LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thanks City Council
Editor: Thank you to the Sebastopol City Council for their stand
on PG&E’s SmartMeters. It is the first rational thing they he
done with respect to Technology.
There is no evidence that the meters cause harm, but there is a
great deal of evidence that meter reading is a dangerous, and low
paid job, which includes an elevated risk of injury and death.
There is also substantial evidence that one of the best ways to
lower energy consumption is through increased real-time tracking of
energy use. When people drive a Prius they drive differently
because they are given real time information about how their moment
to moment choices impact their overall fuel usage.
When people have real-time information about their electricity
use they are able to make choices which lower both peak and total
electric consumption.
So I will go on record as being one of the people making the
“fatuous” request for SmartMeters.
I respect Will Riggan a great deal. He is a kind and empathetic
person, and by all accounts he is a skilled and talented
Psychotherapist. But his argument that we must protect a “besieged
minority of electro-sensitive people” is not supported by the
evidence.
He asserts that “there is no question that numerous people are
electro-sensitive.” But at the most generous interpretation
“electromagnetic hypersensitivity” is a highly speculative
diagnosis, which is not recognized by the medical or scientific
communities.
A number of provocation trials have been conducted in which
claimed sufferers have been unable to distinguish between exposure
to real and sham electromagnetic fields. And over half of these
people also report “multiple chemical sensitivity,” which is
another sham ailment.
Will refers to his work as a mental health professional, and
reports that there is “anxiety and fear” being reported by people
in response to these meters. I am sure that there is anxiety and
fear among the meter opponents in his practice.
These are people who are specifically suffering from a mental
disorder, not from a physical ailment.
With respect, as a medical professional it is Will’s job to help
to alleviate the anxiety and fear of people with irrational
psychosomatic disorders. Not to buy into their delusional systems
and attack a technology which we know will save lives and will save
energy.
We should not cripple our society, endanger low paid meter
readers, and waste energy in order to pander to a small number of
mentally ill people.
Rich Gibson
Santa Rosa
Slayter for Council
Editor: I would like to strongly support Patrick Slayter for
City Council and to encourage others to vote for him in the
upcoming election. Pat has already served three years on the
Planning Commission where he has shown common sense and good
judgement regarding the important business of Sebastopol.
The Slayters are long time residents of Sebastopol and have a
firm commitment to our shared future, a future that should be
decided by people with a belief in compromise and cooperation.
Patrick has the qualities we need to navigate the challenging
future facing Sebastopol: insight, analysis, and good judgement.
Hoping others will want a councilman with a practical and sensible
view of our town, I urge everyone to vote for Patrick Slayter.
Rene Peron
Sebastopol
Michael Kyes’ voice
Editor: I appreciated your informative front-page story last
week on “West County Races Heat Up.” I realize that everything
could not be covered in your limited space that was said at the
City Council candidates forum. So I want to add something that
stood out about the only candidate that your story did not quote
directly — Michael Kyes — whom I have never heard speak publicly
before.
I appreciated Kyes’ sense of humor, as did many in the audience.
We laughed with him numerous times. Humor is an important quality
in a candidate for a serious office — to be able to have a demeanor
and capacity to turn words in such a way as to delight people. Kyes
manifested that capacity, which could be helpful to lighten
potential conflict within the City Council. He also presented
himself as well-informed on vital issues.
Barry Chertov, a Sebastopol Area Chamber of Commerce board
member, wrote online that Kyes “was refreshingly, sometimes
startlingly, honest and transparent (I don’t know what else to
say).”
Shepherd Bliss
Sebastopol
Kyes and Gurney
Editor: For good government and sound fiscal responsibility,
Sebastopol voters could do no better than to vote for Sarah Gurney
and Michael Kyes for City Council.
They are best equipped to represent the community, and would,
with current Council members Vice Mayor Guy Wilson and
Councilmember Kathleen Shaffer, form a cohesive, well-rounded
governing body.
They are endorsed by the Sonoma County Democrats, Sonoma County
Conservation Action, and the Sierra Club.  Both have long
involvement in Sebastopol’s business and environmental issues.
They are both experienced in business — Gurney runs her
family-law practice in Sebastopol, and Kyes is a renewable energy
consultant.
