Disputed views about pre-Barlow
EDITOR: Larry Robinson’s version of why the Northeast Area Specific Plan was not put into action is his own. The plan was presented at numerous planning meetings where citizens mostly spoke against building a whole ‘nother town adjacent to the Laguna and at the eastern gateway to our town. At every meeting, citizens spoke against it. A group of people who were opposed to it organized a campaign to stop its formal adoption. (In fact, Kathleen Schaeffer, incumbent on the city council, was defeated for re-election because of her advocacy of the huge residential component.) It was that it was “too big,” and would create huge traffic jams, incur a burden on the existing infrastructure and would destroy Sebastopol’s small town character. Some even argued that since new residents would probably be driving cars the plan would contradict our commitment to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Then architect Katherine Austin for Barney Aldrich put forth his plan that purported that a Barlow-type project would not require new building permits because the re-design of the existing buildings were just that … not new structures at all. And so the Barlow as we know it was born.
And I hold that the Barlow is better for Sebastopol than a 300 plus “annex” would have been.
Helen Shane
Former Planning Commissioner
It can’t happen here — or can it?
EDITOR: Thank you, Rollie Atkinson, for mentioning National Newspaper Week (Oct. 1 – 7) and the need to pay attention to the current climate of bashing newspapers (and other media) and their journalists. With the daily accusations of fake news coming from the White House, we must protect our freedom of the press.
On October 6, and running through October 15, SRJC’s Theatre Arts Department will present “It Can’t Happen Here,” an adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’ 1935 novel. At the center is Doremus Jessup, a Vermont newspaper editor, who must take a stand when the newly elected president, Buzz Windrip, says of journalists, “Have you ever seen a pack of more lying, disgusting people?”
Lewis imagines Windrip a fascist. Like Hitler, he destroys the free press and even interns journalists in concentration camps. Can it happen here? Come to Newman Auditorium at SRJC and find out.
Janine Sternlieb
Sebastopol
Not in my backyard, please
EDITOR: As a long time resident of this neighborhood and owner of three properties, I am significantly opposed to the establishment of a homeless residence in the middle of a residential neighborhood and in a residence that seem poorly suited to the people it is intended to help.
Bryan Kroll
Guerneville
Supporting and protecting families
EDITOR: Sonoma County is launching a Rapid Response Network to actively protect our undocumented immigrant families. The network is modeled on one established in the Bay Area a few years ago. Since June of this year numerous trainings on how to be a Legal Observer have been and continue to be provided throughout our county. The Rapid Response Network can help stop a detention, deportation and/or family separation.
On Sunday, Oct. 8, Cloverdale Indivisible is hosting a Legal Observer training at the United Church of Cloverdale. The training will be from 3 to 5 p.m. and will be provided by two experienced members of Indivisible Healdsburg’s Immigration Action Team.
The Trump administration’s desire to crack down on sanctuary cities became reality just last week when nearly 500 people were arrested by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in a four-day operation targeting sanctuary cities. Areas targeted in California included Los Angeles and Santa Clara County. Trump has asked for a 21 percent budget increase for ICE and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) for ramping up detainments and deportations. Sanctuary cities are communities in which local police and sheriff do not assist federal authorities in the enforcement of immigration laws.
Many of our Mexican and Hispanic community members are vital to our agriculture-based economy. If you have questions, email us at cl*******************@go****.com.
Vicky Groom
Cloverdale
