Happy Holidays

  - thanks for all that you do - and may your 2013 be Forever GREEN!

 - Mari 

for Homestead Volunteers

California Native Plant Society on CEQA : What is it, Really?

"Too many people think that CEQA is about protecting animals and plants," states Vern Goehring. "It's really about protecting our role in self government and our quality of life."

LINK to FULL PDF

Mill Valley Streamkeepers

http://www.homesteadbeat.com/2012/12/mill-valley-stream-keepers-on-evergreen.html

Where the Rubber Stamp Meets the Road : Money and Mission

http://www.homesteadbeat.com/2012/12/for-evergreen-where-rubber-stamp-meets.html

Novato Family Wins Lawsuit in Death of 9 Year Old

The City of Novato this week settled a lawsuit filed by the Osheroff family—whose 9-year-old daughter Melody was killed in 2009 when she was hit crossing San Marin Drive by drunk cyclist Edward Schaefer. The $675,000 settlement concluded with no admission of negligence from the city; the Osheroffs suit alleged the pedestrian line of sight was obscured in the crosswalk.

Melody and her father Aaron were using the crosswalk when Schaefer hit them. Aaron Osheroff lost a leg in the collision.

Source : Pacific Sun  LINK

For Evergreen group in Nextdoor Homestead

has been reinstated by request. Our goal is to compile and archive information to help each other deal with any maintenance issues.

Several cracks have already been noted in the slab. 

High Tide Awareness for November 2012

It is advised that residents in low lying areas pay attention to high tide :
http://www.hv94941.com/2012/11/high-tide-awareness-for-november-2012.html

For Evergreen : Flashback to November 7, 2010

If we are to learn anything from the Evergreen experience - it is this:
 "Skepticism, like chastity, should not be relinquished too readily."
 -- George Santayana

Evergreen : Flashback to 11/7/2010 :  (LINK)

Charles Sands : Misuse of State SR2S Funds

Mr. Sands has sent a letter to the County, requesting that they return monies used for road and storm sewer maintenance, during the Evergreen sidewalk construction, to the State SR2S fund. It is posted on the HEAR US Homestead Valley Community Forum. To read it, please click this LINK

Due to limitations of the blogger technology, it was not possible to include the 4 atached files in his email on the blog.
If you would like to receive Mr. Sands' attachments, please contact Mr. Sands directly.

Evergreen Sidewalk Mentioned at MV Planning Commission Meeting

The local planning juggernaut strikes again, this time on Miller Avenue in Mill Valley.
Note that the Planning Hearing signs were hidden from street view


 http://cityofmillvalley.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=372

Post : Evergreen Curb Painters : County Says "Try Calling the Sheriff..."

Evergreen Curb Painters : http://www.homesteadbeat.com/2012/10/evergreen-curb-painters-more-info.html

Marin Addressing Service : Scam??

Noticed today on the new curb all along Evergreen - painted HOUSE numbers :
Is this a scam?
If so, who do we call??
(LINK)

New Post : If Only We All Had the Courage...

Hear Us : If Only We All Had the Courage to Speak As Honestly as a Child LINK

New Blog Comments; For Evergreen Updates

new comment on the Post about the Evergreen sidewalk"VIEW : ...(LINK) ":
Correction made the History page  - to our failed Indie Gogo campaign (LINK),
History page updated - click tab
Before and after photos : near Volunteer Park

Before Construction : during school and on a School holiday

AFTER construction : No Parking signs - note dust from what should be compacted.

Charles Sands Sends Another Letter to the County

Mr. Sands sent another letter to the County about the Evergreen sidewalk.
Since Mr. Sands has requested that I shut his "Sands Box" blog down, I cannot reference it there, so in an attempt to increase information in Homestead, I invited him to place it in the comments.
He Ok'd for me to do that for him, but it was too long, so, it has found a place on the HEAR US forum :
http://hv94941hearus.blogspot.com/2012/09/for-evergreen-charles-sands-such-deal.html

Getting Past the Slab, Toward More Permeability In Our Landscape

Post : http://www.hv94941.com/2012/09/for-evergreen-getting-past-slab-towards.html

Stuck at High Speed : What Are We Going to Do About It?

America Walks White Papers  : Why We Are Stuck at High Speed and What Are We Going to Do About It ((LINK))

Evergreen Residents Seeing RED

Red curbs added at Melrose and Evergreen this week - yet another attempt to control drivers from creating a dangerous situation near that intersection - yet another unwanted aesthetic assault upon what used to be a beautiful, green SEMI RURAL street - without sidewalks!

Driveway Redo : August 27th, 28th

Homestead:
Possible delays on Evergreen between Scott and Melrose as County attempts to remedy the issues with a driveway. Let's hope "third time is the charm."

Evergreen Update

MHS' SR2S Sidewalk : County DPW engineering reps were out in the field again yesterday to assess and address what appeared to be some engineering issues with the new sidewalk.
Informal survey is getting mixed reviews.
Not surprising that pedestrians, whether they were for or against it before construction, are using it. Some folks are still walking in the street. Kids are riding their bikes and scooters on it.
The positive feedback is "I like being separated from traffic."
Negative feedback:
Mom with a stroller: "I'll use it, but I still think it's ugly and we didn't need it."
Senior : "It's too narrow. When a stroller comes along, I have to get on the dirt and I lose my balance. It's a horrible design and I bet we are going to have drainage problems now."
Man on a bike : "I love the paved road."

