Letters to the Editor 6-6-13

Yes to clean power
Editor: Yes, many questions remain to be answered about Sonoma Clean Power’s program but that is not a sufficient reason to stop cities from voting to join. Windsor Town Council members get it. By participating, cities gain representation in the Sonoma Clean Power Authority to shape the program moving forward. That gives citizens a direct conduit and a voice in those important decisions, something we don’t really have now.
More importantly, by voting “yes,” cities enable their constituents to choose. Those who care most about the cheapest possible electricity regardless of the source can choose to opt out. Those of us who want cleaner, more local and renewably-sourced electricity have the right to choose not to opt out.
City leaders will also get to choose who provides their municipal electricity needs. But their choice should not be imposed on you. By saying no to Sonoma Clean Power, however, that is exactly what they would be doing: imposing their choice to remain with PG&E on everyone within city limits.
Tell your city council you expect them to vote “yes” on Sonoma Clean Power so that you can choose based on your own values, not theirs.
Lori Houston
Santa Rosa
Cittaslow answers
Editor: Many thanks to John Necker for his questions concerning Cittaslow Sebastopol (“Cittaslow questions,” May 30). Very reasonable queries and we’re happy to answer what we can here. We also have a FAQ at cittaslowsebastopol.org/FAQ.pdf.
Cittaslow Sebastopol is assisting the City by contributing volunteer hours and expertise to existing for-profit, non-profit and government agencies. We collaborate on projects that in some way help to keep Sebastopol green, local, friendly, and artistic.
These projects often focus on economic benefits, but also carry with them social and cultural benefits that help us to be a stronger, more cohesive community. Some examples from the last 12 months include:
• $4,500 grant to work with Slow Food Russian River, promoting the sale of local apples and teaching the public about Sebastopol’s apple history.
• Increased Internet exposure for Sebastopol on national and international websites accessed by “slow travelers” (e.g., cittaslow.org gets over 56,000 hits per year).
• Joint project with the Chamber of Commerce to create a graphics library for a “Visit Sebastopol” slide show to be displayed at the October 2012 Slow Food conference in Italy (Attendance >200,000 people).
• Assist the Planning Department to put on eight Community Meetings in January 2013 to gather community input in preparation for the General Plan Update.
Based on Community Meeting input, Cittaslow Sebastopol has asked the City for $8,000 for an eco-tourism initiative to create materials for the Visitor Center so Sebastopol can promote itself as an eco-tourist destination.
Funding has also been requested to help Cittaslow Sebastopol become a tax exempt, non-profit organization ($4,000), and to develop fundraising infrastructure and a strategic plan for long-term financial sustainability ($6,000). The balance ($2,000) is owed to our fiscal sponsor, the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, which charges the standard 10 percent fee.
To learn more about us, go to cittaslowsebastopol.org or e-mail

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Tasha Beauchamp
Sebastopol
Community disregarded
Editor: As a mother, when I look at the map and see the vineyard wrapped around Apple Blossom Elementary School, it is the disregard that hurts. Disregard for the environment, schools, children and community.
Disregard on the vintner’s part, for buying the property that impacts five different schools, from his PR person Tara Sharp, for her lack of outreach and the Twin Hills School district for their lack of timely notification to parents. Some parents were uninformed until the public forum on May 29, hosted by the Watertrough Children’s Alliance.
Sharp claimed they “do not plan on spraying during the regular school year.” Yet she was unaware that the Tree House Hollow Pre-school had not been notified about the conversion. Willow Spring School Summer Drama Camp will be open June 21 to July 8. Tree House Hollow Pre-School will be open during the summer. Sharp was surprised that the superintendent had not informed anyone, and said she would “Look into it.”
Really? Conversations with the school district started six months ago and parents found out this past few weeks. Yes please, look into it; you will not have to look far. It comes down to money and power. Apparently, Hobbs has so much he does not have to take this into consideration.
He does not consider our children or those with less power, including the farmers who are financially forced to sell their land. They are dismissed and get continued neglect, toxic spray and dust coating their communities and schools. Toxic substances like Round Up that Tara reports they will use are banned in Europe and have been shown to cause cancer and abnormal growth.
This will not happen until later. It will happen when our children are far from the orchard, but don’t worry; there is a “good neighbor policy.” A policy based on people having moral character. Who are we talking about? Paul Hobbs. You do not have to go far to hear about who this international wine grower is and his reputation for disregard of the environment, community and now our children.
Jina Brooks
Sebastopol