LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 11-24-2011

Good paper
Editor: I finally had a chance to sit down with
last week’s paper and while I usually cringe at my weekend edition
of the NY Times, it occurred to me when I pick up the Sonoma West
Times & News, I am always greeted with important information
that steers clear of gloom, doom and fear.
I really appreciate the “human” reporting and that you keep
everything right in our backyard, relevant, and happy.
Thanks.
Candace Mackey
Director Redwood Arts Council
Occidental


Support resolution
Editor: Occupy Sebastopol has proven to be a
model for other towns to follow. The “Occupiers” have meet with
City officials, the Council and the citizens of our town. The
channels of communication have remained open and fluid with
problems tackled and resolved with mutual respect.
To continue to set an example for other governmental entities
Councilmember Sarah Gurney has proposed a Resolution of the City
Council in Solidarity with the Occupy Movement.
The Resolution in part addresses issues such as the inequity of
the distribution of wealth in this country and how Sebastopol and
its citizens have been affected by this with unprecedented loss of
homes, of meaningful employment, and of access to medical care. It
calls for an end to systems that further impoverish working people
and destroy the environment. A draft of the Resolution may be
obtained at City Hall.
Please plan to attend the next City Council meeting, which
begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6 at the Youth Annex. Speak up for
the Resolution. Let the Councilmembers know your feelings about
this exciting movement taking place in our country and in our Plaza
– at last.
Deanne Thompson
Sebastopol


SUSD bonds
Editor: The Sebastopol Union School District
has recently refunded an outstanding general obligation bond issue,
saving property owners almost $140,000. The bonds are one series
from an authorization, totaling $6.4 million, that was approved by
more than 75 percent of voters in a June, 1996 election. The funds
were used to rehabilitate and expand school district facilities,
including classrooms and libraries, and to make safety and seismic
upgrades. Access to technology was also improved.
The first series of bonds totaling $3.2 million was issued in
July, 1996 and had interest rates that ranged from 3.75 percent to
a high of 5.85 percent. The 1996 bonds were later refinanced in
2001. The just-completed refinancing has once again lowered
interest rates on the obligation. The new rates range from 0.67 to
2.95 percent, translating into a savings of $135,753.
As stewards of the District’s finances, we have a responsibility
to the property owners who pay the taxes that support the
District’s facilities. The passage of time and a lower interest
rate environment provided the opportunity to refinance the old bond
at lower rates.
The District’s financial advisor recommended moving forward with
the refinancing to take advantage of historically low rates. These
rates are a result of low supply and higher than usual demand.
Investors have become increasingly nervous following the downgrade
of the credit rating of the U.S., the problems with debt here and
in Europe, and signs that the economy is not as strong as
previously thought. Nervous investors seek safety in bonds
including municipal bonds, like those issued by the District.
The refinancing of the 2001 bond was authorized by the
Sebastopol Union School District Board, whose president, Deborah
Drehmel, stated, “We appreciate the community’s support for local
schools and are glad we had an opportunity to save money for our
taxpayers.”
Liz Schott
Superintendent
Sebastopol Union School District


They want to move?
Editor: A lesson in the high cost of health
care occurred to us recently. Our diabetic dog requires human
insulin injections. We have been purchasing the insulin at a local
pharmacy at $68 per 10 ml vial. We decided to shop prices and found
that we could purchase the identical medication at another big box
pharmacy in Rohnert Park for $24 (same pharmaceutical, same 10 ml
size). We asked our local pharmacist if they could match the price
and were told that most people have health insurance, and that the
insurance company is billed. They would not lower their price as
they “needed to make a profit,” charging nearly triple for the same
product and billing insurance companies seems outrageous. Another
reason for spiraling health care costs. And they want to move to a
bigger facility downtown?
Louis and Nancy Sanchietti
Sebastopol


Foundation view
Editors: Marin General Hospital’s
administration has proposed a management services contract that
will provide oversight of Palm Drive Hospital and its related
outpatient services much as they have done in Sonoma. Having
reviewed their initial written proposal and heard from them in
public session, we, the board of the Palm Drive Health Care
Foundation, www.pdhcf.org, support and urge the district board to
move forward with this plan with all due haste. The Foundation
stands ready to buttress the district board as they move
forward.
We are committed to energizing the community in support of Palm
Drive Hospital as the center of wellness and disease prevention as
well as clinical and emergency medical care for all Western Sonoma
County residents. We look forward to working collaboratively with
the entrepreneurial team that Marin has assembled.
Stewart Goldberg, co-president; Bob Gillen,
co-president; Gail Thomas, past president; Heidi Gillen, past
president; Steve Jorgensen, secretary; Duane Phillips, treasurer;
Edward Bauman; Dennis Colthurst; Mark Olson; Dr. Roger Pitzen;
Nancy Shimetz; Dan Smith;
Martin Webb
 
Think Sebastopol first
Editor: We appreciate the community support for
all things local. Now that the holiday season is here, we hope you
will do all of your shopping in Sebastopol. To promote our local
businesses, organizations and events during the holidays, the
Chamber of Commerce has launched a community campaign, “Think
Sebastopol First.” This campaign serves as a warm reminder to the
community about how much your local spending is appreciated and
needed by the city.
Please support this holiday campaign by shopping at our
businesses in all areas of the city, and when you need to purchase
gas, buy it in Sebastopol, and when you dine out, choose one of our
many fine restaurants. The stores are already “Thinking Sebastopol
First” with their beautiful light displays downtown to compliment
the Main Street tree lights. Our businesses whether they are
located north, east, south, west or downtown are ready to serve
you, and they have both practical and unique items for your
choosing.
“Think Sebastopol First” when you want to enjoy a holiday event.
There is much to choose from such as the local production of the
“Nutcracker,” the Plaza tree lighting and a variety of events at
the Art Center and the Community Center. Our local organizations
along with many volunteers offer free community dinners on
Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The community is at its best by
thinking first about those in need and volunteering time to provide
healthy, hot meals for all who attend.
Thank you for all of your support throughout the year. We hope
you have a peaceful holiday season, and especially enjoy your
holiday shopping in Sebastopol.
Happy Holidays.
Mayor Guy Wilson; Vice Mayor Michael Kyes;
Councilmembers Sarah Gurney, Kathleen Shaffer
and Patrick Slayter