Speaking of the road, as expected, the most positive part of the project is the paving of Evergreen. In fact, traffic (and speed) seems to have increased since the construction (could also coincide with MHS staff being back at work, getting ready for back to school.)
The double yellow line at the curve between Linden and Ethel is getting mixed reviews and a lot of drivers appear to be completely ignoring it, now driving on the opposite side of the road.

Road Fact : Did you know that County is responsible for over 420 miles of roadway in unincorporated Marin,  DPW has a $250,000,000 backlog in road maintenance needs and is lucky to secure funding for $5,000,000 per year?
Maybe it's time the Supes give DPW a bigger share of the County budget to pave the roads?


Property owners with issues regarding the new Evergreen sidewalk construction are requested to contact Scott Schneider directly via phone : 415.473.4362 or email.

Related information :  California Streets and Highways Code Section 5610...

Response to Wendi Kallins from Safe Routes to Schools

Rather than another "knee jerk" response - I waited a while to respond to Wendi Kallins from Safe Routes - on the HEAR US Community forum. Why? Because it's there.
It's my opinion, based upon two years of research.
Read it or don't - the choice is yours.
God Bless America. (LINK)

Updated : Where the Rubberstamp Meets the Road, Pt. 4

Read the Post here : http://www.homesteadbeat.com/2012/08/where-rubberstamp-meets-road-pt-4-safe.html

Another Misconception in Mainstream Media; Updated Post

Well, either the green washing marketing machine is in high gear, or this is how most people see the Evergreen SR2S situation - check out the "Mill Valley" entry on San Francisco magazine's July "Flap Map" (LINK)
Updated on the POST : Where the Rubberstamp Meets the Road, Pt. 3 : http://www.homesteadbeat.com/2012/07/where-rubberstamp-meets-road-pt-3-big.html
"There are three things that cannot long be hidden - the sun, the moon and the truth." Buddha

The Way We Were

Asphalt Grinding to Start This Week

If you did not receive a notice about grinding and paving schedule contact Ghilotti Construction on site : John Santos - 415-747-0958 Related Info : LINK

New Eco Paving Resources ; Info on Runoff

New eco - paving resource : http://www.prestogeo.com/geoblock_porous_pavement
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=22972
Article on BMP's and runoff : (LINK)

Forever Green : Getting from NO to Yes

Before you know what you want, you have to know what you don't want :
at 208 signatures
NO to the concrete slab : http://www.change.org/petitions/no-million-dollar-slab-for-evergreen-ave
at 20 signatures
YES to Living streets pilot project : http://www.change.org/petitions/forevergreen

Recent Email Flurry About Evergreen SR2S Project

On Jul 27, 2012, at 5:27 PM, Wendi Kallins wrote: 
Hate the sidewalk, love the sidewalk, hate the process or love it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But this demonizing of the county is really ugly. This project was done for one reason – because the people building it believed it would improve the safety for children traveling to and from school. There was no hidden agenda here. No one got rich from it. The price tag was high because sidewalks are expensive. I’d appreciate if you would stop projecting out what you think is in other people’s minds.
(Wendi Kallins works for Safe Routes to Schools LINK) 
I made several attempts contact her, but she would not respond to my emails, so I wrote a public response here.

On Jul 26, 2012, at 2:07 PM, Frank Lurz wrote:

On 7/26/12 12:45 PM, Wayne Dauphine II wrote:

>  Frank, you should not get mad at Charles being
> passionate about the sidewalk.

I think you got your wires crossed.  I'm not angry with either Mari or Charles.  I was calling attention to the anger expressed by Constance Birke toward Charles — was pointing out that in the manner in which she pilloried him in her e-mail message, she was guilty of the very same thing for which she condemned him.
Moreover,  I've been just as passionate about the sidewalk as they.

> Don't be angry Charles is an architect and he knows what he is talking about.

There's some serious misunderstanding here.  I'm not angry Charles is an architect.  How did you come to that notion?  I suspect you were confusing Birke's words for mine.

> A lot of people are angry with him, but give him an A for
> effort.  Give Mari an A for effort.  They are positive voices
> within the community.

Regarding Mari, I couldn't agree more.  Charles certainly seems to know what he's talking about, but sometimes his anger compromises the points he makes.

>  At the end  Kinsey, DPW, or MHS don't care. At the end of the day it
> is all about money.

I couldn't agree more.

> They don't care about opinions or feelings, they want money.  They
> don't care about kids, it's all about money.  They would justify building
> more sidewalks if safe routes gave them more money.  They spent a
> million on a sidewalk which could have feed homeless people here in Marin.

I see you have a higher opinion of Kinsey, DPW, and MHS than I do.

Best.

