LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 9-27-12

Jacob responds
Editor: Last week’s opinion page included some colorful descriptions of me. As some proposed, let’s nix the accusations and stick to the issues.
Rollie Atkinson described the issues well: “Sustainability of Sebastopol’s environmental, economic and social equity can only occur with broad collaboration, robust (and positive) citizen participation and more honest communications.”
My most recent brochure speaks to this, almost verbatim. As an experienced business leader, community advocate, Chair of the Planning Commission, and wearer of other hats, I couldn’t agree more.
As a non-profit director, I can tell you that developing and leading a model medical cannabis dispensary requires constant work to dispel myths and rumors. But even the most diligent critics nod in understanding once they see for themselves how Peace in Medicine betters patients’ lives in a responsible, professional and altruistic way.
As a candidate for City Council, I warmly extend the opportunity to see for yourself who I am and what I’m all about. Brochures and websites can only go so far. Call me. Talk to me.
Here’s my cell phone number: 537-5800. If you get my voicemail, try my campaign line is, 861-9272. A few dedicated volunteers have agreed to take messages for me ‘round the clock to make sure I get back to each and every one of you.
I’d love to get a barrage of calls, a chance to hear your thoughts and an opportunity to earn your vote.
My campaign website is www.jacob4council.com.
Robert Jacob
Sebastopol
Don’t blow your horn
Editor: Sebastopol might be thought of as a nice, quiet little town, something like Mayberry, though hipper and self-consciously socially conscious, that sustains a dispensary and a Whole Foods, whose enlightened populous would naturally and obviously decry excess noise as a detraction from the quality of life and know it to be a harmful pathogen.
But our nice, little town isn’t so quiet, not with automobile horns blaring so often and so unnecessarily. Motorists blow their horns to say hello, to support demonstrators (I suggest a wave or thumbs up), to scold other drivers when they make little mistakes, and to announce their arrival. Additionally, there are the out-of-control car alarms that should be disabled, or maybe those who need the blasted things to protect their stuff, coveted car or other, annoying the rest of us, shouldn’t have the stuff. Most idiotically, people blow their horns when locking their cars with their remotes. May the genius who dreamed that up be condemned to an everlasting hell of listening to an enthusiastic marching band composed of demons and sixth graders.
Such noise, especially to someone only some feet away from the source, is jarring, irritating, obnoxious, another much unneeded aggravation, and a torment upon the soul and psyche. It is a misery. Please consider the health and happiness of your fellow human beings and stop it. I beg you.
I would propose an ordinance banning the unnecessary use of car horns, but I suppose it would be too difficult to enforce. I can only rely on you, gentle and compassionate readers, to do your little part to make life a little more agreeable for all of us and use your horns sparingly and judiciously.
In the “Epic of Gilgamesh,” another ancient flood story, the gods destroyed the earth because man was too numerous and too noisy. Let’s not provoke them.
I hope this plea will not fall on deaf ears.
Fred Mramor
Sebastopol
Good representative
Editor: Many of the letters in the newspapers about the Sebastopol City Council election include statements that lack any sort of reason or common sense. Some of the negative letters about councilmember Kathleen Shaffer are untrue and insulting. I want to acknowledge Kathleen’s integrity for remaining positive and staying above the fray. She is truly an outstanding representative for Sebastopol. She conducts city business by staying on point. She received this year’s award for public service. She helped revive the Sebastopol Downtown Association. Through her work with the Business Outreach Committee she has tried to help small businesses become more successful.
There are many of us who have had enough of the faction that is unsupportive of the business community and want to work to change that. I hope the voters in Sebastopol who support common sense government will look at Kathleen’s record and her vision for Sebastopol and re-elect her to a second term.
Harvey Charnofsky
Sebastopol
Sustainable attention
Editor: We wish to thank Shepard Bliss for all the attention he has brought to Sustainable Sebastopol.
We adopted and registered the Sustainable Sebastopol name as it resonated with our members who have local businesses, operate non-profit organizations and provide professional services. We were aware of the unsigned 2006 policy statement on the city website entitled “Sustainable Sebastopol,” which we view as a thoughtful and balanced document. Former mayor Larry Robinson, one of the authors, was contacted and he expressed no objection to our adoption of the title for our committee. In his view, there had been no active voice using “Sustainable Sebastopol.”
Indeed, the phrase does not appear in any subsequent online city document or in the public domain until this time.
In his “Green-Washing” letters which question our values, Mr. Bliss fails to mention the consistent message about sustainable communities. It is not exclusively about environmentalism. It is about balance.
Quoting from prominent sustainability articles: “sustainable development … implies meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” “True sustainability can only be achieved where there is a balance between the environment, equity, and economy.” “If any of the three are not healthy, then the stool falls over and sustainability cannot ever be achieved.”
Sustainable Sebastopol is in agreement with our need for effective environmental protection and prudent use of natural resources. Our coastline, our parks and preserves, our orchards, pastures and vineyards are among the wellsprings of the quality of life in West County. Where the members of Sustainable Sebastopol find our recent city council actions short, is the economic leg of the stool.
Our city is in financial crisis. Our roads are a wreck, our sewer system derelict, our city staff and police force have been cut to an all time low, city services reduced, schools have closed, large employers have left town, city sales tax revenue is stagnant and reserves depleted, while taxes and fees are being increased on a diminishing business and population base.
By any definition, we are not on a sustainable course. No amount of “green wash” can hide these facts.
Greg Reynolds
Sustainable Sebastopol
Contribution insinuations
Editor: Council Member Kathleen Shaffer’s re-election campaign is a positive, grassroots, operation that has local committed volunteers helping her. There have been some insinuating comments that contributions will be accepted from Chase/CVS/Armstrong. Not surprising when one considers the source of the comments. On Oct. 5, I invite all to visit City Hall and request a copy of her FPPC report. Please note that the contributors are friends, neighbors and Sonoma County organizations – all local. To set the record straight I want to say Kathleen has not and will not take any money from Chase/CVS/Armstrong. I suggest we take a look to see where each candidate is getting their support.
Robert Green
Treasurer, Friends of Re-Elect Kathleen Shaffer for City Council 2012