For these simple reasons, we support and urge you to vote for
Sarah Gurney and Michael Kyes.
Bob Evans, John Kramer, Jude Kreissman, Kathy Oetinger,
Sherry Petersen, Marty Roberts, Helen Shane
Basso supporter
Editor: I am writing in support of Ron Basso for Sebastopol City
Council. Ron has lived in Sebastopol since he was a youth, and he
attended Pinecrest, Brookhaven and Analy High School. He started
his first business enterprise here with a small upholstery shop.
That small shop eventually became the R.S. Basso Furniture Company,
with headquarters here in Sebastopol and stores throughout the Bay
Area. After a successful career, Ron has retired from the furniture
business. He has divided his former furniture showroom and
warehouse buildings into small shopping centers. His tenants
include a mix of both national retailers and local shopowners. Palm
Drive Hospital recently opened a physical therapy facility in one
of the buildings. This diversity of tenants provides a wide range
of goods and services to our community, and adds to the vitality
and economic strength of Sebastopol.   
I have served with Ron for many years on the Sebastopol Design
Review Board (DRB). I have observed him to be objective,
thoughtful, balanced and fair with his comments, and always
respectful to applicants and other members of the public. Ron’s
experience on the DRB has allowed him to keep current with City
activities, and has given him valuable insight into the workings of
Sebastopol’s government.
I believe that Ron Basso will make an excellent City Council
member. He has the love of the town that he grew up in, the
business experience to make responsible and effective fiscal
decisions, a strong understanding of how this city functions, and
the time to devote toward doing the job right. Please consider
voting for Ron Basso for Sebastopol City Council.
Colin Doyle
Sebastopol Planning Commissioner
Horn for Palm Drive
Editor: Like everyone else in our part of the county, I have
watched with a mixture of fascination and dismay at the melodrama
that seems to be playing out with the Palm Drive Hospital District
Board. In order for Palm Drive hospital to survive and thrive, it
is time to put the infighting between the board factions behind us.
We need Jim Horn, an independent voice, on the Palm Drive
board.
I have known Jim Horn for many years as both a friend and board
member for our local school district. Jim is smart, thoughtful and
an extremely diligent public servant. He has no axe to grind, is
not running as part of a slate of candidates or any group, and is
not on one side or another. He will bring independence,
thoughtfulness and maturity to a board that is too heavy with
competing egos. I urge all of you to elect Jim Horn to the Palm
Drive Hospital District.
Mike Bell
Sebastopol
Support the incumbents
Editor: Your last week’s editorial was absolutely accurate about
the Palm Drive Hospital Board. You said “… the only candidates that
should earn the public’s vote are the ones that know the difference
between leadership and management.”  
Dobbs, Dawson, and Johnson clearly understand that the role of
an effective Board is to lead and oversee the hospital’s recovery.
It is not, as others seem to want to do, to engage in ego-driven
micro-meddling.
Thankfully, the time which required crisis management by the
board is over. By electing the Dobbs, Dawson, and Johnson team
which got us here, we can keep the hospital on a steady course to
success.
Don Dixon
Sebastopol
Citizens for Palm Drive
Editor: We are proud to support Jared Dreyfus and Jim Maresca
for the Palm Drive Health Care District Board, the only candidates
who have pledged to:
• Hold Brim — the for-profit Tennessee Corporation that
currently manages Palm Drive under contract and has been paid over
$800,000 in taxpayer dollars in the last year — accountable for the
agreements they have made;
• Provide open and transparent administration of the
District;
• Manage our tax dollars responsibly;
• Build new outpatient health services for the West County;
• Work collaboratively with other healthcare providers in Sonoma
County;
• Recruit new physicians and expand outpatient services.
This is a critical election for the future of health care in
West County. Please join us in electing these dedicated and dynamic
leaders to the Palm Drive Healthcare District Board. It is time for
a change.
To find out more go to citizensforpalmdrive.com
Dan Smith and Joan Marler
Sebastopol
Auxiliary for Dreyfus
Editor: The members of the Palm Drive Hospital Auxiliary are
proud to fully support Jared Dreyfus in his bid for election to the
Hospital District board. Jared has been a trusted and invaluable
member of our Auxiliary since 2004. His dedication and selfless
efforts to support our hospital and health care reform have been
constant and true. We feel his fresh ideas and positive caring
attitude will greatly enhance the District board as we move forward
to secure a strong future for our wonderful community hospital.
