Letters to the Editor 1-22-15

Troubling coverage
Editor: I was a police officer for 29 years. I have been very troubled with the media coverage of the past years events. I understand that journalism is a business. I want an honest reporting of events without sensationalizing the event. I know there are bad police officers, there are also bad people. It saddens me when I see a respected news organization such as KTVU push stories of bad police officers just to sell air time. I have seen a decrease in police officers using self-initiated activity in community policing due to being judged as using harassment as a police tool.
Robert Smith
Sebastopol
The Red Scare
Editor: Michael Anthony Carnacchis’ recent letter (“Politicization,” Jan. 15) inferring that Councilmember Robert Jacob is a communist is the exact type of political rhetoric we need to remove from local politics. Personal opinions and biases don’t belong in the council or on city committees. Rational, careful review of every appointment and every matter before the city should always be the goal. Thank you to Councilmember Jacob for slowing down the appointment process and taking care to allow time for the best possible decision.
Susan Olson
Sebastopol
No Preference
Editor: The primary election is upon us soon and nearly 75 percent of independent voters remain unaware that they can now participate in the primary. I am writing this letter to advise voters of the option to declare No Party Preference and vote for the candidates of their choice. We are no longer confined by two-party domination.
California used the No Party Preference option for the first time in 2012 and the results were dramatic: eight incumbents were defeated and six retired rather than face the new system. Inspired by this fix, I became involved with IndependentVoice.org, a volunteer organization. We are collaborating with the local County Registrars to inform voters of the new rule. We have successfully worked with Los Angeles and Orange counties to improve voter instructions and sample ballots announcing the No Party Preference option.
Independents come from a diversity of political leanings. We share a value in common–faith in democracy. This 2012 change has already proven successful in electing candidates that better represent the people and the needs of the local communities. We are asking that media outlets do more to cover this critically important issue and we also ask that Secretary of State Debra Bowen emphasize the importance of informing California voters about all of their options.
Marilyn Stephens
Santa Rosa
Mistletoe killing trees
Editor: The following was sent to Sebastopol’s elected leaders:
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
How truly honest is Sebastopol about its commitment to protecting its environment?
Too many of the trees in our town plaza and streets desperately need their branches pruned of the mistletoe infestation.
The health and survival of our city trees are dependent on the removal of this mistletoe. But a priority program for mistletoe removal has never been implemented.
In fact our trees now have three years of mistletoe growth. Last year’s excuse was that the public works department didn’t have a bucket truck to accomplish the work.
It’s a shame that this neglect is ongoing and overlooked while the continuing damage is so clearly visible for those who care to see.
Angelo Proserpi
Sebastopol