Letters to the Editor 4-17-14

Stop with the spraying
Editor:   
Let me start by saying that I love living in Cloverdale. I have never met a nicer bunch of people in a community, everyone is so friendly.
I am writing because of the growing concern I have over what appears to be a “spray happy” town. It seems that every time I walk my dog I see a guy walking spraying some chemical along South Foothill, over at Furber Park or along Muscat Creek Trail. The one time I was able to get thorough to the city office I was told that what was being sprayed was a pre-emergent weed killer that was “harmless.” Ok I guess I will accept that. Why was nothing posted? I did avoid the trail for about two weeks after this. This morning as I sat having coffee I see this large truck with a sprayer/compressor attached and the guy jumps out and sprays the grass along the sidewalk on Elbridge just down from the churches. I don ‘t know what this stuff is but it has a sickening sweet smell. I have had the animals in all day and doors and windows shut. Can someone please post something when they are going to spray? How about seeing the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) so I can decide for myself if it is “harmless.” The problem is that when nothing is posted, all the kids walking along Elbridge to Furber Park 15 minutes later don’t have a clue it’s been sprayed. Now what about the cost … There is the cost of the product, applicator license fees, paying for mileage and keeping the truck running, and paying wages to the guy who is out there doing the spraying. Does it really matter if a few weeds pop up in the lawn? Let’s cut back and “Go Green.”
Lori Pacheco,
Cloverdale
All smiles for Obamacare
 Editor:   
So, Mr. Atkinson is pleased with the Affordable Care Act and has expressed that opinion several times. Well, Mr Atkinson, let me tell you that I am standing right behind you! I am pleased that my adult children across the nation now has health care for the first time in decades; pleased that ‘prior conditions’ are no longer a barrier to health insurance; pleased that young people can stay on their parents’ policies; and delighted with preventive care. Getting that law passed and implemented was an achievement of historic proportions. My thanks, on a daily basis, go to Obama, Pelosi and all the people who fought and voted and stood firm to pass this act, and to the State of California that had implementation plans in place when the law was passed. Of course, a change of this enormity has bumps. They will be worked out over time. I am all smiles.
Kirsten Sullivan,
Cloverdale
New business
Editor:   
As the new owners of the Isaac E. Shaw Building, and Bolt Fabric and Home Décor, we are delighted to join Cloverdale’s growing business community.
Our repairs and upgrades to this 139-year-old building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, will ensure it many more years serving Cloverdale’s residents and visitors.
The business will offer a selection of fine fabrics and a range from trendy to traditional, affordable home furnishings and accessories.
We will continue the previous owner’s practice of making our arbor and patio available for Cloverdale Historical Society functions. The new and expanding Cloverdale Farmers’ Market next door, now receives free electric service from our building on Market Day.  
We appreciate the warm welcome we have received from throughout the Cloverdale community and  look forward to opening our doors this summer.
David Barrett, Peter Rosson and Kate Barrett,
Cloverdale