Caspar Community Meeting: February 2000

Caspar News and Press Releases

Caspar Considers Emergency Services, Sidewalks

In two important meetings this week, residents of Caspar will be offered opportunities to affect their future. Their small community, situated between a big forest and a bigger ocean and connected to neighboring population centers by several fragile bridges, has never before received much consideration for the amenities of a larger urban area or the essential services that might be needed in an emergency.

On Sunday, at the regular second Sunday meeting of the Caspar Community, Rick Paige, Executive Director of the Mendocino Emergency Services Authority based in Ukiah will make a presentation of the Neighborhood Emergency Services Team (NEST) program. "Building a viable community includes preparation for both natural and man-made disasters," according to meeting organizer Mary Flannery-Kraut. "Neighbors, including residents, business people, and others, should learn to rely on each other while waiting for services that may be seriously delayed."

For years, the Community has expressed concern for the fact that, in the event of a major earthquake, Caspar might easily be isolated from fire and medical services. Meridian Green, a long-time proponent of a Caspar firehouse, notes "If we are to have a Community Center, one of its most important functions is to serve as the center at times of emergency. We are learning to take better care of each other, and this program is a natural next step."

The NEST program will be presented at the Fort Bragg Firehouse, 141 North Main Street, Fort Bragg, from 3pm until 5pm on Sunday, February 13th. There will be a carpool from in front of the Community's regular meeting place, the Caspar Shul, departing at 2:50pm. If you are driving out of Caspar, please drop by the Shul and see if anyone needs a ride. At the firehouse, be sure to park behind the Fire Station along the west side of the alley to ensure that fire volunteers can respond to emergency calls.

On Tuesday evening, February 15th, at 7pm, a special meeting of the Caspar Community has been called to help plan for sidewalks along the village's main streets. Mendocino County's Transportation Department has won a grant to build gravel pathways along Caspar's main thoroughfares this summer. Transportation Department assistant director Bob Parker and Doug Ellinger, the senior civil engineer, are expected to attend the meeting.

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