I too am a full supporter of our County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins. Sure hope our Sebastopol City Council, especially our Mayor and Vice Mayor and City Manager, can be in regular communication with her. She is a great listener, leader and communicator. She clearly has the interests of all West County residents and visitors and can bring county resources where needed. Here’s to better communication and cooperation between our county and our city.
Thanks to Supervisor Hopkins for swift and decisive action and communication! Given the quick action, I’m curious why city leadership (mayor, city council, police chief) didn’t contact Supervisor Hopkins or the county more generally sooner.
Excellent point. I am closely monitoring the judgement of these elected representatives. I do appreciate Laura’s detailed reporting on the Elderberry Housing campus. I read each article and noted many red flags.
This follow up article from Supervisor Hopkins cleared up several questions and concerns I had.
Bravo Lynda Hopkins! And I am beginning to wonder about our Mayor Stephen Zollman. In the absence of a City Manager who,essentially was fired by Zollman and the City Council "newbies", it was incumbent upon Zollman to communicate with Lynda about Elderberry Commons. And he did not do so. It would be interesting to hear from Zollman on the issue of Elderberry.
Although the things listed sound nice. And might be effective none of which have actually taken place. As of last night still a security guard who barely speaks English a doesn’t do his rounds.
Ok everybody settle down… let’s keep in mind that 0 changes have actually happened on the property itself. This is all hearsay until other wise reported by someone who is actually at the property. As of today the only change is security hours have been extended 1 hour per shift. That’s is.
Why was Mr Ziegler’s comment removed? He provided information on how he feels he and others are being treated. Helps put into perspective the County’s approach to helping the homeless. His courage to speak out may have put him and his daughter in some jeopardy. Hopefully he keeps in touch with us through these articles and comments. Hopefully he is not censored again. Without his comments we might just accept the story the County is selling.
And I been raising concerns about everything (prositution crystal meth fetynol ect.) since the first week of March. Burbank and WCCS have been fully aware of security gaurd on drugs and everything going on since the first week of March. They were covering it up and lying because they don’t want to spend money evicting people on security ect… so they swept it under the rug and hid it from the city and Lynda Hopkins. Woman responsible for this is names SANDRA GARCIA at Burbank housing as well as the onsite manager Talia Beaumont. They plan on keeping both this people who have enabled all of this on staff as well…
I am a big supporter of Supervisor Hopkins. I wonder why it is that she lays blame on Sebastopol City Council for their failure not to notify her of problems at Elderberry Commons. Is this not a county project and shouldn’t her office have been keeping tabs especially at the opening? Seems to me that fault lies with the county, Burbank Housing, WCCS and the security company all of which have failed miserably at their jobs.
Not making excuses for the county. They should have been all over this. Everyone involved has said there are always issues in the beginning. Possibly the county thought they were out of the "hotel" business. They donated the building funded by $6 million in taxpayer money to Burbank Housing who receives a $1,900 monthly housing voucher for each resident. Burbank probably calls the shots, maybe constrained by terms in the "donation agreement" which has not been made public.
Wow. First…Thank you to Laura Hagar for writing all about these important issues. Secondly, thank you to Lynda Hopkins for being so proactive and responsive in a way that helps the people at Elderberry, and restores some sense of confidence in local government. Thirdly, WHY hadn’t the Mayor and City Council attempted to reach out to the Board of Supervisors before their meetings? Last, is there confidence that this mayor and council are efficient and transparent? It seems some type of change in leadership should be considered, given the thousands of dollars they spent at least two full meetings complaining about spending on police response to Elderberry, yet nobody was calling the county for help on this? Bizarre at best. We are wishing the best for all the people putting their lives back together in Sebastopol. I can’t vote for council, but the property is very nearby. We all have a stake in its success.
Seems like this was all a surprise to Lynda Hopkins. The rest of Sebastopol learned about it May 23 and 24. The steps outlined in the letter sound like the plan from the beginning. Residents at Elderberry have stated that the plan is not working. Early on no staffing, now staff reportedly close the blinds. Why did the county drop the ball in the first place and when will they be reimbursing the city for their project
Thank you to Lynda Hopkins for helping all of us understand more clearly the situation and difficulties related to Elderberry Commons. I find this perspective helpful.
Unless I missed it in Hopkins’ long letter, nowhere is there a mention of concrete actions to address the issue that is at the heart of the problem, criminality. The community garden and slightly longer security hours not going to eradicate drug dealing, etc.
So, nobody at the City reached out to our Supervisor prior to the council meeting, and nobody at the City - Council or Staff - could make time to meet with her in the days since? In a matter of this apparent importance to the City, his lack of communication can’t be helpful.
How about a name change to Wilderberry Commons? All sounds good but is pretty bureaucratic after the fact. Wny was none of this anticipated? Any idea how this may impact the fancy expensive hotel that some want to build across the street?
I too am a full supporter of our County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins. Sure hope our Sebastopol City Council, especially our Mayor and Vice Mayor and City Manager, can be in regular communication with her. She is a great listener, leader and communicator. She clearly has the interests of all West County residents and visitors and can bring county resources where needed. Here’s to better communication and cooperation between our county and our city.