Frank Lurz


On Jul 26, 2012, at 12:45 PM, Wayne Dauphine II wrote:

The truth of the matter is that all of you should stop fighting and attacking each other.  Frank, you should not get mad at Charles being passionate about the sidewalk.  Who else will be?  Charles and Mari are speaking their mind about the sidewalk.  Who else is taking a stand for what they believe in?  Don't be angry Charles is an architect and he knows what he is talking about.  A lot of people are angry with him, but give him an A for effort.  Give Mari an A for effort.  They are positive voices within the community.  They speak when the Marin IJ or the Mill Valley patch print articles about the sidewalk that lack substance or can be used as kindling for fire.  People are trying to censor Charles, Mari, Keith, etc.  just like the MHS and DPW have done the residents of Evergreen Ave regarding the sidewalk.

 At the end  Kinsey, DPW, or MHS don't care. At the end of the day it is all about money.  They don't care about opinions or feelings, they want money.  They don't care about kids, it's all about money.  They would justify building more sidewalks if safe routes gave them more money.  They spent a million on a sidewalk which could have feed homeless people here in Marin.  They brought in Ghilotti Brothers, this is not helping the disadvantaged of Marin.  They need the help not MHS which charges their students 25k a year or Marin DPW which has a 14 million dollar surplus.  None of this sidewalk building is GREEN or environmentally friendly.  Who gets a plan done without going through a due process or environmental plan?  MHS and DPW and Kinsey can buy a judge, can own a newspaper that is bias towards the truth.  if people here in Marin stood for the truth none of this corruption would be going on.  Kinsey and him comrades would not being working here.     

SOME SAY THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO A STORY.  THERE IS ONLY ONE SIDE AND THAT IS THE TRUTH.  PEOPLE DEFEND THE SIDEWALK AND THEY LIKE IT, BUT THEY DON'T SEE WHAT WAS DONE TO THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO BUILD IT.

ARE YOU PEOPLE TRULY BLIND THAT THE SIDEWALK IS DIVIDING A COMMUNITY, OPEN YOUR EYES.  PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING ONE ANOTHER OVER SOME SIDEWALK THAT MHS AND DPW BUILT. 

STOP FIGHTING EACH OTHER AN LOOK AT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM.  WHERE IS ROSALIND HAMAR? 

IN THE END ALL THOSE INVOLVED WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD (MHS, KINSEY, DPW), JUST BECAUSE YOU GET AWAY WITH THE CORRUPTION NOW DOES NOT MEAN YOU WILL TRULY GET AWAY WITH IT.  WE WILL ALL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS. 

JESUS SAID IN:  Mark 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

MAY GOD FORGIVE ME IF I HAVE WRONGED ANYBODY.  I JUST WANT THE TRUTH TO BE KNOWN AND HV RESIDENTS TO STOP FIGHTING EACH OTHER OVER A FOOLISH CEMENT SLAB.  FRANK LURZ AND CHARLES SANDS ARE NICE PEOPLE.  GET TOGETHER AND DRINK A CUP OF COFFEE.

Wayne
(Wayne lives on Evergreen, South side, close to the school - he subscribes to the HEAR US Group and the Post, has a newborn son  - he and his wife do not see the need for this sidewalk. )


On Jul 26, 2012, at 11:34 AM, Frank Lurz wrote:

On 7/26/12 10:39 AM, Constance Birkie wrote:

> I have had enough of this angry and hateful and baseless trash.

> Charlie Sands, you live on upper North Ferndale. Stay off of Evergreen.
> Stay off of Montford and away from the school. Go down La Vern. We
> don’t need you and your extra traffic speeding down our street.

Stay off Evergreen? Stay off Montford. Stay away? We don't need you . . . ?

Excuse me? You're criticizing others of angry, hateful trash?
What am I missing here?

Frank Lurz

"Sidewalks build community." (Steve Kinsey)
(Frank Lurz is a Homestead resident, lives on Todd Way, is a "senior citizen" who has walked every day on Evergreen - without a sidewalk for many years. )

On Jul 26, 2012, at 10:39 AM, Constance Birkie wrote:

Take me off the Email list.   I have had enough of this angry and hateful and baseless trash.
The sidewalk is a safe and handsome improvement to Evergreen.    Already walkers, dog walkers,  baby strollers,  groups of children, handicapped wheelers,  are using the finished parts of it.  It is a fine enhancement to the neighborhood regardless of the school.  I like the school and appreciate the wonderful improvements they have made to that blighted site.  I enjoy taking my grandchildren up to play in the school yard.  During the school year,  I like to see groups of children walking in the morning and afternoon. (Note that during the midday the foot traffic on Evergreen of  residents and visitors/hikers is continual and heavy.)   I also understand that nearly all parents of young children are driving them to school,  and that since young children need safety car seats,  many young families need SUVs.  (Note the traffic around Old Mill,  Park, and Edna Maguire Schools during arrival and departure times.)
                More than 20 years ago I researched and wrote the grant from the State Department of Urban Streams Renewal to improve the drainage to the meadow  and make it useful for the Community Center and School.  I worked closely with the State Department of Fish and Game to make sure we were doing the right thing.  The issue of harming the salmon  in Reed Creek is totally fallacious.  The new construction for the sidewalk has greatly improved several serious drainage problems of dump during heavy rainfall of exotics such as rubber and oil from the road directly into Reed Creek.
                Charlie Sands,   you live on upper North Ferndale.  Stay off of Evergreen.  Stay off of Montford and away from the school.  Go down La Vern.  We don’t need you and your extra traffic speeding down our street.
Constance Birkie,  254 Evergreen.

