Letters to the Editor 12-11-14

Donations requested for Alcatraz field trip
Editor:   
The Cloverdale High School students, who are enrolled in my Law and Order class and the Extreme Responder’s class, are asking for your help. In the past, I have been able to take the students on an annual field trip to Alcatraz. Due to recent budgetary concerns, the Cloverdale School District has not been able to provide finances to fund student field trips.  
Alcatraz was not only a military reservation which provided protection to the San Francisco Bay but also served as a Federal Penitentiary. Alcatraz is an interesting and educational site which directly relates to the law enforcement curriculum. While learning about the historical location, students can experience what life was like in a federal institution.
I have recently received a very generous donation from a local foundation but need additional funding in order to schedule the field trip during the month of May, 2015.  Your donations will make it possible to insure students have this wonderful opportunity.  Local businesses and citizens are encouraged to contribute. Please feel free to contact me at 707-894-2150 or mail your donation directly to the Cloverdale Police Department, 112 Broad St. Cloverdale, CA 95425. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Officer Mac Baker, School Resource Officer,
Cloverdale Police Department
In response to “Deepen the Trench” letter in Nov. 27 Reveille
Editor:   
It should be noted a trench was not dug but an action taken that leveled the playing field.
Remember that the Republican  House refused to pass a bi-partisan immigration bill that passed the Senate by a 68-32 vote. The Senate had spoken but the House refused to move forward. President Obama did as did manny other presidents of the past.
President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order, historically much larger than President Obama’s action. President Gerald Ford pardoned thousands of Vietnam era draftdodgers. President Ronald Reagan granted amnesty to children of illegals.       
Face it, except for our brother and sister native Americans, we all come from immigrant families. We sell our country as the free and brave. We welcome the huddled masses. We even proclaim our special world status in our living constitution which bends but does on break.  Who wouldn’t want to be part of that?
The fact is that millions of hardworking immigrant families are living the unjust threat of deportation.  Our immigration policies are in need of repair, our elected representatives seem to be unable to address the problem but our president will. Thank you Mr. President for trying to level the playing field and taking the courage to fix this festering problem.
Bram Glaeser,
Cloverdale