LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 7-12-12

Thank you community
Editor: Please allow me to make two public thank-you’s regarding the July 3rd Fireworks Show at Analy High School.
First, as a Sebastopol-area resident, I would like to thank the wonderful members of the Kiwanis Club for coordinating the fireworks show. This group of dedicated and apparently tireless community-minded folks creates an outstanding evening of fireworks, fellowship, and fun every July 3rd. I don’t know how they do it, but it seems to get better each year.
Second, as Chief of Police, I would like to thank all of those who attended this year’s event. We didn’t make a single arrest anywhere in the City during the entire event. Dispatchers said we had no reports of fights or disturbances; even the use of previously ubiquitous illegal fireworks seemed much less this year. I did notice a few more folks with alcohol inside the event this year; something we’ll be working to curb next year.
For my family and me, this is one of our favorite Sebastopol events; thanks to the Kiwanis and everyone who attended for making it possible.
Jeff Weaver
Sebastopol Chief of Police
Thanks Community Band
Editor: Here’s a big thank you to all those involved with the Sebastopol Community Band and the July 4th concert they put on in Ives Park. What a pleasure and a privilege to be able to celebrate our country’s birthday with our neighbors in such a beautiful way.
Kathy Taylor
Sebastopol
Thank you SFD
Editor: A few weeks ago, we had two large limbs break off our cedar tree. They landed on the sidewalk and the middle of the street on Washington Avenue near Nelson Way blocking westbound traffic on Washington Avenue.
The Sebastopol Fire Department came to the rescue. They used chain saws to cut up the limbs and got the tree out of the street. The cut up limbs were cleared and put onto our property. The Fire Department then proceeded to clean up the street and sidewalk where the limbs had fallen.
We want to thank the Sebastopol Fire Department and Fire Chief Bill Braga for coming to our rescue.
John and Patricia Hansen
Sebastopol
A few questions
Editor: I have a few questions for Mr. Greenberg, regarding his guest commentary (“The battle for ‘green’ Sebastopol,” Sonoma West Times & News, June, 28).
If the Pellini Corner project is bad for local business, why does a majority of the support come from local business owners? Not only have the owners of the neighboring businesses (Frizelle’s, West Valley Welding, Benedetti’s, Napa Auto Parts) and many others expressed their support at City Council meetings, so has the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce. These are the small businesses of Sebastopol. They know that the street and pedestrian improvements, the rehabilitation of an eyesore, the addition of public parking spaces and fair play on the part of the City Council will benefit all Sebastopol businesses.
If local businesses are thriving, why have city services been cut, our police force reduced, our roads full of potholes and the Council is proposing a sales tax increase? If CVS moves, they forecast a 10 percent increase in sales, they will pay 10 times the property tax on the improved parcel and lease out their existing retail space to new businesses. With that additional revenue, maybe our City Council wouldn’t be driven to burden our lower income citizens with a regressive tax increase, which also makes our local businesses less competitive.
If young families are flocking to live here, why has our population declined, school enrollment declined and schools closed?
If a “bad reputation” for “big” business is good for Sebastopol, why have important local employers like Lowe Pro and Innovative Molding, that left our town recently, not been replaced? Why did Amy’s Kitchen, a potential employer, give up dealing with our City Council and cancel their plans to open a business here? Where, exactly, are those “young families” going to work?
I am sick and tired of hearing complex issues reduced to a choice between “the environment” and “the economy.” I want both. I want balance and decisions made on facts and the law, not ideology.
Greg Reynolds
Sebastopol
Election season and CVS
Editor: I guess election season is here. Mr. Greenberg is trying to label two of our City Council candidates as big-business candidates for their support of the CVS/Chase project. Both candidates, Ms. Austin and Councilmember Shaffer believe that council members have a responsibility to follow the law. In their opinion, there is no legal reason to deny this project. Mr. Greenberg wants to use the traffic as a reason to deny the project. Fact: The project had two extensive traffic studies completed, and the City Council agreed that traffic volumes would not be an issue and approved these studies. Mr. Greenberg congratulated the DRB for blocking the CVS/Chase drive-thrus. Fact: This is a clear violation of the law as the city has no ordinance denying drive-thrus except for fast food restaurants. Mr. Greenberg agreed with the DRB that the project has no streetscape. Fact: The project includes wide sidewalks, street trees, landscaping, underground utilities, and rain gardens. He indicates that our local businesses are thriving. Fact: According to sales tax receipts, the only businesses that are doing better than last year are the gas stations, and that is primarily because of the high price of gasoline. The sales from other types of businesses in town are down. I would hardly call this thriving. Businesses are closing, not opening. Before you start labeling people, Mr. Greenberg, you should get your facts straight and realize Ms. Austin and Councilmember Shaffer believe in following the laws, which is what I would hope all council members would.
Let’s be reasonable and consider projects that follow the law and increase revenue for Sebastopol
Christina Beaty
Sebastopol
Framing the election
Editor: In his commentary (“The battle for ‘green’ Sebastopol,” Sonoma West Times & News, June, 28), Mr. Greenberg frames our city election as big business against the environment. What this election is really about is selecting candidates that have a common sense and balanced approach to decision making. We need councilmembers who don’t place their own personal desires or the desires of their supporters that are contrary with our city ordinances, policies and laws. We need council members who will consider and understand the facts based on solid data and listen to recommendations of City of Sebastopol administration. We don’t need made up facts to fit particular “green” viewpoints.
