Senator awards grad a scholarship

Fallon Frye is a freshman attending San Luis Obispo Cal Poly where her brother Gilbert also attends. Frye was recently awarded a scholarship by Senator Dave Cox who represents the first Senatorial District and the Sacramento Region Community. Frye is studying biology at college and was the valedictorian of her Coleville High graduating class. Her mother Nancy Frye is an early intervention special education teacher and serves special needs children age birth to 5 years in northern Mono County. Congratulations to Fallon.

n Antelope Valley Fire Protection District

Mike Curti was appointed to serve out the remaining time of Dave Murray's term as fire commissioner. The regularly scheduled fire meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month, though this month's meeting has been changed to Feb. 15. There will be a closed session at 5:30-6 p.m. with the open meeting starting at 6 p.m. at the fire station.

n Over indulged during the holidays?

Were you aware that there is a local Weight Watchers group in our area? The meetings are held weekly on Thursdays at 5 p.m. at the Topaz Lake Volunteer Fire Station. To find the fire station, turn right behind the Topaz Lodge and drive towards the lake. The address is 1990 Comstock Road and for further information call (530) 495-9159.

n Donations appreciated for ski scholarships

Many Coleville students cannot afford to participate in the schools ski program this year. Teacher Bill Tichenor is in charge of the long-running ski program and hopes that valley clubs and individuals will dig into their pockets and donate what they can so more students can take advantage of this opportunity. The school transports students on Thursdays for this program and Tichenor would love to award some ski scholarships, providing he gets community support. He would be happy to give a presentation and slide show which present the history and objectives of the ski program to familiarize clubs and interested donors. For more information call Bill Tichenor at 495-2231, ext. 243, during school hours.

n Regional Planning Advisory minutes Feb. 2

Doris Spencer said there are four candidates for county Sheriff. She would like the area to have a forum for them to speak. She suggested that RPAC sponsor the meeting. Questions were raised that RPAC wasn't the best venue for them to speak. Len Scherer will talk to the Lions Club and see if they will do it. If not, possibly the chamber, with RPAC as the last choice.

Mark Langner suggested that the RPAC agenda and minutes be published in the Sierra Scoop. Keith Hartstrom said the agenda appears on the Mono County Web site.

Senior planner Scott Burns and Keith Hartstrom said the county is faced with potential agricultural land conversion in the Antelope Valley. He said the county vision is for orderly growth, sustaining a small-town atmosphere and to protect our resources and habitat. He said the county wants to use community-based planning. He also said that the value of agricultural land in Mono County is twice that of similar lands in Inyo County.

There is presently a 10-acre minimum lot size for agricultural land. He stated that the County General Plan policies are consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and he showed various examples of "clustering" with agricultural land.

There is a search for a new intern. Rose Murray introduced Molly Rosen, who was sitting in on the meeting, to see if she would like to participate regularly as an intern. Tessa Rich becomes a full member with her birthday on Feb. 4.

A removal of non-participating members was discussed. Missing three consecutive meetings without being excused absences makes one eligible for dismissal from the committee. Two member were dismissed by majority vote as required by the by-laws, Cindy Harvey and Jim Coffron.

There was a watershed update. Katusich read from an e-mail provided by Gregg Newbry that the Mono County Plan has been undergoing technical assessment for the past six months, which should be completed by approximately March 1. They will again have public meetings on the plan.

Progress on Mountain Gate was discussed. Arden Gerbig said that this April will be a key time for the project. They will know about a grant for a walkway from the park to Eastside Lane. The original plan is being updated for additions that have been made. According to Bruce Woodworth additional property may be added along the river to Eastside Lane.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 5 at 7 p.m. at the Community Center.

If you couldn't make the meeting you will find the minutes interesting. I will include more in my future columns concerning the planning for the future of our valley and developments of the Mountain Gate project.

n Marylin Portman can be reached by e-mail at mportman@direcway.com