Letters to the Editor 5-21-15

Road tax response
Editor:
Reference the “Road Tax Faces scant Opposition” article (May 14). How could “…scant opposition“ be concluded with only three interviews? One with an affiliation with Engineering Contractors, another with Conservation Action and the other with Sonoma County Taxpayers Association.
It seems to me that you wrote an editorial piece with your own bias, rather than an unbiased news article. Scant opposition implies “little if any.”
It seems to me by reading the measure and discussing it with others in my, and neighboring, communities, that there is scant support rather than scant opposition. The measure does not bind the revenues raised to road repairs. Instead it uses general terms and includes non-specific uses, and we know that this means very little if any funds will go directly towards fixing our roads. Just like the audits mentioned in the measure, the details are to be worked out later, and we know that later means when there is no action taxpayers can take to correct it. Yes our politicians have a track record and we know what it is. If it isn’t spelled out in binding terms, it is very likely not going to happen the way taxpayers are lead to believe.
Perhaps you should focus on editorial pieces and leave the unbiased news to others.
Wayne Schwartz
Cloverdale
A better showing next year?
Editor:
At best, the number of Cloverdale citizens at the plaza for the police memorial on Saturday, May 16, was 100, out of a city of approximately 9,000 people. These are the men and women that are there every hour of every day asking only that you help them by reporting things that need their attention.
When you call, they are there. Sure, when you speed or run a red signal they may be there then too, but where is their backing once a year at a memorial that encompasses all of the “men and women in blue” all over this wonderful country?
Every year for the past nine years, Cloverdale has honored the officers and civilian employees of the year. Those that attend yearly have seen some increase in attendance, but not enough Cloverdale. See you next year?
Don Reed
Cloverdale
A perspective on pools
Editor:
Last week’s letter (“Swimming Pool installed in drought,” May 14) showed that many people do not realize that a swimming pool uses less water than a lawn, or even a drought-tolerant landscape, over time. Yes, this is the truth.
Look for yourself online at an article in the “Los Angeles Times” dated September 12, 2014, for one. There you will see that many water districts in California looked at pool water use and came to the same conclusion. “Even without a pool cover, a pool uses less water than a lawn of the same size.” Factoring in filling the pool, water savings begins in year three and continues on for many years.
Answers to the other questions in the letter printed last week include: Yes, a permit was needed and issued by the city for the pool; and, the thinking that allows a pool during a drought is that within a relatively short time, water will be saved every month due to a pool and deck replacing a lawn while lawns and gardens will continue to need water every month.
I understand and agree with concerns about saving water, but the belief that a pool wastes water is wrong.
Dave Holt
Cloverdale
Pools and water savings
Editor:
I am the owner of the property installing a pool that was referenced in last week’s letter to the editor (“Swimming Pool installed in drought,” May 14) and would like to respond. A permit to build a pool is required and has been granted by the building department in this case. While I understand and agree with the concerns expressed about conserving water, some of the assumptions are incorrect.  
In fact, a pool uses substantially less water than a lawn, which in my case is what is being replaced. According to article in “The Los Angeles Times” dated September 12, 2014, “With pool covers, experts say water evaporation can be cut by almost half, making pools significantly less wasteful than grass and about as efficient as drought-tolerant landscaping.” Our pool will be covered the majority of the time. In addition a large area around the pool will be hardscaped, as is typical, and will further reduce water usage.
The writer suggests that the water that will be pumped into the pool is enough to water her garden for many months. The water used monthly for a garden/lawn will continue indefinitely, while we will continue to conserve water indefinitely by removing the lawn area.
I encourage all concerned to research the facts regarding how much water is used to maintain pools versus planted landscaping, which at first blush may be counter-intuitive.
Far from being a mockery, it is a responsible utilization of a precious resource.
Andy Dale
Cloverdale