Letters to the Editor 12-26-13

Local generosity
Editor: My longtime medical assistant, Kathie Lamoureaux, whom I first worked with in 1973 when I moved to Healdsburg, was one of those who was let go by the hospital a few weeks ago. She had planned to work a few more years to pay off the mortgage on her house, but suddenly was without work.
So I contacted some of the patients whom she served so well for 40 years and asked them if they would help pay off her loan. Everyone, I repeat, everyone said yes, often remarking how wonderful Kathie had been to them, so caring and nice and always kind. They all sent me checks, some small, some large; but everyone I asked sent me a check. So on Dec. 17, I took the numerous checks to the bank and payed off her mortgage for her. The staff at the Bank of America also seemed to catch the Christmas Spirit as well, and were very helpful.
She had no idea anyone was doing this. So on Dec. 18, at a restaurant in her hometown of Cloverdale, she learned of the generosity and love of the patients she had helped so much over the years.
Dave Anderson
Healdsburg
Dogs on the trail
Editor: Healdsburg residents are fortunate to have access to the Healdsburg Open Space Preserve, with access at the eastern end of Arabian Way in the Parkland Farms development. But access does not mean free rein, and too many residents and visitors are using the path as a personal recreation area, allowing dogs to roam off-leash, and taking the bikes out for a spin both on and off-trail.
Last weekend, for example, while walking the Fox Pond Run Trail, we encountered two energetic dogs racing up and down the trail, apparently without supervision. They were followed by a well-known local restaurateur and his companion, who simply ignored our observations that the dogs should be on leash. He seemed to feel that because he had an electronic collar of some kind — and could get the rambunctious mutts to return to him by zapping their collars — it was okay.
It is not okay. Dogs off-leash will chase and even kill wildlife, can damage wildflowers and other native plants, mutilate bird nests, dig up burrows, defecate out of sight of their caretakers, to say nothing of surprise or frighten hikers who suddenly find themselves the object of unwanted canine attention. Older people may find the “friendly” dogs make it difficult to walk and lose their balance. And it’s a fact that dog-owners often cannot accept — most people don’t like your dogs as much as you do.
We also encountered three people on mountain bikes, one of whom patiently waited for us to get off a narrow trail, but none of whom had any right to be on those trails. Bikes demonstrably increase erosion on dirt trails, to say nothing of the potential if not inevitability of injury to themselves and others.
Both of these activities — off-leash dogs and bike riding — are proscribed by the city of Healdsburg and its agreement with Land Paths. “The intent of the Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve is to protect and enhance its natural and visual resources and to provide ‘passive’ recreational activities for public use,” their literature says.
It goes on to note that “Dogs are welcome to the Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve on paved trails only” (emphasis added), and “All dogs must remain on a leash at all times and owners are required to clean up after their pets.”
As well as being the standards for appropriate use of this facility, this is Public Courtesy 101, people. Whether you are a visitor, a new or long-term resident, or a well-known local restaurateur, you owe it to the community — and the health of the public lands that we have been entrusted to steward — to respect the rules and the laws of public behavior.
No matter how special your dogs are, they are not welcome to roam off-leash at will, anywhere except a dog park.
Christian Kallen
Healdsburg
Rebellion
Editor: Thirty companies listed on the Dow Jones industrial average, including Wal-Mart, Cisco, Home Depot, are so flush with cash, says the Washington Post (Dec. 16), that they authorized $211 billion to raise the wages of their lowest-paid employees. According to their CEOs and the National Chamber of Commerce, these companies have become worried about the stark income inequality in this country, realize their collective responsibility for that immoral situation, and “want to put America back on the right track.”
You guessed, of course, that everything after the word “raise” is fiction, something that will never happen under our near-unfettered capitalistic system. Those companies are using that mountain of cash not for wage increases, nor even for research and investment, but solely to buy back shares, reward shareholders, raise the price of their stock, and ultimately push even higher the unconscionable salaries of their chief executives. Damn the workers, business as usual, full speed ahead.
Although I was a capitalist running dog for many years, I have always known that capitalism’s natural instincts are to grind down the worker for the good of owners and investors. Yes, of course there are companies that are exceptions, and over time governments have regulated the worst excesses of the system. But now that the large capitalists own our legislatures and Congress once again, there will be no more pesky fetters, willing or no Elizabeth Warren and her ilk, nor a courageous Pope that I’m sure few Catholic capitalists want to listen to.
I submit that the only answer is rebellion. Study American history and you’ll learn that almost every decade has been marked by the struggle of downtrodden, tyrannized, under-represented groups against the overweening, despotic, and authoritarian despoilers of economic, political, social, and moral justice.
Rebellion is as American as pumpkin pie and should be offered regularly. We’re long overdue for a slice right now. So why not send this decade into history with nice rebellion? Non-violent, of course, but one that will truly stun the capitalist institutions. They might even cough up two more bucks to raise the minimum wage to a minimally decent level. Now that’s pie in the sky.
Dave Henderson
Healdsburg
Me first
Editor: In a letter titled “Open Ridge”, published Dec. 12, 2013, Kevin West said he was completely baffled as to what the problem could possibly be with his continued use of another’s private property. I believe his question may have been answered by Ron and Sally Grassi in their letter published Dec. 19. 2013.
The Grassis attempt to give legal advice to your readers ignored §1009(b) of the California Civil Code which appears to prevent the public from ever gaining such a prescriptive easement as these “internet lawyers” described. Their not so veiled attempt at threatening legal action if the property owner doesn’t explain himself to them may be the answer to the question Kevin West asked. The property owner may just be trying to get the process started so when the time comes to actually develop his property, he will have all this nuisance stuff behind him.
So many people in our “me” generation seem to feel all the rights belong to them and if they don’t get their way, they threaten legal action. Even when the law is very clear on a subject, it can be very expensive and time consuming (more money) to confirm one’s rights against such a “me first” position.
Ralph Holden
Healdsburg
Class of 2017
Editor: My name is, Jon Marcus, and I am a math teacher at Healdsburg High School, and have been given the amazing opportunity to be the advisor to the class of 2017. On behalf of Healdsburg High School and the class of 2017, I would like to thank all of those who helped to make this year’s REIBT pasta feed a huge success last Friday. The cafeteria was filled with festive decorations, amazing donations and prizes, wonderful music, Santa Clause, smiling faces of friends and family, and of course, amazing food. And none of this would have been possible without your support! Special thanks go out the amazing HHS culinary students and their fearless leader, Adrianne Brounstein, for the wonderful food and service.
During this time of year I often find myself reflecting on my life and all of the blessings that I have been given. While writing this letter, I am overwhelmed with emotions of gratitude, joy and admiration. I am so fortunate to be a part of such a generous, supportive and nurturing community. But most of all, I am grateful for having the opportunity each day to work with such amazing young people and their incredible families. Thank you all for your support, dedication and love. Happy holidays!
Jon Marcus
Healdsburg
True choice
Editor: In addressing Ray Holley’s so called “manufactured crisis” with first hand facts, my letter to the editor was a lot longer than it is now. Upon further consideration, I realized that Mr. Holley’s assertions are based on ideology and facts need not apply. However, his glowing report of Covered California begged for enlightenment as a public service from one who also thought the same of Covered California at first glance. Further inquiry revealed startling facts that are emerging about the California exchange provider network. A published report by the Washington Examiner said up to seven out of 10 doctors and hospitals could boycot and refuse to participate in the plans offered in Covered California. As it turns out, the plan that Ray thinks is the same as his old one, is not the same for providers. The reimbursement rates for doctors and facilities in the plans under Covered California are substantially less than that of the private plans and are unsustainable for most providers. Therefore, the list of providers was merely a duplicate of their private plans, but are not confirmed for Covered California. Public inquiry to Anthem and Blue Cross about the confirmed participants under their exchange plans remain unanswered.
Perhaps that will not change Ray’s mind. Maybe it is of little concern that Covered California plans will leave him and others without actual care, but his satisfaction over his “choice” is evident and his personal anomaly of lowered cost delivers him the single trumpet of success over and above facts. He embraces big government control, ignores the waivers and delays being delivered to big business, doctors and hospitals opting out, penalties to individuals, and the CBO reporting that 30 million uninsured will still remain.
In summary, more of us are realizing each day that ObamaCare is not about quality health care or choice. True choice would have delivered us the ability to purchase in a competitive market across State lines, portability, catastrophic coverage, tort reform, individual groups, and funding for a high risk pool. A high risk pool that could have been funded with the near-billion dollars spent through crony capitalism on the ObamaCare website that doesn’t work.
June Snowden
Healdsburg
A negotiated compromise
Editor: Good news on the downtown Healdsburg hotel issue. Last week, leaders of Healdsburg Citizens for Sustainable Solutions (HCSS) were asked, and then met twice, with owners of the h2Hotel. The history and tentative plans for their long expected and much debated new downtown hotel were on the table.
With the future of “small town character” a concern on both sides, H2 negotiated, and we then agreed, to not oppose their design for a 39 room hotel, although it is at the high end of HCSS supporter vision. Favorably, their design includes 50 parking spaces.
This successful example of pro-active community outreach was presented to citizens at an informational presentation on Dec. 18.  Planning and city council hearings will follow.
Warren and Janis Watkins
Healdsburg