Letters to the Editor 11-6-14

Enough already
Editor: Now that it appears the City of Sebastopol has settled its lawsuit between CVS and Armstrong Development and Small Town Sebastopol, the Board of Directors of the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce believes it is time to move on.
Whether the community would agree that this project is the best for that corner of downtown will continue to be debated for years to come, much like other projects in our community in previous years. There has been enough time, staff resources, money and emotion wrapped up into this one corner.
We also feel it is highly inappropriate for the City Council to publicly call for the boycott of a business that is not in violation of any ordinances or city statutes. The personal attack blaming the Pellini family for this entire situation was also uncalled for.
Further, such an effort by our City Council sends the wrong message to our existing business community as well as any business considering locating in Sebastopol. If the people of Sebastopol choose, on their own, to boycott shopping at CVS or any other business in town for that matter, that is their prerogative. The City Council should not be dictating personal choice. Who then becomes the bully?
It is time to work on finding some positive solutions to what businesses and services can fill the future vacated space in the North Gravenstein location. What products and services will bring added revenue to Sebastopol and additional services that will fulfill the voids we may have in Sebastopol?
The chamber is ready and willing to work with the property owners, the City and the residents to establish a positive outcome that will provide some economic resources and vitality and keep business in our town, not send it to neighboring communities.
Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors
Linda Collins, Gio Balistreri, Bob Aita, Sue Ungewitter, Doug McCorkle, Ricardo Freitas, Bill Judson, Martha Lindt and Lu Frazier
CVS conduct
Editor: I am concerned about future conflict when I consider the conduct of CVS and its attempt to override the clear imperatives of our General Plan and the downtown core element.
Sarah Gurney has stood up for our community’s values against the approval of the project by the previous council and has introduced an approach for future solutions regarding appropriate development.
For example, the Diamond Lumber/ Tractor site with the owner’s participation (item six on the city council meeting, Oct. 21) calls for a “recruitment” brochure based upon community input and owner’s OK.   
Additionally, on Oct. 9, Sarah proposed the council establish a task force to review our map for opportunity sites, not just empty lots, examine our processes and devise strategies so that we never face a conflict like this again.
This proactive approach is not about the former owners, nor even the previous council. It is about the citizens of Sebastopol who have a right to demand excellence, quality, and representation for major development decisions and respect and deference to our General Plan which, after all, is our Constitution.
Clare Najarian
Sebastopol
Not ‘emotional’ to want hospital open
Editor: Several years ago my daughter swallowed a handful of Tylenol, believing it would cure her teenage angst. That landed her in the emergency room at Palm Drive Hospital, where she was quickly whisked into an examining room, and then wheeled to the ICU for a drip that prevented the Tylenol from reaching her liver.
The next day, a local doctor who had treated her for measles as a baby checked her out and sent her home.
I’m sure some of Palm Drive’s detractors will dismiss my comments as “emotional,” but it is no exaggeration to say the quick, efficient and genuinely warm treatment we received made all the difference in our experience.
We need more hospitals like Palm Drive, not fewer. Wise business heads, people who have successfully operated their own medical-related company, have helped to craft a plan to operate Palm Drive as a 21st century facility.
We have to keep paying our parcel tax anyway, to retire the debt run up by the current board majority, so let’s put that money to work.
Lois Pearlman
Guerneville