(Connie lives on Evergreen, North side, has had drainage problems in her driveway );

What is "Wonderful" About THIS Sidewalk?

I received this email yesterday. My reply follows after it.
Begin forwarded message:

From: Hannelore Barnes
Date: July 25, 2012 12:27:48 PM PDT
To: HV 94941 <hv94941@gmail.com>
Cc: 71 people
Subject: Request to be removed from 94941 email list serve

Mari,

Please remove my address from your email list.
While I am pleased to see problem areas like the Ethel corner and the Volunteer Park areas being addressed, revisions are to be expected and have in no way changed my opinion that the sidewalk is a wonderful thing for the neighborhood.  With the exception of 5 people, everyone I personally know in HV is elated to see it installed and working its way up the street.  And the proof is how many people, especially non MHS people, are using it who I have never seen walking on Evergreen before it was installed.
I think you would far better serve your community by focusing your energy on the Miller Streetscape project now and the effects it will have on all ingress and egress points to HV from Miller.

Thank you, Hanne
____

My response :

I wanted to respond immediately, but instead, chose to give it some thought and write you this open letter instead, because I didn't want to abuse the email list.
That is why I started the blog - to stop the spam.

I agree with you that this whole sidewalk issue is a "wonderful thing for the neighborhood."
Here's why:
It has made me realize just how difficult it is to get anything done in government and what the DPW has to deal with on a daily basis.
I understand why people try to circumvent proper process.
I don't agree with it, but I understand it.
I am very grateful that we all have this opportunity to learn.
Here is why I object to the actual concrete sidewalk :
I understand that some change is needed in Homestead, but I don't believe the needed change is forcing that slab onto property owners who don't want it, especially if it will hurt sensitive creek habitat and cause problems flooding problems for our neighbors near the creek and further downstream.

The change needed in Homestead is the way our community is represented to the County.
I believe that there is a better solution for Evergreen, which is why I flew to Portland to learn about green streets and the community built process.

 "With the exception of 5 people, everyone I personally know in HV is elated to see it installed and working its way up the street."

Who have you been been talking to?
I can't find anyone (except for 5 people) in this neighborhood who is "elated" about THIS sidewalk. If anything -  they are elated about drainage improvements and getting the road paved. It appears to me that the folks who supported the "idea" of a sidewalk before it was built - had no idea what was in store.

Please allow me to restate that never once has anyone who has opposed this project protested anyone's desires to have a safe route to travel along Evergreen. - Sure, some people will use THIS sidewalk after it's done - but is its beneft worth the expense and harm to others?
Is it so wrong to expect that County will be able to serve our community by fixing drainage and paving the road - or if needed, providing an at grade path that fits our neighborhood?

Truth of the matter is, anyone who has been vocal in opposing THIS particular sidewalk - has been trying to clean up the mess created by a lack of communication from that school you love so much - and the lack of communication to the community from the HVCA. There is a lot more going on at the Community Center than potlucks and pool parties! I don't mean to vilify anyone - but people need to admit their mistakes - not continue to lobby against their neighbors for their own convenience!

Isn't it time you and your school - and the very vocal MINORITY of people who still support this concrete slab - stop trying to force it on the people who have stated repeatedly that they do not want it? Don't you think it's time you minded your own business and let the DPW finish their PROCESS?

The growing opposition, as evidenced by the 208 petition signatures will continue to protest is:
a) the lack of fair process that excluded community input which resulted in an inappropriate design and
b) the use of Safe Routes to Schools funding awarded to an application that contained false and misleading information. 

What we see as a result of this lack of process is - construction of a raised, impervious concrete sidewalk with curbs and gutters that does not fit this neighborhood, will dump more polluted water into a creek that contains endangered species -  and is causing the DPW engineering department a great amount of staff time and expense as they try to jam it onto a street that has never needed a concrete sidewalk before funding became available for a sidewalk. 

"And the proof is how many people, especially non MHS people, are using it who I have never seen walking on Evergreen before it was installed."

We get back to the original reason for objection - the fact that if it IS used, it will not really serve its intended purpose: a Safe Routes to Schools.

Therefore, WHY use Safe Routes to Schools funding?

I understand that some folks like "the idea" of a sidewalk.
What exactly do you like about it?
That there is more room to walk on the side of the road?
That it is separated from traffic?
Where did you think we needed a sidewalk?
On the curve?
All the way to the school?
On the South side?
On the North side?
Honestly, I'm not trying to be difficult here - I just want to know.

