Letters to the Editor 3-5-15

Airport meeting should be fair to all
Editor:
It seems that the City of Cloverdale Airport Sub-Committee is attempting to orchestrate the March 17 meeting in a much better fashion than they did the last one. This will probably be highly scripted and tightly choreographed to minimize any dissent from the people suffering from the severe noise pollution generated by the skydiving company operating from the Cloverdale Airport. Not only will they attempt to fill the auditorium with pro-corporate anti-environmental apologists of the skydiving operation, there will also be an “aviation” attorney in attendance to quash any legitimate health and environmental questions that are sure to come up. And what is wrong with that? Nothing, absolutley nothing. As long as they have an environmental attorney in attendance to give voice to the side that cannot speak for themselves; the threatened and vulnerable wildlife that lives in the fragile habitat of the Russian River that adjoins the airport. As well as the unconscionable impact this noise pollution has on the endangered peregrine falcons in the wilderness areas of Lake Sonoma. And as long as they have a health care professional present to explain the deleterious impact that the constant and unbearable loud noise coming from the skydiving airplane has on the psychological, emotional and physical health of the people living under the flight path. Even the Geneva Convention considers this level of noise pollution inhumane. Should we not have the same rights as prisoners of war? If the City of Cloverdale has experts to give voice to the above concerns, then I have no problem with the “aviation” attorney defending the City Council’s stance. To have all the experts present would be fair, not just fair for the city officials and the skydiving operation, but fair to all.  I ask the City Council to finally do the right thing for all the people.
C. Jeff Kennedy
Cloverdale
All should benefit
Editor:
An article in the Reveille notes that “this year the farmers’ market is focusing on a Farmer/Agricultural theme.” As opposed to what? The article outlines the application process for nonprofits to participate during two Friday Night Live events, but notes that “nonprofits will not be allowed to sell any food or drink items.” What can they sell? Shorty pajamas? Small arms ammunition? Live goldfish? Stuffed moose heads? All of Cloverdale’s non-profits need the opportunity to make money, just like the Arts Alliance and farmers’ market. Restaurants need the opportunity to make money, too. Moving up the music to 7:30 would help a lot, although it would cut into the amount of money the CFM makes off of vendors. Can’t we do unto others as we would have done unto ourselves—or is that asking too much?
Cynthia “CD” Grant
Cloverdale
In agreement about airport
Editor:
I completely agree with Lois Dilley’s letter of Feb. 26 (Two sides to every story). We live at the northern end of Alexander Valley and spend a good deal of time outdoors. Occasionally airplanes fly over our property and the noise lasts for a few seconds. So what? Compare this to living near an international airport where jets are continually taking off and landing nearly 24/7. I read that about 50 people attended a city meeting complaining about the noise of the NorCal flights. Why should the city spend time, effort and money to appease the demands of a few? What about the 8,000-plus of us in the area who are not complaining? Let’s keep a viable business such as NorCal Skydiving for the benefit of the Cloverdale economy.
Marjorie Stambaugh
Cloverdale
Aging water infrastructure
Editor:
This should concern everyone in the community. Does this mean that we will have to replace a lot of old water pipes? How many? The entire infrastructure? When will it be completed? Will there be a disruption to our water supply? How much water will a 32-unit family condominium project require? With our current aging water infrastructure and our city officials’ necessity to build, will our water system be in jeopardy?
Matthew Glavach
Cloverdale
No one should go hungry
Editor:
I want to thank publisher Rollie Atkinson for the excellent editorial in the Feb. 26 issue. My husband and I farm and live four miles from Cloverdale. We sell our produce in Cloverdale and in season we also share fruit and veggies with the members of Street Church. Street Church is a “church without walls” held each Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Park & Ride on the east side of Guerneville. Usually there are anywhere from 20 to 35 homeless folks and street people who share a short worship celebration (not a requirement) and a full meal. Everyone is welcome. We have members of all ages and from all walks of life including senior citizens, veterans, and quite often, children and infants. There are many who suffer from addictions, mental illness, and/or serious physical problems. While west Sonoma County has a high incidence of homeless people (100 plus in tiny Guerneville), there are hungry people in every community. Despite the high standard of living, there are numerous families who are one paycheck or one financial crisis away from poverty. I urge readers to reread the editorial and follow some of Mr. Atkinson’s suggestions. He is right — Sonoma County should be the last place that anyone goes hungry. Thank you.
Rev. Pamela J. Tinnin, resident of Cloverdale
and Pastor of Street Church, Guerneville