Letters to the Editor 6-2-16

BZ to Kiwanis and Lions Club
Editor: Last Sunday, May 29, the Kiwanis and the Lions Club hosted a dinner at the Veterans Hall to honor our veterans here in Cloverdale. When we learned about the event from the Reveille, my brother and I called to see if we could support the event. We were able to help with the set-up, welcome guests, and do some clean-up.
The volunteer work was as expected and the guests were, of course, enjoyable to serve and visit with. What was not expected was the generosity of those we came to serve – those who already served us in the armed services. My brother and I are in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, a youth program supported by the Navy and Coast Guard that offers exposure to military life and generates appreciation for what our military service members do for our country.
We asked the Kiwanis and Lions if we could offer $5 tickets to an upcoming pancake breakfast fundraiser at the dinner event, and they agreed. After the clean-up, we saw that we sold 15 tickets, so we expected $75 in our cardboard money box that we set on a table at the entrance to the veterans hall. What we actually found was nearly $200.
Those who have already given so much proved once again how generous they truly are. In the Sea Cadets, we say “Bravo Zulu” or “BZ” for a job well done.  So, my brother and I say “BZ” to the Kiwanis and Lions club for honoring our veterans last Sunday.
Liam and Rory Kluesener
Cloverdale
Generous neighbors
Editor: We at Boys & Girls Clubs are so grateful to our generous neighbors for all they do to make Cloverdale special for the kids. Thanks to a generous donation of plant, vegetable, and herb seeds from Ashely, Scott, and Gary at the Cloverdale Nursery, we were able to year to develop a flourishing clubhouse garden.
Members are learning the effort and science behind what it takes to cultivate a rich garden with fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. They have spent hours pulling weeds, toiling soil, planting, and excitedly watching their garden grow. The club was so honored to host a group of high school students on Cloverdale High School’s Community Unity Day.
Having these students dedicate their morning to beautifying our clubhouse and preparing for our upcoming summer camp is integral in ensuring we are ready for Cloverdale campers. We loved providing a day of mentoring, learning, and leadership for these students and welcome them back to club anytime. Thanks to all for caring about Cloverdale youth.
Jennifer Weiss, Chief Executive Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County
Foster children need help
Editor: Anytime a child is abused or neglected, it’s a tragedy – one that all too often scars victims for a lifetime. Studies have shown that foster children are more likely to struggle in school, have run-ins with law enforcement, experience homelessness or abuse drugs or alcohol. Research also shows that abused children are more apt to grow up to abuse their own kids.
At CASA of Sonoma County we help foster children heal so they can live happier, safer lives. Our CASA volunteers – court-appointed special advocates – make sure foster kids don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service systems or languish in unsupportive foster homes. CASA volunteers stay with children until their court case is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.
During National Foster Care Month, we invite our community to learn more about the work we do and consider becoming a CASA volunteer. Juvenile court officials have identified an additional 35 youth who need advocates and CASA is appealing to Sonoma County residents to volunteer. If you care and have about 10 hours a month to spend, being a CASA can be a very gratifying work. A CASA is a powerful voice in a child’s life. CASA executive director Millie Gilson states that there are approximately 155 volunteers, and hopes to recruit another 35 with the next training.
The summer volunteer training, which takes place over three and a half days begins Thursday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., then runs from Tuesday, July 19 through Thursday, July 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Classes are held at CASA’s office at the Los Guilicos complex near Oakmont in Santa Rosa. For more information and to sign up for the CASA training, contact Gilson at 565-6375 or

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Working together, we can end abuse and neglect so that every foster child has a chance to thrive. To find out more about CASA of Sonoma County visit us online at www.sonomacasa.org or call at 565-6375.
Heloisa Heinen
CASA of Sonoma County
Vista Oaks disaster
Editor: As expected the new housing plan, for the yet to be applied for Vista Oaks housing development, show a substantial increase from 19 homes to 33. The community workshop team explained that there exists a housing shortage in our town and this increase will help us.
The houses proposed will no longer be the upscale mansions first envisioned, but instead they will be affordable, with a design not unlike modernized large barns with abundant porches. The main street Shannon Drive (which will be confused with Shahan, another nearby road) will be gravel in order to help with water drainage, and will be maintained by our city. They will remedy all the already identified slide areas and everyone will be very happy with the results (really?).
The facts are that the whole hillside clear down to Preston is very unstable, the bridge crossing the Russian River had to be replaced, Caltrans has year after year tried all they know to keep mud and debris sliming the freeway and some homes had to be evacuated because of that. If their plan is allowed I fear it will mean disaster in many of the surrounding areas.
Luciano Toninato
Cloverdale
Elder abuse awareness
Editor: While we are appreciating our older community members, we must also be aware of a sad downside to growing older. Because we do become more fragile, and often more trusting of others, we become more vulnerable to mistreatment, in all its various forms.
Elder abuse is more rampant that you think. As of June, 2015, 143 cases of elder abuse were reported in Cloverdale. This year, in June of 2016, that number has grown to 163 (and counting). And that is only the cases that got reported. The week of Father’s Day, June 12, commemorates “Elder Abuse Awareness Month.”
Our senior center will be displaying 163 small purple flags in its front yard from June 13 to 17 to honor those who were victims, and to raise the awareness of the rest of us. It’s on Third and Main. Go by and take a look. It’s an impressive, though sad, sight.
Please be alert. If you get a feeling that there’s something not quite right with an elderly neighbor, friend or relative, please call someone who can help. Nothing is lost if you are wrong – but a lot is lost if you are right.
Ginny Carroll
Cloverdale