Letters to the Editor 1-31-13

More of the same
Editor: I read the letter in Sonoma West Times & News from Councilmember Gurney about the General Plans review meetings (“Sebastopol’s future,” Jan. 17). It is surprising to me that this letter seems to encourage attendance to these meetings. I find it hard to believe that the opinions of reasonable citizens who support business and managed growth will be given any attention since their agenda is the only agenda. Gurney’s record speaks for itself — business unfriendly and no change in Sebastopol for the better — and the boys follow her and Shane’s lead. It seems the councilmembers want to call support of the Barlow proof they are business friendly.
Does anyone recall that the Barlow became a remodel after the Northeast  Area Specific Plan, which was a business and housing project, was defeated by the “business friendly.”
No need to attend these meetings.
The GP Review will result in more of the same, which the current majority thinks is so good for the city. I wonder if they think Helen Shane’s and CVS’s lawsuit against the city of Sebastopol is business friendly.
Linda Rouse
Sebastopol
Honoring school boards
Editor: There are over 50 individuals who serve on the governing boards of public school districts across West Sonoma County. Elected by local voters, school district trustees are ultimately responsible for ensuring the quality of education delivered to West County students. School board members work tirelessly throughout the year. They set policy for our schools, act as stewards for our educational programs and make the difficult decisions when funding cuts are required. They question, examine, and problem solve on behalf of our students, public schools and West County communities.
January is School Board Appreciation Month. We want to publicly recognize the West Sonoma County residents who have stepped forward to serve as trustees for our local school districts. They join our teachers, classified staff, administrators, parents, and community volunteers in helping schools bring a bright future for students.
We are thankful to local school board members for their dedication to public education and we appreciate their selfless efforts.
Liz Schott, Superintendent
Sebastopol Union School District
Keller McDonald, Superintendent
West Sonoma County Union High School District
Time bombs
Editor: Capital appreciation bonds, or CABs as they are known, are the latest scourge in public schools financing. Once voters approve a school bond, district officials can issue either traditional current interest bonds or CABs. Unlike current interest bonds, for which repayment begins immediately upon issuance, CABs defer repayment for years allowing tremendous amounts of interest to accrue. This allows school officials to misrepresent to voters the true cost of the bond by ignoring the long-term cost.
Total repayment cost for current interest bonds, much like a homeowner’s mortgage, is typically two to three times the amount borrowed. As bad as that sounds, the repayment cost for CABs is 10 to 15 times the amount borrowed. A $15 million CAB issued by the Jefferson Union High School District in Daly City, for example, will cost residents of the district over $127 million to repay. Hundreds of CABs have been issued by school districts throughout the state and represent ticking time bombs for unsuspecting residents.
State Treasurer Bill Lockyer and State Superintendent of Schools Tom Torkelson have called for a moratorium on CABs and legislation has been introduced in both the Assembly and Senate to ban the practice. We encourage passage of this legislation.
Dan Drummond
Executive Director
Sonoma County Taxpayers’ Association