Is it ethical - or even a good business decision at this point - to continue to force an impervious concrete slab along along the entire street and alter the character of the neighborhood - inflict flooding problems upon people - using funding acquired on false pretenses?? 
In the end, the funds spent to try to cram this concrete sidewalk and deal with the aftermath - flooding, civil action lawsuits against the County and the school, Clean Water Act violations, may exceed the funds received. 
 
Honesty - I can't figure it out  - What is "wonderful" about THIS sidewalk? Comment on HEAR US (LINK)

New Patch Article

New article on the Patch : (LINK)

Evergreen Construction Process Continues

County Takes Up Concrete at 101 Evergreen
County takes up concrete at 101 Evergreen, while more concrete gets poured at the other end of the street. Saw cutting was happening at Scott and Evergreen. Saw a bunch of guys consulting about the Evergreen corner.

According to the HEAR US survey, only a small minority of property owners on the South side supported this project - and quite a few have expressed their displeasure with the lack of process  - most feel they are having this sidewalk forced upon their frontage. "We never asked for this."
I doubt most people really knew what was in store. This definitely is an opportunity to learn. I do my best to remain positive and believe that some good will come out of all this chaos. DPW Engineering staff continues to take the heat, while some property owners continue to look for solutions, some point fingers at each other and express disappointment and anger for the neighbors who lobbied against them or stayed silent. Most people seem to just be finding out about it.

The other day, I came across an elderly couple, who live on the hill. They were trying out the sidewalk. "How do you like it?" I asked. I got an earful about how unhappy they were that so much money was used for something that was so unnecessary, and that it was being built for Marin Horizon School.  "Our kids never needed a concrete sidewalk - they walked on the path."
Have to admit, I was a bit taken aback, because I expected them to be happy about it. As a matter of fact, I found a copy of the Homestead Headlines in the Evergreen SR2S file, which had a story about Homestead Village in it - and Mr. Kinsey told me in March that he viewed the SR2S grant as a funding mechanism - and said he wanted the sidewalk for seniors. 

Overheard in Homestead - An Evergreen property owner on the curve giving praise to Frank Lurz's Letter to the Editor in the IJ :
 ___

'Poetic justice'

Cuts in funding for Safe Routes to School? Now, there's poetic justice for you!

Despite a flood of objections from Evergreen Avenue residents in Mill Valley, Safe Routes and the county stamped their feet, held their breath and insisted on blowing over a million dollars of other peoples' money for a half-mile stretch of sidewalk that was never needed.
Cyclists are now forced closer to traffic and the sidewalk, squeezed between property lines and parked cars, is so narrow no one uses it; pedestrians and power chair users are still traveling in the street.
Kids going to Marin Horizon School, Inc., the sidewalk's sole beneficiary, won't use it either. They simply refuse to walk that far.
That money should have been used where it was genuinely needed, but political connections, egos, intransigence and stupidity won the day.
What an unconscionable waste!

Frank Lurz, Mill Valley 

___ 
 

Related Info :
Marin IJ story
http://www.marinij.com/fairfax/ci_21071859/federal-cuts-bike-school-program-could-result-fewer
Marin Readers Forum :

http://www.marinij.com/opinion/ci_21123974/marin-readers-forum-july-21

Petition Comment of the Day : ACTION PLEASE. "Logic and justice needs to prevail - something has to change."

Here is just ONE comment from the petition against the slab (emphasis added)  :
"My house looks like it is sinking due to the "raised" sidewalk. I was one of the few properties on the street that had a flat sidewalk when the project started and I feel misled throughout the entire process. This is not an improvement and, in my opinion, the design does not work. I believe that the corner handicap ramp design was a lack of communication between departments and a pipe was installed too high and now the entire grade has been adjusted to reflect this. I am now in the process of trying to patch the plan vs. start with a good plan for the entrance to my house. The sidewalk has been poured 12" above the level of my entrance gate, county is stating 10", plan states 7". My house is located at the lowest point of the valley. I believe the current plan will be detrimental and cause more flooding to my property and has an unsafe entrance step to my house, it is not an improvement. According to the FEMA map, I live on a Special Hazard Flood Area Zone AE, a flood plain with a flood way directly in the middle of my property. The ditch along Ethel leading into Reed Creek is along my property line now has more sources of water flowing into it. This is of tremendous concern for me and for my neighbors along Ethel... We were informed in every meeting that it is against the law to make matters worse, the plan needs to improve or maintain the landscape of what was. I value our community and the amazing surroundings in which we live. I believe that the livability of our community, environment and neighborhood has been greatly disrupted. ACTION PLEASE. Logic and justice needs to prevail - something has to change."
 
All change is not bad - but  there is no excuse for irresponsible and illegal development.
FACT : Homestead residents were denied our rights to a fair and democratic process.
WHY? Well, for one, MHS and HVCA corrupted the DPW process. Whether or not you think it was intentional deception depends upon who you ask. Anyway -  that is beside the point for now.

