Letters to the Editor 5-7-15

Bait and switch
Editor:  Voters should not be fooled by Measure A’s claim that the tax will fix our broken roads. Read the sample ballot. The county counsel’s impartial analysis of Measure A states “The revenue generated by this general tax … would be deposited into the County General Fund and would be available for general governmental purposes.” With the pressure to add to the underfunded pension funds it is not likely that any of this money would find its way into potholes. Even more misleading is the flyer that Save Our Sonoma Roads has mailed to voters. The prominent picture and headline that reads “I’m voting YES on Measure A to fix our roads” are clearly intended to give the voter the impression that the new tax would be used to fix the roads. Please don’t fall for this bait and switch. The Measure A ballot clearly states “enact a one-quarter percent sales tax for general governmental purposes such as public safety, local roads and pothole repair, senior, student and veterans transit and other essential services.” Does that sound like this will tax will fix our roads? I believe the answer is clearly no and that’s how I’m voting.
James Mavrogenis
Windsor
Debate elation
Editor: Congratulations to the two members of the Windsor High School debate team for finishing first and second in the national rankings of the National Speech and Debate Association! I’m elated that debating has become a popular activity in our schools.
Jill Sullivan
Windsor
Housing
Editor: Well, I see that Ms. Neid is back with yet another anti-Bell Village argument. It sounds reasonable, but if you read between the lines, she is hiding her extreme prejudice against renters by pretending to advocate for affordable home buying options. It’s all well and good to argue for making home ownership affordable, but there are people who simply don’t have the income, down payment or credit score to qualify for a home loan – no matter how affordable the property is. Ms. Neid knows this full well, and that’s why she argues for Bell Village to be owner occupied properties, rather than rentals. She doesn’t want poor people to be able to live in Windsor, plain and simple. Her reasons for this are her preconceived notions about poor people — notions that amount to unfair stereotypes and discrimination. Maybe if Ms. Neid got to know some poor people she’d realize how wrong she is.
Alan Wayne
Santa Rosa