Letters to the Editor 10-23-14

Failure not an option
Editor: When failure stares us in the face, we often find it so upsetting that we miss out on the primary benefit of failing — to learn and take advantage of the chance to come back with a stronger, smarter approach. People react to failure in different ways such as giving up the fight or requiring ironclad assurances before beginning anew. Our Palm Drive Hospital is gone, but our phoenix is the new Sonoma West Medical Center, a stronger, smarter approach to delivering health care in West County. I am not willing to give up on having excellent, accessible emergency care in our community. Dr. Richard Powers and Dennis Colthurst are 100 percent committed to reopening our emergency room. They have my vote.
Beth Moise
Sebastopol
All to blame
Editor: As an Oakland Firefighter for 30 years and a West County resident, I am appalled that we are not fighting harder to reopen our hospital. If we are at the point where money, apathy and misinformation determine the value of human life, it is a sad day for West County. Like every Firefighter in the United States (1 million) I share the memories of children, fathers, mothers and grandparents who got to the emergency room just in time. We were also the ones who had to tell families their loved one did not make it. We carry the pain of these losses every day. Often it was because the ambulance was diverted when the emergency room was too busy. In the last 90 days there were 199 times when Santa Rosa hospital emergency rooms diverted ambulances they were too busy to accept. We lost our hospital, our ER, a stroke program that saved lives and a heliport for transporting children. If one person dies from West County because we did not reopen our hospital, we are all to blame. Elect Dr. Powers and Dennis Colthurst to the Palm Drive District Board. They are candidates pledged to Open Our Hospital.
Larry Hendricks
Sebastopol
Horn asks questions
Editor: Shortly after I was elected to the Palm Drive Health Care District Board of Directors, we were forced to close our beloved hospital. No standing boardmember saw this coming — based upon the information available to us, we did not realize how close we were to ceasing operations. As late as January and February the board was still being presented with financial reports indicating a rebound by June. There was one person, however, attending our hearings who began to question the financial reports. That person was Jim Horn. Jim advised his wife, a nurse at Palm Drive, to change her job status so that she could collect her accrued benefits and advise her co-workers to consider doing the same. Jim was convinced that, at a minimum, the district would soon be forced to file for bankruptcy. Jim was the only person to fully understand the gravity of the situation.
I met Jim after he delivered his district-requested analysis of the Foundation’s first proposal. I was impressed by his analytical insights and his willingness to be forthright and plainspoken in the face of tremendous pressure meant to silence him. To find our way to a new medical center and/or other district-wide health services that will help lift our collective health, we must seek out people who ask the difficult questions.
I cannot understand campaigns meant to silence curiosity and fact-finding. Are we against something simply because we ask a question? Isn’t that fascism?
If we are fortunate to be able to reopen our hospital, Jim’s presence will ensure that the hospital is able to remain open for years to come. We need deep thinkers who can dig in and solve the financial dilemma, which has plagued our hospital since we took over its ownership 14 years ago: How do we become financially sustainable?
While there are three laudable candidates willing to take on the Herculean task of bringing back our hospital, Jim alone possesses the financial acumen necessary for the work ahead. In addition, in his short term as an incumbent, he has shown himself to be a true collaborator.
I believe that Jim can help us find our way back to providing critical health services. Please join me in voting for Jim Horn this November.
Marsha Sue Lustig
President,
Palm Drive Health Care District
Yes on Measure R
Editor: Sebastopol is truly an amazing place. From our local groups such as the Senior Center, Community Center and Center for the Arts, to our service clubs like Lions, Rotary and the Odd Fellows, we are blessed.
Our community is participatory — illustrated by our high voter turnout that is consistently at the top of the whole county. Clearly, our citizenry cares about keeping Sebastopol a special place.
It is once again time to come out strong at the polling booths this Nov. 4, for Sebastopol is at a crossroads this election cycle. Voters are being asked to vote yes on Measure R to renew and modernize the User Utility Tax, or UUT. The UUT is part of our general fund, and is a critical part of maintaining Sebastopol’s high standards and exemplary services.
Sebastopol residents are consistently willing to support Sebastopol, our city, our open spaces, our schools and more. We have a very low crime rate and fast response times by our volunteer fire department. We have made significant improvements to our pavement management index and have made a more walkable community over the years.
Help us maintain city services and continue to spend money on roads, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and help keep Sebastopol looking and feeling great. Tell your friends and family to vote on Nov. 4. Yes on Measure R needs our support.
Mayor Robert Jacob
Sebastopol
Greenberg for council
Editor: In the election Nov. 4, please vote for Jonathon Greenberg and a change in the city council.
