Letters to the Editor 8-20-15

Stop the bullying
Editor: Another week, and another barrage of letters regarding the pros and cons of closing the airport. There must be other issues that people can direct their energy into – the pencil issue for example … Although here I go – spending another afternoon trying to convince people to wake up and smell the bulldozers …
Cloverdalians are not stupid or easily bullied. We know facts when we hear and see them, and we know bullying and self-interest when we hear and see it. We can see what the investor is really trying to bully us into believing, and the real hidden agenda behind it. We can see his true interests behind the promises – make a lot of money and get rid of a personal thorn in his side. What it costs the city or its residents is not an issue for him – this investor has only his own self-interests in mind, and some people are actually buying into his lies.
Fortunately, I believe the majority of Cloverdalians see through this and will not let him get away with destroying our community to satisfy his own personal agenda. There are just too many lies and false promises. Facts:
1. Horses and planes do coexist. Airplane noise does not bother them. I also appreciated the letter last week mentioning the horse byproduct … not pleasant to most people.
2. Cloverdale does need to attract new businesses, but we need to see what they would offer us in the long run such as jobs, income for the city coffers, minimal strain or our depleted resources and benefits for all Cloverdalians, not just the rich.
3. Bullying is a clear red flag that the developer has his own interests, and not the city’s, in mind.
My wish would be a golf course on the proposed property. Yes – I hear that they are not self-sufficient and might even cost more than they bring in. It just seems that more Cloverdalians and tourists would love to see one here. The tourists could fly in – rent a golf cart at the airport, follow the scenic and meandering path to the course, play a round, take our taxi into town for a nice lunch and maybe walk around town. As for me, not to have to drive for miles to play would be heaven.
Just a note – a golf course might not bring in a lot of money, but having one seems to increase property values significantly, whereas having a stable next to your home probably would not do the same. Funny thing – have you ever seen a golf course surrounded by a poor community?
Young and old could enjoy a round of golf – our high school could add golf as an extracurricular item – maybe even produce the next Jack Nicklaus.
Anyway – I know it is just a dream, but it seems to be one that would benefit all of Cloverdale, not just the rich, and would not mean costing the city to close a well-loved airport. My plea to this investor is to set aside your own agenda and prejudices – stop trying to bully – and if you really want the best for our city, consider a golf course instead of horses.
Linda Welch, airport lover, horse lover, golf lover and proud Cloverdalian
CPAC thanks
Editor: All of us at the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center wish to thank the citizens of Cloverdale for their support of our recent fundraiser featuring San Francisco comedy giant, Will Durst. It was a great example of community participation and we thank everyone who came out to enjoy the show. We could not have succeeded without the wonderful volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to the event, or the many cooks who prepared such a sumptuous buffet.
Dobie Edmunds, Member, Board of Directors
Cloverdale Performing Arts Center