September Meeting Notes

Many thanks to all those who took the time to attend this month's RDW meeting, and a special thanks to Gail Williams, from the Butte County Air Quality Management District, for her very informative presentation on air quality in our neighbornoods and beyond.

Gail's presentation sparked much interest and it was generally agreed that this may be an issue that we can all get behind. It was suggested that one thing that could be done in this area is perhaps man a table outside Holiday Market with information about open burning, including a "pledge" for people to use other green waste options besides open burning of leaves.

Information Sharing:
Robin Huffman shared that Kim Yamaguchi has said he will be running for reelection to the Board of Supervisors.

Important Dates:
September 1 - Paradise Area Ad Hoc Committee meeting, 10:00 am, Paradise Town Hall
October 5 - Upper Ridge Coordinating Council meeting, 1:30 pm, POA
October 25 - Water Company meeting, 7:00 pm, Paradise High School
November 3 - Robin Huffman campaign fundraiser, Paradise Senior Center (time to be announced)

Suggestions and Discussion:

- Create a committee that will look at possible ways to make the public more aware of issues about open burning. If you're interested, please email the group and you'll be contacted.
- Have house parties in our neighborhoods in support of Robin, at which Robin can come and speak.
- Consider options for meeting facilitation to keep us focused.
- In the interest of time, we agreed to table the "brainstorming" session about ways to take action. We will do this at our next meeting.

Action Items:

- Attend Ad Hoc meeting on Sept 18: as many of us as possible
- Consider a house party to support Robin's campaign: as many of us as possible
- Create a committee to address open burning issues with the public: Mary Drew will coordinate
- Write letters to the Board of Supervisors (especially Chairperson Jane Dolan) regarding concerns with open burning as it relates to air quality
- Think about all the possibilities for taking action and bring ideas to the next meeting.

Next Meeting: October 15, 7:00 pm, Paradise Pines POA Library

--- Please feel free to comment on or add to these notes! ---

WOW

I'm not entirely sure who to thank, but I was invited to speak at the WOW brunch on Saturday in beautiful Butte Creek Canyon. This group of Women Organized to Win want to know who I am now that I am running for Supervisor for the 5th District.

What I learned is that there is a substantial group of women who are organized to help win elections and promote issues. They have been organized for at least two years, have established themselves formally as a Political Action Committee (PAC), and have an organization that includes the following positions:
President
Corresponding Secretary who also does graphic work and the newsletter
Recording Secretary and Membership
Program Chairman
Treasurer
Environment
These women were introduced at the brunch Saturday which was held primarily to hear from candidates they have supported in the past, including Supervisor Maureen Kirk and Chico City Councilwoman Mary Flynn.

This group is non-partisan and is "open to all women wanting to energize their beliefs and dreams". They are a very significant action group for women in Butte County.

Sue Wild attended and handed out RDW bookmarks. We invited them to attend our meeting Monday evening to hear Gail Williams speak on air quality issues.

Geri Benedict was also there. She was the one who came up with the name WOW that the group adopted.

I think RDW should keep in touch with these women.

Robin Huffman