So, what is the point I'm trying to make?
I dare anyone to take a walk down Evergreen in Homestead, and look at the mess that is being inflicted upon what used to be a beautiful, GREEN street. Evergreen has worked for the majority of the people who live here, 24/7 - with few complaints (the main complaint being the occasional speeding car.) The majority of homeowners who are dealing with all this inconvenience asked that THIS raised concrete sidewalk, with curbs and gutters, NOT be built all along Evergreen Avenue.
This is not just about a "sidewalk," or Homestead vs. MHS  - it is about taking a stand for fairness and honesty and what is right.
What is right?
Well, first of all, Marin County should not take one dime from the state Safe Routes to Schools fund for this project. That funding should go back to Safe Routes to Schools  - for driver and pedestrian education, crossing guards, whatever - ANYTHING but this slab.
Why?
1) Because the money was awarded to an application that contained FALSE claims of need and community support  - and the slab is environmentally irresponsible.
2) When you EDUCATE someone, they take that education with them for the rest of their life. So, giving the $900,000 - which has been set aside for this project - BACK to Safe Routes education programs - will save more lives than this horrible IMPERVIOUS concrete slab that is being forced upon Evergreen Avenue (a street in a semi rural neighborhood that runs along a blue line creek  - which contains federally protected, endangered Steel head!)
To admit mistakes were made in this process and "we'll do better next time" is not enough - County has an obligation to do what is right by these property owners - NOW.  

Additionally - Why risk the reputation of a County employee (Mr. Tackaberry) who signed off on that SR2S application, when he probably had no idea what was true and what was false in it ?
Why not FREE the Marin County DPW engineering department from forcing something we do not need or want all along Evergreen - i.e., a concrete sidewalk with curbs and gutters - and empower them to be more creative in what should be a "shoulder repair/drainage improvement" project?

That funding was intended to provide a "safer route to schools" - not to raise property values or provide a "more convenient walk to the Whole Foods" for a few well connected people in Mill Valley.

If you don't have a problem with covering up mistakes and lies just to grab onto funding that could and should go where it was intended to go - there is something seriously wrong with your sense of what is right and what is wrong - and you need to take an ethics class.

 - MT


Petition : \no-concrete-slab-for-evergreen-ave

Related Post : Loss of Safe Routes Funding - What Does It Mean?  (LINK)

Downstream Effects of Overdevelopment

There was no public hearing for the Evergreen sidewalk project. There were no signs posted along the street announcing the proposed construction. Since 2005, how much square footage has been developed upstream from Miller ? from Evergreen? What does that translate to in gallons of runoff? Does this look like a "SAFER ROUTE" to you?

Evergreen : 1982 Flood

Does it really matter who WANTS THIS sidewalk? Or who will use it?
If the project moves forward as planned - it will increase unfiltered, polluted storm water runoff  into Reed Creek, to the tune of 1.2 million gallons per year.
When runoff combines with high tide, it increases chance of flash flooding.
I'm sure that some people support the "idea" of a sidewalk - but THIS impervious concrete slab - is NOT worth risking the lives and property of our neighbors downstream.
I know a lot of people might think we are a bunch of crazy NIMBYs, but we are not.
What is crazy is to ignore flood plain ordinances, the TAM plan guidelines and ignore people who have lived here for many years - they know what they are talking about - and the TAM plan exists to protect the wetlands downstream.
What is crazy is to engage in construction that will dump 1.2 million gallons of unfiltered polluted runoff into a blue line creek that contains Steel head - a federally protected endangered species.
 - County is still in contract and the workers at Ghilotti have the skills to install the ADA grid system, fix this mess and put Evergreen back to at least close to the way it was, but with a wider shoulder which will create a path and increase pedestrian usability. (link to neighborhood recommendations)
Shoulder repair with increased drainage capability will serve the same purpose as the slab - but it will not cause distress and increase potential for disaster.
 - save the County the time and expense of grading the road.
 - decrease storm water runoff.
 - restore Evergreen's semi-rural character. 

Petition to take up the SLAB:
http://www.change.org/petitions/no-million-dollar-slab-for-evergreen-ave
Please click on the following link to comment on the HEAR US blog - which has another photo  - of the 1982 flood on Evergreen.  The water rise came from REED CREEK.
(LINK)

Evening Evergreen Update

Several neighbors have told me they have calls into DPW, but no response.
Every day I see these Ghilotti construction guys working away.
I'm convinced that in July 2010, the DPW probably figured this was "just another Safe Routes project" and had no idea they were walking into a hornet's nest.  I see all this effort trying to fit this concrete sidewalk onto a street that never needed a raised concrete sidewalk before - that most of us don't want - and as more people find out about it and see it - they scratch and shake their heads.
Just wait until the MHS parents and staff find out they can't park where they used to be able to park.
Got an email from a friend of mine, who has been watching this saga since March.
It said : "I have been down to Evergreen and it is a travesty."
Somebody asked me today -
"Do you think there is any chance they'll take it up? Is there a petition I can sign somewhere?"

http://www.change.org/petitions/no-million-dollar-slab-for-evergreen-ave

Evergreen Feedback

More discussion about the sidewalk :
On Bike to Schoolbus
http://hv94941hearus.blogspot.com/2012/07/bike-to-schoolbus.html

On "I Blame Kinsey"
http://hv94941hearus.blogspot.com/2012/07/evergreen-sidewalk-i-blame-kinsey.html

Petition comments :
http://hv94941hearus.blogspot.com/2012/07/no-slab-for-evergreen-ave-petition-up.html

Evergreen Update : New Photos

New Photos in the "For Evergreen" slideshow.
Neighbors are asking me for more green ribbons - seems someone keeps ripping them off the mailboxes. 