His many years as a financial reporter could help Sebastopol make up for the $336,000 the present council spent on the CVS case. Greenberg supports his wife and two children with an online company he founded. He is not associated with any clique with a hidden agenda.
At the recent debate, we heard a lot of talk about traffic, traffic, traffic, but none of the three incumbents present any new plans. Greenberg at least will try to reopen Palm Drive’s ER; cooperate with the board of directors in this excruciatingly difficult time.
As a passionate and dedicated spokesman for improving our library, Greenberg has worked assiduously for adequate funding of our library to restore hours. Vote for Greenberg Nov. 4.
Frank Baumgardner
Santa Rosa
No on Proposition 47
Editor: Local law enforcement leaders oppose Proposition 47. Although well intended, its consequences will not be as advertised. The proposition promises to channel funds from prisons to schools and rehabilitative programs by reducing many crimes from felonies to misdemeanor. However, what we’re not hearing in pro Prop 47 arguments is that many successful programs currently exist for offenders that Prop 47 would negatively impact. In Sonoma County we have an extensive diversion program for drug offenders, and specialized courts to address drug and alcohol addiction. By reducing these crimes to misdemeanors, the incentive to combat these addictions is replaced by a revolving door at the jail. Worse yet, date rape drugs will be reduced to misdemeanor crimes.
The measure presents the potential to cripple California’s fragile, yet recovering economy. By reducing the penalty for commercial burglary to a straight misdemeanor, Prop 47 declares open season on retail businesses, including mom and pop operations. Repeat shoplifters will face a slap on the wrist and the theft of a firearm valued at under $950 will be a misdemeanor if Prop 47 succeeds.
Additionally, this misguided measure reduces the available sanction for the theft of crops, livestock and other agricultural crimes. California rises and falls on the strength of our agricultural economy and Prop 47 invites theft targeting our farmers and ranchers.
Also worth noting is the get-out-of-jail free card given to those who commit forgery or write bad checks. In this time of increased technology and near-constant data breaches, we should not be putting out the welcome mat for those criminals who would cheat, scam and steal using our stolen identities.
Prosecutors currently have discretion in reviewing police investigations to refer first-time offenders to diversion programs and charge theft offenses as felonies or misdemeanors based upon the facts of the case and the background of the offender. Prop. 47 is a cookie cutter approach to what should be a reasoned decision in each case.
The proposition also proposes to resentence those currently incarcerated as well as those who have already served their sentence. Proponents boast that as many as 10,000 inmates could be released if this measure passes. The drain on the system to review each case and make an independent determination will be staggering. Local communities are just coming to terms with the release of some 30,000 prison inmates as well as other impacts from Realignment, which shifted responsibility for low level offenders from state to local resources.
Being smart about fighting crime means finding effective solutions. This measure misses the mark. The Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chiefs Association, comprised of Chiefs from all the municipal agencies, Sheriff and District Attorney oppose this measure. Many victims rights groups join us in our opposition to this poorly drafted initiative.
Please vote no on Proposition 47.
Patrick Williams, President SCLECA
 Steve Freitas, Sheriff
Jill Ravitch, District Attorney
Burns for West County
Editor: Jordan Burns is my choice for the Santa Rosa Junior College Board of Trustees. I am voting for him because I believe that it is time for new, transparent and intelligent leadership at the Junior College. Jordan is the Democratic candidate running for the West County seat which his incumbent, Republican opponent has held for 29 years. As a Latino and a progressive, Jordan will advocate for social justice issues that affect students and work to ensure that students, faculty and staff have a voice in decisions that affect them. He will advocate for improved transportation to the Junior College from West County, the strengthening of financial oversight by the Junior College Board and the restoration of classes that have been eliminated including West County satellite courses. As an environmentalist, Jordan will advocate for strong environmental policies regarding construction projects in addition to cultivating the value of environmental stewardship throughout the college community. Vote for change, vote for community, vote for Jordan Burns.
Christy Lubin
Graton
Green Jordan
Editor: I’m supporting Jordan Burns for the West County seat on the Santa Rosa Junior College Trustee Board. We need a strong environmental advocate on the Board. In the 21st century, college graduates need a thorough grounding in the issues like climate change, energy policy and food literacy. These issues are now part of every job and are impacting all communities in Sonoma County.
As the JC’s Student Trustee, Jordan helped save Shone Farm’s Sustainable Ag program when it was on the chopping block. His vison and actions deserve your consideration. He’s earned endorsements from the Sierra Club and Sonoma County Conservation Action. Jordan will bring environmental consciousness and sustainability planning to the SRJC Board of Trustees, where these qualities have not had the emphasis they deserve. Jordan has experience. Jordan is smart and green. Jordan has my vote.
Lawrence Jaffe
Sebastopol