Letters to the Editor 9-17-15

Perpetual drought
Editor: It seems that in regards to building a resort or ??? in Cloverdale, the basics of water supply and the cost of possibly closing the airport are not being seriously considered but rather swept under the rug. In a recent letter someone made the statement that the drought is almost over, and the city of Cloverdale had already decided that at least a month or so ago. How is it that we in California seemingly refuse to believe that we live in an almost perpetual state of drought? There are 37 times over the past 1,200 years when there were three-year dry periods in California, with some lasting even longer. A serious long term look at water resources for the next five to 10 years minimum needs to be considered. Perhaps the continual building that takes place in California needs to be reconsidered in terms of available resources.
Reny Parker
Cloverdale
Premature closure
Editor: I think the idea to close the airport is premature. Before we even consider this, Mr. Slavik and his investment group need to sign a binding, legal agreement that clearly states that they will not get occupancy permits for any housing until the hotel and spa, equestrian center and any retail or commercial space is open and in business. I believe the same conditions were part of the Tyris proposal. Then surprise, surprise, Tyris said the economy was bad and walked away.
Cloverdale certainly could use the tax revenue from the proposed project, but we cannot risk a bait and switch development that leaves us with nothing but a lot of unaffordable housing and no airport.
As far as the horses go, check out the horses on Asti Road. When a plane flies over, they don’t even look up. If you want to see if expensive homes and planes get along, check out Shelter Cove. People land their planes on an airstrip in front of the beachfront property.
Temple Smith
Cloverdale
Don’t worry, be happy
Editor: I took up residence in this area in 1971. It was love at first sight; I married, raised a family here and I would choose nowhere else to live. Things have changed some since then; the population has more than doubled, several housing developments were constructed, lumber mills have closed and Cloverdale was forced to become a mostly bedroom community.
What has not changed, is a few residents who will complain about everything perceived to ruin their otherwise perfect life. This group has grown with the population, and if you take notice it is almost always the same people, pitchforks in hand on their soap box. They would be almost comical if it wasn’t for the fact that their activism demands attention from our very hardworking city council. These individuals need to be commended for the fact that, unlike most of us, they very diligently attend city council meeting, write letters to the editors and contact county, state and federal officials in their quest.
Consequently, our leadership waste a lot of time and effort in order to please these folks. The road to recovery for our beautiful town lies through attracting good paying employers, our talented city manager mayor and council know that. The last thing we need is more housing developments disguised as uppity hotel resorts (horses, flies and rich people?). Our planning commission and past and present city officials spent too many hours doing the due diligence on the original project to have a bait and switch performed by dangling dubious promises of revenue by developers. To the perennial protesters I urge you to … “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”
Luciano Toninato
Cloverdale
Help local family
Editor: My wife Michelle and I were long time Cloverdale residents. We raised our three kids there; Jen, Val and TJ Trask. We just moved to the Redding area four months ago after 30 years in Cloverdale. We would like to reach out to the Cloverdale community and ask for support and donations for our brother Tim Trask. Tim and his family are long time Cloverdale residents. Tim has been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The prognosis is grim. At this point we are praying for a miracle.
We have seen the way the community pulls together for those in need. The Trask family is in need. If you could print in your paper the desperate plea from my wife and I we would be forever grateful. We are accepting donation through www.gofundme.com/timtrask, or checks payable to Tim Trask, PO Box 84, Cloverdale, CA 95425.
Please help us spread the word. Our brother is fighting for his life and not having to worry about rent, bills, food, etc. would help tremendously. Thank you so much.
John and Michelle Trask and family
Redding
Facts about the airport
Editor: After returning from a wonderful relaxing week at our cabin near Yosemite, I was disappointed to again see the unsubstantiated and biased letters in our local paper regarding the airport. No one seems concerned about the horrible things that are happening around the world – the Syrian refugees, Trump, (no need to elaborate on that one), Kim Davis (an insult to all true Christians) and more. Instead they focus on something that is a benefit to some and a thorn in the side to a few. First the facts – and, come on people, stop spewing things you know are not true, it’s just an insult to the intelligence of our community.
Not all people who own airplanes are wealthy. In fact, I would have to say that all the folks I know who own planes, especially out at our airport, are definitely not wealthy, they just budget to afford their dream. Take me for instance. Some people know me from the library. My husband and I saved our dollars, and made sacrifices, to obtain the dream of owning our own airplane. A lot of airplane owners have done the same.
Yes, there are more than 12 planes that use our airport; some just passing through to refuel or take a break in their trip to visit our welcoming town. By the way, when they refuel that money goes to the city.
It would cost the city much more to close our airport than to let it improve under the new airport manager. We have over a million dollars in FAA grants that the city would have to repay if they chose to close our airport. Yes – you read right – that’s $1 million to close the airport. Of course the ‘wealthy’ investor could cover that for the city just because he can.
The excuse the developer used to close the airport, (scaring horses) has been shot down. It was not a valid excuse and was just a ploy. So now the only excuse they have is, well, they’re wealthy and just want to.
Even if the wealthy developer (investor) pays the FAA the grant money back, the city’s financial woes would not magically disappear, they would continue to get worse. Do you truly believe the resort would be built overnight? That people would flock to stay at this tranquil resort next to a water treatment plant and a huge trucking business? (Be careful, Bruce, they may come after you next.)
And last, who came up with that $50,000 figure? Come on folks, anyone can use that scare tactic, that’s just sad. The airport has been a part of our community longer than many of us have lived here. It’s seen good and not so good times. I believe our little airport is just getting better. The new airport manager has plans for improving it, and bringing new aviation enthusiast and events for our community.
Speaking of events, The Red Bull skydiving completion will be at our airport Oct. 22-24. Competitors from over 14 countries will be this event. Support our airport and attend this exciting event.
Lastly, I golf too; does that make me double wealthy? Wealthy times two? Wealthy the second?
Linda Welch
Cloverdale