Bruised by divisiveness
EDITOR: Once again I am impressed with the profound irony and hypocrisy in which the Indivisible groups operate. While espousing tolerance, respect and inclusiveness they make very clear their intent to flip representatives that are not of appropriate color out of Congress.
This obsession with “Blue vs. Red” and flipping all those out who may not agree with the respective party line out of office seems quite at odds with the alleged beliefs of tolerance, respect and inclusion. As an Independent I suppose I would be violet.
Sadly it seems the color of many in our country is bruised by this divisiveness. What happened to the America of very diverse politics but true respect for each other and the willingness to build upon shared values? An absurd wall is sought by the one side along our southern border. Yet equally absurd walls are being built in many other places and ways in our country.
Harry Martin, Cloverdale
Supports Essick
EDITOR: Being a resident of Healdsburg for 40 years and working 20 years in the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, Public Administrator Division, provided me the opportunity to observe the many successes and some failures of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.
We will soon be electing a new sheriff. The best candidate must be chosen. Captain Mark Essick is that person, for the following reasons. He began his career with the sheriff’s office in 1994 as a correctional officer, subsequently serving as deputy, detective, field training officer, bomb squad sergeant, patrol sergeant, lieutenant personnel/internal affairs, and from 2015 to present field services captain/administrative captain.
In 2007, working with the Sonoma County Mental Health Department, he developed and directed the much needed crisis prevention program, and in 2015 he served as the only law enforcement member on the Community and Law Enforcement Task Force. In 2015, again with mental health, he helped form the mobile support unit.
His volunteer work includes coaching little league and youth soccer and serving on the board of each, as well as being a member and volunteer of PTA. He has demonstrated that he cares about the safety of our community and the relationship between its residents and law enforcement. The conflicting state and federal laws of recent years make it imperative that our new sheriff is not only experienced but firm, straightforward, fair, diplomatic and able to make wise decisions.
I have known Mark Essick personally for the last few years. I believe he has the experience, character, integrity, strength, and temperament to lead the sheriff’s office. He has my vote
Olive Robinson, Healdsburg
Supes to vote on septic bomb May 8
EDITOR: As Realtors in the Russian River Region, we have been following the upcoming changes to septic regulations, which will affect approximately 45,000 residents of Sonoma County, many of whom will not know what hit them. Even some of the Supervisors, whose constituents will be affected, seem unaware that they are about to vote on new regulations which could easily result in future condemnation of homes as well as excessive cost for upgrades for many homeowners throughout the county. We support clean water and the environment, but burdening homeowners is not the answer.
OWTS – Onsite Wastewater Treatment System will be voted on by the Board of Supervisors on May 8. These new regulations are being driven by the state but will impact many homeowners here. If passed there will no longer be any voluntary repairs of septic systems or failed leach systems. New or replacement systems will require a two-foot separation to groundwater, proof of adequate soil and depth, and must be designed by a licensed engineer. The average cost for a replacement system may be between $35,000 and possibly up to $75,000. Some replacement systems may require waivers from the state, a process that has not even been defined. There is currently no plan or monies to help anyone required to upgrade which will especially effect low or fixed income homeowners. If there are no permits on file for the septic system in the county records, the septic system may need to be inspected and possibly upgraded. Any cesspools or older systems will be required to be upgraded.
Although the county has stated that it has no condemnation plans, the fact that hillside homes which cannot be code compliant will require a waiver, which is not currently available, means that some homes will not be repairable.
If you have an emergency with your septic system it has been suggested that owners may need to pump their systems weekly until they can get it repaired. Currently the waiting time of a septic permit at the county is approximately five months. The new regulations will make the waiting time even longer. The cost to pump a system is anywhere from $400 up. That could total to close to $10,000 just to have your system pumped while waiting for the permit to be issued.
When the county is currently facing a shortage of housing due to the firestorms and the current lack of inventory, this entire OWTS rewrite will only make repairs and housing more expensive and take much longer. If you have a septic system that is older, we suggest you contact your Supervisor immediately to ask what their position is on OWTS reform. Do not be surprised if they are not even aware of the problem.
May 8 is the vote at the Board of Supervisors and time is of the essence. Please act now and contact your Supervisor and show up at the May 8 meeting.
Concerned realtors of the Russian River area