Please join us in voting for Jared Dreyfus in Nov. 2.
Karen Kallestad-Miller
Palm Drive Hospital Auxiliary
No on Prop. 23
Editor: Why anyone with any sense would vote in favor of
Proposition 23, the Dirty Energy Initiative, is beyond
comprehension. This bill would essentially thwart implementation of
California’s global warming strategy (AB 32) that calls for
reducing reliance on fossil fuels for energy production — thus
diversifying our energy options as fossil fuels become more costly.
In stark contrast to the deceitful details behind Proposition 23,
AB 32 will boost investment in clean energy production, provide
thousands of new jobs, and promote improvement of air and water
quality.  
Yet Texas oil conglomerates Tesoro and Valero have pumped
millions of dollars into the Dirty Energy Initiative to keep us
addicted to the fossil fuel-driven demise of our ecology and our
economy. Proposition 23 is nothing more than corporate
interest-driven deceitful manipulation of our democratic process,
and could have devastating consequences for alternative energy
production in the near future. The oil industry has no ones’
interests but their own in mind, even if it comes at the expense of
Californians — our environment, our jobs, our health, and our
vision for the future.
Vote No on Proposition 23, boycott Valero and Tesoro, and flush
these slimy companies out of California forever.
Peter Warner
Sebastopol
Not mediocre times
Editor: It is said that a mediocre leader takes people where
they want to go, but a good leader takes them where they need to
go. In ordinary times, mediocre leadership is usually good enough.
These are not ordinary times, however. For California and Sonoma
County, in particular, they are perilous times and the decisions
that local government leaders make over the next few years —
particularly how we utilize diminishing resources — will be crucial
to our future quality of life.
Voters need to look beyond old ideologies and choose candidates
who demonstrate the ability to govern wisely and well. Among the
qualities of a good leader are good judgment, critical thinking and
the courage to do the right thing even though it may not be popular
at the moment.
Sebastopol is in need of some good leadership. I believe that
there are three candidates who possess the necessary qualities of
good leadership despite differences in ideology. I hope that
Sebastopol voters will join me in supporting Maureen Shea, Ron
Basso and Patrick Slayter for City Council.
Larry Robinson
Sebastopol
Gurney, Basso and Slayter
Editor: This is who I would vote for Sebastopol’s City
Council:
• Sarah Gurney, our current mayor. Sarah has worked hard for
this town on the council. As mayor, I think she does a superb job.
I have often felt proud of our town and the council at the blend of
kindness, humor and professionalism she brings as mayor. She knows
the workings of our city and its staff from her eight years of
experience. She listens. She is accessible. She is a true asset to
our community.
• Ron Basso. I have served along side him on the Design Review
Board for the last six years. We have not always agreed, but over
the years he has gained my respect and a few times even swayed me
with his logic and common sense. His clear focused common sense and
business savvy would provide a valuable perspective as the council
makes important decisions. He treats people respectfully and
fairly. And he is smarter than he looks.
• Patrick Slayer. Patrick is a thoughtful and thorough planning
commissioner. He uses his architectural and business background to
analyze and raise important issues. He is willing to voice his
concerns even when they represent a minority viewpoint. His
sensitivity to the character of Sebastopol will be particularly
important with the upcoming general plan revisions. Patrick is a
common sense green guy as opposed to an ideologue. He would
represent mainstream Sebastopol well.
Each of these individuals has years of experience working on the
issues of our community. This is truly necessary to be an effective
decision maker, for city business is often complex. They have each
excelled in their civic positions. They are all polite, bright,
nice people. Their combined talents would create an excellent
council.
I am a retired farmer/contractor and longtime Sebastopol
resident who has many community projects. From these, I know the
candidates, many issues and the council. My projects include:
preserving the character of Sebastopol, (as senior member of the
Design Review Board); to developing a Class I bike routes crossing
Sebastopol, (as chair of Sebastopol TrailMakers); and I am on the
Ives Pool Board, and others. I see this slate as best for
accomplishing my community goals, and the best all around slate to
represent Sebastopol.
