Letter: Elected representative fails to act

EDITOR,
I am appreciative of the article regarding cut logs above Highway 9 (“Cut logs above Hwy 9 concern locals,” Page 3, Sept. 23). I commend the tenacity and leadership of Ben Lomond fire Chief Stacie Brownlee for her interest in public safety and calling out the obvious hazards of Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s work. It is her volunteer men and women, all the volunteers serving fire departments in SLV, law officials and Cal Fire that must respond to emergencies on Highway 9 and local roads. This tree work only invites future hazards of mudslides, logs rolling onto roadways, clogged culverts or forest fires.
On the other hand, my elected representative has not been able to schedule a visit with me on his busy calendar for three years to observe these practices on both Alba Road and Highway 9. As someone who states he values and wants to protect SLV’s precious environment and water quality, I cannot understand why he failed to get involved when these issues were brought to his attention in 2008, again in 2010 and more recently in 2011. In an e-mail July 1, I again requested a site visit to Highway 9 north of Ben Lomond and said that I would accommodate his schedule.
Much of what we now see on the hillsides would not be there today had he personally followed up with PG&E and created sound government policy. Needless to say, we wouldn’t be having this situation if our District 5 representative had just represented this “community of interest” safety issue. Alba Road (a county evacuation route for Highway 9) is now down to one lane due to mudslides. Let’s not let unfinished tree work result in more landslides and a full closure, where emergency crews could no longer timely respond to any emergency.
I have worked in local government traffic safety for 32 years and rarely have seen such a lack of real follow-up after repeated notices and presentation of photographs to a public representative. Yes, I always received a quick courtesy response and assurance that my concern had been forwarded to PG&E. Look where that has got us. Is this the kind of leadership we can expect in higher office?
James Helmer, Alba Road, Ben Lomond