Letters to the Editor 10-2-14

Open letter to Deb Fudge  and James Gore
Editor: Deb & James,
As someone who knows, likes, and respects you both, I am writing to ask that you each do something for the public good.
While you don’t know each other, I can assure you that you are both good, honorable, honest, dedicated people, and are seeking office for all the right reasons. Outside the context of this election, you would be good friends.
But what’s happening now is exactly what turns off voters: the IECs are stepping in and saying things that are just flat-out wrong. And while I believe that neither of you are involved in that messaging, I also believe that each of you knows just how wrong it is.
Deb, the hit piece that the anti-Gore group sent out recently is filled with a combination of lies and misrepresentations. As a citizen — not as a Gore supporter or a Fudge supporter — that piece profoundly offended me. And I imagine that whatever comes from the anti-Fudge gang will be equally offensive — and wrong.
You are both better than this, and the voters deserve to hear — from each of you — that you are as offended by these communications as they are. Regardless of who is behind them, these are utterly reprehensible.
If you are not offended, then that’s a different story: shame on you (and, if we elect you, then shame on us).
I am sending a copy of this letter to the editors of both the Press Democrat and the Healdsburg/Windsor papers in the hopes they will publish it, and give you each the opportunity to forcefully denounce those who are spreading this garbage.
Make this campaign about the issues, and the future of Sonoma County. And label these miscreants for who they are.
That’s the right thing to do.
Ridgely Evers
Healdsburg
Is it really safe?
Editor: Saturday’s Forum on the topic of Understanding Water Fluoridation was very informative. A doctor and two dentists attended and were able to answer questions. We learned that in the last 50 years tooth decay has declined in both fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas. There has never been a single randomized controlled trial to demonstrate fluoridation’s effectiveness on safety. Once fluoride is added to the public water system, it is impossible to control the dose since it depends on how much is consumed. The chemicals used to fluoridate water are not pharmaceutical grade, instead they are a toxic waste product of the phosphate fertilizer industry. Since 97 percent of Europe and the rest of the world have banned fluoridating their water since they do not believe there is conclusive evidence that it is safe, perhaps we can also decide that the best method for reducing cavities in children is by teaching proper oral hygiene and good nutrition. Assuming we are in doubt, let’s protect our health and “right to choose” and vote it out!
Erika Linn
Healdsburg
Yes on Measure P
Editor: Because of the barrage of anti-fluoridation “info-mail,” I feel compelled to voice my own opinion. I am fervently in favor of municipalities fluoridating their water. The overwhelming majority of dental professionals and their educated conclusions have caused me to hold this view. According to the American Dental Association, fully 72 percent of dentists in this country are in favor of the fluoridation of public water supplies (The Journal of the American Dental Association, January 1, 2013). The “info-mail” that I receive cites the opinions of only a miniscule number of health professionals.
Before casting a vote on this issue, voters should consider the parties who oppose public health efforts. The Taliban murder health care workers who are attempting to immunize children against POLIO! And, let us not forget the esteemed scientist Jenny McCarthy, who issued her screed against all immunizations, telling us that her son’s autism was caused by immunizations.
Perhaps those in our community who are opposed to the continued fluoridation of our municipal water supplies have been influenced by General Jack D. Ripper, who stated in the movie “Dr. Strangelove,” “Fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and dangerous Communist plot we have ever had to face.”
Please, fellow citizens, on November 4th, vote Yes on Measure P.
Marty Cablk
Healdsburg
So call me maybe?
Editor: In a Letter to the Editor last week, Alan Cohen voiced his support for his candidates of choice. That’s his right, and I applaud him for expressing his opinion. However, he also felt the need to comment on my candidacy for City Council.  
For some reason he doesn’t believe I have the requisite experience to serve on the Council nor understand how the city works. Problem is Mr. Cohen has never met me.
I wanted to let him know I’ve attended nearly every City Council meeting for the last two years. Often, I’m the only member of the public in attendance. I believe I may have attended more meetings than at least one sitting Councilmember. Never seen Mr. Cohen there.
I also have an MBA from Northwestern University in Finance and Transportation Administration. I’ve run a business in town since 2002. I previously spent 20-plus years as a benefits and pension expert for an international consulting firm. I’ve been involved in many aspects of the community as both a leader and volunteer.
This year Healdsburg voters have a clear choice in deciding who they wish to represent them. I believe, as do many others I’ve spoken with as I walk the neighborhoods, that a fresh, independent perspective is just what this Council needs. At most of the meetings I’ve attended, I have observed that nearly every vote is 5-0 with little difference of opinion. While discourse should not dominate the Council, I believe a healthy debate of the issues is beneficial to the community.  
To paraphrase Carly Rae:
So call me maybe?   
Tim Meinken
Candidate for Healdsburg City Council
A matter of ethics
Editor: I recently attended a Healdsburg fluoride forum. Both pro and con dentists presented their viewpoints and a film about current research was played. I discovered fluoride does its dental thing topically–on the tooth surface. Administered systemically–in our water and without regard to dosage, fluoride has negative consequences for infants, people vulnerable to immune disorders, and generally to our brains. Fluoride is not the benign substance we’ve been led to believe.
