LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 9-15-2011

Conflict at PDH
Editor: As reported in the paper, the Palm Drive Hospital Board
had an extremely difficult decision to make Monday, caused by the
persistent conflict of interest position of Dan Smith. 
Smith’s conflict of interest is with a physician who is very
important to the hospital.
Mr. Smith could have cured that conflict position in several
ways and he refused.
Incredible that someone who says he wants to help the hospital
would leave the board no choice but to take an action that helps no
one.
Not only did the Board suffer the unexpected loss of their
valuable member Jared Dreyfus, but now they must endure the loss of
a valuable physician because of Dan Smith’s refusal to sever ties
which thus prevent the Board from acting in the best interests of
the community, and the hospital.
Barbara Hirschfeld
Sebastopol
 
Smith should step down
Editor: It looks like Dan Smith cares more about himself than
about our hospital. Why doesn’t he fix the situation, for the good
of everyone, himself included, by resigning from the Board? I don’t
get it.
I admire all Dan has done for the hospital and the community but
now he needs to step down.
Judy Wismer, R.N.
Sebastopol
 
Overblown levels
Edior: The article “Community divided on airport expansion
plans” (Sonoma West Times & News, Sept. 8) quotes one speaker
saying that “every two decibel increase is perceived as a doubling
the sound level …”
This is wrong and way overblown. The common understanding is
that 10 decibel increase is perceived as doubling (and that many
people will not be aware of a 2 db change). One reference can be
found at hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/sound/loud.html.
This factual error is significant when discussing the example
given in the article, which is a 5-6 db change in noise of a
specific aircraft. The true perceived change is much less than
doubled, nowhere near the over four times loudness the speaker
asserts.
Jeff Evans
Sebastopol
Airport mathematics
Editor: I am a Windsor resident of 9 years now. I was just
reading your article regarding the proposed airport expansion
“Community divided on airport expansion plans” (Sonoma West Times
& News, Sept. 8).
While I hold no crystal ball telling the impacts, both
environmentally and the economic benefits reaped from the said
expansion of the Sonoma County Airport, I do have a knowledge of
sound. I attended the College Of Recording Arts, based in San
Francisco, in the early 1980s. Our workbook’s first chapter was
titled “The physical aspects of sound.” It explained how higher
frequencies don’t turn corners as well as low ones.
Steve Birdlebough stated that, “Every two decibel increase is
perceived as a doubling of the sound level, so you’re looking at
two doublings, four times. … it’s a progressive scale and so the
perception of noise is going to be considerably higher regardless
of whether you’re falling within General Plan limits.”
For what it’s worth, one decibel, or one tenth bel, is
considered to be the level in which human detection of sound is
measured.
After that, a 3 Db increase gives the impression of a higher
sound level.
A doubling of perceived volume is actually a 6db increase.
For the sound pressure level to double from 62.5 (a Bombardier
Q400) it would increase 6 Db to 68.5 (the mentioned jet level).
Yes, it would be twice as loud as the current Horizon aircraft.
But if we look at Mr. Birdlebough’s statement, the increase would
be about three or four times as much.
I’m not defending the airport expansion. Nor do I care to oppose
it.
I live on the other side of the freeway. I rarely hear the
Horizon departures but I usually hear the jets on takeoff. So it’s
no big deal to me; I don’t have a home directly under the climb-out
flight path so it’s a much different issue for those who live in
Ventana or other nearby places.
I’m just putting out some math terms regarding sound pressure
levels.
The threshold of human pain varies from 96 to 102 Db depending
on the individual.
And measured 10 feet in front and 10 feet below the muzzle of a
16″ cannon, like that of the USS Missouri, is 110 Db. I imagine
that would really hurt.
Ken Forbes
Windsor
 
Lost ‘wayfinding’
Editor: We have just finished reading your very informative
article on the new signage proposal (“New road signs may direct
River visitors ‘Wayfinding’ project could cost $250,000,” Sonoma
West Times & News, Sept. 8). Thank you for bringing this to our
attention. Our initial reaction was to wonder who is profiting from
this excessive waste of money and why the funds aren’t being
allocated to developing local infrastructures? I’m not clear from
where this money is coming, or who or what taxes fund the RR
Redevelopment Project.
I went online to the Great Destination Strategies website.
Aren’t they the same people located in Seattle to whom $177,000 in
tax money was thrown away for the mundane phrase “balanced by
nature”? To my mind, this tagline seems a more appropriate
description of the benefits of prunes. I’m not sure there was any
significant impact from these banners on Main Street and Monte Rio,
other than it was visually more colorful. Did we receive bang for
our buck? Perhaps a contest offering a $1,000 to $5,000 cash prize
would have reaped a catchier phrase and kept more money in our
community.
This summer’s Burma Shave antique auto show promotion was
discouraged by people who wanted the highways free of excessive
signage. I can only assume that more signage would not be welcomed.
Don’t people have access to the many map apps available on phones
and home computers, as well as the satellite mapping and
destination systems installed in many cars? With the high price of
gas, cruising around without a specific end destination isn’t
practiced or practical these days. Designing, manufacturing and
installing these directional indicators seems unnecessary. Wouldn’t
the biggest benefactors be the sign company and Great Destination
Strategies?
Kiosks are an unnecessary expense. They are expensive to buy and
install and would have to be stocked and refilled on a regular
basis. Promotional pamphlets from local industries would need to be
printed and conveniently stored for restocking. Most would end up
in the garbage or littering the streets due to vandalism. The same
materials are currently available at the Guerneville Chamber of
Commerce, who are excellent at answering queries concerning dining,
lodging and vacation activities.
We definitely will be at the next public forum concerning this
allocation of money. When and where will that be? We hope that the
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors deeply considers the
ramifications before they approve of so much money designated for
“wayfinding” signage. At a time when there is real economic
hardship and many public agencies experiencing cutbacks or closures
due to lack of funding, it seems inappropriate to throw away up to
$250,000 in such a frivolous manner. I hope you will do a follow-up
outcome article on this poorly devised waste of funds, that could
do so much more for all of us who live in, work, and visit the
Russian River.
Elizabeth Eichhold
Peter Duguay
Guerneville
 
What goes between?
Editor: Armstrong Development Properties, a division of
Armstrong Group of Companies (a huge conglomerate), represents CVS
and Chase in their quest to relocate their facilities from
Gravenstein Highway N. to the heart of town.
Their online brochure is revealing. Copied from it are the
following statements:
• “Our development program has expanded to include JPMorgan
Chase Bank. We are now building banks in two states, with more to
come. An expanding retailer requires multiple sites in multiple
markets. Our development capabilities allow retailers to quickly
impact a new market. … and their bottom line.
• “Armstrong Development uses state of the art technology in the
search for the best retail sites in each market, presented in
formats designed to assist the decision process. The right tools in
the right hands make all the difference.
• “With over two million square feet in our own portfolio,
Armstrong Development is now developing retail sites across the
United States.
• “Successful retail centers require exceptional anchor tenants.
Armstrong Development has long standing relationships with
Wal-Mart, Lowe’s Home Improvement Centers, Target, Kohl’s, AutoZone
and other strong national retailers.”
I am not accusing Armstrong of predatory practice; I’m just
musing about the fact that the application for the downtown project
provides twice as many parking spaces as are required by the City
of Sebastopol.
And one wonders why the CVS and Chase buildings are planted at
the north and south edges of the property. Do you wonder what might
be plunked down between them if this project is successful? I
do.
Readers can reach me at [email protected] for more
information.
Helen Shane
Sebastopol