LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Vote ‘yes’ on F
EDITOR: On June 8, 2010, voters in Guerneville will go to the
polls to vote on Measure F. If approved, the Russian River Fire
District will be able to continue providing the current level of
service to residents. The “current level of service” means our fire
station would remain fully staffed by a trained, competent and
professional group of firefighters.
They have performed well when called upon to protect our homes
when threatened by forest fires and home fires; they administer
excellent medical attention and ambulance service to accident
victims, the elderly, citizens, vacationers and children at home
and in school. Currently, they are but a phone call and minutes
away. When we vote “yes,” we protect ourselves as well as our
neighbors.
Please vote yes on Measure F on your ballot.
Sam Pullaro
Co-Chair Measure F Committee
Guerneville
A flyer on Passalacqua
Editor: Recently, I received a political flyer in the mail from
Stephan Passalacqua. The flyer states that Mr. Passalacqua has the
backing of 7,000+ law enforcement officers. If you total up the
number of Deputy, Police Officers, Highway Patrol Officers, Park
Rangers and various state and federal law enforcement officers
employed within Sonoma County you will find there are less than 700
law enforcement officers total. I’m not sure who the 7,000 law
enforcement officers are since the Sheriff and all of the major law
enforcement labor organizations in Sonoma County are backing Jill
Ravitch.
The Sonoma County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association has joined with
Sheriff Cogbill, Chief Jones of Healdsburg PD and the Santa Rosa
POA, Santa Rosa PMA, Rohnert Park POA, Petaluma POA, Cotati PMA,
Cotati POA and the Latino Peace Officers Association in supporting
Jill Ravitch for D.A. We are the “cops” that provide law
enforcement services to the citizens of Sonoma County. We are the
law enforcement officers who have a solid understanding of what we
need in a District Attorney to keep our county safe. We see that is
Jill Ravitch.
Please join me and the other “cops” of Sonoma County in voting
for Jill Ravitch for District Attorney on June 8.
Bill Focha
President
Sonoma County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association
Crtical D.A.
Editor: I am a retired Deputy District Attorney. During my 20
year career, I was honored for winning cases involving sex crimes,
domestic violence and homicides against women and children. I have
worked with both D.A. candidates. They are both my friends.
It is critically important that the District Attorney have the
support and respect of the law enforcement agencies. Jill Ravitch
has that respect. A good D.A. can inspire police officers to do
their best work for vulnerable victims. Jill knows that the search
for truth and justice does not end when a case is filed. She can
also tell the sheep from the goats, which is important in an era of
crashing budgets.
I have supported Stephan Passalacqua in the last two elections.
He is an amiable public servant and he has always treated me with
respect, But the D.A. cannot be a mere politician. Jill Ravitch has
the courage, wisdom, intelligence and experience needed to face the
future challenges. It is time for a change. 
Donna Lee Ryan
Santa Rosa
Farmers markets
Editor: We have just returned from Santa Barbara for a few days
of sun and beach time to celebrate my birthday. As always, we took
in the Saturday downtown farmers market. What a delight as usual!
There is just fresh vegetables and fruits and berries from the
farmers and wonderful flowers, as well. No arts and crafts booths,
no prepared food booths, no toy booths, just an array of fabulously
fresh food to prepare and eat at home. How refreshing to
communicate with the farmers, feel their connection with Mother
Earth and enjoy choosing produce reflecting this reciprocal
nurturing/nurtured connection. Perhaps, our local farmers markets
could use this gem of a market as a template instead of the Los
Angeles Farmers Market.
Cathie Haynes
Sebastopol