Tree lighting thanks
EDITOR: Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone. On behalf of the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors, I wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to the following for their support and sponsorship of the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas tree lighting event. You folks help make this wonderful community event special. Pacific Market, Sonic.net, The Barlow, Deep Roots Hydro, Professional Tree Care Co., Phytomagic, Cottingham Mortgage, R’s Automotive, Earthtone Construction, Dr. Hansa Wood, Gravenstein Lions Club, Daniel O. Davis, Inc., Taylor Lane Coffee, Redwood Credit Union, Bank of the West, K-Tech Automotive, West County Community Services, Healthy High drinks, Paul Butkus-Farmers Insurance, Fairfield Inn.
Remember, it takes a village to blossom!
Bob Aita, President, Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce
By and for the people
EDITOR: I believe that what our four city council members did to our fifth council member, Michael Carnacchi, was elitist and wrong. We elected him, and we believed that he would be given a chance to advance to the vice mayor and mayor positions as the rest of the members have, and they would not allow him that path.
Here’s what the new mayor said: during her speech as incoming mayor, she read a quote from President Abraham Lincoln: “In a democracy, we have a government that is of, by and for the people” — except they get to decide what to do without honoring the voters’ wishes if they don’t fit with yours.
I’ve loved the fact that Michael has his shop in downtown Sebastopol, and I can always stop in and ask questions. He is a kind and smart man, who has a profound caring for this town.
Many of us are unhappy with what they did to him.
Katy Remley
Sebastopol
A public humiliation
EDITOR: It’s horrifying that the Sebastopol City Council purposefully humiliated Michael Carnacchi by not appointing him to be vice mayor of the council. Yes, let’s call it what it was — an intentional public humiliation. Why would the council act so unjustifiably toward a hard-working representative of the community, one who was elected to office without spending any money on his campaign? Doesn’t that demonstrate how Michael truly represents the grassroots public? Was that what set the council’s collective teeth on edge about Michael?
Earlier this year I wrote a letter to the editor here applauding the council for their thoughtful considerations of issues. Evidently, I wrote in ignorance. I was at a city council meeting at Michael’s invitation to speak to an issue about safety and access for the disability community to the streets of Sebastopol undergoing reconstruction by Caltrans. Was it this action on Michael’s part that turned the council against him? That he would champion the rights of people with disabilities? The behavior of the council begs this question.
A public humiliation of someone elected to represent the people is not something to be done unreservedly for even people of low character. Michael Carnacchi is a man of high principals whose actions do him and the council honor. Michael’s obvious credo is to show respect to everyone, regardless of social and economic status. It’s disgusting how the council pilloried Michael. One can only hope they find some integrity and a way to redeem their honor. For now they have neither.
Hollyn D’Lil
Graton
A voice for the hospital
EDITOR: Many small hospitals around the country are being forced to close because of predatory insurance and now billing software companies that refuse to pay smaller hospitals the money they are owed. Small hospitals like ours are being held hostage, ultimately forcing it into bankruptcies. Our hospital has been unable to collect on the $8-$11 million or more that it is owed.
It appears that those who would profit from the sale of our local jewel of a hospital are the realtors and contractors who are spearheading this detachment and any future dissolution movement. They hope the hospital will be sold for the cost of the land so that they can build whatever big box stores, condominiums or shopping centers would make them quick money.
It is hard to provide accurate information when the detachers have exclusive access to social media denied to district and hospital supporters. Bodega Bay residents were emailed misinformation about the hospital, claiming the hospital was closed, that it would cause a raise in taxes and that no benefit was given to Bodega Bay.
In fact, it remains open for regular business and its extended-hour urgent care, which will open in the future once the licensing procedures have been completed and approved, will capture over 90 percent of the ER patients seen at the hospital before.
In fact, the Palm Drive District has been working for two years to bring services to Bodega Bay. Last year it contributed tens of thousands of dollars to the fire department and has been trying to bring blood pressure clinics, foot care, alcohol and drug abuse programs to the area but has been thwarted by those controlling public spaces where these services could be provided.
Sadly, those responding to supporting voices respond with personal derision, taunts and fear-mongering. This is not who we are in west county.
The money saved by Bodega Bay detachment would be the equivalent of one cup of coffee at a local coffee house or a little over $4 each month. There is no new debt currently being incurred by the district, and no new taxes could ever be levied without voter approval. The new managers are being very responsive to our community needs and responsible in keeping costs down during the transition. The long-term acute care beds they hope to offer will particularly benefit many of us or our loved ones who are over 65, whose long-term medical needs are not covered by insurance for stays in local hospitals. It is a critical need in our county.
All of this was made abundantly clear at the Bodega Bay Town Hall, after a lively discussion where more than 30 percent of the Bodega Bay residents who were there signed a petition to save the district and hospital, contrary to the reports made by detachment supporters at LAFCO.
The spreading of misinformation, hostility, lack of decorum and just plain rudeness of those advocating against the district and hospital at various public meetings is extremely unfortunate. To lose this major health care facility west of Highway 101 would be tragic, especially when natural disasters indicate it already has been invaluable and would be desperately needed in cases of flooding at the river, a major earthquake that could destroy major roads or future fires. People voting for detachment are voting to deny access to an urgent care (whose services are much less expensive than admission to an ER) that is backed up by a hospital. Local police are particularly reliant on having this facility open.
It is our hope that this season of charity and giving will inspire people to support all health care options, including our district and hospital, at a time when health care access is under assault at the federal level and by insurance companies.
We should be united, not divided, in our support of local, personalized health care, rather than trying to tear down the few options open to west county.
Loving and caring for each other, particularly those who are less fortunate, is what west county is all about. Let’s support the efforts of a district and hospital that truly care about us and are working hard to address our health care needs close to home.
Susan Moulton
Sebastopol
