the riprap. It stopped with the drivers side front wheel in the water. The driver climbed out the passenger window, and was uninjured except for a cut on his left hand.

About two thousand gallons of sewage, plus fifty gallons diesel fuel went in the river.