Letters to the Editor 7-3-14

Leash your dogs
Editor: I’m writing about what seems to be a recent epidemic in our public space around north county. In recent weeks, I have come across dozens of off-leash dogs in areas that that require pets to be leashed, particularly the Healdsburg Open Space Ridge and Foothill Regional Park. I have a dog that is well-behaved generally, but sometimes dog-aggressive, especially with particular breeds. I am able to control him and I keep him on leash at all times. However, a few days ago he was accosted by a massive off-leash pit bull. I stood between him and the dog and managed to keep them apart until the owner got the dog away (to my shock, the adult woman sent a young female, no more than 9 years old, to come grab the dog away from mine). When I pointed out that there was a leash law at the ridge and asked why the dog wasn’t on a leash, the owner cavalierly replied “She comes when I call her,” obviously an egregious lie, as she had been calling the dog from the moment it saw us and took off towards us, until the girl pulled the dog away (about a minute in all). The situation could have been much worse and I shudder to think what could have happened. Pit bulls are responsible for 25 of 26 dog bite fatalities in the US and cannot be trusted with any animals or small children, no matter how well they’ve been raised. They were genetically bred for the specific purpose of fighting, and no responsible pit bull owner should ever allow their dog off-leash in a public area, ever. The data on this is very easy to find for anyone who takes just a few minutes to investigate. While it can be argued that other breeds are also bred to kill, pits are unusual in their strength, jaw force, and willfulness, especially once they have started to attack. Most dogs bite as a way to establish dominance, pit bulls bite to kill. Most pit bull fatalities come from dogs that, according to their owners “never showed aggression” before the fatal attack.
I’m upset that I can no longer walk my dog safely at these local trails. I do now carry pepper spray and have the phone numbers of local PDs and Animal Control on speed dial in the case of a future incident, but I want to ask our law enforcement to be diligent about citing off-leash dogs, especially those breeds particularly known for aggression.
It only takes one time before it’s too late.
Cynthia Boaz
Healdsburg
Home Sweet Healdsburg
Editor: I wish to “second the motion,” in response Barbara Medailles’ letter titled “A Gift to Live Here.”
I have had the good fortune to have worked at businesses on three sides of the square since the early 90s. These opportunities given to me by the hard working people who own these businesses allowed me to be close to home while raising a family. When one of my sons graduated from HHS he was given grants and scholarships by other hard working locals that allowed him to attend college and he now is a High School music teacher in Sonoma County.
When groups of folks such as these come together to discuss growth issues it seems a good bet that the best decisions will rise to the surface, as we have experienced in the past. My suggestion is to keep the discussions going, over local food, wine and music. The Tuesday night music is during the week because of a consensus to keep it for the locals!
When I exit the freeway to come home and cross our “saved” bridge and over our clean river, (thanks to the Russian River Water Keepers), I sigh happily and think”Home Sweet Healdsburg.” Life here, how sweet it is!
Karen Ahlborn
Healdsburg
What’s in our water?
Editor: Thanks to Brian Pardini for his letter in June 19 paper.
When I lived out of town (Healdsburg), I had well water. I’ve recently moved to town and was horrified to find fluoride in the water I was drinking. I’d assumed the people of Healdsburg would never allow this byproduct of aluminum, etc. in their water.
These are some of the reasons I’m against this chemical being forced on unsuspecting folks: Harvard Study Confirms Fluoride Reduces Children’s IQ (Huffington Post June 14, 2014) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/fluoride_b_2479833.html
North America’s water fluoridation debate: Natural News May 17, 2011 http://www.naturalnews.com/032488_water_fluoridation_Austin.html
50 Reasons to oppose fluoridation: Fluoride Action Network September 2012 http://fluoridealert.org/articles/50-reasons/
Facts About Fluoridation Live Science June 03, 2013 http://www.livescience.com/37123-fluoridation.html
The Problem with Fluoride: YouTube video May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWVMeDee4Z0.
Please vote to remove this chemical from the city’s water. I shouldn’t have to buy my drinking water.
Lee Allen
Healdsburg
Hard to see you
Editor: This letter is directed to the hikers, bicyclists and runners who use the county portion of S. Fitch Mountain Road. I have driven on this road almost daily for many years. As you know it is a very narrow and curvy road with little or no shoulder. I understand why people are drawn to use it but it is hard for drivers to see you — particularly when the light is low early and late in the day, or at a curve in the road.
I am suggesting walkers, bicyclists and runners wear something bright or reflective to help drivers see you. Please, for both our sakes.
Bike shops in Healdsburg — How about having reflective vests available for riders when renting a bike and for others to purchase. You could help to make wearing a reflective vest or bright attire while biking a standard practice.
Clothing shops — if you haven’t already, you could start selling reflective vests or bright shirts and be creative with the colors and designs. And be sure to advertise this service which could benefit runners, walkers, bicyclists and drivers.
Dee McGuffey
Healdsburg
Wasting water
Editor: I am really hoping that the Parks and Rec department as well as the city council will reconsider their policy of turning off the water at the playground areas in Healdsburg during the drought. While I understand that the drought is a crucial issue right now (and more than likely in the future) I am deeply concerned that everyone, including those of low income or with limited resources have very little options now for their children to be able to cool off during these days with very warm temperatures. If you look at other cities throughout the country in drought areas or not in these drought areas, they keep the water on specifically for this purpose. It is crucial for these children to have somewhere to play and cool off.
I’m asking that these play areas at the very least be turned on for a limited number of hours for the day. This is not just about the children, it’s about community. Tax dollars pay for the parks and the parks have been empty most of the time during the peak heat of the day because it’s just simply too hot for the kids to play there. How is that acceptable? I have heard complaints from other people, that they have nowhere to take their children during the heat of the day. Not everyone has air-conditioning and not everyone can afford a pool membership to Park Point. I understand that everyone needs to do their part, but please try to explain that to the 3-year-old who cannot splash at the park anymore.
The other concern I have, is that I do see neighbors, especially the church on Powell and University which by the way, running their sprinkler system every night for an hour. That is a major waste. I don’t feel that these splash play areas for children don’t have a great amount of water use, comparatively speaking. I see neighbors’ sprinklers on daily and water running down the better of streets nearby.
If this is the case and how it is going to be, shall we just have all of the children in the area go ahead and play on the lawn of the church that was wasting all the water? It’s your call.
Dana Lockwood
Healdsburg
Informing parents
Editor: The Press Democrat’s June 23 editorial implies that Healdsburg should not inform parents of the risk to their infants from formula mixed with fluoridated water. But even the American Dental Association, a vigorous promoter of fluoridation, warns against regularly mixing formula with fluoridated water. So do the Centers for Disease Control.
Mother’s milk contains almost no fluoride. But babies drinking powdered formula made with fluoridated water can get 200 times more than breast-fed babies, leading to dental fluorosis (spotted teeth), a visible sign of systemic fluoride poisoning. The CDC says 41 percent of US youths 12-15 have dental fluorosis. Fluorosis is caused by too much fluoride in infancy.
The blood-brain barrier is not fully developed until age two. This is one reason fluoride has recently been classified by a medical journal The Lancet as a neurotoxin that can cause brain damage to children.
Irish researcher Declan Waugh has detailed the huge increases in childhood asthma and diabetes that correlate with increased use of powdered formula in fluoridated areas beginning in the 1980s. Public health authorities have not investigated the connection between fluoride-overdosed babies and the increases in asthma and diabetes.
Water districts, including Healdsburg’s, are wise to inform parents of the risk of mixing formula with fluoridated water. To hide this information would be irresponsible, if not criminal.
Marlene Lily
Santa Rosa