Letters to the Editor 10-18-12

Major crossroad
Editor: The upcoming election on Nov. 6 will be a major crossroad for West Sonoma County high schools and many public schools across Sonoma County. West Sonoma County high school operating revenues have been cut nearly 20 percent in the past five years. If Proposition 30 fails in November, another devastating round of cuts to state school funding will immediately go into effect.
West Sonoma County high schools rely on local parcel tax revenues to supplement shrinking state funds. Local parcel taxes support high-quality college and career preparation programs for West Sonoma County high school students. The current parcel tax for West Sonoma County high schools ends in June 2013. If the Measure K parcel tax placed on the ballot and Proposition 30 both fail, the combined loss of revenue to West County high schools will be over $1.7 million in the coming school year.
The negative impact to students will be profound. Art, music, drama, college preparation, and career preparation classes will be eliminated. Class sizes will soar. School libraries will be closed. Counseling support that helps students focus on success will vanish. Our school board, teachers, support staff, and West Sonoma County communities will be forced to consider eliminating weeks from the school year. Recent gains in student achievement and in college and career preparation will be put at risk.
As voters, we can have a direct impact on the quality of education we provide for our local students. Quality schools make a difference in preparing students for college and careers. Successful students who become productive adults are the future leaders of Sonoma County.
Passing Proposition 30 and approving local parcel taxes will avert another major cut to local K-12 school funding.
The November election is a major crossroad for public education. By passing both Proposition 30 and Measure K, West Sonoma County voters can keep local public school students headed on the path to success. Without voter support on state and local public school measures, classes and services at our local schools will be severely compromised. Join with us and vote yes on Proposition 30 and Measure K to ensure that local young people continue to have the best possible preparation for a successful future.
Kellie Noe, President
WSCUHSD Board of Trustees
Keller McDonald, Superintendent
WSCUHSD
Service to the community
Editor: Veterans of Foreign Wars, Gold Ridge Post 3919 wishes to express our thanks to the Sebastopol Volunteer Fire Department for allowing us to present our recruiting information at there pancake breakfast on Sunday, Oct. 14. Thank you for the very good breakfast, grilled ham and cheese sandwich for lunch, but especially we want to extend a thank you to each and every one of you for your service to our community.
Herbert L. Hillaker, Adjutant
Wayne Miller, Quartermaster
VFW Gold Ridge Post 3919
Sebastopol
Fiscally responsible
Editor: I am an accountant and tracking income (revenue) and expenses are vital to my clients’ business success. Managing the income (revenue) and expenses of Sebastopol should be a high priority in the decision-making of voters in the upcoming election.
It appears through all the rhetoric of the city council race, the most fiscally responsible voice is that of Kathleen Shaffer. She is focused on the solvency of the city (e.g. revenues) to survive the rising costs of city services. She has the courage to talk about finances and private enterprise. It’s important that voters understand the fiduciary responsibilities of elected officials to balance the budget and still provide essential public services.
Andrew MacInnis, CPA
Sebastopol
Wake up Sebastopol
Editor: After the candidates night, it is clear that if Kathleen Shaffer and Kathy Austin get eleted to the Sebastopol City Council, CVS/ Chase will be in the center of our downtown.
This is not what the majority of our residents want.
I encourage you to vote for Robert Jacob and John Eder. They both oppose the project and will maintain the integrity and undiqueness of our town.
After all, isn’t that why we choose to be here?
Bonnie Bruinsslot and
Marcia Mengelberg
Sebastopol
Shaffer support
Editor: I am supporting Councilwoman Kathleen Shaffer for re-election for just a few of the following reasons:
• She understands the need for businesses to be successful so they can hire employees and bring revenues to the city;
• She encourages and mentors small businesses through the Entrepreneurs Project;
• She brings customers to shop downtown through her personal efforts to make the downtown inviting, such as the holiday lights last winter;
• She supports economic growth and a balanced budget;
• She cares about the cleanliness of our parks and rallies volunteers to join her to clean them up;
• She cares about the work nonprofits are doing to make Sebastopol a caring, diverse community through her personal contributions and support to activities such as the Senior Center, the anti-bullying Safe School Ambassadors program of Community Matters, affordable housing — particularly her support of Habitat for Humanity and the four Habitat homes built in Sebastopol.
As a former staff person at two of those nonprofits, I know that Kathleen cares deeply about our youth and hard-working, low-income families. My daughter, who attended Analy, works for a small business in Sebastopol. My son and his girlfriend live in downtown Sebastopol and she works for a nonprofit that provides services to people with physical limitations. My family endorses Kathleen Shaffer for re-election because she has supported policies and makes decisions that benefit our neighbors and colleagues in Sebastopol.
Katheryn Fong
Sebastopol
Defining issue
Editor: I can hardly wait for the Barlow development to open. Perfect for the space, perfect for Sebastopol, it pays careful attention to the history and architecture of the parcel it sits on. Even as it honors this past, it looks ahead, providing a showcase for local businesses: fabulous food, coffee, wine, art and more. This is exactly the kind of economic engine and development that we need. And it is no accident that this development “just happened” to come along. Our community leaders fought unsuitable proposals for this property and stuck to their guns believing that this prominent piece of real estate should reflect the values and vision of Sebastopol.
Like the Barlow property, the Pellini property is a prime parcel that ought to reflect Sebastopol’s character and vision: pedestrian usage, local businesses and forward thinking. For me, and I hope those reading this letter, this vision isn’t big box, corporate, traffic clogging businesses. I really think we can get a better project at this site, and I want City Council members who will work for it, and not give up.
The defining issue in our local city council election is the CVS/Chase development downtown, and it is the issue that differentiates the candidates. We need to remember and carefully consider the lessons of the Barlow when we vote. I hope you will join me in voting for John Eder and Robert Jacob, candidates who will work for a prosperous and green small town.
Jude Kreissman
Sebastopol