Lynn Deedler
Sebastopol
Gurney, Kyes and Shea
Editor: I strongly support Sarah Gurney, Michael Kyes, and
Maureen Shea for Sebastopol City Council. Sarah Gurney’s proven
leadership, compassion, intelligence, and dedication to community
values make her the most qualified candidate. She brings unmatched
experience, a thorough understanding of local government, keen
analytical skills, and a thoughtful approach to resolving issues at
the Council. Her many endorsements include the Sierra Club, Sonoma
County Conservation Action, Sonoma County Democratic Party, and
Sonoma County Young Democrats. Her website is www.electsarahgurney.com.
I have known Michael Kyes for many years. His extensive
community work includes service on the Laguna de Santa Rosa
Foundation, Sebastopol Parks and Recreation Commission, Sebastopol
Energy Committee, and Solar Sebastopol Advisory Board. He has 25
years’ business experience as the owner of an accounting software
company, and is a solar and energy consultant. Michael’s numerous
endorsements include the Sierra Club, Sonoma County Conservation
Action, Sonoma County Democratic Party, and Progressive Democrats
of Sonoma County. Michael’s intellect and respectful manner will be
great assets on the Council. His website is www.kyes4sebastopol.com.
Maureen Shea offers a collaborative, consensus-building approach
to Council issues. She has a master’s degree in Organization
Development and has deep roots in Sebastopol. Her environmental and
progressive community values have earned her endorsements from the
Sierra Club, Sonoma County Conservation Action, Progressive
Democrats of Sonoma County, and the Sonoma County Democratic Party.
Her website is www.voteformaureen.org.
Please join me in voting for Sarah Gurney, Michael Kyes, and
Maureen Shea for Sebastopol City Council.
Guy Wilson
Sebastopol Vice-Mayor
No question: Vote Basso
Editor: I noted with interest a recent letter questioning the
ability of candidate for city council Ron Basso to be objective in
making decisions on the council if elected since he owns commercial
property in Sebastopol. In assessing this concern I found that
State law (Government Code Section 87100 Et Seq.) addresses such
concerns in detail. The law is quite specific and applies to local
and State elected officials. In essence the law states that…”local
public officials may not make, participate in making, or use their
official position to influence the making of government decisions
which materially affect their sources of income.” California’s
attorney general has a 125-page document detailing conflict of
interest prohibitions for all elected officials. Additionally
California’s Fair Political Practices Commission exists to monitor
compliance with these requirements.
I think the idea of having a successful local businessman who
has grown up, lived and succeeded in Sebastopol be one of five city
council members is a good one. The city council is charged with
overseeing the operation of city services, approving budgets during
a time of very difficult fiscal constraints and making decisions in
the interest of Sebastopol and its residents. We already have
stringent conflict of interest requirements in place that apply to
all city council members. On Election Day, voters should consider
Mr. Basso’s qualifications, strong commitment to our community and
demonstrated skills that in my mind would make a positive
difference in Sebastopol.
John Moise
Sebastopol
Undue Basso criticism
Editor: Ron Basso has, I believe, been subjected to undeserved
criticism regarding his alleged bias relative to his rental
properties in this community. Such ownership, may, in fact, make
him more, and not less, sensitive and committed to the welfare of
our town. I have worked closely with him for almost two years on
the city Design Review Board and find him a man of integrity,
ethics and leadership.
Bob Beauchamp
Sebastopol
Parking lot study?
Editor: Sebastopol is the shopping hub for 50,000 residents in
West County and at least 43,000 of these residents do not live in
the Sebastopol city limits. If we want these people to stop and
shop in Sebastopol they will need places to park. Without
convenient parking, these people will pass through our city and
shop in Santa Rosa. If we truly want people to shop locally we need
to make it convenient. Recently, four members of the Community
Development Agency approved a $20,000 study of what they refer to
as “city owned lots,” to determine how many cars use the parking
lots for parking their cars. Why not ask me, the manager of the
real estate office next to one of the lots and who has done
affordable housing? One of the city owned lots in question serves
the senior center, the library, and downtown. This lot is at or
near capacity most of the day. The senior center and the library
also serve the West County area, so many of the non-local visitors
to these facilities will need a place to park. Are Sebastopol’s
parking areas so overbuilt that we can afford to give up even one
parking space? How is parking a car while you shop or work
considered car storage?
