LETTERS TO THE EDITOR – 3-15-12

Library involvement
Editor: Andrew Carnegie said, “A library out ranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.”
His sentiment is as true today as it was when he endowed his first U.S. library in 1889.
In June of 2011, when we learned that the Sonoma County libraries were closing on Mondays and reducing branch hours uniformly, we formed Sonoma County Save Our Libraries (SOCOSOL). Our explicit purpose was and is to get the Library to restore public service hours to the level that existed prior to August 2011.
Our task has grown past the ability of our small steering committee. We need people who are willing to go to Commission and Library Advisory Board (LAB) meetings to make the needs of the community known. Each branch has its own LAB. Each LAB sets its meeting times, so check the library website or www.socosol.org.
If you are interested in joining the steering committee, please go to www.socosol.org and leave us an e-mail.
“Libraries will get you through times with no money better than money will get you through times with no libraries.”
Virginia R. Harris
Sebastopol
 
SUSD stability
Editor: Sebastopol Union School District’s Board of Trustees last Thursday approved its Second Interim Budget Report, a midyear accounting that is mandated by the state, that gives a snapshot of the district’s fiscal health.
The Trustees were pleased to learn that our books are much healthier than they were just one year ago. Ending balance projections are much improved, and our enrollment from last year to this has remained stable after experiencing years of steep decline. In other words, things are looking up in SUSD.
How has this been accomplished? Mostly through collaborative problem solving with our employee groups, larger class sizes, and the closing of one school. That school, Pine Crest, will be fully leased next year.
All this despite an ongoing 20 percent-plus deficit to our state revenues.
The measures taken by our school board to balance the budget come with a human cost.
The Trustees voted to issue preliminary layoff notices to several employees by the state’s March 15 deadline. The fact that salaries and benefits make up the lion’s share of our budget means that is the first place we have to look when attempting to curtail deficit spending.
While we hope not to have to finalize several of those by the May 15 deadline, the complete lack of certainty surrounding the state budget process requires us to be extremely cautious in our staffing projections.
We appreciate the professionalism and optimism our staff displays under these trying circumstances. It is a true measure of their dedication that they continue to provide a superior education to our students while waiting to learn of their future in our district. It is the district’s intention to make that limbo as short-lived as possible.
The long-term viability of SUSD depends on having the right number of schools and staff members for the number of students enrolled in our district. Our Second Interim Report, accepted by the School Board last week, indicates that we are clearly making gains toward achieving that goal.
Liz Schott
Superintendent, SUSD
 
Act neighborly
Editor: Be a respectful neighbor. That was the message of the first Neighborhood Representatives meeting of 2012. The meeting convened at the Sebastopol Library and we were fortunate to hear an update from Sue Struthers, the Sebastopol Library Manager. Sue talked about the library remodeling project and the services being offered at the Community Center while the library is closed. Congratulations to Sue on a huge job well done. We look forward to the reopening in a few months.
To assist people who need access to computer service during the remodel, visit the Senior Center. There are two additional computers available for public use. One computer has been loaned to the Senior Center by the Sebastopol Entrepreneur’s Project.
The people attending the meeting represented several neighborhoods throughout the city. The issues discussed focused on safety. One complaint was about garbage cans left in the streets and on the sidewalks for several days after trash pick up. It is difficult for cars to avoid them, particularly when backing out of driveways. There are several streets experiencing this problem. This can also be a hazard for people in wheelchairs and who have diffculty walking.
Another complaint was about trees, bushes and vines growing onto city sidewalks and into neighbor’s yards. So, how can complaints be handled?
Complaining to the city is one way, but the group decided it is better to first try talking with your neighbors. We should act neighborly toward each other and ask people to respect each other’s rights.
The suggestion was made to place this letter in the Sonoma West Times & News to ask people to do just that. Most neighborhoods have narrow streets with houses, yards and driveways in close proximity. Being a respectful neighbor is the best way to avoid problems.
Crosswalk safety issues are still, and always, a concern. Karilee Shames, representing the Fircrest Mobile Home Park, is working on crosswalk safety around the Redwood Avenue and South Gravenstein Highway area.
The crosswalk at that intersection is scheduled for an upgrade by Caltrans in early 2013. Hopefully it will be improved before then.
Pedestrians have the right of way, but you must be responsible for your own safety. Stay alert, and make sure it is safe before entering any crosswalk.
Thanks to Marian McDonald who is the regular scribe at the Neighborhood Representative meetings. These meetings are always useful and informative, and always result in some idea to improve safety in the city. The next meeting will be scheduled in May.
Kathleen Shaffer
City Councilmember
 
Time to change
Editor: Out of frustration, I write this letter. It seems our community has been hijacked by a very vocal minority, led by one Helen Shane, who claim to speak for the 30,000-plus Sebastopol area residents. They do not.
Pathetically, three City Council members seem to look to Shane for direction. She played a major role in the City Council campaigns of Guy Wilson, Michael Kyes and Sarah Gurney. In addition, she has orchestrated appointments controlling other governing bodies in town.
She personally advises Lynn Deedler of the Design Review Board. Then, there’s Shane-supported Clair Najarian, a Planning Commissioner, whose public comments and behavior towards Efren Carrillo have shamed our city.
Many citizens have asked for her removal but, the Shaneful council refuses to do so. Recently, Linda Kelley, another Shane minion, was appointed to the Planning Commission despite troubling legal matters and notoriety, while as a City Council member.
Yet, with support from the City Council and appointed committee members, Shane wields undue influence in critical decisions regarding Sebastopol.
For the majority of us not swayed by Shane’s myopic vision of what Sebastopol is to be, take heart. We are working to take back our community. A balanced approach in meeting our needs, supported by a majority is long overdue. Obstruction is not the answer to everything.
It’s time for a change.
Nancy Aita
Sebastopol