So come on, why the debate? Statistics show kids’ dental health, regardless of fluoride, is improved with good nutrition and early dental education.
After the event, I questioned the pro fluoride dentist as to how he could, in the face of current research, still stand behind his message. His response: ‘I genuinely believe fluoride helps tooth health in kids’. Man-to-man he let me know his bottom line: he’s ‘a dentist, looking after teeth’. His limited focus on teeth ignores the larger context of health. He mimicked the stance of the ADA—a professional advocacy organization not a health advocacy organization. The film demonstrated this willful and narrow perspective; point after point the ADA marginalizes and ignores current research.  
I left thinking I may as well have been talking climate science to a coal industry representative. Science reporting is subject to arguments of bias, opinion, vested interests, and beliefs.
We’ve all had our earful of argumentative debate. That evening I formed my opinion on fluoridation yet felt manipulated by the drama of argument. I then realized the solid ground where my integrity and sense of civic responsibility resides is on the ethics of the issue.
My ethics-based search found the following: “Substances used to fluoridate drinking water…have not been tested or approved for use in humans; the dosage is not controlled; individual consent has not been obtained; effects on individuals are not monitored; individuals can not stop the administration.”
Please, lets stop this unethical practice. For our kids let’s spend the $30,000 Healdsburg dumps into our water on dental education.
John Diniakos
Healdsburg
Get used to it?
Editor: What I keep hearing these days, about the Roundabout, is, “oh you will love it, after you get used to it.” So what are we doing? Encouraging TOURISTS to visit our town; folks who have never used our roundabout before — how many times will they have to drive through it, before they are ‘used to it’ ? Does that make sense to you ?
Better to save our money for:
Upcoming water problems;
Housing for middle income families;
How about housing for the homeless;
Helping businesses to move here (not any
more tasting rooms please)
Furthermore, how about those train tracks that go through the roundabout?
Jody and Frank Wilson
Healdsburg
Supporting Civian
Editor: I am writing to offer my support for the candidacy of Jeff Civian for Healdsburg City Council.
Jeff has served our community as a planning commissioner for almost four years and in that time, he has proven his interest in and commitment to Healdsburg. Jeff possesses the essential attributes that we need in an elected official- intelligence, integrity, and dedication. I hope my fellow citizens will join me in voting for him in November.
Joe Lickey
Healdsburg
Vote for Civian and Ziedrich
Editor: Healdsburg is fortunate to have two candidates for Healdsburg City Council who have significant experience and knowledge of the inner workings of our local government – Jeff Civian and Eric Ziedrich. Both of these candidates have raised kids here, volunteered here, and served on our Healdsburg Planning Commission. In fact, Jeff is our planning commission’s current chairman. Eric has served on the planning commission, the board of our school district, our chamber of commerce, and our city council, and was our mayor twice. Both of these candidates demonstrate the calm commitment, intelligence, positivity, and pragmatism needed to be effective city council members.
Along with most of our community, we have seen how very much Eric has contributed to Healdsburg throughout the years. But unlike many people in the area, we are also familiar with Jeff’s contributions. A civil engineer by profession, he has been involved in planning commissions throughout Sonoma County since 1990. He has demonstrated fiscal responsibility, well-considered growth ideals that emphasize diversity, and a resolve to work for the individuals in our community. He stated in an early interview, “I can craft solutions by listening to other people, finding common ground, common sense and common goals.”
We fully support both of these candidates for the two open positions on our city council. In addition to their business/governmental efforts, they have each demonstrated their support for the extracurricular side of Healdsburg. For example, Eric and his wife have been actively involved in supporting the Raven’s role as a community gathering place; Jeff has been a constant presence within Healdsburg Little League’s “fair play” program.
We know both of these candidates to be individuals of great integrity. Please join us in electing Jeff Civian and Eric Ziedrich to our city council.
Carol Noack & Denny Drowty
Healdsburg
No on Measure P
Editor: As the presenter for the No on Measure P at the Candidates night on Tuesday, I will be asking some key questions to the yes side. Since we are calling tooth decay a disease, then recommending the use of a drug delivered through our water without our choice, would the city or municipal water system, local dentists, the county health department, please provide the epidemiological studies on safety for human ingestion on the industrial waste product Sodium Fluoride that is in current use.
There are none. Nor are there any studies on this chemical that proves it reduces tooth decay. The FDA has never approved this toxin for ingestion (read your fluoride toothpaste warning label). This is not naturally occurring. This is very harmful to infants developing brains. We have an obligation to protect the most vulnerable. This is not cost effective. The unsightly and embarrassing white spots on teeth are not only very expensive to repair but are an indication  of toxic fluoride exposure(just like the blue line on the gums from lead exposure). Medical expenses from increased asthma, skeletal damage ,thyroid, lowered IQ and weakened metabolism are never mentioned. Most educated and developed countries don’t fluoridate. It’s time for Healdsburg to come to the 21st Century and choose Clean Water Vote No on Measure P.
Dawna Gallagher-Stroeh
Santa Rosa