Cooking with David Maciel

Sponsored by Ray’s Food Place, Furber Plaza

July is a time we tend to BBQ more and spend time outdoors. I enjoy making salads to go with the BBQ. This coleslaw is a perfect match, and you can add cooked chicken or shrimp to make it a meal.

Ingredients

• • 5 cups shredded cabbage red & green mixed 50/50 blend
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 avocado
  • ¹/3 cup cilantro
  • ¼ cup green onions, chopped
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp honey or white sugar
  • 1 tsp lime zest
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp chili powder (optional)
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

Start by making the dressing. Combine the mayo, lime juice, honey or sugar lime zest, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and season as needed. (You can also use a packet of taco seasoning)

Chop the remaining ingredients into bite size pieces and toss together the cabbage, carrots, avocado, green onions, and cilantro add the dressing. Let sit for 10 minutes and serve.

We’re excited to bring you an update on the upcoming November 5, 2024 Election. Two significant local measures will likely be presented to Cloverdale voters. The first measure involves the amendment and extension of the City Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), while the second measure will likely propose a 3/4 cent sales tax increase to generate additional revenue for essential city services. This article provides an in-depth overview of these measures to inform and educate voters.
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Proposed Sales Tax Measure
The City Council is considering placing measure on the ballot to generate additional revenue to address Cloverdale’s critical financial needs. This measure is pivotal for maintaining and enhancing the city’s infrastructure and services, particularly in parks, streets, and public safety.

Financial Context:
Like many cities, Cloverdale has been facing budget deficits and significant funding needs for essential services and infrastructure maintenance, in part due to significant inflation in recent years. The city’s General Fund, which supports a wide range of services, has been stretched thin, often relying on budget reserves to bridge gaps. The Long-Term Financial Forecast and 5-Year Capital Infrastructure Plan have highlighted these challenges, underscoring the necessity for additional revenue sources. The City’s financial needs include, but are not limited to:
• Road Repairs. 1/3 of the City’s roads are rated in poor or very poor condition. Over the next five years it will cost an estimated $5 million to maintain the current condition of the City roads, and almost $31 million to bring all City roads up to fair or good condition.

• Pedestrian & Safety Improvements. The City currently has over $1 million dollars in unfunded pedestrian and safety improvements projects for the next two years, such as sidewalks along Asti Road and restriping of Cloverdale Blvd.

• Park Improvements. The City has identified over $2.5 million of planned improvements at City Parks, in addition to ongoing maintenance and repair costs for existing park facilities and equipment.

• Public Safety. The City’s Police Station is in very poor condition and needs to be replaced. The cost of replacement is over $10 million, including at least $250,000 for design and planning. The Police Department also has ongoing needs for vehicles and equipment to be replaced regularly.

Proposed Sales Tax Increase:
The City Council has considered different potential revenue measures to help fund these critical needs, including a potential increase in the sales tax. Cities may enact sales tax increases, the revenue from which remains completely with the City. Cloverdale is one of only two cities in Sonoma County which has not enacted a local sales tax measure. Seven cities in Sonoma County have enacted local sales tax measures ranging from ½ cent to 1 cent. A ¾ cent ($.0075) sales tax increase would generate approximately $1.66 million annually for the City. This entire amount would stay within Cloverdale, and no portion would be shared with the County or State.

Council Consideration:
At the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on July 24, 2024, the City Council will vote on whether or not to place a ¾ cent sales tax increase on the November to fund infrastructure repairs and critical services. Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting to hear more information on the City’s financial condition, and provide their feedback on the measure. The potential sales tax measure would require simple majority (50%+1) support to pass.
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Urban Growth Boundary Amendment and Extension
The Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) is a component of Cloverdale’s land-use planning strategy. Established by Measure G in 2010, the UGB delineates the area within which urban development can occur, thereby preserving the surrounding rural and agricultural lands.

Friday, May 17, 2024, was Southard Tire & Auto’s official last day of business. June of this year would have been the 70th year of serving this beautiful community, and for Paul and I, our 28th year! There are countless customers, friends and generations of families that have chosen us as their shop. To place your trust in our service has been an incredible honor. We have truly loved being your shop Let’s highlight the true star of our shop, Luis Contreras. Luis started with Southards in 1990, working for R.B. Southard.

For 34 years he has been our incredible, ingenious, clever, resourceful, thoughtful, dedicated, committed, reliable, dependable, amazing mechanic. He is much more than an employee – he has been a true friend. Luis has been through so much with us through the years, and his unwavering friendship has been such an
incredible gift to Paul and me. We are so very grateful to have him in our lives and to call him our friend.