Politics & Government

Mike McGuire: Let's discuss Fitch Mountain Open Space

McGuire is guest speaker at Wednesday night's Healdsburg Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.

For the first time since the November elections, the topic of preserving open space on Fitch Mountain will come up this week for public discussion.

is scheduled to appear at the Healdsburg Parks and Recreation Commission meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at

According to a city introductory memo, Fitch Mountain is identified as "a key area to preserve" by the city's Healdsburg Parks and Open Space Master Plan, adopted by the Parks and Recreation Commission in 2008.

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"The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District has been working with the city to acquire this property through conservation easements and for an open space preserve for public access to trails," the memo states.

During last November's elections, several candidates for Healdsburg City Council said they would endorse efforts to acquire open space on Fitch Mountain, if some type of financing mechanism could be obtained.

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Candidates said the city's acquisition would allow for improved public safety on the hiking trails and improved access for fire and police vehicles.

Since his assuming office as a Sonoma County Supervisor in January, McGuire, a former Healdsburg City Councilman, has been active in helping with city public improvement projects.

Most recently, he was instrumental in a city-county partnership to do emergency repairs at the

Healdsburg City Council will contribute $55,000 to the plan, approved last month, thus keeping a public swimming spot at the beach on the Russian River open this summer. 

Two fundraisers are planned at the beach this summer to offset the costs for dam maintenance: a and a July 2 family festival.


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