Letters to the Editor 1-9-14

Business license request explained
Editor:   
There appears to be confusion on a notice sent out in the recent business license renewal process. I want to please clarify comments made by Paula Wrenn last week in the Cloverdale Reveille about the business license renewal process.  The notice in question is routinely sent to all business license holders every few years to assist the City in identifying businesses that may be subject to the business license program, but do not currently hold a license. Many of these businesses are not familiar with the Cloverdale Municipal Code, and are unaware that they are subject to the license fee. Chapter 5.04 of the Cloverdale Municipal Code states, “It is unlawful for any person to transact and carry on any business, trade, profession, calling or occupation in the city without first having procured a license from the city to do so, or without complying with any and all applicable provisions of this chapter.”   
The notice is politely written, and it requests information on vendors that deliver products or provide services in Cloverdale.  Businesses are not required to share information. Upon receipt of information, City staff sends a letter to identified vendors requesting (not demanding) that they obtain a City of Cloverdale business license. Business licenses are a very common system for which nearly all Californian cities have in place and rely upon.  Unlike other City revenue sources, business licenses are not subject to Sacramento politicians taking away local funds. One hundred percent of the revenue is used by Cloverdale for general fund obligations.  Therefore, the business license program is important to paying for general fund dependent activities like the Police Department and Public Works Department.
Thank you for an opportunity to clarify the business license program.
Paul Cayler,
Cloverdale City Manager
Schools prep for new immunization law
Editor:   
Beginning January 1, 2014, new immunization law language regarding Personal Belief Exemptions (PBEs), as per Assembly Bill 2109, will take effect. Specifically, AB 2109 legislation ensures parents make informed decisions regarding immunizing their child and requires conversations between parents and their health care provider regarding the increased risk of disease for children who do not receive their immunization shots.  
Parents who want a PBE for their child must now provide an affidavit requesting an exemption that states the required immunization(s) are contrary to their beliefs. Parents must provide schools with a signed and dated statement by a health care practitioner noting the parent received information about the benefits and risks of immunizations and the risks of vaccine preventable diseases. In addition, parents must show the school a valid record of the required vaccines their child has received.  
Required PBE counseling can be provided by a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, nurse practitioner, physician assistant or naturopathic doctor. The one-page form is provided by the California Department of Public Health. A “religious exemption” continues to be available to parents which allows for an exemption if the parent is a member of a religion which prohibits them from seeking medical advice or treatment from authorized health care practioners.   
AB 2109 applies to students newly admitted to a California school in grades K-12, students advancing into the 7th grade, California students transferring without documentation, and children newly admitted to a child care facility. Parents do not need to complete a new form if their child is transferring from one school to another school in California and has the appropriate documentation.  
For the remainder of the 2013-14 school year, the new law will only impact students whose parents are seeking a PBE for a student transferring from out of state or a student who transfers from a California school without appropriate documentation. Beginning in the fall of 2014, students with parents seeking PBE’s will need verification if entering Kindergarten or 7th grade or transferring from out of state or from a California school without verification.  
For further information contact your child’s Principal or go online at www.sonoma-county-org/immunizations.
Steve Jorgensen
Cloverdale Unified School District Superintendent