DFP/WILCOX BUFFER ZONE
DogPAC was greatly saddened by City Council's recent decision to create
a “buffer zone” at the Douglas Family Preserve which excludes
all user groups, but was conveniently blamed on dogs. After seven long
years of advocating that the property remain “AS-IS”, we rejoiced
with hundreds of other users at the March 30th Council meeting when it
was unanimously decided to allow “As-Is” use. We also agreed
that, consistent with our philosophy of “courtesy, clean-up and control”,
the adjacent neighbors should be provided with a REASONABLE vegetative
buffer for dust and noise produced by ALL the user groups...Little did
we know that approximately 33% of the usable mesa would be absorbed for
the benefit of a few vocal neighbors. (Gee ,we wish we, too, could wake
up one fine morning and discover that we'd been granted an extra 1/3 acre
of big backyard, paid for by tax-payers!)
Now the City is placing “temporary fencing” there as well.
Hmmm . . . not exactly “As-Is-Ish”. But we are grateful that
off-leash will be legal, that no bathrooms or parking lots will be created,
and we continue to urge our members to leash dogs on ingress and egress
from the property!!
Important note: Some Council members have asserted that DogPAC
advocated removal of the watering hole by the caretaker's place. For the
record, our recommendation was predicated on their assertion that the
watering hole was causing noise and disruption for the neighbors, and
that if it were removed it would mitigate the nuisance. Our assumption
was that if they removed the waterer, the buffer zone could be sized-down.
What we wound-up with was: a giganto buffer zone and no water. Go figure.
If you have concerns about the size of the buffer zone, please contact
your elected officials and let them know. We've done our best.
Dog Days of Summer - August 8 at Elings Park
It's that time again! Bring your well-behaved pooch and join us in a
celebration of all things dog at Elings Park, August 8th from 11 a.m.
to 4 p.m. (You do not need an Elings tag for this special event.)
This year we will offer:
Agility Pay and Play by Michelle
Vendors with cool dog-related goods and services
Flying Dog Beer Garden
Dog masseuse
Pet Psychic
Micro-chipping by Noah's Arc
Ask the Dog Trainer
and the ever-popular funniest/weirdest/ugliest dog contest.
Also, we welcome off-leash advocates from all over the state (Freeplay
LA, “Unleash the Beach”, CalDOG, etc.) who plan join us for
a little coalition-building and off-leash adventures!
Annual Meeting
DogPAC's annual meeting and election of officers will be held at the
end of the Elings party. If you have a desire to serve on our Board, please
write to dogpacsb@yahoo.com and we will gratefully contact you!
Current nominees for officers:
Co-Presidents: Michelle Holmes and Teresa Rounds
Vice-President: Heidi Thorson
Secretary: Donna O'Toole
Treasurer: Janie Smith
Board members:
Deanna Lancaster, Veterinary Liaison
Kristi Solberg, Vendors
Lisa Kelly, Volunteer Coordinator
Mary Anne Morrison, CalDog and Elings Park Liaison
Tom Zimmerle, Shelter Liaison
Laura Hout
Bill Roberts
Tom Smith
Eddie Roberts
Hilary Burkemper
Outgoing Officers:
Andrew Flanagin, Ph.D.
Miriam Metzger, Ph.D.
Mary Anne Morrison, M.Ed
Gwen Gallagher
BIG thanks to these folks who have literally slaved away on behalf of
you and your dogs' quality of life here in old S.B. Please consider either
volunteering or donating money to keep the PAC fighting for YOUR right
to party with your dog!
County Off-Leash Program Off to a Successful Start
On July 14, County Parks Department held the second community meeting
to review its off-leash program in five County parks. Officials Rick Wheeler
and Jim Isaac reported that the program is receiving strong public support
and cooperation.
Please support this program! Its success depends on the responsible use
of parks by all dogs and their people. DogPAC is tremendously grateful
to Rick and Jim and the Board of Supervisors for their willingness to
launch this program on behalf of all south county dog lovers!
Check here for maps and other information
on the five parks and off-leash hours. And let the County
Board of Supervisors and Parks
Department know how much you appreciate
BAD Apples
DogPACSB has been informed that there have been several incidents at
the DFP involving a “large aggressive dog and three youngish, surly
guys”. If you have a problem with this group, please contact the
Santa Barbara Police Department, Animal Control, and DogPACSB at 967-3949
or dogpacsb@yahoo.com.
Also, DogPAC recently advised the County Parks staff that there is a
habitual exhibitionist down south past the slough at Arroyo Burro (Hendry's)
Beach who “makes himself known” to women. Please let us know
of any problems you may have had with this guy, and contact the County
Sheriff as well.
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