Letters to the Editor 1-22-15

Cautionary tale for dog walkers
Editor:   
On Tuesday, Jan. 13, I was walking my 145 pound Mastiff dog all around Cloverdale. I would like to make people very aware of how important it is to have your dog on a leash with a collar. At about 11:30 a.m., my dog was attacked by a loose Pit Bull which escaped out of the owner’s house.
As I crossed Foothill Blvd. near Roan Ct. and as I proceeded to turn the corner up to Chablis Way, a dog attacked my dog and also bit my hand. The dog, a Pit Bull, didn’t even sniff my dog. The dog just came up and bit my dog’s face and would not let go. The owner came running and proceeded to hit and punch her dog and she was screaming at me to hit and kick her dog but the dog would not let go.
Thankfully, a neighbor of mine drove down the hill as I was screaming, “please someone help me!” My neighbor helped me get my dog loose. The Pit Bull continued to go after my dog. I wrestled with the dog and the owner held it on the ground until we could get a rope around its neck. The dog was still wailing and so out of control that the owner couldn’t even walk it to their house; it had to be put in a car and driven home.
I understand that currently the Pit Bull is being quarantined in the owner’s home and could be fined $50. That’s it! My dog went to the veterinary office and is now taking antibiotics. It could have been a much more serious injury.
I am reaching out to let people know to be very aware that any type of dog can get out and get to your dog, even if you are obeying the law and have your dog on a leash. Please carry grizzly bear spray or some other deterrent when you walk your dog.
Apparently, there isn’t anything that Cloverdale Police can do about this attack, which I find hard to believe. I have never put my dog in a situation like this knowingly. I keep my dog on a leash and have complete control over her, even at 145 pounds.
Please be cautious when you’re walking your dog or even walking with your kids. The owner said the dog is nice to people, but if my dog would have been a little dog, it would be dead. My family would be distraught.
Kristin Garcia,
Cloverdale
A ‘call to action’ for Cloverdale Veterans building
Editor:   
Among the many important groups in Cloverdale are long active veteran’s organizations, including American Legion Post #293, VFW Post #9268 and Sons of the American Legion. Among the important facilities in our community is the Veteran’s Building.
Cloverdale Veteran’s Building, has been operated by the County of Sonoma. Arms length operation has contributed to an unsustainable cash flow. Compounding the budget problem is that the county charges rental rates which exceed what most organizations, groups and private citizens in our small community can pay
As a representative appointed by the Board of Supervisors, I serve on a board that oversees the use of the county’s veterans buildings, I have had numerous discussions with the county representatives to determine if there are other options for Cloverdale’s veterans building. The county is unable to sell the building for reasons too complicated to explain in this space.
At the present time, I am preparing a proposal designed to demonstrate to county decision-makers that local veterans have interest in and wish to become involved in the operation of the Cloverdale Veteran’s Hall. We would like to set rates that make it possible for the facility to be more useful to nonprofits, groups and private parties.
We would like to generate enough activity that net proceeds from the rentals can be plowed back into repairs and upgrades of the facility. In addition, we would like to see the building used for what it was designed for, and that is to have it open regularly and become a place where veterans can gather and spend time healing and supporting one another.
The county has asked that a business plan be developed to help them determine if we can set our own rates and operate the facility in a financially viable manner. As there is no precedent for this, I am asking for feedback from the organizations and individuals that potentially have interest in leasing the facility Your input will help us set realistic rates (perhaps a sliding scale) and, hopefully, be able to place on the calendar upcoming events to demonstrate the need.  
I urge anyone interested in this effort please contact me at [email protected]. Help us preserve and make best use of this vital asset for our veterans and our community. It would be very helpful to have your input in determining the future of Cloverdale’s Veteran’s Building. If there is something else you can contribute, we would like to hear about that, as well.
Gene Marcinkowski,
Cloverdale