Letters to the Editor 5-22-14

Tough DA
Editor: I guess Jill Ravitch wants to look like a tough district attorney so she can get re-elected — seeking the death penalty for the drug dealers is only one recent example. Just in case you haven’t noticed, Jill, this is Sonoma County where the majority seem to feel as I do: no matter how you look at it, the death penalty is wrong. It degrades us as a culture to use death as a punishment. It serves no purpose except, perhaps, to feed the desire for revenge and retribution, which, indeed, is a spiritually bankrupt place of the heart. Healing isn’t accomplished by retribution — ever.
Why would I vote for someone like you who shamelessly uses this painful and tragic incident to serve yourself? You don’t deserve to hold office if you are willing to kill anyone for your own gain.
Paula Downing
Sebastopol
Lowery for Assembly
Editor: I am a candidate for the California Assembly in the North Coast (Second) District. I’ve lived in the North Coast district for almost 40 years. My wife and I built our home in western Sonoma County. Our children grew up here, and they attended local public schools. I’ve worked here as a teacher and a carpenter. This is our community.
I worked at Burbank Housing, a successful nonprofit affordable housing company in Sonoma County, for 28 years, and I was the executive director between 1998 and 2012. Burbank employs 140 people and has developed over 3,500 homes and apartments. We were successful in bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars that were turned into jobs, housing and economic development. I have business experience running a private company with a public purpose.
My work was about creating opportunities, and we need wider opportunities, particularly for our young people. In addition to housing and homeownership, opportunities depend on good jobs, effective education, access to healthcare and quality public services and infrastructure. And all of these depend on a vital and growing economy, and on business success.
Our North Coast District is vast and diverse. It’s also a magnificent place to live. It contains an amazing variety of natural environments and habitats and includes a third of California’s coastline. Protection of these treasures is our responsibility, as is protection of the region’s economic potential. Any leader in this region, regardless of political views, will need to address these sometimes competing priorities. I understand these issues, and I am able to listen and seek consensus.
I am a Democrat, though I’m concerned that both major parties can be driven by interest groups that do not represent our wider interests. We deserve more effective government that can address wider concerns without the constraint of powerful particular interests. I’m independent, and I have the knowledge, the will and the passion to work for a new and more pragmatic vision of California politics.
John Lowry for Assembly 2014
Sundstrom for Auditor
Editor: On June 3, 2014, one office on your ballot may seem unfamiliar to many voters. However, the office of Auditor-Controller Treasurer-Tax Collector of Sonoma County will appear on your ballot with two candidates listed for the first time in approximately 16 years.
David Sundstrom was appointed to the office of Auditor-Controller Treasurer-Tax Collector back in 2011 unanimously by the Board of Supervisors to complete the 4-year term of his predecessor, who retired before the end of his term.
Mr. Sundstrom has impeccable credentials and he brings to his office over 35 years of this caliber of governmental accounting and financial experience to our county. We are extremely fortunate to have this caliber of professional hold this office. Our tax dollars are in good hands with him overseeing the treasury. He is a true professional with the leadership skills necessary to lead his department of 90 employees.
Please join us in voting for David Sundstrom for Sonoma County Auditor-Controller a Treasurer-Tax Collector on June 3, 2014.
Signed:
Shaun McCaffery
City of Healdsburg vice mayor
Susan Jones and Gary Plass
City of Healdsburg councilmembers