Correcting an oversight
Editor: In your editorial column of last week “Make your vote personal,” you stated that there are eight candidates vying for two seats. You named and gave a brief background and description of the campaign focus of seven candidates and left me off the list. I can only assume this was an oversight. The focus of my campaign is bringing my professional technology background, years as a local appointee, and smart development advocacy experience to the council. I believe that while effective outreach to new business is important, the blight and lack of viable commercial stock in our downtown is an impediment to development and that the council must address this issue.
Further, my comments in “City council candidates quizzed at final forum this week” were mischaracterized as being in favor of every type of cannabis permit in every zone possible. The question was “How many dispensaries do you think Cloverdale will have?” When I answered the question, my clear intent was to state that the issue was far more complex than just the number of dispensaries and that we as a community will have to decide if we want testing labs, manufacturing, distribution, and various levels of production. I also stated that I thought the council should hold a series of town halls to get community input on the various permit types and that the quantity of each should be right-sized for our community.
If the voters have further questions about my views, I can be reached at www.melaniebagby.com.
Melanie Bagby, Cloverdale
Cloverdale POA endorsements
Editor: The Cloverdale Police Officers’ Association would like to announce our official endorsements for the 2016 Cloverdale City Council race. After hearing the recent forum, we have decided that candidate Melanie Bagby and councilman Box Cox are the most qualified individuals to bring progress and vitality to our great city. Melanie has a strong background in business and put forth great ideas to bring our city’s economy in line with the rest of our county. She brings a fresh perspective to city governance and has a pro-growth vision that will benefit our community.
Box Cox has served our community for six years and has always shown a dedication to our residents. He has championed the Safe Routes to School plan which has made our children and pedestrians in general safer, and he doesn’t have any financial interest in his service to our community. Bob serves his community as a member of it, because he cares. Bob and Melanie both have tremendous qualifications and forward thinking views for our community and we are proud to endorse them for city council in 2016. The Cloverdale POA is confident that both Melanie and Bob present the best choice for the City of Cloverdale.
Cloverdale Police Officers Association, Cloverdale
Community garden plots
Editor: A couple of our gardeners have left so we have a few available garden plots ready to start growing some of your own food on. The rain is calling out for some veggies to water. It is a very satisfying experience to grow some of your own food especially in a communal atmosphere. To join us just call 894-2736 for more details. Winter gardening is so rewarding here in Cloverdale. I am always surprised that so few of our plot-holders do it. In the winter you can grow carrots, beets, radishes, green onions, garlic, salad greens, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, collard, chard etc. In the summer, it seems to be mostly tomatoes, corn, green beans, squash and peppers and then resting for the winter. That works too. A welcome to any interested persons.
Mardi Grainger, Cloverdale
Pine Mountain endorsements
Editor: We live on Pine Mountain, across the Mendocino County line, and can’t vote for local candidates. However, we’ve worked, shopped and raised our sons in Cloverdale for 40-plus years. For Cloverdale school board we strongly recommend Addison, Peters and Higginbotham. They have the experience and know-how to get CUSD back on track, working for students, parents, teachers and our community. For too long, we’ve been concerned about the district’s direction and actions, and find it refreshing that these candidates are emphasizing accountability, transparency, communication, partnership and collaboration.
Each brings a valuable, unique and complementary skill set that will benefit the district’s students, staff and parents.
For city council: MaryAnn Brigham. Projects she initiated and/or steered to completion include the renovation of Clark Street Park and creation of River Park; the Boulevard redesign; the Cloverdale Senior Center and the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center. Current projects: Bringing Sonoma County Health and Human Services to Cloverdale; building a pedestrian-safe walkway along First Street Bridge; ensuring that (legalized) marijuana is regulated and taxed, benefitting our town and taking a bite out of crime and the expansion of Alexander Valley Healthcare.
MaryAnn and her husband Mike owned the local print shop, and built and operated Ruth McGowan’s Brew Pub for many years. MaryAnn knows that successful businesses and jobs are the key to a healthy town. When Cloverdale neared insolvency in 2013, operating with an ending-year fund balance of $177,000, she supported closing city hall on Fridays and leaving vacant positions unfilled. Now, in 2016, Cloverdale has a balance of $1.6 million; enough for prudence as well as expansion. We urge your votes for Addison, Peters and Higginbotham and for MaryAnn Brigham.
Eric Neel, CUSD employee for 33 years
CD Grant, Cloverdale
No to GMOs
Editor: Measure M is a local proposition placed on the ballot through collection of over 24,000 local signatures. Why is it then, that the opposition is funded by giant, multi-national, agrichemical corporations: Monsanto, Dow, BASF, DuPont, Syngenta and Bayer?
The answer, of course, is that since Measure M prohibits growing and raising genetically engineered organisms (GMOs) in Sonoma County, the opposition is funded by the companies that make GMO seeds and the herbicides they require.
Why did over 24,000 citizens express concern about allowing GMO crops in Sonoma County? The answer is that GMO pollen can contaminate neighboring conventional and organic crops and GMO crops are associated with increased use of herbicides such as Round-up containing glyphosate, which has been classified by the World Health Organization as a probable carcinogen. Measure M is endorsed by eight Sonoma County newspapers, and funded by citizens, farmers, vintners, businesses and environmental organizations.
Don’t be fooled by Farm Bureau presentations, op-ed pieces and quotes in the voter pamphlet by scientists affiliated with giant agrichemical corporations. The opposition’s writings are filled with misinformation that is meant to confuse voters. Don’t allow big agrichemical companies to control Sonoma County farming by contaminating local family farms and pastures. “Vote Yes On Measure M” to keep genetically engineered crops out.
Pam Gentry, Sebastopol
Invitation to Nov. 11 event
Editor: You are invited to come to the Cloverdale Veterans Memorial Building the evening of Friday Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. to enjoy a Veterans Day celebration with a few short informative speeches, followed by a concert by the Healdsburg Community Band. The keynote speaker will speak on “The Pentagon and its Process” from a veteran who was assigned there as one of his duty assignments. All members of the Armed Forces that might be in town and any and all veterans that are or are not a member of one of the veteran organizations are extended a special invitation to join this evening with fellow veterans and neighbors. A social hour will start an hour before the program and for a time afterwards. Please come, bring your family and a neighbor.
Donald Reed, A L Commander, Cloverdale
