LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Rain delay
Editor: Saturday, May 28, was an amazing day on the Analy
Varsity Softball field. The rain began to come down as the players
took the field. By the 6th inning, the players, umpires and
spectators were soaked and the game was suspended. Although behind
by two runs, a muddy field and very wet, the Analy girls were not
going to let this stop them from playing the game.
And then it happened, an amazing sight at the field when after
an hour and a half of the game being suspended, the rain finally
stopped and Analy families, coaches, athletic director and vice
principal took to the field in a group effort to make the field
playable again. It was amazing to see how much heart and
determination our Analy community has.
Yes, Analy lost that day, but at least they weren’t left with
“what if the game would have continued?” Although sad about the
loss, I believe the team and all those involved with working on the
field walked away with a sense of pride and warm hearts for having
been part of such great Analy community effort. I know I did.
Great job Analy Varsity Softball girls, hold your heads high and
always remember that day when so many showed you love and support.
You had a great season and should be very proud of yourselves.
Lori Jay
Analy Softball Parent
Deafening roar
Editor: I work at home. As I sit here at my desk, I am unable to
work for the fourth time in the past three days because of the
deafening roar of a leaf blower. I had believed that relief was
coming and was gravely disappointed that our City Council backed
down from their earlier intention to ban leaf blowers in
Sebastopol.
Please note that a ban on commercial blowers won’t save me from
the ravages of residential blowers. Please don’t fall for that
“neighbors can work it out” excuse. Few people have the confidence
to stand up to their neighbor’s abuses when that abuse is seen as
an accepted, even necessary part of current civilized life. And if,
as often is the case, the perpetrator is ones landlord, the stakes
are too high.
I lose several hours of work time every week because of the
noise from leaf blowers. I have limited physical energy, making
these hours critical to my livelihood. Many times the noise is so
bad I actually have to leave home (as I would be now if I weren’t
in desperation writing this letter). If I’m ill or resting, this
isn’t an option. I don’t think anyone knows how to assess the
overall tension in our society that comes from constant invasion by
noise from leaf blowers, weed whackers, lawn mowers, chain saws,
and so forth. The cost to our collective mental and physical health
is inestimable.
Besides the torment to quieter citizens, the pollution caused by
leaf blowers is absolutely incompatible with Sebastopol’s lip
service to being Green. In addition to the pollution from the gas —
and its completely unnecessary addition to global warming — there
is the pollution of the dust blown about, often laced with
pesticides and hydrocarbon runoff.
A vision of a small city of environmentally committed, socially
responsible citizens simply does not include leaf blowers. It
includes rakes and brooms, which are not only quiet, raise less
dust, and spare the climate, but with a little bit of skill are
actually far more efficient. There is no compelling practical
reason to allow anyone to use a leaf blower in our town. There are
countless reasons to stop.
Sandy Eastoak
Sebastopol
Thanks to the community
Editor: Thanks to all of the businesses and individuals who made
our scholarship fundraiser a success. Having the opportunity to go
to preschool makes a huge difference in a child’s life. The
following businesses and individuals made it possible for families
and their children to enjoy the community of Tree House Hollow in
the coming year: Sea Ranch Lodge, Zazu, Bodega Kitchen, Sonoma
County Regional Parks, Birkenstock Village, Sebastopol Family
Acupuncture, Taylor Maid Farms Coffee, Elia at Muse Salon, Pilates
Collective, Sushi Tozai, Sebastopol Community Center Gymnastics,
Sonja’s Handmade Truffles, Freidman’s, Second Wuind, Copperfield’s,
Kozlowski Farms, Lori Gatmaitan, Santa Rosa Gold and Country Club,
Lil’Kickers, Brown Street Grill, Barefoot Books, Sonoma Hot Cones,
Zix Cookies, FizNIk Rick, Marc’s Fairy Museum and Sprint Copy
Center.
Franny Minervini-Zick
Director Tree House Hollow
Sebastopol
Siren not just a Graton issue
Editor: I hate the Graton siren, and I hear it from my property
on the South end of Sebastopol — south of the city limits — which
is only six miles away, even though it takes over 15 minutes to
drive.
The Idea that this is a Graton-only issue, that’s just
ridiculous. I am absolutely against that siren. It’s noise
pollution. I don’t appreciate other people determining my quality
of life, nor that of my family. It frightens my daughter sometimes
when she hears it.
And when I say I hear it from my property, I mean to say that I
hear it from inside my house with all of the doors and double-pane
windows shut. I don’t like it at all. I don’t appreciate it, and
it’s just plain wrong. It’s just plain arrogant.
It’s an air-raid/warning siren, and should be used only in the
case of real emergency. Since when was this ever not common
knowledge? If they want to mark the time, they should use a clock.
Whatever happened to ringing a bell?
If Graton-ites need more noise they should move somewhere more
noisy, and leave the rest of us out of it. I’m glad the new fire
station’s completion is raising this issue. Enough is enough with
this anachronism.
Please don’t approve moving it. And please prevent its further
continued use as well. If there were no other useful technologies
there would be sirens in use still all over the country, and that’s
just not the case.
I do sincerely hope I’m not being too opinionated, but this
impacts my life. It should be for emergencies — if at all. And
definitely don’t move it out of Graton. If they want to hear it, it
should remain right in the middle of their neighborhood.
Please.
You can do your part by sending your comments to the Sonoma
County Board of Supervisors before their June 7 meeting at

mg*****@so***********.org












and

ec*******@so***********.org











. 
Let them know you care.
J. Roth
Sebastopol