Supervisor Dianne Jacob Hears Residents' Concerns in Ramona

Planning group members, the Ramona Sheriff's lieutenant and a deputy, business people, concerned residents and a representative of the CERT program turned out to air their concerns and answer questions at a coffee gathering with County Supervisor Dianne Jacob in Ramona Thursday.

About 50 people attended the gathering in the Barnett Barn at Guy B. Woodward Museum on Main Street. Jacob holds these coffees for Ramonans every few months.

Disaster preparedness was the most contentious issue among the audience. Some residents wanted specifics on radio frequencies. One resident suggested a radio station for Ramona so residents could get immediate information in the event of an emergency. A Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) representative said getting a frequency for Ramona requires a lot of coordination with bureaucracy and that it has been suggested and CERT is researching it. He talked about handheld radio receivers that can be purchased at large hardware stores. Lt. Julie Sutton answered questions about the reverse 911 call system and evacuation.

The supervisor offered that a staff person from the County Office of Emergency Services could come up to Ramona to talk to interested parties about the calling system and the incident command system.

Some members of the community talked about safe places.

Lt. Sutton made the point that "no public agency is going to tell you that if you go to this place you'll be safe." She said there are too many variables, such as "Mother Nature," to tell anyone for sure that they'll be safe at a location.

A few residents were there to ask for help with flooding in town and clearing debris around protected water courses. Planning group member Bob Hailey said there are flooding problems from 3rd Street to Etcheverry.

Jacob offered to set up a meeting with the Department of Public Works to look at Ramona's flooding on a "community basis."

Jacob brought a fire protection map and suggested that Ramona Municipal Water District consider joining a regional joint powers agreement among fire agencies.

"It wouldn't mean you'd lose your identity. You'd just be part of a bigger group," Jacob said. She said having a larger body can improve communication, dispatch, purchasing and all kinds of functions.

The supervisor also talked generally about the county budget.

"Your county government operates a lot differently than a lot of other governments that you hear about," she said. "We don't spend more than we get. We have a structurally balanced budget, and that's what's needed at the federal, state, county and city levels."

Jacob said the county faces three challenges, particularly regarding pensions: the Wall Street dive in 2008, the decreased amount of money coming into the county coffers locally, and the cutbacks by the state. The Wall Street losses have been the biggest challenge, she said.