Letters to the Editor 6-25-15

Thank you from D.A.R.E.
and G.R.E.A.T. programs
Editor:
What a great year. During the 2014-2015 school year, I again had the pleasure to present the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program to our sixth-grade students at Washington Middle School and our third-grade students attending the Jefferson Elementary School. The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program was presented to our fifth-grade students attending Washington Middle School. These programs stress various ways students can avoid gangs, violence, drugs and alcohol, which could eventually destroy their lives.
I would like to thank all the parents and teachers who were very supportive of the program and who were always available to assist. I would also like to thank Steve Jorgensen, superintendent of schools, Stefanie Schaeffer, principal of Washington Middle School, Theresa Johnson, principal of Jefferson Elementary School, and Mark Tuma, Cloverdale chief of police for their continued commitment to the young people of our community.
I would also like to acknowledge the following organizations for their support and generous financial assistance. Without these wonderful organizations, this program would not have been possible:
    Rotary Club of Cloverdale
    American Legion, Post 293
    Kiwanis Club of Cloverdale
    CARE (Cloverdale Adds Resources for Education)
    Exchange Bank of Cloverdale
    Cloverdale Dispatcher’s Association
    The city of Cloverdale
The fifth-grade students completed an essay documenting what they had learned in the 10-week D.A.R.E. program and how the information they received could help them and others in the future. Choosing the best essay was extremely difficult and I’m pleased to share this one with you:
D.A.R.E.
It was really fun having D.A.R.E. and Officer Baker. I really liked the activities we did because it was fun and funny and how Officer Baker always did plays and taught us to make good choices and not to do drugs or other bad things. And I hope when I get older, I could be a police officer.
I hope next year I have D.A.R.E. because it really teaches us things and it is a really fun program with Officer Baker. I liked how you taught us how to never drink, smoke and not to do other drugs, or not to bully, not to do graffiti, or not to listen to your friend if they want to do bad things in school or other places. And the last thing I want to say is I bet this program changed a lot of people to not to make wrong choices.
                    Alejandra, fifth grade   
Officer Mac Baker
Cloverdale
Fourth of July fireworks
Editor:
My calendar is now in June, so the Fourth of July is right around the corner. I called Chuck Sibert to ask if the Lions Club were going to sponsor the fireworks again this year. He said they were, but they were depending on generous donations to keep it going in the future. The cost is now $7600 — too much for one organization to absorb.
In 1976, I was the chairman of Cloverdale’s Bicentennial Commission. Our president had asked every city and state to have a bicentennial commission and to have an elaborate celebration to remind us of the reason for the July 4th celebration – it is not just a holiday for barbecue, beer and fireworks, but is to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and due to the brave men and women who fought the Revolution, we are no longer under the rule of England.
The first thing I did as chairman was to contact a pyrotechnic company to get some professional fireworks for the Fourth of July. The cost was $1,800 — a large sum in those days.
But Cloverdale quickly responded to our drive for donations, so I signed a contract thus locking in the Fourth of July date for Cloverdale in future years. You may have noticed that many cities have their fireworks on July 3 or July 5, as there are not many companies providing this service.
I’m afraid if we miss a year due to lack of funds in the future we might lose our Fourth of July spot, so please be generous with your donations this year so we have a nest egg for future years as the price keeps going up each year. Donations may be made at the Eagles Nest, where Patti is taking donations for the fireworks or mailed to Cloverdale Lions Club at P.O. Box 763.
This year the Lions Club, with the help of Al Delsid and the American Legion and VFW, will stage a pre-fireworks ceremony, starting at 8 p.m., to entertain the crowd during the long wait for darkness. There will be a “parade of Color Guards” and some patriotic songs and ceremonies. Any Color Guard wishing to participate must call Al Delsid 894-5603 or Marie Hill 894-5541 to register. In 1976, we had a color guard from the Cloverdale 4-H Club and the Boy Scouts, as well as the VFW, the American Legion and auxiliary and fire department.
Name
Cloverdale