Letters to the Editor 3-10-16

To our community
Editor: Our Washington Middle School eighth graders are kicking into high gear to raise money for their end-of year promotion events. They have planned a dance after their ceremony, as well as a day-away for some adventure. We are hoping our community’s generosity will assist them in reaching their goals. Upcoming events to help raise funds include:
See’s Candy Spring Fundraiser Feb. 23 – March 7;
March Recycle Month – Collect plastic and cans from home to be turned in for funds;
Rummage Sale – Saturday, April 10, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donate items for come shop and enjoy the goodies;
Breakfast with your eighth grader Saturday, April 16, 9 to 11:30 a.m.;
Possible ways to help support our eighth graders:
• Donations of decorations, cups, plates, treats and food for their events;
• Allowing for a “Spare Change” jar at the counter of your business so customers can participate if they choose;
•Garbage cans for eighth grade classrooms to collect recyclables from home;
• Restaurants – Pick a dish to donate (each time a selected dish is ordered);
• Collection of recycling to be turned in for funds (arrangements will be made for pick-up);
• Cash donations are always appreciated as well. Checks to: Washington School, memo: eighth grade promo.
Please contact JoAnn with questions and participation. We welcome any ideas as well.
The 8th Grade Promotion / Day Away Board and Committee, Cloverdale
Career choices await CHS students
Editor: We want to express our appreciation to the lively professionals who took time from their busy work lives last week to come to Cloverdale High School and share real life insights about what it takes to succeed in their chosen fields with our students.
On hand for the recent AAUW Career Choices panel focused on jobs in the broad category of “Legal & Financial” careers slated were: Oscar Pardo, recently honored to be elected to California’s 2015 “Super Lawyers Rising Stars” list; Leslie Palmieri, branch manager of Exchange Bank in Cloverdale; fiduciary services provider Don Hughes; Realtor Lou Enge; and Sonoma County probation officer, Oscar Acosta.
Scores of CHS students self-selected to attend this fascinating event where participants spoke from the heart about the personal and academic challenges they faced to realize their goals for fulfilling and rewarding careers.
Last week’s Career Choices panel was the third in an award-winning series presented by AAUW volunteers. Local residents can help support this program by encouraging participation. Next up on March 31 is a diverse panel focused on careers in the field of “Health Care.” If you know a local high school student who could use an encouraging nudge in this direction, why not be a good friend or neighbor and help spread the word?
Again, thank you to all our generous panelists – past and future – for sharing your wisdom and optimism with the young people of Cloverdale.
Diane Bartleson and Valerie Marder,
AAUW members, Cloverdale
Big bucks at city hall
Editor: I was recently reading in our paper about our city hiring an assistant city manager at $127,500 a year. That seemed like a lot, so I did a little research and found that the average salary in our country for that position is between $15,000 and $19,000, but in California the average is $55,000.
I read that that they are very overpaid all over our state of California. This $127,500 a year averages out to about $10,630 a month, and that does not include their retirement, pension, etc.
I checked out the average salaries for other educated professionals and found that plumbers are $40,000 to $50,000 a year, teachers and librarians are $50,000 to $60,000 a year, accountants about $60,000 and nurses about $70,000.
The salary of our city manager is $135,000. Why is it that government workers (whether on the macrocosmic or the microcosmic level) get paid about twice what other educated professionals make? The salary of the governor of California is $175,000, but admirably, he doesn’t take it as he feels he has sufficient money already.
This is an example right here in our community of the big bucks going to our government officials and the rest of us struggle to pay the rent. Evidently the city council approves these high wages. Shining the light on these injustices is the first step toward remediation and having a more just economy and country.
Mardi Grainger
Cloverdale
Classical music treat
Editor: Last week, many Cloverdale classical music lovers heard a beautiful concert at the Theatre for the Performing Arts by the Santa Rosa Symphony Young People’s Chamber Orchestra.
Listening to and watching these young musicians, all under age 18, playing difficult music at such a high level was indeed inspiring. They pride themselves on performing without a conductor, following the upswing bow of the first violinist to begin.
One highlight of the program was the performance of Boccherini’s Cello Concerto in D major by a guest cellist virtuoso (a grown-up). I especially appreciated the opportunity to view his flying fingers close up instead of from the rear of a concert hall. They will be invited to return next year, and hope that even more of you can attend and support these talented young people as they pursue their musical careers.
Kay Wells
Cloverdale