In these trying economic times when the city does not have
enough money for items like park improvements and street repairs,
is it prudent to spend $20,000 to pay a consultant to determine
what most of us already know: parking spaces are a necessary
resource that supports the Sebastopol business community and
provides easy access to community facilities. We also know that
building over the parking lots would be very expensive. The support
structure would eliminate parking spaces and the people living over
the lots will add more cars further reducing the parking available
to the public. Do the businesses in the downtown core know about
this study? Since some people have expressed the concern that
Sebastopol is business unfriendly, how does the prospect of taking
away parking spaces in the shopping area help local business?
I have been walking door-to-door promoting the Town Hall, “Let’s
Talk Business” on Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Park Side School. Almost
every business I have visited brings up a parking issue as a
problem.
Randy Coffman
Sebastopol
Scary cell phone study
Editor: Please encourage your readers to watch the recent talk
by Devra Davis at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, she is a
prominent epidemiologist who wrote “Disconnect: The Truth About
Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and
How to Protect Your Family.”
I hope everyone will get good and scared by this presentation (I
was) and take precautions for self, friends and family. We all need
to spread the word far and wide.
A stunning statistic that comes out in this presentation, (is
that) childhood brain tumors have now surpassed childhood leukemia
in case numbers. As discussed in the presentation, the cell phone
industry, and by extension PG&E (regarding smart meters, these
are both pulsed radio frequency technologies) and the wireless
industry have and continue to purposefully obfuscate the issues and
discredit the science, all in pursuit of the almighty dollar.  
This is a repeat of Big Tobacco downplaying and hiding the dangers
of smoking. We should not wait, we should adopt the precautionary
principal here in Sonoma County as it relates to probable
SmartMeter dangers. And the public, especially our youth who are
more vulnerable to cell phone and WiFi illness, need to be educated
now on how to use cell phones and the Internet safely.
Let’s create a SmartMeter free zone here in Sonoma County. Get
involved at www.emfsafetynetwork.org.
Sue Vican
Sebastopol
Welcome to Basso-ville
Editor: I don’t know Ron Basso personally, but I can’t help but
feel empathy for him after two letters published in this paper —
character assassinations is a more apt description of them. The
gist of both letters is that, since Mr. Basso is one of
Sebastopol’s biggest commercial property owners, if elected to the
city council he might put his own financial interests before those
of the city. Last week’s letter asks, “Should he even be running
for office simply because he has such a personal property interest
in our wonderful town? I don’t think so.” From the suspicious tone
of these letters, one gets the sense their authors view Ron Basso
as the greedy slumlord Mr. Potter in the film “It’s a Wonderful
Life,” who, in George Bailey’s dream, renames the town
Pottersville.
In the 14 years I’ve lived here, I can’t recall any prior
council member with as impressive a record of entrepreneurial
success as Ron Basso’s. That kind of practical, real world
experience would be an invaluable asset to our city council. And
when Mayor Gurney and others, in last week’s paper, specifically
cite the need for Sebastopol to offer prospective entrepreneurs
some guidance in these trying economic times, who better to help
provide such insight than Ron Basso?
The anti-Basso letter writers offer no reason why we should
question Mr. Basso’s ability to remain objective, leaving readers
with the impression their concerns are based on a generalized
antipathy to “big” property owners. Perhaps they fear that if Mr.
Basso is elected, strangers driving into town on Highway 12 will
soon see, above the Nuclear Free Zone sign (cue the frightening
soundtrack), a new sign reading: Welcome to Basso-ville.
Larry Prager
Sebastopol
Honest and civic-minded
Editor: We have known Sara Gurney for many years and know her to
be honest, civic-minded, enthusiastic, and certainly one to be
relied upon. She listens to others and displays lots of integrity
in all her decisions. We urge you to support Gurney for Sebastopol
City Council.
Meg and Lynn Brittan
Sebastopol