Letters to the Editor 9-22-16

For the sake of transparency
EDITOR: Being plank holders in the Clean River Alliance (CRA) and founders of the Garbage Patch Kids, we would like to respond to the article about the split between the CRA and the Russian River Alliance (RRA). Mark Emmett asks for transparency three times. Let me clarify — the CRA removes trash from the River, the RRA removes people from the River. It’s that simple. We are not affiliated with each other, period.
The CRA organizes cleanups and goes after any trash and litter (up to 1,000 pounds) from the river and educates the community about trash and its affects on our environment. Our group and our goals are completely separate than the RRA. The CRA’s goal is to stop the outflow of trash into the Sonoma Coast State Park and the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. In that, we are being successful.
It is true that we have the homeless staging their trash for us. We are an “Alliance” and they are fellow American citizens, we treat them as such. And just like any American, if we see someone starving and living in squalor, we are going to help relieve his or her suffering. That being said, it is not our groups goal …it’s just called being human.
Keary and Sally Sorenson
Sebastopol
What Sebastopol deserves
EDITOR: People seek public office for a variety of reasons and usually for a mix of reasons. Some do it to further an ideology; some out of a need for attention or to fill some hole in their lives; others do it because they love their community and are committed to serving the greater good.
Craig Litwin and Neysa Hinton are two of the latter and are running for Sebastopol City Council. Both grew up in Sebastopol and understand our history, an important attribute in an office holder. Both have raised their families here. Although Neysa is new to politics she is someone who listens carefully and is willing and eager to learn what she doesn’t know. Her years of work with the Downtown Association and in establishing our Sunday Farmer’s Market demonstrate her commitment to service and to our community.
Craig served previously on the City Council for eight years and brings a wealth of knowledge of how government works. He understands and respects both the role and the limits of local government. He has earned respect throughout Sebastopol and Sonoma County because of his ability to consider all sides of an issue and to do his best to find solutions that work for everyone.
Both Craig and Neysa will bring the creativity and emotional maturity that Sebastopol deserves in its leaders. As they campaign, they will be knocking on your door. I hope you will take the time to get acquainted with them and that you will cast your votes for them for Sebastopol City Council.
Larry Robinson
Sebastopol
Yes on 55
EDITOR: I would like to commend Gabriel Fraire on his education article. I am in my 16th year of teaching kindergarten in Santa Rosa and, yes, I do use my own money for many supplies. It would be great to have education more highly valued. If you want to help, please vote yes on Prop 55 in November. According to the California Teachers Association, It will bring stability to public education funding in California for 12 more years and does not raise taxes. In the years since the recession, music, art, school libraries, and counselors have come back. If Prop 55 doesn’t pass, it would cause a $4 billion deficit in school funding. Our students can’t afford to go back to those dark days. Please vote yes on 55.
Lori Blackburn
Sebastopol
Endorse two
EDITOR:  I am writing to Strongly Endorse two candidates. Craig Litwin, who is running for Sebastopol City Council, is a remarkable person who I had the honor to serve with on the Council with from 2000 to 2004. He builds coalitions and teams to get things done. When we were both running for Council he reached out to me to find out where I stood on issues, and when we discovered that we had much common ground he suggested that rather than run against each other we support each other. If only one of us won a seat we pledged to support the other’s work. Through teamwork we both won and during our tenure on the council we often, but not always, agreed and we were able to put forward many positive initiatives in our work for the City. Before Craig’s council work he worked with and championed local youth to go door to door offering to plant at no charge organic permaculture gardens. Many of the young people he worked with planting gardens have gone on to careers in permaculture and other positive vocations in our community.
Fifth District Candidate Noreen Evans is another champion for the West County whom I have known for many years and have sat at the table with. Experience in governance, combined with unshakeable integrity is what Noreen brings to her work. Often opponents of effective progressives will attempt to equate experience with being part of an “old boys network”. A catchy and populist phrase, but when you hear it from any side of an issue it is good to look closer. Noreen’s long success in being elected to office is the result of her effectiveness advocating for the communities she has served.
Also, we have a very long ballot of  other issues and I encourage everyone to get started on their studies now.
Sam Spooner
Former council member and Mayor of Sebastopol
Grass Valley
Concerned about Sebastopol
EDITOR: In the midst of the current housing crisis Sebastopol should be deliberate and proactive about inclusive economic development that doesn’t leave more of us behind. As a resident of Sebastopol I am concerned that Sebastopol is considering a 66 room boutique hotel that will likely increase the desirability of Sebastopol, create more low paying jobs for people who won’t be able to afford to live here, and lead to an increase in the cost of housing while at the same time there are no substantial affordable housing projects in the pipeline in Sebastopol. While Sebastopol is being proactive about bolstering tourism for out of towners, Sebastopol does not seem to be deliberate about bolstering housing opportunities for those of us who are trying to continue to live here and power the local economy. These seem to be mismatched priorities. I’d encourage anyone who is concerned for any of the reasons I mentioned or any others to attend the Public Hearing scheduled for September 27, 6 p.m. at the Youth Annex on the pending status of this hotel.
Jacob Rich

Sebastopol