LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 8-2-12

Healdsburg bridge closure
Editor: On August 8, 2012 geotechnical consultants for the City of Healdsburg will begin drilling a single test hole through the Healdsburg Avenue Bridge deck and into the bed of the Russian River near the existing center pier. During this time the bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic, however the Bridge will remain open for bicycles and pedestrians. The closure will begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 8 and will continue overnight until 6 p.m. Thursday August 9.
The boring will be to a depth of approximately 120 feet below the bottom of the river and will provide critical information about the river geological setting that will be used to further evaluate the stability of the existing central pier of the bridge and to determine the need for additional load postings, traffic control, or other safety measures that may be needed for public safety.
The City would like to advise motorists they should plan on taking alternate routes during the geological drilling.
If you have any questions please contact Mario Landeros, Healdsburg Public Works at 431-3346.
Mike Kirn
Public Works Director
Thanking sponsors
Editor: On behalf of the Healdsburg FFA Ag Boosters we would like to thank you for your support of our 3rd Annual Healdsburg FFA Ag Boosters Golf Tournament held on Sunday, July 1st, 2012.  Everyone enjoyed a spectacular day, great golf, food, cash prizes and friendly competition.
Thanks to all the sponsors and golfers who participated. With your help the Ag Boosters are able to provide the Healdsburg High School Agricultural Program with education, youth activities, scholarships, not to mention training and services that will benefit our agriculture industry today. Opportunities are endless for these students and that is because of our amazing continuous community support.
Look for your “save the date card” in the mail for next year’s tournament. If you have any questions or want to sign up early, please call Dave or Nancy Dorr at 433-1875.
Gold Sponsors: Wilbur-Ellis, Big Johns Market and David A. Rafanelli.
Hole Sponsors: Martin G. Pozzi, Import Motor Works, Sonoma County Grange Credit Union, Fincher’s Auto Service Silveira Pontiac, Denny’s Electric, Rawah Vineyards, Regina Plumbing, Straight Edge Staffing – Central Valley Builders Supply, The Belli Corp, Healdsburg Veterinary Hospital, Healdsburg Fraternal Order of Eagles, Grace Vineyard Management, Inc., Allan Nelson, Dorr Family Show Cattle, Tri-Star Automotive, Michael McGuire, Walter and Prince, Sonoma County Farm Bureau, Munsell Civil Engineering, Inc., Dry Creek Excavating and Tractor Service, Western Farm Center, Phil Manoukian & Associates, ASLA, Hoot Owl Creek/AVV, Murphy Ranch Vineyards, Paul Hammond, Plum Electric, Opperman and Son, Costeaux Bakery, Mike Mahoney, Tom Rohrsson, Jeff Tate, Michael Forchini, Utility Pole Services, Wells Fargo, Bucher Vineyard, A & N Accounting, Memorial Beach Veterinary Hospital,Cloverdale Saw & Mower Center, Tom Rued, Sonoma County Locals Unlimited, Valero, Heavy Equipment Transportation, Inc, K King Catering, Aaction Rents, Rochioli J Vineyards & Winery Tri, Valley Vineyard Management, Pure Power Solutions, Pearson Ranch, Brandt Insurance, Century 21 – John and Janice Torres, El Sombrero, Luciani Pump, Rege Construction, North Bay Petroleum, Redwood Coast Fuels and Eddies Quality Concrete.
Submitted by DeAnna Fincher on behalf of the Healdsburg FFA Ag Boosters
Adult education
Editor: For 46 years we farmed and produced dried fruits in Dry Creek Valley. In 2003 the business was sold and I found myself unemployed.
I went to Sonoma State University looking to exercise the brain. They introduced me to Osher Life Long Learning,”OLLI”.
Since then I have attended 4 classes each session in every subject imaginable, My favorite is history followed by the professor taking 12 – 16 students on a tour of the country studied. My Husband and myself have been to Egypt, Eastern Europe, Israel and Cuba. This fall we will go to Tunisia.
This September”OLLI” will offer classes right here in Healdsburg. Questions? Please call me at 433-8254 or 695-7174 or the school office at 664-2394.
Come exercise our brains together,
Ruth Waltenspiel
Timber Crest Farms
Misinformation
Editor: Vernon Simmon’s July 18 commentary,”The Problem with CalPERS,” misinforms readers by ignoring that CalPERS is a long term investor.
As a long term investor, we expect a range of possible returns every year, sometimes negative, and occasionally very high, like last year’s 21.7 percent. This year, we anticipated returns around 1 percent.
CalPERS has regularly outperformed our 7.5 percent goal over a 20 year average. Over 30 years, we exceed 9 percent. Even looking at returns on a single year basis, we posted gains in significant excess of 7.5 percent 13 times in the past 19 years.
As our Chief Investment Officer recently stated,”The key to having a strategy is working with it. The worst mistake is to abandon the strategy when it appears to have some trouble.”
We’ve made up millions of dollars in losses that occurred when the market bottomed out in 2008-09. This year, our real estate portfolio managers posted gains of near 16 percent. Even so, we will adjust our approach to cope with continued volatility in the markets.
Gains and losses are spread over 30 years to ensure employer rates remain as stable as possible. Any increases due to this year’s returns will be very small.
Mr. Simmons suggests that cities and counties should be allowed to find retirement solutions outside of CalPERS. They already can. Cities, counties and special districts chose to contract with CalPERS for employee retirement benefits in large part because we run a cost-effective operation. However, they can chose to select another retirement provider or amend their contracts for pensions with us for new hires to reduce pension costs at any time.
Furthermore, it’s wrong to scapegoat public employees and pensions for the bankruptcies in Stockton, San Bernardino and Vallejo. The costs for pensions are small in comparison to overall budgets. The real culprit behind the”unacceptable financial situation” are the bad decisions made by city officials, not pensions.
Sincerely
Brad Pacheco
Chief CalPERS Office of Public Affairs