Letters to the Editor 9-26-13

What’s banned?
Editor: There has been quite a bit of chit chat in our local newspaper regarding assault weapons and whether or not our city council members should (or should not) be spending their time dealing with this issue. I personally have no opinion either way. I trust my city council members are making decisions that they believe are in the best interest of the City of Healdsburg and the people who live here. What I would like to know is if the members who voted “in favor” of the ban really know what they banned. Do they even know exactly what an assault WEAPON/RIFLE is? And what types of WEAPONS/RIFLES are allowed in the city of Healdsburg?
If any ban saves the life of one child I’m all for it. But if you think a ban on assault weapons is going to prevent any type of gang violence, you’re using too much of a BANNED substance. I just can’t picture any gang members while getting ready for a drive by to stop and say to the other … “Hey don’t take the AK 47 … it’s banned.”
Joe Belli
Healdsburg  
Retirees thank prior HUSD board members
Editor: The unrepresented retirees of the Healdsburg Unified School District would like to public thank the twelve prior board members and past District Business Managers who supported them in a lawsuit filed in the Sonoma County Superior Court. It was their signed statement that won the case for the retirees. It was the superintendent’s contention that Medicare premiums were not part of eligible retirees guaranteed lifetime health/welfare benefits as outlined in Board Policy 4154, 4254 and 4354. It is disappointing that the current board members did not have the courage to uphold the decisions of past boards. It was unfortunate that our request to have the current board take action on this issue was not allowed by the superintendent. The decision to take away retirees promised benefits was done at the administrative level, and our requests to be heard fell on deaf ears. We were forced to file a lawsuit against the HUSD and fight for what was promised to us as well as other retirees who are also being denied full retirement benefits. At the time our request was being denied and the lawsuit was filed, two current board members were and are receiving the same benefits.
The board policy covering health/welfare benefits was first adopted by the Board of Trustees in 1968, and has been in existence since. Who knew in 1968 what the state of the economy would be today? Retirees are very much aware of the economy; we are living it every day on a fixed income. We did, however, make concessions throughout our working years in order to maintain these benefits at retirement. Had we not made concessions, our retirement and social security income would be much higher today.
We all know that this is an unpopular topic in today’s economy. Promises were made to us just like they were made to retirees of other institutions, i.e. PG&E, AT&T, City/County/State employees, etc. To deny those promised benefits is to disrespect decisions of previous boards/administrations as well as disrespect the retirees who each worked tirelessly for 20-30 years in support of the teachers and students.
Again, thank you, “retired” board members.
Sharon Hernandez
Retired Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent