Letters to the Editor

Furch speaks out on Fifth District race
EDITOR: We are urged to think globally and act locally. National politics are enthralling, but local county and city governance is what most affects our daily lives.
The race for Supervisor for the Fifth District is critical this year. There are tough decisions to be made about our water resources; about vineyards – and wetlands; about coastal protection – and access to the coast; affordable housing, economic development, civil rights, county fire services, the development of Roseland, aging infrastructure, resource protection and many other issues that will affect our lives for generations to come.
We need a supervisor experienced not only in addressing a wide variety of complex issues, but someone who can work well with colleagues on the board, with staff, and with us. I’ve watched and interacted with Sonoma County’s Board of Supervisors for decades, through a spectrum of styles and goals. Each board has its own character, its own set of priorities and processes. Our current Board of Supervisors is relatively new to governance. Three of the five had never before held public office.
As a result, they’ve unintentionally developed practices that separate them, rather than encouraging collaboration and developing expertise. Since they are relatively new, they naturally rely on staff for guidance. We elect supervisors to represent our interests, but the interests that helped get them elected can heavily influence inexperienced supervisors.
Thinking globally, acting locally, I look at a candidate’s past actions and/or votes cast. I want to see a history of dedication, determination, and shared values. Raised voices, good intentions, fervent promises are not a sure indicator of commitment or the ability to achieve change.
“Experience” is a much-abused word these days, but given the nature of our world and our local pressures, I have to think it counts. We do not have months or years for our representatives to come up to speed on the full range of issues we face. Thinking locally, only Noreen Evans has a proven track record of leadership, commitment and strong values. We already know where she stands and that she can get things done. I urge you to vote for Noreen Evans for Fifth District Supervisor.
Rue Furch
Sebastopol
A story of coming together
EDITOR: Sonoma West Medical Center has certainly had a challenging birth. Yet, it lives today and will be more vibrant than ever under the expert guidance of Luke Tharasri and Pipeline Health.
Although you would not know it from reading the paper, our hospital’s story is not about one person, one couple or even the many who have donated their money and time to make it a reality. It is the story of coming together and caring for each other against overwhelming odds.
It is about supporting our police and firefighters, the elderly, infirm and homeless among us. It is about having an emergency room close when a child is injured on the playground, a baby can’t breathe, a young woman has a ruptured tubal pregnancy, our neighbor has a heart attack or a worker is injured in the grape fields.
All of the accusations, lawsuits and false claims printed in the paper do not hold a candle against saving even one life, not to speak of the many who will be saved in the coming years. We are grateful for being able to participate in a better future for West County and thank everyone who has made it possible.
Dan Smith and Joan Marler
Sebastopol