Susan Barr
Kern Valley Sun

Gentle evening breezes drifting across scenic farmland behind Weldon United Methodist Church created the perfect backdrop for last Saturday’s South Fork Fair fundraiser.

The Preserve the Kern River Valley group arranged last weekend’s event not only to raise awareness about the controversial Weldon Solar Project but also monies to help pay for transportation of valley residents to upcoming Kern County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors hearings on the project’s draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

Weldon residents Winnie Henderson, daughter Kathleen Creighton, and Creighton's cousin, Bertha Vega of Reno, enjoy some musical entertainment at last weekend's South Fork Fair fundraising event benefiting the Preserve Kern River Valley project held at the Weldon United Methodist Church off of Hwy.178 in Weldon.

PKRV president, Weldon resident, Jody Steel explained her motivation for organizing what turned out to be a highly successful, well-attended event. “It all started out with a couple of informational meetings held in a church hall. Out of that people decided that we needed to get organized.

“I just think this (the project) is wrong for the valley,” Steel said. “It’s wrong for all of those people living on land that these solar panels will back up against. It’s wrong for this 100 year-old church that will be surrounded on three sides if the project is allowed to go through.” Steel continued, “There are people here tonight whose families have been living on this land for five or six generations and it just seems to me to be a perversion of the whole area.” In summary she added, “Zoning laws exist for good reason.”

Kathleen Creighton, who recently returned to the valley after living in South Carolina for many years, attended the event along with her mother Minnie Henderson and both of Weldon and cousin Bertha Vega of Reno, Nev.

Creighton commented, “My mother was born on the Hand Ranch right across from where these solar panels are supposed to go.” She continued, “We’re here tonight because we wanted to show our support for the movement that is growing to preserve and protect the Kern River Valley. This area has so many unique qualities that make it worth protecting.”

The event included live entertainment, a barbecue meal, contests and an array of vendors lending their support to the cause.

For more information on PKRV and the Weldon Solar Project, contact Jody Steel at 760-378-3878, by email at jody@pkrv.org. or visit www.pkrv.org.