LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Hold them accountable
Editor: I would like to hear some discussion regarding the State
Legislators taking some responsibility/accountability for their
failure to pass the state budget. I understand that we have the
power to vote them out of office. I am talking about an immediate
penalty for their failure to complete a primary task of
government.
State workers and vendors are again paying the price of the
Legislators’ failure to pass a state budget. I would like to see a
state measure regarding a pay freeze and no per-diem or fines for
the state legislators during the period the budget is overdue. They
have no motivation or consequences to pass the budget on time.
Robert Smith
Sebastopol
False ‘marketing’
Editor: I recently received a “marketing” survey from the Graton
Fire District regarding their siren. This survey continues to
mislead the public about the necessity of the siren and I’d like to
offer these facts:
• The Graton Fire District states that the radio pagers are
unreliable; however, those same pagers activate the siren. In
addition, the county dispatch system has never received a report of
technical problems from Graton Fire District.
• The same radio paging system that Graton utilizes successfully
serves Forestville, Monte Rio and Sebastopol Fire Departments who
no longer use the World War II era siren.
• The seven people referred to in the survey represent over 200
signatures requesting the siren not be moved to the multi-million
dollar fire station being built in the near future. As a matter of
fact, the same group offered to buy new pagers for the Graton Fire
District and was refused.
I am very disappointed by the misleading information perpetuated
by the Graton Fire District and the waste of taxpayer dollars being
spent on legal fees to defend an antiquated siren and useless
surveys. By the way, the survey should have had a box to check for
“Discontinue siren entirely”.
J. Michelle
Graton
Basso’s interests
Editor: According to campaign disclosure documents filed with
the City Clerk, Ron Basso, a candidate for Sebastopol’s City
Council, owns extensive commercial property downtown at 186 N. Main
Street (which he also lists as his legal residence) with tenants
Copperfield Used Books, Millers Candy, Cultivate, etc., another
opposite the Plaza at 6826-6828 Depot St. where the tenant is
Sebastopol Tractor, and 970 Gravenstein Hwy. S. with Starbucks,
Subway and eight other tenants. His commercial properties house at
least 16 businesses.
The documents also disclose that the fair market value of each
of the three properties is more than $1,000,000 (the top bracket on
the form). The 186 No. Main and 970 Gravenstein So. properties each
produce annual rental incomes exceeding $100,000, and the Depot St.
rent is between $10,001 and $100,000.
I do wonder how anyone with so many substantial commercial real
estate holdings in the downtown, along business streets, and in
industrial redevelopment areas of our town can conscientiously
serve our community when he will legally (and/or ethically) have to
refrain from deliberating and voting on many of the most critical
decisions the Council will face in the coming years. That leaves
only the four remaining Council members to decide (or not decide,
in the case of tie votes) on the business of our City.
And, even though he may legally be permitted to vote on some
matters that are not within the geographic constraints of his real
estate holdings, decisions on other issues that come before the
Council may positively or negatively impact commercial property
owners such as Mr. Basso, so he may have to excuse himself from
those as well. Isn’t this a conflict of interest?
Voters will have to decide whose interests would be served if
Mr. Basso is elected.
Clare Najarian
Sebastopol
Host a Dine Out
Editor: You can do something really easy to help our local
economy: become a community host for Dine Out Sebastopol.
As a Host, you will spend two hours on a Wednesday evening at a
Sebastopol Area restaurant of your choice, with other diners, many
of whom you will already know. Your effort will benefit a local
business — a restaurant you like or want to try out — and the city
you love.
Dine Out Sebastopol began in January 2009 when restaurant
patronage started declining in the difficult economy. Five
Sebastopol community members, including ourselves, volunteered to
eat out one Wednesday night per week and bring along some friends.
The 2009 year was successful. Featured restaurants experienced
anywhere from six to 46 additional patrons on a Wednesday
evening.
The 2010 Program, managed by the Chamber of Commerce, has made
some positive changes such as expanding the list of community hosts
and including restaurants in our wider area.
The host’s responsibilities are simple. First, contact the
Chamber of Commerce and schedule your Wednesday evening and your
venue. Then, promote your event to your invitee list. Remember to
ask participants to let your restaurant know they plan to attend.
On your night, show up at 6 p.m. and greet arriving diners until 8
p.m., welcoming friends and meeting new “localvores.”
Dine Out is all about community-building and supporting our
local businesses. Volunteer to be a host. You are the vital link to
this program’s success – contributing only two hours of time for a
fun night out on the town.
For more information to host or to attend a Dine Out, contact
the Sebastopol Area Chamber of Commerce at 823-3032 or

di*****@se********.org











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Teresa Ramondo
Executive Director
Chamber of Commerce
Sarah Glade Gurney
Mayor of Sebastopol