The Valley Fire in Rescue yesterday was a stark reminder of why the Native Directions/HomeCA proposals for two large Substance Use Disorder (SUD) facilities on Deer Valley Road are dangerously misguided. The fire forced quick evacuations, and residents had to navigate narrow, blind-corner roads while emergency vehicles rushed in, and curiosity-seekers gathered. Imagine adding 80+ Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) patients and staff to that scenario, with many in recovery and unfamiliar with the area. The risks could very well be catastrophic.
El Dorado County has already determined these projects do not meet zoning requirements (LINK), and Sheriff Leikauf has issued a cautionary letter (LINK) highlighting serious impacts if they move forward. Yet the developers continue to distribute polished brochures that gloss over the truth about scale, purpose, and safety.
Through our community’s efforts, we’ve held these projects at bay, but they’re not gone. We cannot rest until these properties are sold to single-family buyers.
Looking ahead, Supervisor Lori Parlin will not be running for re-election in District 4. Two candidates are vying for her seat: Gina Posey and Ted Gaines. Gina is already a familiar ally. She has worked alongside our group since the beginning, putting in countless hours researching similar statewide proposals, meeting with stakeholders, and ensuring the facts are clearly understood. If elected, she would bring that knowledge and advocacy to the Board of Supervisors.
At this point, we do not know where Ted Gaines stands on this issue. If you know or work with him, please help us ensure he understands the risks and facts about these projects. Having both candidates fully informed is critical to protecting our community.
Let’s give another big Thank You to the firefighting teams that contained the Valley Fire! Stay safe, stay vigilant, and please comment here if you have any updates we might have missed. Together we can keep these unsafe facilities out of Rescue.
Rescue Deer Valley! 