Letters to the Editor 6-23-16

Community Garden Oasis theft
Editor: Again, thieves have struck the community garden, the second time this year. This time the display of the antique rusty old plow in the very front was taken. I find it very sad that our community is becoming a place where trust may be replaced by caution and fear. Don’t these takers realize that they are taking from the whole community, which is really themselves? Why would anyone be so desperate as to take something from a nonprofit communal effort? We would appreciate the return of the plow, no questions asked, and with hopes that the person has had second thoughts.
Mardi Grainger
Cloverdale
Donations sought
Editor: The Cloverdale Lions Club is once again sponsoring Cloverdale’s 41st annual Fourth of July public fireworks display on the evening of Monday, July 4, at the Cloverdale High School football field (Allen Memorial Field). We hope that this will provide the focus for a community Fourth of July celebration comparable to last year’s program. As you might suppose, the cost of providing the fireworks has increased beyond the means of any one club or organization. We are, therefore, soliciting financial support from all clubs, organizations, businesses and individual citizens.
If you wish to contribute, please send your contribution to the Cloverdale Lions Club, P.O. Box 763, Cloverdale, Ca 95425. Donations will also be accepted by Lion Chuck Sibert at 1301 South Cloverdale Blvd., Lion Tex Dickens at 132 Furber Lane, or any Lions Club member.
Chuck Sibert, Project Chairman
Cloverdale
Young people inspired
Editor: I am writing in response to the letter written by Kent Keebler (06/16/16). Mr. Keepler wrote a very condescending letter in response to a quote by Rosy Gamez, a high school student, who had attended Bernie Sanders’ rally in Cloverdale. Like thousands of other people, Rosy Gamez was uplifted and inspired by Bernie Sanders’ message and expressed that in her comments. Apparently Mr. Keepler disagreed. It is fine to disagree, but nobody, least of all a high school student, deserves the scorn and ridicule expressed by Mr. Keepler. Be happy, Mr. Keepler, that all these young people showed up and participated in our democratic process. That should be applauded. I applaud them.
Kirsten Sullivan
Cloverdale
Thank you to all service clubs
Editor: This letter is to thank all the service clubs of Cloverdale for all they do. I do not live in Cloverdale, although I did about 35 years ago. I do spend quite a bit of time in your city as I have a lady friend there I like to spend time with. So many cities have gone to waste when the freeway was built around them. This is because they have no drawing points to bring people into their area; subsequently that brings financial depression to the whole community.
My small city happens to be one of them suffering from this condition. I belong to three different service organizations and what I would like to point out to all the good people of Cloverdale is these service clubs are people just like you. The difference between the normal everyday person and the club members is the fact that club members give their time to bring events to your beautiful city to keep it alive and prosperous; like Friday Night Live, pancake breakfasts, the Citrus Fair exhibits, wine tasting and many more that all of you enjoy.
The reason I am pointing this out is because in my small town we have lost many service clubs and the ones left are shrinking due to attrition of the members becoming too old to work. If you care about your city and wish to enjoy all the fun activities in the future I would suggest you find a service club you favor, sign up and start to help out.
The benefits one receives from becoming a member of a service club are enormous; you develop close friendships, you feel better about yourself because you do things that help others and you learn to share the burden with others, which is worth it all by itself.
I thank you and may God bless not only the service clubs but all the citizens of Cloverdale.
Michael O’Brien
Willows
Protest hearing June 28
Editor: As homeowners in the Cottages, Dan and I encourage other homeowners in this landscaping district 3, to attend the following meeting:
“Notice is hereby given that the City of Cloverdale will hold a public protest hearing regarding this Assessment concerning the Annual Engineer’s Report for the City of Cloverdale Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District and the proposed budget for the Assessment District … A public protest hearing will be held on Tuesday, June 28, at or after 6:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard. The meeting will be held at the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center, 209 N. Cloverdale Blvd.
We have noticed for several years that our landscaping has received less and less attention, both for replacement planting and clean up/maintenance. And in addition, this year, our annual rates are proposed to be increased. The proposal is for an additional $53.90 for annual cost of $413.24.
If you are concerned about where your money is being spent or how the two full time employees can adequately manage seven landscaping zones, plus all city parks, and city owned properties, please attend the meeting. If you would like to see our landscaping areas improved, please attend the meeting.
This will be the only chance you have to input on this matter, as the Council vote will take place after the comments are heard. To read the complete notice, see page 9, bottom right hand corner, of the June 16 Reveille.
Christine and Dan Braccialini
Cloverdale
New businesses welcome
Editor: We are thrilled with the newest businesses that have joined our city; The Estate, Cloverdale Nursery and Taco Bell, with more to come. Doing business with such nice local owners is a pleasure. When we first moved to Cloverdale in 2004 there was a women’s boutique, Natural Goods, that was a wonderful shop. Prices were reasonable, you could always find something that was new and fashionable. Hopefully we can recruit a similar shop that carries nice clothes, instead of driving out of town.
Ray and Ann Smith
Cloverdale
Wine Country Games event a success
Editor: On June 18, over 70 cyclists participated in the Sonoma Wine County Games event that started and ended at the Cloverdale train depot. Our oldest participant was 91; one rider hailed from Alaska; and this was our first year to have a multi-generational family participation with a mother, father and son trio. This event, for athletes 50-plus, takes a lot of planning and volunteer effort to happen.
We would like to thank Eric Janzen, Engineering Technician for the city of Cloverdale, for his guidance and patience as we developed our road plan for the start/finish line. We would also like to thank the Cloverdale Kiwanis Club, who came out to volunteer as road marshals, registration gurus and snack prep. Finally, we would like to thank those drivers on the roads Saturday for your patience and consideration as we moved our cyclists through a safe course. We all had a great day and look forward to continuing to bring this event to the Cloverdale community.
Amy Crabb and Charles Lindner
Co-Chairs Cycling, Sonoma Wine Country Games