It’s is disappointing to see our political discussion beginning with a Fox News type analysis. Just like Fox News, Mr. Greenberg uses misleading and untrue rhetoric to make his points. Corrections should include: There will be a beautiful streetscape that will replace derelict buildings, there will be landscaping to enhance the corner as well as street improvements, and finally, there is no influx of young people moving to Sebastopol and our small businesses are not thriving.
If they are, why the proposal to increase sales tax to the highest level in all of Sonoma County?
The labeling of candidates as pro big business is ridiculous. There will never be a big box business in Sebastopol because of the 35,000 sq. ft. size limit. Large corporations like Safeway, Rite Aide, Whole Foods, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, etc. do business in town, but they don’t do big volumes of business. CVS, and the prior pharmacy, have been in this community over 20 years, and wish to relocate to a smaller footprint. Councilmember Shaffer and Ms. Austin understand that in order for Sebastopol to be sustainable the business community needs to thrive and enhance general fund revenues. This makes both candidates for city council sensible, not pro big business. Without economic vitality, small towns can falter, impacting schools, hospital, and non-profit organizations.
Linda J. Johnson
Sebastopol
CVS/Chase issues
Editor: I feel a need to respond to (recent commentaries) regarding Sebastopol.
1. CVS Land Grab? This property, which has been owned by the same family for many, many years, was put up for sale after their business closed, a buyer made a offer and escrow was opened after no other viable offer was received, and yes citizens have  a Constitutional right to buy and sell their property. And as was said, property values remain high here, hence the price;
2. I also think you need to check the census. Sebastopol’s population has decreased, and realtors are not seeing people flocking here;
3. I would like to know what businesses are flourishing in town. Having talked with businesses, no one has said they are flourishing. Have you counted all of the empty buildings downtown, due to people not wanting to start here, knowing some businesses are openly discouraged?;
4. Hopefully, with the upcoming election, with reasonable people like Kathy Austin and Kathleen Shaffer running for Council, and election things will change for the better;
5. Mall-like structure ? CVS has made the changes the DRB has asked for, but the DRB has contradicted itself from the beginning and not remembering what it wants or doesn’t want, and overlooking the fact that legally, they have been approved, having applied three times and made changes three times;
6. One thing I know for sure is Kathleen, and she is pro business, but pro small business, and she will work (under/over and between the radar) to help this community. Kathleen also knows you need to follow the law regarding new businesses.
Linda Rouse
Sebastopol
Design Review guidelines
Editor: The CVS/Chase plan has been debated publicly for so long and so thoroughly it would be repetitious to do anything but direct you to the Design Review Guidelines and the General Plan, available on the city website.
The duties and responsibilities of the Sebastopol Design Review Board and City Council are to study development applications and apply their skills, training and expertise to ensure that the proposals comply with our General Plan and Design Review Guidelines.
The documents provide the foundation on which to judge and approve or reject private development and public projects and inform citizens, developers and decision makers of the rules for development and conservation of the Sebastopol Planning Area.
The General Plan’s policies for the Downtown were built on two previous documents: The Downtown Portfolio, 1978, and The Downtown Plan, 1990. These documents are on the city website.
All these plans were formulated through long hours of public meetings and discussions, where citizens, public boards and commissions discussed in open forums their vision and expectations for the future of our town.
The current economy is no excuse to jettison our long-term plans. Property owners have the right to sell their property. The City has every right to circumscribe what is built on it.
Helen Shane
Sebastopol
Former Planning Commissioner
Issues laid out
Editor: The guest commentaries of June 28, one by Jonathan Greenberg (“The battle for ‘green’ Sebastopol”), the other by Nancy Aita (“A broken system?”), spell out the positions taken by community members over the CVS/Chase Bank proposal. I thank them both for so clearly laying out the issues. I suggest that if readers of this paper haven’t read those pieces, that they go to the Sonoma West Times & News archives to read them. For the record, I agree with the position outlined by Greenberg that “green is our brand,” and that the CVS shopping center’s design does not fit in the downtown core. They are already in a shopping center, and we don’t need another.
Everyone voting in Sebastopol in November — and those working for the outcome they want — should read the articles. City Council candidates Kathleen Shaffer and Kathy Austin are fully in support of this project. Sitting councilmember Shaffer voted yes for the project and worked behind the scenes in support. Kathy Austin wrote a Guest Commentary in support. Council candidates Robert Jacob and John Eder opposed the project. Mr. Eder attended the CVS hearing, did his homework, and proposed major changes.
We have a significant choice in this election. City Council candidates Kathleen Shaffer and Kathy Austin seem to accept whatever development, like CVS, is proposed, regardless of traffic or pedestrian or design issues. Council candidates Robert Jacob and John Eder have more care for the vision of a pedestrian- friendly downtown as expressed in the General Plan. They oppose CVS-like development because of traffic, pedestrian, and design issues.
In November our future will be decided. Although CVS may be decided by then, other large corporations could decide to come to Sebastopol, and the sitting council will be a big factor in the success of any proposals. We have major sites, such as the old lumber yard (now selling tractors), that are prime targets for projects. The 140 home Laguna Vista project, with the traffic and wetland impacts, may be back. You are not just voting for a candidate, but for a vision of Sebastopol’s future. The candidates will say that they want sustainability, and a green Sebastopol, but voters need to look at the record to decide. All of the candidates are good, sincere people, so please voters, look past the rhetoric and personalities, and vote for the future you want.
Richard Nichols
Sebastopol