I've attended a few meetings lately that having instilled hope in my heart that there are real results from our time and attention to community issues. One meeting was held to gather input from the community on what to do with our wastewater now that two Russian River communities are no longer planning on pumping sewage to massive centrally located sewage treatment plants. The other meeting was about the intersection of Hwy 116 and Mirabel Road in downtown Forestville where our community has been urging both CalTrans and the County to build a roundabout instead of a four-way signal. In both cases, our presence, our consistent message to the forces-that-be about what WE want, has opened doors. I know that there are other factors in there as well - but we need to congratulate ourselves on the change of plans that is a direct result of our input.

Let's start with the sewage issue. (For background details, please refer to PAST EDITIONS of the West County Gazette available on our web site at www.westcountygazette.com) There are still plans on the books for a pipeline of treated wastewater coming from the Guerneville treatment plant to be used for irrigation. But our input over the concern of cost, of the route the pipeline takes and what we as a community think is the best solution has resulted in more thorough studies and alternatives not previously considered. In the old days, officials would simply go about their business. But now with Environmental Impact Reports and constant community oversight, we have numerous opportunities to influence decisions that impact our home.

With Assembly Bill 885 coming our way and it's potential to condemn properties leaking pathogens into the Russian River (see WCG January 17 issue), in combination with both Camp Meeker/Occidental and Monte Rio rejecting large treatment plant solutions, the county is now ready to consider alternatives, both individual and community, that we have been pressing on them for decades. Yes, now they are willing to study these alternatives rather than rejecting them outright without consideration. Why? Our constant oversight in combination with the huge cost of their original plans.

Roundabouts have been used at intersections across the planet for centuries. But until recently, they were outright rejected by both CalTrans and the Sonoma County Transit Authority, with a few exceptions. Why? Because it's easier to do things the way they have always been done than to do something different. Now that the people in our path have retired and new people who are receptive are in charge, there's hope on the horizon. That in combination with our constant niggling, has increased the possibility of a roundabout in our future.

In fact, at the most recent meeting on this Forestville intersection, the only drawing on the table was a roundabout. Why? The fact that roundabouts are vastly safer than four-way traffic signal intersections, the costs of maintaining them are drastically less and that it's actually simpler to install one than the traffic signals. Why hasn't that been part of the issue in the past? Because of the "this is how we do things...period" approach. Time. Constant pressure and new staff are our saviors. And quite honestly, because the development planned on that corner benefits as well. It becomes a win/win for everyone.

And that's the bottom line of what we're working toward. Win/Win results. This is not a fight where one force dominates over another and one comes out victorious while the other suffers. Our intent is for everyone to benefit over the long haul. If anything, these positive results should inspire more people to speak up, write letters, attend meetings, vote, and know that you CAN have an impact. It's one of those life truths: perseverance furthers and persistence pays off. Impressive!