Help Protect our Creeker Elders, David and Sondra

For decades, David Booth and Sondra Soriano have been cherished members of our Southern Humboldt community. David has lived here for over 50 years, and Sondra for more than 21 years—45 in the SoHum area altogether. They have contributed to the rural fabric of our lives in countless ways: cultivating a beautiful and productive garden, tending a small vineyard, and selling fresh produce and handmade garlands at our local farmers’ markets.

David is widely respected for his deep knowledge of alternative energy—he’s the go-to person whenever anyone has questions. He's a tireless worker on the road, keeping it smoother for all of us. Together, David and Sondra have embodied the values of neighborliness, sustainability, and peace. In all these years, no one has ever had a complaint about them to my knowledge. They are gentle souls and steadfast contributors to the community we all love.

But now, they’re in trouble—and they need our help.

Their longtime neighbors and friends, Ann and Dick, recently sold their property and moved. Ann and Dick had placed water tanks on David and Sondra’s land with their permission. As the move approached, David and Sondra asked that the tanks be removed, and Ann and Dick, of course, agreed. To ensure that would happen, they gave the buyers, Toshia and her partner Ari, a $20,000 discount to remove the tanks.

David even offered to help Ari with the removal. But Ari claimed a right to keep the tanks on David and Sondra’s property. To make matters worse, Ari and Toshia had an attorney send a threatening letter to David and Sondra, signaling that a costly legal fight may be ahead. In addition, Ari recently came on David and Sondra's land and began digging holes attempting to find the source of a break in the waterline from the tanks. David and Sondra told him that he was trespassing but he did not stop.

After this upsetting event, younger members of the community joined David in moving the tanks themselves. They placed them respectfully on a neutral area near Ari and Toshia’s land.

Someone, most likely Ari, has spray painted a hostile and possibly threatening message on the tank including what appears to be an image of the crosshairs of a scope underneath the words, "Water is life, bitches".

Ari has already stirred up conflict in the neighborhood, including with school parents, and has only lived here a short time. Meanwhile, David and Sondra have always been kind, honest, and respectful stewards of the land and community.

They now face the potential cost of a legal battle—something they never expected and can’t afford.

Kevin and I are pledging to match the first $500 in donations to help David and Sondra defend their land rights and protect the peaceful life they’ve built. If GoFundMe isn’t your preferred method, feel free to contact us directly to contribute by check or cash.

Let’s stand together as a community and show David and Sondra that we have their backs—just as they’ve had ours for so many years.

❤️ With gratitude for all the helping hands this community has lifted others with through the years,

Kym