Letters to the Editor 4-28-16

Proven leadership
EDITOR: For thirty years, with both Ernie Carpenter and myself, the District has been the voice of progressive Democrats on the Board of Supervisors. That’s why I am voting for Noreen Evans in the upcoming election to continue and build upon that legacy.
Candidates for office make a lot of promises during campaigns but Noreen Evans is the only candidate for Fifth District Supervisor with a public track record of excellence on the environment, social justice, public safety, coastal protection and responsible budgeting among other issues of importance to district residents. I can vote for Noreen with confidence that I know what I am getting.
During our common years in office, Noreen was my “go to” legislator when district or coastal issues required help from the state. She invariably delivered. I was sorry to read that Supervisor Carrillo was unable to establish a similarly positive working relationship.
Moreover, during her 20 years in public office, Noreen has represented either all or a significant portion of the Fifth District. From Roseland to Sea Ranch, the diverse and sprawling district needs and deserves a knowledgeable and hard working representative. Her years of work and achievements on coastal protection is second to none and earned her the Sierra Club’s highest environmental recognition in California.
I respectfully urge Fifth District citizens to join me in voting for the proven leadership of Noreen Evans for our next County Supervisor.
Mike Reilly
Former Fifth District Supervisor
Forestville
Very upset
EDITOR: I am very upset at the Sonoma West Times article on April 21 entitled “SWMC nursing costs outstrips revenue.” That is absurd. Why does our local newspaper go out of its way to needlessly denigrate our local hospital? Registry costs were high in February, it is true. But they are only a fraction of revenue for the hospital and did not “outstrip” revenue. Additionally, every hospital in Santa Rosa is dealing with high nursing registry costs and SWMC is no different. We are actively working on reducing our reliance on registry just like every other hospital. In fact we are pleased to report that registry costs were down by $100,000 for the month of March. Unfortunately, the most egregious part of the story, in my opinion, is bringing our former CNO, Autumn AndRa, into the story. Autumn AndRa, worked day and night for over five months for this hospital and worked harder for this hospital than anyone else. We would not have been able to open on time without her. The fact that we have high registry costs is no reflection on Autumn. Every hospital has high registry costs. I have nothing but great admiration and appreciation for everything that Autumn did for our hospital.
Raymond T. Hino
President & CEO
Sonoma West Medical Center
Sebastopol
That ship has sailed
EDITOR: Eder bemoans the cost of the lawsuits. Perhaps he forgets that it was the anti-CVS city council that filed the lawsuits and cost our city $400,000.
When I came to town 38 years ago there were 3 independent pharmacies and a Chevy dealership. That ship has sailed but Mommaerts says CVS prevents local independent pharmacies. As I said that ship sailed 30 years ago and I bet CVS has been in Sebastopol longer than Mommaerts.
I knew the independent pharmacists and I miss them — as I miss my youth. That ship has sailed. I may use Rite Aid or Safeway pharmacies rather than the new CVS for convenience, but I am glad to get a new building on the vacant lot. By the way, Safeway and Rite Aid are corporate chains.  I would prefer Pellini’s returned —but that ship has sailed. The new comers to Sebastopol prefer that Sebastopol not change but it changed before they got here. Too bad — it was a great place before they came.
Roger Delgado
Sebastopol
I will miss you, Gene
EDITOR: Oh, Gene Nelson, I will miss you! I certainly understand you wanting to step away. I read your column every week and so enjoyed the comfort you brought and your kind perspective. I enjoyed your fishing trips and watching your family grow and transition. So much more I could say but I’ll leave it at Thank You.
Pam Hayne
Rio Nido
Temporary resident
EDITOR: While I know that Noreen Evans has done some very good things with her time in politics, what she has done, relative to the Fifth district is appalling. I thought we got rid of the “carpetbaggers” a long time ago. Apparently, I was wrong.
I’m not sure what her thoughts are, but probably she feels she can do the job better than anyone else in the running. I don’t believe that’s correct, as there are several good candidates. What I am opposed to is her “carpetbagging” to enter the race. Noreen, you should go back to your original district, and if you want to, run for the Supervisor’s position from that district, and not ours. If you don’t win the race, are you going to move out of our district????? We don’t need temporary residents.
Nancy Aita
Sebastopol
Seasoned leader
EDITOR: Fifth district residents received a colorful 20-page insert describing the intentions of Lynda Hopkins as candidate for Supervisor. Her endorsement by the Sonoma County Alliance, representing business and real estate development interests is enabling her to try to persuade us that this ambitious newcomer to the political scene could actually do the job!  
Bright and lovely as she is, Hopkins is woefully unprepared and inexperienced. Any political newcomer should begin with the many opportunities to learn the political environment first: i.e. school board and city council membership. This is precedent toward the advanced Board of Supervisors representation.
More than ever, a proven leader is needed in the Fifth District. During her leadership in the State Assembly and as Senator: Evans successfully introduced legislation to better the environment, education, health care and helped stop off-shore oil drilling. She fought against the nation’s four largest banks and authored the Homeowner’s Bill of Rights.
She paved the way for Sonoma County Open Space and Agricultural District to help fund preservation of the Jenner Highlands, coastal trail improvements and restoration projects on the Laguna de Santa Rosa.
Noreen Evans is the candidate with a proven track record and years of experience representing Sonoma County at the state level. The Fifth District needs representation from a seasoned leader.
Patricia Ehrmann
Sebastopol