Letters to the Editor 4-7-16

Win-win for both sides
Editor: While attending the last Airport Sub-Committee meeting I was shocked of the attitude and strident stance of the pilots towards the City Council and the City Manager. Don’t they know that they have three of the city council members firmly on their side, as well as an incredibly sympathetic city manager who has spent hours and hours defending their cause? The pilots and business owners of the airport were all of a mind that they could run the airport better than the city. My first reaction was that they were somewhat shortsighted and did not appreciate the complexities entailed in operating such an enterprise. I could not have been more wrong. These are all intelligent and thoughtful people and I think that they should be given the opportunity to run the airport, and here is how, and why. First: Establish a 501(c) non-profit corporation. This will give the enterprise a proper business standing as well a tax-exempt status. Second: It is extremely problematic for the City of Cloverdale to transfer the airport as a free and clear asset, but they can transfer control and operation of the airport to the nonprofit by way of a 99-year lease. This will give the newly created enterprise the ability to use the revenues from the rent of the hangars and the sale of fuel to make needed improvements. A previous letter writer stated that the airport generates a profit of $20,000 a year and is not a burden to the taxpayers. The pilots will be able to not only to fix the pavement but to lower their own onerous hangar rents. This is a win-win for both sides: Benefits for the pilots: The newly formed corporation will have control over revenues and spending. They will be able to dictate priorities. With their collective expertise they should have no problem in working with the FAA, PRMD, NCRWQCB, Cloverdale Building and Fire Departments, their own employees, insurance regulations, as well as any other minutiae that may present itself in the operation of the airport. Benefits for Cloverdale: The city will transfer the maintenance and operation of the airport to the nonprofit corporation. This will also include all liabilities, including legal costs and government required modifications. The new corporation, in their contract with the city, will defend, and hold harmless, the City of Cloverdale, its officers and employees. (Standard boilerplate.) This will benefit the city as they will no longer have the airport be a black hole of time and resources. I wish all the pilots that use the Cloverdale Airport the best of luck in this proposed endeavor.
C Jeff Kennedy
Cloverdale
Pancake breakfast fundraiser
Editor: A pancake breakfast fundraiser for Washington School 8th grade students is being held on Saturday, April 16, 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Washington School cafeteria. Tickets cost $7 and kids 3 and under eat free. Tickets will be available at the door but can also be purchased at Eagles Nest Deli or from any 8th grade student. Proceeds will go towards the 8th grade promotion costs including their Day-Away activities and promotion dance.
The 8th Grade Promotion / Day Away Board
 and Committee
Cloverdale
Heartfelt appreciation
Editor: Alexander Valley Healthcare’s Board of Directors and CEO Deborah Howell applaud the City Council for adopting a visionary master plan for the Thyme Square property, paving the way for AVH to embark on an initiative to fund and build a new medical facility. In 2015, City Council unanimously voted to partner with AVH to secure a site for a new medical facility. The council’s actions demonstrate their understanding and commitment to supporting key drivers that build a thriving and vibrant community. We are grateful to the City Council for its leadership, support and action. As the sole primary care practice between Healdsburg and Ukiah, AVH’s annual health care visits rose from 15,000 in 2014 to over 26,000 visits in 2015. This remarkable increase in visits is due to our rapidly growing community, the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the constantly changing healthcare environment.
Healthcare is undergoing a fundamental transformation, moving from a supply-driven system organized around physicians to a patient-driven system where establishing value is the primary objective. AVH is planning a proactive approach to the delivery of health care in Northern Sonoma County by building a Community Wellness Center. The new facility will be the platform that will enable AVH to expand current services and integrate additional services.
AVH became a Federally Qualified Health Center in 2013. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, AVH’s focus is on the delivery of patient-centered care. A new facility will allow us to manage and coordinate care by expanding services such as specialty care, support groups, educational classes, as well as complementary and alternative healthcare therapies. The new Community Wellness Center at Thyme Square will build upon existing AVH services and greatly improve lives here in Northern Sonoma County. As we move forward, we ask the community to stand with us to help us open the doors of the Community Wellness Center at Thyme Square. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the City Council, City Manager and City Hall staff for guidance and vision.
Tim McDonald, Chairman, Alexander Valley Healthcare Board of Directors