LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thanks to swimmers
Editor: The swimmers, coaches and parents of the Ukiah Dolphins
wish to thank the swimmers, coaches and parents of Neptune
Swimming, the Sebastopol Sea Serpents, Vallejo Aquatic Club,
WestSide Aquaducks and Wine Country Aquatics of Napa for making the
Redwood Empire Aquatic League (REAL) Championship a resounding
success. The meet was highly competitive with a spirit of
cooperation and sportsmanship. All participants rejoiced in  the
successes of their peers. This meet could not have been as
successful as it was without the incredible participation of all
those involved in the meet.
Thank you.
– Peggy Ramirez, meet director; Paul Johnson, president; Lee
Panttaja, coach; Ukiah Dolphins Swim Club
Thanks to Palm Drive
Editor: For over 40 years we’ve taken vacations together at
about this time of year. Not this time. Both of us – just before
vacation start – had serious medical problems (one obstructed small
intestine and one badly infected foot) requiring a visit to Palm
Drive Hospital Emergency Room, with both of us admitted to the
hospital for multiple days, and one surgery.
We are very pleased with the great care we received from
doctors, nurses, technicians, and staff of this very unique local
hospital. Complete investigation of our problems required
laboratory, X-Ray, ultrasound, MRI and other tests available at
this well equipped, local facility. This took a bit of time but
gave us both an opportunity to observe how an experienced and
well-trained team took care of us and provided to other patients as
well.
One thing you cannot miss at Palm Drive is the collaboration of
emergency room and admitting doctors, “hospitalists” (Employee
doctors), and local on-call specialists (in our case infection
control specialists), nurses, and technicians. Also apparent is the
mentoring environment of many-years-experienced and also younger
professionals. (We learned that Palm Drive Hospital has over 30
employees each with over 30 years tenure at Palm Drive – This is a
real “family” and a foundation for excellent care and quality
control.) The care included keeping us informed of what was going
on. We observed how the ER staff responded to other, more urgent
emergencies – pure professionalism and coordination … so
smooth.
Once admitted, we noticed some other things about this hospital
— adequate Registered Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants,
supplemented by fill-in nurses. (The fill-in nurses relieve some of
the pressure on others, allowing full lunch breaks, shift change
meetings, mentoring-teaching, and a feeling of “family.”) Nurses,
assistants, and staff seem happy with their jobs and the
environment; they show a great respect for nursing and medical
directors and administration. Several said that a small hospital
means fewer steps to pharmacy and (great) food service – also less
bureaucracy than a large hospital. “Family” is also promoted
through socializing together for all levels: Administration, MD
through cleaning staff.
We also enjoy the services of Palm Drive’s new Medical Center –
highly experienced and completely integrated with the hospital.
It’s all here… and expanding.
This is a place that deserves your support and business. Palm
Drive is a small hospital and serves all of West Sonoma County.
They are doing many things to provide a full service, including
many innovative services and capabilities you will eventually need
close by. Many thanks to the local community, and to the many major
financial supporters who provide this gem for us.
– Tom Boag and Ralph Hamblin, Sebastopol
Save our landfill
Editor: I am writing to alert the public about the County’s
intention to sell our solid waste system. I attended the Landfill
Divestiture Workshop on Aug. 5 and not one member of the public
spoke in favor of the sale yet it seems like this is a done deal no
matter what. We have owned the landfill for 37 years. Supposedly
the landfill is worth over $500 million, but we have only until
Aug. 25 to comment. That makes me very upset. I urge everyone to
write and call your Supervisor and tell them to slow down, keep our
landfill publicly owned, and no back room deals.
I used to shop at Recycle Town at the “dump” for years. Loved
it. Classes took field trips there. In 2004 our disposal site won
an Outstanding Government Program Award. So what happened?
We already have some of the best people and recycling programs
right here in Sonoma County. Nothing is leaking off the landfill
site. Why is it that we can’t communicate with the Water Board? The
county doesn’t need $70 million all at once to double line 106
acres with plastic. It could be done in increments. We have
intelligent people in our community. If your plumbing in your house
was leaking would you leave the house you owned outright and move
into a rental? No you would call the plumber and fix the leak. Why
didn’t we fix our leak when asked in 2005? Our landfill was a money
maker. I believe it made a profit of $40 on each ton of refuse
brought in.
We don’t need to sell our future to an out-of-state
multi-national garbage company. If we do nothing Republic will own
our landfill.
– Carol Vellutini, Santa Rosa