LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Slow Down signs
Editor: The Slow Down Sebastopol Campaign has certainly garnered
a variety of comments from the community. I have received many
positive comments and requests for yard signs. I also have had a
few questions about why this is being done since Sebastopol does
not have a speeding problem.
Some people do not think the signs are very attractive or
artistic — they look too “Midwest.” Some think the yard signs are
too small. I could say that was done by design to get drivers to
slow down to read them, but it was actually a cost savings
plan. 
One resident has said they will make their own yard sign.  I
hope they do. Unfortunately several of the signs have disappeared,
but maybe they will reappear in someone else’s yard
I really have enjoyed reading and hearing all of the feedback
from the community. The best part is I know the signs have been
noticed, and hopefully will make drivers check their speed, stop at
stop signs and be cautious at crosswalks. If you would like to
display a sign, there will be more yard signs available at City
Hall and Sebastopol Police Services later this week.
Kathleen Shaffer
Sebastopol City Council
Spending priorities
Editor: It is with anger and despair that I watch the
dismantling of and cuts in programs needed by the American people.
The “sacred cow,” our military, costing us approximately a trillion
dollars a year, is left untouched. We are engaged in two wars which
only benefit the corporations engaged in producing instruments of
death and building unnecessary structures in occupied
countries.
We have military bases all over the world supposedly protecting
American interests. In reality, our military is there to protect
American corporations exploiting the people and resources of these
countries.
We were once a country admired and respected by the rest of the
world. Now, we are feared and despised throughout much of the
planet.
We are watching our country, once a democracy, turn into a
“corporatocracy.” We were once a government of the people, by the
people, and for the people. We are now becoming a government of the
corporations, by the corporations, and for the corporations.
We have choices. We can let things continue as they are or let
our legislators know that we will not tolerate their succumbing to
corporate bribery. They can serve “we the people” or be replaced at
the next election.
Let’s do it.
Marty Gerber
Sebastopol
No good radiation
Editor: While serving during the Vietnam War era, I received
specialized training in various high explosives including nuclear,
biological and chemical warfare. I maintained a secret clearance. I
also served for 10 years on the National Steering Committee of the
National Coalition To Stop Food Irradiation. I have owned a Gieger
Counter since 1985 and regularly take radiation readings. I have
also read many books on radiation, such as Dr. John Gofman’s
“Radiation and Human Health.” 
EMF/RF is on one of the non-ionizing Radiation bands.
Non-ionizing Radiation bands include, TV, AM/FM radio,
communications bands, infrared, microwaves, radar and radio waves
(EMF/RF). On the other side of this radiation scale are the
ionizing radiation bands including Alpha radiation, Beta radiation,
Gamma radiation, X-radiation and ultraviolet radiation. 
The main difference between both sides is that ionizing
radiation will kill you fairly quickly whereas non-ionizing
radiation kills you slower but with more pain and agony. 
When more and more radiation of any kind is added to the current
human load, the health outcomes are certain to be devastating. This
is why we must as a society reduce our exposures to both ionizing
radiation and non-ionizing radiation. This includes EMF/RF. 
I remember my friend, Dr. Gofman (co-discoverer of Plutonium),
was always fond of saying, “There is no such thing as a safe level
of radiation.”
Because the City Council is charged with protecting the public
health and safety of its citizens, I strongly urged them to act,
just like they acted recently when they passed the Social Host
ordinance under the umbrella of protecting the public health and
safety. 
Please contact them and ask them to act. Also, we expect to have
some local public forums on EMF/RF and everyone is invited to
attend. PG&E’s Smart Meters emit EMF/RF and are medically
contra-indicated.
Alan Horn
Sebastopol
Get SMART
Editor: Time for SMART to get smart. Make some money with an
Alexander Valley excursion train. Operate from the Simi Winery in
Healdsburg to Cellar 8 (Italian Swiss Colony) in Asti. Stop in
Geyserville for lunch or a shuttle to River Rock. Partner with a
canoe and kayak concession to launch at Asti and take-out in
Geyserville. This 12 mile section of  track is straight and flat
with only two and a half public grade crossings. Even at 25 miles
per hour, it’s a short ride. Three or four trips a day would be
easy, and it is not a stretch to charge $25, $30 or more to
experience one of the prettiest places on the planet. Come on
SMART. Freight and tourism can underwrite our commuter trains. This
is not rocket science. It’s running a railroad.
Hal Beck
Forestville