Letters to the Editor 8-21-14

History lives
Editor: If you love and cherish our Plaza (and who among us doesn’t?), you absolutely have to make it a point to see the latest exhibit at the Healdsburg Museum. The exhibit is entitled “If the Plaza Could Speak” and the subject matter goes as far back as 1857 when the Plaza was founded and dedicated by Harmon Heald. (Thank you, Harmon!) It’s a fascinating exhibit that really should be experienced by all Healdsburg residents and fans. It’s amazing to see all the changes that have occurred over the years. Curator Holly Hoods and helpers have staged another magnificent display. This one is a “must-see.” History lives … get down to the Museum.
Kent Mitchell
Board Member, Healdsburg Museum
Campaign support
Editor: In an email to her supporters Debora Fudge bemoans that “construction, development, real estate … interests have spent tens of thousands of dollars to support my opponent (James Gore).”
I find such communication very perplexing. Several months ago local Sonoma realtors met with each candidate for 4th District Supervisor — including Debora Fudge.  Debora sought the North Bay Association of Realtors backing; had she received it, our endorsement would have broadened her base of support. In communications with our organization, Debora expressed her disappointment at not receiving our endorsement — now she criticizes James Gore for getting the very support she so eagerly sought. I need to call this what it is — hypocrisy.
In our review process, our organization gave fair treatment to each candidate. After weighing the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate, we selected James Gore because of his experience in conservation, water policy and agriculture. This is what the 4th District needs.
In truth, the campaign contributions from our organization are comprised of modest contributions from individual realtors. These small funds are pooled into one account that is managed for us by our state association. The contributions we provide come from individual realtors who are small independent business people.
Todd Mendoza
President, Petaluma Chapter of Realtors, North Bay Association of Realtors
Remember when
Editor: Recently, I received an e-mail full of ads for humorous products of the late 19th early 20th century. The top ad was for Cocaine Toothpaste Drops and was illustrated by two adorable children, the apparent target of the ad. It got me thinking.
We are a nation of optimistic embracers of the new. We love new ideas, new gadgets and new information. Just in my (long) lifetime I can remember: looking at my bones inside new shoes in a shoe store’s x-ray machine; Japanese children running in the cool spray of a U.S. Army DDT truck; my parents smoking; me smoking; playing with mercury in science class; lead in paint, gas and pipes; and when too much iron was added to infant formula. The list goes on. I am sure you can think of many more things we once used or accepted until we learned they were dangerous.
When I was in school, I learned that the hallmark of good science is an open mind and the ability to change one’s thinking based on new evidence. Of course, to do this, we need the continued support of scientific research to ask the hard questions and supply us with solid information to make informed decisions.
The science community knows a good deal more about fluoride now than it did in 1952, when Healdsburg residents voted to add it to the city’s water supply. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Now there is more information from chemists, toxicologists, research scientists, and yes, even a growing number of dentists and doctors that show us that drinking fluoride daily in uncontrolled amounts is one of those ideas whose time has come and gone.
Fluoride can help when applied directly on the teeth, but taken internally can have negative effects in the human body. Therefore, it makes sense that children are taught good oral hygiene at home and at school, that fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash are used to supplement oral hygiene, and that all of us  have the ability to choose whether or not we want fluoride in our city’s water.
I hope my friends and neighbors in Healdsburg will do their homework before November to become educated on this issue. By the end of the year, I would like to be able to say, “I remember when Healdsburg used to add fluoride to the city water supply.”
Carol Evans Treu
Healdsburg
Antiques Fair Sunday
Editor: In just a few days, the Healdsburg Plaza will be transformed into an exciting open-air marketplace as the Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society sponsors the Antiques, Arts and Collectibles Fair. On Sunday, August 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors will find an amazing array of affordable treasures from more than 90 participating vendors.
The Healdsburg Museum will also host a special display of local artifacts and historic photos in our “Museum Without Walls” exhibit.
Many Healdsburg merchants will add their own “Healdsburg Hospitality” by providing special offers, coupons, discounts and much more available to all fair goers. Look for these offers at the Museum booth.
Mark your calendar and come join the fun. Admission is free!
Rawleigh Fjeld
Healdsburg Museum Fair Committee Chairwoman