New Posts:
http://www.hv94941.com/2012/07/heartbreak.html

FAQ Page has been updated :
http://evergreensidewalk.blogspot.com/p/faq.html 

Since it has been noted that MHS' giant yellow school bus rarely contains more than a few students, this Bike to Schoolbus is beng suggested again :
http://hv94941hearus.blogspot.com/2012/07/bike-to-schoolbus.html

Evergreen Update : Safe Routes Signs, Neighborhood Feedback

Has anyone else noticed that the Safe Routes to Schools funding signs are missing - both - near Whole Foods and at Melrose?

Evergreen Avenue SR2S mentioned on local blogs:
HEAR US : feedback to "regrets, I have a few" :
http://hv94941hearus.blogspot.com/2012/07/comments-regrets-i-have-few.html 

Sands Box : Evergreen property owner (and one of the few vocal residents who supported the sidewalk project) Dylan Simonds  asks Charles Sands to "take a moment"  - scroll down to see the entire thread : http://thesandsbox.blogspot.com/2012/07/fwd-charles-take-moment.html

-----Original Message-----
From: Dylan Simonds
To: Charles Sands ; hv94941 ; Dylan Simonds
Sent: Mon, Jul 16, 2012 10:38 pm
Subject: Charles, take a moment...

to consider how out of control this "dialogue" has gotten. Seriously, please think about what you're doing, and to whom. You don't know the first thing about me, yet you direct hateful emails at me and a host of other community members whom you've identified and characterized not simply as supporters of the sidewalk project, but as vile enemies of Homestead Valley. You seem to not even discriminate between pro-sidewalk and anti-sidewalk, when you expend your venom. Your just equitable with your hate, I suppose.

For many months, I endured your constant barrage of incoherent and psychotic emails, before I finally (and on more than one occasion) asked you politely to remove me from your distribution list. Although you first agreed to accommodate my request, I continued to receive your regular correspondence, and I know that the same is true for quite a few other Homesteaders, who just want you to leave them alone. However, now that you have decided to openly deride me before your "readership" as a person undeserving of respect and with apparent affinities for your mortal enemies at MHS, I can no longer abide your foolish, immature, and spiteful BS. Take me off of your distribution list, right now, Charles, and cease your beligerent hate mongering.

If you ever really cared about engaging in discourse that could have a meaningful, positive impact on your beloved Valley, (GUESS IT'S NOT YOURS) you should have approached this process with  courtesy, maturity, and open eyes, ears, and mind  But, it's clear to me and many, many others that you don't truly care about your neighborhood at all. If you did, you'd treat me with the respect due due anyone, irrespective of their point of view. After all, neighborhoods are comprised of people, and being kind to people is the, well, neighborly thing to do.

By the way, I've never replied to your emails as an anonymous sender, and I don't even know how I would do that. It's also worth pointing out that I sent my most recent note to you out of disgust for the way in which you disparaged Mari, stating that she is, in your own thoughtfully chosen words, "either a naive communty organizer, a self-centered egoist using a neighborhood disaster for readership purposes to start-up your Hearus Blog or just plain dumb." You probably know as well as I do that that kind of language does not belong in discourse between neighbors, and it certainly serves no other purpose than to antagonize and patronize. Frankly, given the amount of time, energy, and anger you have dedicated to this epic, months-long rant, I actually wish that I knew you well enough (at all) to have talked with you about these issues in person, neighbor to neighbor. You deserve to have an ear lent to you as much as anyone, but the project and the dialogue are effectively at an end, and I respectfully ask that you observe common decency by leaving me (and anyone else who similarly pleads for peace) alone.

Sincerely,
Dylan Simonds

P.S.- In half-full disclosure, I thought I'd let you know that I have BCCd several of my Homestead Valley friends on this email in order to share my perspective with them. Since you seem to enjoy sharing your own opinions with lots of anonymous email recipients, I figured that you would understand. If they care to weigh in, they'll know how to reach you.

Evergreen Updates : Page Updates, DOT Hotline

Safe Routes Application page has been updated - (LINK) 
We have recieved a number of requests re: who to contact.

If you feel the Evergreen SR2S Project is a waste or misuse of federal/state Safe Routes funding, and you feel that the County is not being responsive to your concerns, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) maintains a Hotline to facilitate the reporting of allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) programs or operations.
You may report such allegations through the contact information listed at :
  http://www.oig.dot.gov/hotline

Allegations may be reported by DOT employees, contractors, or the general public. OIG’s Hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is operated by a third party contractor. You may find all the information you need on the Safe Routes Application page.

Safe Routes Funding Loss : What Does It Mean For Evergreen?

