Letters to the Editor 5-21-15

Representing
Editor: Gail Thomas made comments at the recent Palm Drive Health Care District meeting on May 11 claiming to speak for a large contingent of River residents who do not support detachment. She spoke for those who are fearful of retribution if they express their opinions. How very gallant of Ms. Thomas. Does she not recognize the irony of her comments? Didn’t a member of the PDHCD board resign because of various threats to him and his family for supporting the hospital closure?
I know of many “closet” Sebastopolians who have congratulated the efforts of detachment supporters, but stay out of the discussion for fear of what their hospital-supportive neighbor may do or say. I could say I speak for those, but they have their own voice and, more often than not, silence speaks volumes.
The Russian River Corridor communities, particularly Guerneville, are probably among the most diverse in the state of California and we are very proud of that diversity. We have learned to live together with these differences. Believe me, we have overcome tougher community challenges than Palm Drive’s money grab. In fact, the PDHCD detachment proposal isn’t nearly as controversial among River Corridor residents as it seems to be with the Palm Drive Health Care Foundation, which fears losing this lucrative cash cow.
The Russian River Corridor for Detachment does not claim to represent all residents, taxpayers and voters in the communities — in the same way the Foundation can’t represent that all members of the Sebastopol community support their cause.
The Foundation may lay claim to 2,000 signs up across district communities — I see them on lawns and businesses primarily in Sebastopol. I have also taken very close note, and am probably more keenly aware of the lawns and businesses, also in Sebastopol, not bearing signs. I think that’s the real story, and believe me, in talking with some residents and business owners, not everyone in Sebastopol thinks that “something wonderful” is happening.
I wish Sebastopol well in its endeavor to open and keep open SWMC … just do it without the hard-earned tax dollars of a community that has been grossly unserved.
Barbara DeCarly
Guerneville
Unacceptable
Editor: My husband and I have lived in Sebastopol since 1979. We are well aware of the heavy traffic on Highway 12 at the junction of Llano Road. This is the proposed site of the factory-like event center, Dairyman Winery and Distillery Complex. We, and our entire community, are against this project because it will require 1 billion gallons of water sucked right out of the aquifer under Sebastopol that feeds this entire region. This precious water would be critical to support their proposed immense production of both 500,000 cases of wine and 250,000 gallons of distilled spirits annually. In addition to that, this would be a nightmare of a traffic jam on Highway 12 and Llano Road where the Joe Rodota Trail intersects, putting 600 per day pedestrians and cyclists in jeopardy. The trucks hauling raw materials to the site and hauling product out will pound our highway and roads even into deeper disrepair. That says nothing about the 62 yearly events planned with 600 attendees and their vehicles per event.
This entire project, for so many reasons, is absolutely unacceptable and should be rejected without a second thought.
Paula and Jeff Pearce
Sebastopol