Letters to the Editor 2-26-15

Quality or quantity?
Editor: I can understand the feelings of those complaining that after we have subjected ourselves to military showers, not flushing our toilets as often as we would like, and inconveniently pouring our dishwater outside on our backyard plants that the city now feels we now have enough water that we can invite a couple hundred more people to share our improved water supply. Those rental units are for more than one person and the assisted living complex will use vast amounts of water as an institution. On the other hand, we need these affordable rentals and I assume we need the assisted living units too. I understand how this will help the City financially too. What I think should be limited is the water used for the beer and wine industry. This is where a values judgment must be made. Should the profits for the few be adjusted to allow for needs of the many? The ideal business philosophy is to ensure that all economic activity leads to everyone winning from any situation and that includes the Earth … win/win economics. Consciousness demonstrates its values in the choosing. Is the choice egoic, contractive and fear- based? Or is the choice of expanded vision and love based? Is the choice always wanting more and exploiting the planet’s resources or is it a choice of moderation, being happy with enough and protecting our resources? Is the choice of quantity or quality of life for all? These values also apply to our skydiving business. Do we give more value to a single business being economically profitable or to the many whose peaceful lives have been shattered? Why can’t the company just go back to using the airplanes of a few years ago when no one was complaining about that particular engine noise? Something to think about and to take responsibility for your choice of where you are coming from in your choice. Is the quantity of money speaking or quality of life?
Mardi Grainger
Cloverdale
Parade Committee thanks
Editor: The 123rd Citrus Fair Parade was held beneath clear, bright, blue Cloverdale skies before a large, enthusiastic crowd as Grand Marshall Al Delsid accompanied by his wife Melonie, grandchildren Haylee and Wyatt and his 94-year-old Mom, Lupe, led the way. This parade, a true community event, could not happen without community involvement. The Cloverdale Citrus Fair Parade Committee wishes to extend its thanks to the great crowd in attendance and to all of those who participated in the parade. A special thanks to those behind the scenes who are invaluable in assuring the parade’s success: the Reuser family, the City of Cloverdale, the Cloverdale Police Department, Cloverdale Public Works Department, Cloverdale Citrus Fair staff, Brian Elliott and Eagle Productions, Cloverdale Eagle Tech Collision & Towing, the Cloverdale Reveille, Cloverdale Unified School District, McConnell Chevrolet-Chrysler/Jeep-Fiat, Tayman Park Golf Course, Cloverdale Ace Hardware, Blue Line Rents, Cloverdale Arts Alliance, Plank Coffee, Sharon Wiseman-The Kiddie Pet Parade, Jonie Sciaini-for the equestrians, Theresa Smith-singing our National Anthem, Cloverdale Kiwanis Club-VIP drivers, The Ratto Group, Citrus Fair Board, Parade Division Leaders Frank and Karen Crivello and Ed and Chris Bowen, Rob Dailey-VIP Area, Ulises Valdez and Son, Bryan Munson and the street closing volunteers-Healdsburg Fire Department, the Citrus Fair Committee, the “Voice of the Parade,” Lee Menicucci and finally a huge thanks to Bigfoot for escaping the forest long enough to drive the tractor! Y’all did a fabulous job. Well done!
Doug Newton, on behalf of the Citrus Fair Parade Committee
Two sides to every story
Editor: My husband and I live in Palomino Lakes. He has lived along River Road since 1964. I moved here after we married in 1990. Our home overlooks Cloverdale Airport; and I can honestly say we have never, ever been bothered by the noise of planes taking off from or landing at the airport. Nor have we ever felt that NorCal Skydiving shattered our weekends with noise pollution or negatively impacted us in any way. We spend a great deal of time in our yard during the weekends, and one of the things I enjoy hearing comes from NorCal Skydiving. The noise that gets my attention and makes me realize a NorCal plane is in the air doesn’t come from the plane’s engine. The noise is a big “swoosh” coming from the parachute as it opens. This is quickly followed by shrill squeals of delight from the folks getting the thrill of a lifetime. Yes, I do hear the airplanes flying overhead, but I cannot distinguish a NorCal plane from any of the others that use our airport. On weekends, I also hear lawnmowers and weedeaters of neighbors doing their part to keep our neighborhood fire safe. The noise of the NorCal planes has been compared to lawnmowers running all day long. I have run my lawnmower all day long to knock down weeds that pose a fire danger to us and our neighbors because I never want to see another neighbor’s house burn to the ground like I witnessed in 2001. I believe there are two sides to every story. There are those who feel the noise generated by Nor Cal Skydiving plane(s) keeps them trapped in their homes. There are others, like me, who support NorCal Skydiving. Maybe the next hearing will not be held at 8 a.m. on a workday so I can attend to offer my support to Mr. Halliday and Mr. Hennage.
Lois Dilley
Cloverdale