LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Support Palm Drive
Editor: A few years ago, when a parcel tax for Palm Drive
Hospital was first placed on the ballot, I wrote a Letter to the
Editor, which was published, urging the community to support the
parcel tax, because it was such a good investment at a low cost per
individual. When the Palm Drive Foundation was established, I made
a donation and have continued to do so. Donations such as mine and
from many members of this community have helped make possible the
continued existence of our hospital.
At the end of December, my wife developed chest pain, suggestive
of a heart attack. I immediately brought her to the Emergency Room
of Palm Drive Hospital, where she received attentive and effective
care from Dr. Dawn Magdalin-Betts and the ER staff. Impressively,
although it was late at night, CT scans of the chest and abdomen
were quickly available as part of her complete evaluation. My wife
received excellent care at our community hospital. Palm Drive
Hospital was there when we needed it.
I have written this letter to remind the members of the
community of the West County of the enormous value of Palm Drive
Hospital to this area and their responsibility (to themselves as
well as to the community at large) to support this medical
facility.
Jack Levin, M.D.
Sebastopol
Smoke-free Sebastopol
Editor: Recent reports about smoking contained both good and bad
news. It was discouraging to learn from the California Tobacco
Control survey that more than 16 percent of Sonoma County residents
smoke. This is the highest percentage in the Bay Area, and was more
than twice the rate of smokers in neighboring Marin County. Local
news also reported that Asthma attacks are increasing. While there
are several possible reasons for this increase, cigarette smoke has
long been identified as one of the causes of this chronic lung
disease.
The good news comes from Sebastopol. The city received the
highest mark in the state’s Tobacco Control Report produced by the
American Lung Association. The report measures the effectiveness of
smoking policies passed by elected officials in the state’s 480
incorporated cities and 58 counties. Sebastopol enacted a
comprehensive smoking ordinance in 2010. This ordinance creates
smoke free outdoor environments and puts smoking restrictions in
multi unit housing. Sebastopol’s grade improved from a D in a
previous report to an A.
Smoking is a personal choice, and ordinances cannot stop
smoking. However, they can help reduce the health impacts of second
hand smoke which is just as harmful as smoking a cigarette.
Kathleen Shaffer
City Council Member
Sebastopol
Short-sighted at SRJC
Editor: The recent cost-cutting proposals coming out of Santa
Rosa Junior College (SRJC) are disappointing and distressing. One
idea that’s floating around is to penalize lifelong learners and
make it difficult for us to take classes. Under the new plan if you
have accumulated more than 100 units at SRJC you would pay up to
$182 per unit instead of $26 per unit like the other students.
Let’s look at an example. I’m taking a single 3-unit class this
semester. It’s a Typography class, intended to augment the skills I
offer my clients and provide me a fun and creative outlet. I’m
paying $180 for that single class. This includes $78 in class fees,
plus parking fees and $35 in additional fees that provide a part
time night student no benefits (health services, etc).
Under the new proposed fee structure, I could pay over $600 for
that same class. The result is that I would not register, exactly
what the administration intends. Fewer students means fewer
teachers and fewer expenses.
I believe the SRJC administration is looking at this the wrong
way. Students like myself, who pay the same fees but attend
part-time, are subsidizing younger students who take a full load.
This is on top of other ways we subsidize SRJC, through income
taxes, paying off the bond measure on our property taxes and
donating time and money to SRJC-related activities.
SRJC might want to look at this situation from a business
perspective. I’ve accumulated over 190 units at SRJC since the
mid-1970s. There is probably no business in Sonoma County that I’ve
patronized, as a loyal customer, for 37 years.
I’ve always relied on the JC when I wanted to better myself.
I’ve written, directed and acted in plays, I’ve improved my
carpentry and welding skills, I’ve gone on field trips to see Giant
Sequoias and California Condors, I’ve studied English, art,
ecology, government, anthropology, psychology, mime, ballroom
dancing, Chinese cooking and writing. I have certificates of
accomplishment in graphic design and I’ve been acknowledged for my
short story writing.
Some will question why I’ve attended college for 37 years
without getting a diploma, but I’m not interested in diplomas. I
love to learn and to better myself and SRJC has always been my
“community” college where I go to do so.
I’m not alone in that regard. Many students see SRJC as a place
to rub elbows with new ideas and interests. Students come to SRJC
to learn new skills and further their careers, to be trained and
retrained, to become better citizens and give back to their
communities.
My experience at SRJC has made me a smarter businessman, a more
effective community volunteer, and a better person. I’ve always
been an SRJC booster and supporter. I’ll be sad if I no longer
count in the race to move students along, if loyalty doesn’t go
both ways. I’ll always support SRJC, as long as I have access.
Ray Holley
Healdsburg