Letters to the Editor 1-21-16

Money pit
Editor: I believe that the citizens of Cloverdale should say thank you to Norcal Skydiving. Until their arrival a few years ago, our airport, which only served a handful of hobbyist airplane owners, was almost an unknown entity. The few flights it handled daily bothered almost no one, so people were unaware that this facility was a steady and constant drain on our city’s limited budget. Virtually no one knew about the sizeable subsidy our city officials were authorizing year after year because the airport was really “flying under the radar.”
Then, Norcal arrived and suddenly it became impossible to ignore the constant and irritating noise generated by dozens of daily take offs and landings by Norcal. Then, it began to become a topic of general interest, and when it was revealed just how much it was costing us, the taxpayers, to subsidize a few hobbyists and a for profit commercial business, a large number of concerned citizens expressed their concerns that this was a drain on our city budget that we could ill afford. In spite of this, our city officials have authorized the expenditure of yet another $27,000 to cover operating expenses of our airport for needed upgrades because if they don’t, someone might be injured while using it. This $27,000 will also obligate us to an additional $246,000 FAA grant that has been requested.
Now, at what point does it become obvious that we seem to be caught in some sort of bottomless financial money pit? I mean, just where does this obligation to cater to the needs of a select few end? If they keep crying wolf every time they feel the need for further improvements are we going to be obliged to just keep writing another check to keep them happy? If Cloverdale is going to be burdened with maintaining this facility, it seems only just that those who are benefiting should be obliged to pay for it. If they feel that this is too much to ask, then why don’t they take their business elsewhere?
Dennis Frehe
Cloverdale
Christmas Wish program
Editor: Thanks to a lot of Cloverdale people, almost 200 children had a better Christmas, or a Christmas at all. Special thanks to Ed Olson and Harold Gutknecht for letting us use their buildings, the Lions Club for their annual toy run and all the businesses who let us put up the trees with the green tags. Thanks to all my helpers, the administrative staff, the women who process all those gifts and the wrappers. Of course it only works so well because you people out there are pulling those green tags and shopping for the kids.
So thanks to everyone who is helping with this program. I am looking forward to next year.
Iris Konik
Cloverdale
Suspicious of “grant”
Editor: Why is it that I think if Cloverdale were to actually build a soccer or little league field that it would not be named for any current member of the City Council? I know. It’s because after years of benign neglect in the City Council’s dealing with the needs of the young people of Cloverdale, they’ve decided to drop all pretense in caring about the youth of Cloverdale and instead serve the few businesses and plane owners who feel entitled of the unquestioning support of the Cloverdale taxpayers. Let’s call it what it is; welfare for those who have enough money to play with airplanes. While many of us are worried about just making the mortgage payment, the airport users believe that the taxpayer should subsidize their airport so that they can easily visit their vacation cabins. Only one council member had the courage to stand up to the Council’s bizarre prioritization of need and resources. This is corporate welfare at its worst.
The skewed priorities that the City Council gives to the few tenants and shoe-string businesses at the airport smacks of cronyism at best, blatant corruption at worst. The amount that the city spends just on defending the skydiving business in legal costs could easily be used to improve, or help build new play fields for a youth population of Cloverdale that enjoys very few options for recreation.
They will tell you that there isn’t Cloverdale taxpayer money going to the airport. It’s a “grant.” (Even though they will spend $27,000 in Cloverdale taxpayer’s funds for their share of the “grant.”) Webster’s definition of a grant is a gift. This is more like a shady second mortgage being offered by a predatory lender. By accepting these funds, the City Council will encumber the taxpayers/citizens of Cloverdale from ever divesting, no matter how good it is for the majority, of the airport. Isn’t strange how the City Council has no problem in ignoring the needs of the young people but are not hesitant at all in placing the burden of this grant on the shoulders of future generations? I suggest that the council asks the organizers of soccer and little leagues, the Boys & Girls Club and the Wallace House if they think the $27,000 going to the airport is a good idea.
What to do? There will another City Council election cycle coming up this year. I beg citizens who care more for the future of the young people than they do for the .01 percent of the people who use the airport to run for office. I’m especially challenging those who, usually in homes with two hardworking wage earners, who really have no extra time, whose lives are full with work, little league and soccer practices and possibly coaching to run for a seat on the council.
I really don’t think we need any more “greatly experienced” people with way too much time on their hands to decide the future of Cloverdale’s families and young people. We’ve had years of a City Council that serves the select few, let’s try a new City Council that will serve the needs of the majority.
C Jeff Kennedy
Cloverdale
Call for artists for sculpture trail
Editor: A “Call for Artists” for the 2016-2017 Sculpture Trail, a year-round outdoor exhibit of sculptures in the Northern Sonoma County communities of Cloverdale and Geyserville, is now available. The producers of the exhibit, Cloverdale Arts Alliance and the Geyserville Community Foundation, are seeking sculptors for the next exhibit, which will run May 5, 2016 through May 4, 2017. “Best of Show,” “Honor Mention” and “Peoples’ Choice” awards will be given. The current exhibit with 16 sculptures in Cloverdale and 18 sculptures in Geyserville continues until May 5, when the 2016-2017 sculptures are installed.
The goal of this successful outdoor exhibit is to continue to increase awareness of public art and the part sculptures play in bringing art to citizens and visitors through the placement of sculptures in publicly accessible spaces, such as the streets of Cloverdale and Geyserville. There is no entry fee. Additional information and an entry form with guidelines are available at www.101sculpturetrail.com  or call the Sculpture Trail phone number at 894-4929. Selection for both communities will be made from the entries received. The deadline for entries is Feb. 27, 2016.
Joyce Mann
Cloverdale