Letters to the Editor 5-7-15

Queen of it all
Editor:
Cloverdale has been educating students for about 150 years. Thousands of diplomas have been earned during this time, and many of those graduates proceeded through life, leaving a legacy. The purpose of life is to create something that will outlast it – a legacy. The “north star” for this recognition – Aldina Cuneo, better known as Dina Giovannetti – was well known to many Cloverdaleians in 1972, give or take 25 years. Two of her “adopted sons,” Ed Bowen and Gary Mills, pooled their thoughts, and the following is a collection of their memories: She entered elementary school speaking only Italian. Graduating as valedictorian of her class in 1936, it is believed she earned the highest grade point average in the history of Cloverdale High School. She excelled in most phases through elementary and high school. She did almost everything better than everyone. Whatever she was involved in was better for it. Those who worked for or with her adored her. As a business owner, she was the best. Deeply spiritual, but never wearing it on her sleeve, any clergy encountered at her restaurant would be a “no charge.” She once created a huge celebration at her home to honor those returning home from military service or college. In church and in civic matters, people followed her lead like no other. Rising like a full moon over the ocean from a child to the finish line, she inspired Cloverdale in some way for about 70 years. Dina Giovannetti, mother of Virginia, Leo, Paul and Geri Giovannetti, wife of Joe Giovannetti, Jr., will live in the hearts of those who knew her until our flame burns out. Happy Mother’s Day, Dina!
Cloverdale High School, Class of 1965
A word on retirement benefits
Editor:
Congrats, you nailed it (“Vote No on Measure A,” April 30.) As a 35-year government employee, we did trade good benefits/pensions for a mediocre salary. Now, when the city manager of a 6000-person town earns a well-over $150,000 total compensation package, the guaranteed fixed-benefit retirement plan is overkill. If they want to earn private sector salaries, they should get private sector benefits,  i.e. a 401(k) plan.
Wayne Diggs
Cloverdale
Compliance issues
Editor:
Mayor Cox was quoted in last week’s paper (“Lease extension on hold for NorCal Skydiving,” April 30) as saying about Norcal Skydiving’s lease, “I think that they have complied with the provisions of the lease as I have read it, but maybe it needs to be looked at from another set of eyes.”
Many others have reviewed the lease as well as the terms and conditions of the Planning Commission (2008-2009) and have found that NorCal has not complied with many of the conditions set forth by the Planning Commisson. Such as:
1. They were to install a ‘covered picnic area’ as shown on the plans. There is no covered picnic area and there is no evidence of any plans submitted or in existence.
3. The applicant did not, as there is no evidence, ‘submit a final landscape plan.’
4. ‘The applicant shall obtain all required permits prior to installation of the trailer office and covered picnic structure.’ There is no evidence, or any record, of any permit being issued for the installation of the trailer. (This is a serious breach of the California Building Code)
5. On-site signage does not meet the Cloverdale City Standards.
6. ‘The Planning Commission specifically declares that it would not have issued this permit unless all of the conditions herein are held as valid.’
7. ‘The trailer office shall be anchored to prevent movement and disconnection of utilities.’ We do not know if that has been done, since there is no record of any permit of the work.
8. And lastly, ‘ADA access shall be provided to the trailer.’ This hasn’t been done and is in direct violation of the California Building Code, as well as the ADA.
This list is not a complete review of all the violations of the provisions of the lease, only a cursory review of a few of the physical deficiencies of NorCal’s tenancy.
CJ Kennedy
Cloverdale