Saturday's Front Page in the IJ had a photo of Evergreen Avenue's SR2S project and a story about loss in Safe Routes funding on the federal level. Given that fact and all the negative backlash surrounding the concrete slab and its effect upon Reed Creek- will Marin County Supervisors decide to let the funds revert?
http://www.hv94941.com/2012/07/safe-routes-fundng-loss-what-does-it.html

Evergreen Update

Have you seen the road? 
Petition is up to 200! - and there is an update on it as well. 
http://www.change.org/petitions/no-million-dollar-slab-for-evergreen-ave

It is understandable that some rules need to be bent in order to get things done, especially since every project meets some resistance - but this particular impervious slab is a bad idea on so many levels - and County is very vulnerable  to litigation at this point! I honestly believe we will be doing all stakeholders a favor by showing them a way out of this impervious mess  - which is why we have updated the neighborhood recommendations.

Please see below.

Living Streets Proposal Updated

This video has been added to the Living streets proposal page : go to page : http://evergreensidewalk.blogspot.com/p/evergreen-living-street-proposal.html

Evergreen Sidewalk Mentioned at BoS Open Time

Cela O'Connor, David Brown (MHS Parent) speak about Evergreen sidewalk at BoS meeting :
http://www.hv94941.com/2012/07/cela-oconnor-appears-open-time-and-bos.html

Evergreen Sidewalk Update

Evergreen Property Owners Continue to Speak Out :
http://www.hv94941.com/2012/07/opinion-on-srts-funded-sidewalk.html

Homestead Resident Weighs In : I Blame Kinsey
http://hv94941hearus.blogspot.com/2012/07/evergreen-sidewalk-i-blame-kinsey.html

Evergreen Sidewalk Update

Destruction,

CULVERT ON MELROSE

Construction Moves Forward

Charles Sands suggests Class Action : http://www.hv94941.com/2012/07/sands-box.html

Intention : Good Intention Gone Awry :  http://www.hv94941.com/2012/07/intention.html

Open Letter to Keith Garriott : http://www.hv94941.com/2012/07/keiths-corner.html

Petition Up to 196 : http://www.change.org/petitions/no-million-dollar-slab-for-evergreen-ave

CALL TO ACTION FROM OUR NEIGHBORS IN TAM VALLEY : 
http://www.hv94941.com/2012/07/injury-to-one-is-injury-to-all.html

Evergreen Sidewalk Survey

Now that part of the concrete sidewalk is in - how do you like it so far? In order to be mapped properly, please include your name and/or address.

Evergreen Property Owners Speak Out

Pt 1 :  http://www.hv94941.com/2012/06/phase-one-evergreen-homeowners-speak.html
Pt. 2 : http://www.hv94941.com/2012/07/evergreen-property-owners-speak-out-pt-2.html
Pt 3 :  http://www.hv94941.com/2012/07/evergreen-property-owners-speak-out-pt-3.html 
Pt. 4:
Pt. 5 : http://www.hv94941.com/2012/07/opinion-on-srts-funded-sidewalk.html 

- Well the sidewalk is in in front of our house and we now have a problem - it is higher than our walkway to our front gate and the path leading to the front door. The construction guys just piled up some dirt and some of the gravel we used to have in front of the house and created a very steep dip - problem is it's less than a foot wide, so now we have this sharp angle of dirt and gravel to travel over in and out of our front gate - way too steep an angle! Also the piling up of dirt will be touching our fence, creating rot and termite problems that will be very expensive for us to fix. For us to remedy this we'd have to take down our whole front fence and regrade our entire property!
- Phase One Property Owner

YOU TUBE VIDEOS

Evergreen Living Street Proposal Updated

Evergreen concrete sidewalk has been designed and is being built by people that do no live in Homestead or use Evergreen. Not enough community input was received or considered before design.
Therefore, it does not properly consider how the street is currently used. It is an inappropriate design that has the potential to create more problems than it claims to solve.

HEAR US group proposed an alternative low impact plan, based upon feedback from people with the most experience using the street. 
It has recently been updated :  (LINK)

NO MORE CONCRETE - KIDS DESERVE GREEN STREETS!

CLICK HERE to sign ONLINE PETITION
- 2012 is the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act - If the impervious sidewalk is built, Evergreen will lose natural paths that filter water and over one million gallons per year of unfiltered storm water runoff will enter Reed Creek, a blue line creek that contains federally protected Steel head!
Way to go, Marin County! 
Why pollute our creek, cut down our trees and RUIN the unique character of our historic neighborhood?
Do you wonder WHY Marin County - which has a BUDGET SURPLUS of 14 million dollars - is taking $900,000 from Safe Routes to Schools, to force an impervious slab of concrete all along Evergreen Avenue ??
- Did you know that $900,000 can fund more than 13,000 full day crossing guard shifts?
- Evergreen residents have been walking, jogging, bicycling, etc. - SAFELY - all along Evergreen for years and stated repeatedly - for TWO YEARS - that we never asked for THIS sidewalk, do not need THIS sidewalk - and DO NOT WANT THIS impervious concrete sidewalk!  
Why force a slab, when a path will do?
Questions? Call 415-779-4941

 CLICK HERE to see residents' alternative proposal