Well said. I agree. An intelligent professional entered the conversation. Logic and appropriateness is important.
Thanks to Supervisor Hopkins for swift and decisive action and communication! Given the quick action, I’m curious why city leadership (mayor, city council, police chief) didn’t contact Supervisor Hopkins or the county more generally sooner.
Excellent point. I am closely monitoring the judgement of these elected representatives. I do appreciate Laura’s detailed reporting on the Elderberry Housing campus. I read each article and noted many red flags.
This follow up article from Supervisor Hopkins cleared up several questions and concerns I had.
Bravo Lynda Hopkins! And I am beginning to wonder about our Mayor Stephen Zollman. In the absence of a City Manager who,essentially was fired by Zollman and the City Council "newbies", it was incumbent upon Zollman to communicate with Lynda about Elderberry Commons. And he did not do so. It would be interesting to hear from Zollman on the issue of Elderberry.
Wow, we are fortunate to have such a competent and dedicated county LEADER.
Thank you Lynda Hopkins.
And thank you Sebastopol Times for your service to our community.
Although the things listed sound nice. And might be effective none of which have actually taken place. As of last night still a security guard who barely speaks English a doesn’t do his rounds.
Ok everybody settle down… let’s keep in mind that 0 changes have actually happened on the property itself. This is all hearsay until other wise reported by someone who is actually at the property. As of today the only change is security hours have been extended 1 hour per shift. That’s is.
Glad you are still reporting on facts at the site. Hope you and you daughter are doing ok. Keep grounding this discussion in facts.
Not good.
Why was Mr Ziegler’s comment removed? He provided information on how he feels he and others are being treated. Helps put into perspective the County’s approach to helping the homeless. His courage to speak out may have put him and his daughter in some jeopardy. Hopefully he keeps in touch with us through these articles and comments. Hopefully he is not censored again. Without his comments we might just accept the story the County is selling.
I didn’t delete it. I’ll ask Dale.
Nope, he didn’t delete it either.
Outstanding leadership! Kudos to Lynda Hopkins for communicating this information.
And I been raising concerns about everything (prositution crystal meth fetynol ect.) since the first week of March. Burbank and WCCS have been fully aware of security gaurd on drugs and everything going on since the first week of March. They were covering it up and lying because they don’t want to spend money evicting people on security ect… so they swept it under the rug and hid it from the city and Lynda Hopkins. Woman responsible for this is names SANDRA GARCIA at Burbank housing as well as the onsite manager Talia Beaumont. They plan on keeping both this people who have enabled all of this on staff as well…
I am a big supporter of Supervisor Hopkins. I wonder why it is that she lays blame on Sebastopol City Council for their failure not to notify her of problems at Elderberry Commons. Is this not a county project and shouldn’t her office have been keeping tabs especially at the opening? Seems to me that fault lies with the county, Burbank Housing, WCCS and the security company all of which have failed miserably at their jobs.
Not making excuses for the county. They should have been all over this. Everyone involved has said there are always issues in the beginning. Possibly the county thought they were out of the "hotel" business. They donated the building funded by $6 million in taxpayer money to Burbank Housing who receives a $1,900 monthly housing voucher for each resident. Burbank probably calls the shots, maybe constrained by terms in the "donation agreement" which has not been made public.
Wow. First…Thank you to Laura Hagar for writing all about these important issues. Secondly, thank you to Lynda Hopkins for being so proactive and responsive in a way that helps the people at Elderberry, and restores some sense of confidence in local government. Thirdly, WHY hadn’t the Mayor and City Council attempted to reach out to the Board of Supervisors before their meetings? Last, is there confidence that this mayor and council are efficient and transparent? It seems some type of change in leadership should be considered, given the thousands of dollars they spent at least two full meetings complaining about spending on police response to Elderberry, yet nobody was calling the county for help on this? Bizarre at best. We are wishing the best for all the people putting their lives back together in Sebastopol. I can’t vote for council, but the property is very nearby. We all have a stake in its success.
Seems like this was all a surprise to Lynda Hopkins. The rest of Sebastopol learned about it May 23 and 24. The steps outlined in the letter sound like the plan from the beginning. Residents at Elderberry have stated that the plan is not working. Early on no staffing, now staff reportedly close the blinds. Why did the county drop the ball in the first place and when will they be reimbursing the city for their project
Great work Lynda and Laura. It’s so good to know what’s going on and how it’s being addressed. Thank you.
Thank you to Lynda Hopkins for helping all of us understand more clearly the situation and difficulties related to Elderberry Commons. I find this perspective helpful.
Unless I missed it in Hopkins’ long letter, nowhere is there a mention of concrete actions to address the issue that is at the heart of the problem, criminality. The community garden and slightly longer security hours not going to eradicate drug dealing, etc.
So, nobody at the City reached out to our Supervisor prior to the council meeting, and nobody at the City - Council or Staff - could make time to meet with her in the days since? In a matter of this apparent importance to the City, his lack of communication can’t be helpful.
How about a name change to Wilderberry Commons? All sounds good but is pretty bureaucratic after the fact. Wny was none of this anticipated? Any idea how this may impact the fancy expensive hotel that some want to build across the street?
I prefer “crystal meth commons” 🤢