Letters to the Editor 7-30-15

Anti-business climate?
Editor: I want to make very sure I quote Mayor Bob Cox correctly, so I’ve copied the text from the July 16, 2015 edition of the Reveille regarding the Alexander Valley Resort (“AVR”) presentation. Mayor Cox is quoted as saying, “I’m skeptical. As a project, it’s beautiful, but I don’t see it fitting into Cloverdale. It’s more of a Kenwood or Santa Rosa project.” Indicating, with code words, it’s too upscale for Cloverdale; too good; too beautiful; not down home enough. Then quoted further insulting and denigrating the presenter, Mr. Slavik, by saying he would “like to hire him as a car salesman or a time share salesman.” More code words which everyone knows they mean … slick, untrustworthy and duplicitous. This was a very professional presentation put together by professional people who have done outstanding projects, in Monterey for example. It was an informational meeting, a get-to-know you meeting, if you will. For the mayor to reject a nascent project out of hand with deprecating language and personal attacks before anyone knows more than an overview is unconscionable. No wonder Cloverdale has a reputation for an anti-business climate at City Hall, when the mayor of the town would speak so harshly – obviously knowing he would be quoted. We have a chance here to at least see what a class development can do for our town, developed on land already approved for homes and more, done by a long-term resident local developer who cares about Cloverdale and not someone from out of town. Maybe it is a good fit, maybe not, but shouldn’t we at least listen and be open to new ideas and not simply reject and denigrate? The mayor owes Cloverdale and the developers an apology, in my opinion.
Mindy Thal
Cloverdale
Editor’s Note: At the July 22 Cloverdale City Council meeting, Mayor Cox apologized for his comments and stated that he “will work to mend his relationship” with Mr. Slavik.
Wait for something better
Editor:  I find it interesting that in the proposed equestrian resort article nothing was mentioned about where the water will come from for a 150-room hotel, 40 resort residences, 80 luxury homes, spa, conference center and equestrian center. Drilling more wells may very well lower the water table and effect other users like the city of Cloverdale. Seems pretty odd to me since there doesn’t appear to be enough water for the current number of homes in Cloverdale. Also, calling Cloverdale an “amenity” sounds like they will indeed be the most important consideration, with the amenity being second or third at best. If their demand is that the airport be closed for them to go forward, what will be the demands in the future? What about the train track that will become active sometime in the possibly near future? I doubt they are going to like that noise running through the resort. Highly unlikely that high-end folks going to a resort are going to take a train. Real estate folks and the city are likely looking at the money this is going to bring in to the city, and of course that would be nice. But must it be done with this resort? Something better and more amenable may turn up in the future. Many folks are saying “close the airport” but does anyone have a clue as to what all is entailed with that and what the expense would be? Who would pay for that?
Reny Parker
Cloverdale
Get behind resort proposal
Editor: I attended the Tyris project meeting along with others a couple of weeks back. I heard a well-thought out and well-presented proposal for a resort development that will be a huge shot in the arm for Cloverdale. It was supported by a financial analysis that was easy to comprehend. The last shot in the arm for Cloverdale in recent history was the Dell Webb development. It brought money and enthusiastic, talented people to town. It’s impact has been huge. This new proposal will take us to the next level. It will immediately bring financial support in the way of school impact fees (approximately $10,000 per new house), sales taxes and property taxes. The residents and visitors it will attract will spend a lot of their money locally, further sustaining our
economy and building a business base we so desperately need. It’s not realistic to imagine any development, except perhaps a prison or power station, that could be financially viable on the approach to an airport. The golf course was always a red herring. There isn’t a Par 3 golf course in the country that makes money and no one is building one in this economy or this drought. If we have to close the airport it will negatively affect a very small number of people who use it for recreation only. The vast majority of residents won’t even know it’s gone. This development is the best thing to happen to Cloverdale in decades. If we chase it out of town for emotional reasons there won’t be an alternative and we will scare off all future developers. Instead of driving this development off to Kenwood or Santa Rosa, I urge the city council to get 100 percent behind this proposal and find a way to make it work for the future of this city.
Steve Nurse
Cloverdale
Defining sustainability
Editor: We hear a lot about sustainable winegrowing in Sonoma County. But what does that mean, and who vouches for it? The county’s vineyard ordinance (commonly called “VESCO”) sets minimal standards and does not ensure sustainability of soil and water resources. California winegrowers also have the “California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Workbook,” from the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, Wine Institute and California Association of Winegrape Growers. This is a compendium of winegrowing practices, which guides winegrowers to evaluate their own methods and determine how sustainable they are. The 90 “Joint Committee” members who provided “leadership and guidance” includes several highly-sustainable wine growers. Undoubtedly, the workbook is full of good information and if winegrowers truly implemented all or most of the recommended practices, they would move toward sustainability.  But to my knowledge, the workbook has not been peer reviewed to ensure that advocated practices truly are the most sustainable ones, supported by scientific data and observations. It acknowledges CalEPA input but none from State Water Boards or NOAA fisheries. The winegrowers certify themselves, so there’s no check for a “sustainable” rating. Paul Hobbs, for example, claims his vineyards are sustainably farmed using this workbook. But the fact is that any set of practices which clear forests from hills, and laps across stream channels or crowds to the top of stream banks, cannot expand unendingly and remain sustainable no matter what practices are followed.
Jane Nielson, Ph.D., PG
Sebastopol
Skeptical about resort numbers
Editor: While I am all for attracting new business and visitors to Cloverdale, I can’t help but wonder about the accuracy of the numbers provided by the developers of the proposed Alexander Valley Resort. Correct me if I am wrong, but based on their estimates of 70,000 visitors per year and $1 million in revenue from TOT bed tax on the planned 150 hotel rooms, I have realized the following: In order for 150 rooms to generate $1 million in bed tax revenue at nine percent, every single one of those 150 rooms would have to be rented 365 days of the year at a price of at least $205 per night. 150 rooms x $205 per night = $30,750 each day. So … $30,750 x the nine percent bed tax = $2,768 per day in TOT revenue for Cloverdale. Therefore 365 days of the year x $2,768 daily revenue for Cloverdale = $1,010,320. I find it hard to believe that the hotel will rent every one of the 150 rooms for every single night of the year, which is what is needed to generate $1 million projected by the developers. I also find it hard to believe that 70,000 people per year (which is on average 192 per day, every day) are going to come to stay the night in Cloverdale to get a massage and ride a horse. I think the golf resort idea may have attracted a large number of visitors, (although not 192 each and every day) but would have not been a good idea given our drought/water issues. Maybe if the developers had given the residents of this town realistic numbers we would have been more open to being on board to discuss a viable plan for everyone.
Shay House
Cloverdale