DUI crackdown in effect
The Sonoma Police Department, the county sheriff’s department and 11 other county agencies have begun their annual holiday campaign targeting drunk drivers. Known as “Avoid the 13,” the effort includes beefed-up patrols and sobriety checkpoints all designed to snag holiday revelers who are driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
The message: If you drink and drive, you’re at risk for spending at least one night of the holiday season in the slammer.
In last year’s 21-day driving under the influence crackdown, law enforcement officers in Sonoma County brought in 250 DUI suspects, a 13 percent increase from 2008.
“Avoid the 13,” which ends Jan. 2, is a collaborative enforcement and education effort between the 13 law enforcement agencies in Sonoma County; activities include DUI checkpoints, in-city and freeway DUI saturation patrols, and emphasis on DUI enforcement with officers on regular beats.
Mayor names 2010 Alcalde
Niels Chew, a former member of the school district board and a founder of the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, was named Sonoma Alcalde by Mayor Steve Barbose.
The honorary title is bestowed annually on a resident who takes a leading, selfless role in community service to Sonoma Valley and, according to a city description of the post “is well-known for consistent behind-the-scenes good deeds.”
Chew is the former owner of Dowling Magnets. He was instrumental in starting the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance by hiring a fulltime director, Kathy Witkowicki and essentially donating her to Flowery School.
A former volunteer fireman, he has served on the boards of Operation Youth, El Nido and the Sonoma Overnight Shelter.
The position of Alcalde, the Spanish word for mayor, grew in power with the rise of the pueblo system. Back then, the job entailed everything from settling disputes over land and cattle to ruling on murder charges.
As resurrected by the City in 1975, the annual position is ceremonial. Chew will be given a silver-headed cane as a symbol of the honor and make appearances at numerous public events, including heading the Fourth of July Parade and the Vintage Festival Parade.
Barbose thanked and saluted the other nominees for the post, Mary Evelyn Arnold and Linda Goudey. “It certainly wasn’t an easy choice,” he told the council meeting. “These folks have given greatly to this community.”
The Honorary Alcalde for 2009 was Elizabeth Kemp.
Community input sought on school budget cuts
In response to increased interest, the Sonoma Valley Unified School District and the school board will host another meeting to discuss impending cuts to the budget. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Sonoma Valley High School Library, 20000 Broadway. Students, parents and community members are invited to come and offer input on the recommended reduction list.
Sonoma County looks to elect a new Superintendent of Schools
Carl Wong, 62, announced recently he will not seek a third term as Sonoma County’s superintendent of schools.
The position oversees 40 school districts and some 71,000 students in Sonoma County. According to Wong, the biggest challenge of the job has been working with each district to meet the state’s ever-shrinking education budget.
Candidates interested in running for the position can pull election papers beginning Jan. 4. The official nomination period doesn’t begin until Feb. 15. Only Windsor Superintendent Steve Herrington has announced his intention to run for the office.
Grant allows for 25 new four-year scholarships at Sonoma Academy
Sonoma County philanthropist John Fruth and the Fruth Family Foundation have announced a new Fruth Family Scholarship Fund that will provide up to 25 half-tuition, four-year scholarships to Sonoma Academy, Santa Rosa’s college preparatory high school. The grants will be awarded to incoming ninth through eleventh-grade applicants, according to Janet Durgin, Sonoma Academy head of school.
“This gift could not be more timely, since everyone in the state has been hit at some level by this recession. Many families recognize that a quality education, one that prepares students for a rapidly changing world economy, is more important than ever. But their financial resources are limited.” said Durgin. “We are so fortunate that Sonoma Academy will be able to help more families benefit from our 21st century education because of this fund.”
The scholarship guidelines require that qualifying students must plan to attend a four-year college or university upon graduation, and must have demonstrated both outstanding academic performance and leadership in school or community activities. Preference will be given to students who are interested in math, science, engineering, or technology. If the students maintain good academic standing while at Sonoma Academy, the scholarship will continue each year until graduation.
Interested applicants must go through Sonoma Academy’s regular admissions and flex tuition processes. The early application deadline is January 14, 2010. After that date, scholarships will be awarded to qualified students on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, go online to www.sonomaacademy.org, or call the admissions office at 707-545-1770.
