Don't close the park
EDITOR: I have a strong and personal interest in the contemplated closure of Armstrong Woods.
I strongly oppose such an action and vigorously urge that this area remain open for public use.
I am the great grandson of William Ladd Jones, who was known as Parson Jones. A tree is named for him and, in 1970, that tree was declared to be the tallest in the park, measuring 310 feet in height. It is estimated to be 1,300 years old.
In 1901, my great grandfather, a widower, married Lizzie Armstrong. They spent their time between Cloverdale and Guerneville. My great grandfather died in 1908. His widow, known to the family as Aunt Lizzie, continued efforts to save the area for public use.
In 1917, Sonoma County purchased the redwood grove as a public park. I recall that in about 1930 the family drove to Guerneville as the grove, then known as Armstrong Woods, was being acquired by the state of California.
It is both assumed and anticipated that any land that is being "moth-balled" as a public park will continue to have certain costs of ownership. That being so, what is the savings?
The economic consequences of closure to the Russian River area, Guerneville in particular, could be disastrous with the resulting tax loss to local government.
ROY FARRINGTON JONES
San Rafael
Evolutionary model
EDITOR: The 3rd District Board of Supervisors' debate last week underscored the critical differences in the underlying economic paradigms of the candidates.
Support for a county living wage ordinance unites the progressive candidates, providing a clear contrast with one candidate, Sharon Wright, who is mired in the failed Wall Street/Chamber of Commerce low-road model that has driven the U.S. economy into the ditch.
The people who have taken the time to understand the emergent high-road model know that raising the wage floor for working folks is part of the solution as we move into the 21st century.
In scientific literature, it is often noted that when a new paradigm arises that better explains the existing data, the adherents of the old paradigm will continue to rationalize their position until they pass from the scene.
The "Wal-Mart" economic paradigm, based on keeping wages low, off-loading medical benefit costs onto the public sector (while slashing the tax base that supports it), outsourcing manufacturing, breaking unions and setting up environmentally unsustainable trans-continental supply chains has outlived its usefulness.
Our duty as citizens is to ensure that adherents of this failed doctrine should not be permitted to hold positions of political power from which they can continue to retard our social evolution.
BEN BOYCE
Sonoma
Health and safety
EDITOR: As a Sonoma County resident and parent, I am concerned that the state may conduct aerial spraying for the light brown apple moth, which has been found in Sonoma Valley.
In Santa Cruz and Monterey counties last year, there were more than 600 health-related complaints attributed to the spraying when it happened there.
The pesticide needs to be fully tested and we need to know if it's safe and will actually be effective. Thankfully, our state senator is taking this seriously.
State Sen. Carole Migden was able to get a meeting with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and convince him to postpone the spraying that was planned for Marin and San Francisco.
She has been calling for a moratorium on spraying and is working with local residents and others to protect our health and well being.
In almost all circumstances there would be a complete environmental impact report to determine the effects of this spraying. All we are asking is that the full process of an EIR study be included before any spraying occurs.
We have a 6-year-old child and we have spent our lives providing for her health and well being. It is in the best interest of the state of California to do the same.
KEN BROWN
Mayor Pro Tem, city of Sonoma
JEWEL MATHIESON
Sonoma
Not responsive
EDITOR: I have attended three of the candidates' nights for the 1st Supervisorial District race. I find it ironic that at each of these meetings, Valerie Brown repeats her claim to value input from her constituents.
A year ago, I was asked by about 60 families on mutual water wells to go to her office to inquire about proposed changes to the water element of the general plan. Brown's aide told me that Brown was too busy to see me that day, but would call me to set up a meeting.
One month later I was told the same thing. This went on for six months!
On the sixth month, the aide told me that Brown had decided not to talk to me or anyone else on this matter until the resolution was in its final form.
I have been on enough committees and boards to know that when a resolution is in its final form, all the horse trading has been done and all the markers have been called in. In reality, Brown would not meet with 60 families in her district for six months and then agreed to meet only when our input would have little or no effect.
THOMAS M. KOSTA
Santa Rosa
Ron Paul has it all
EDITOR: Ray Parnay's May 6 letter, "Deficit spending," seeks a "candidate who loves his country enough to . . . insist upon a balanced budget every year." This is something nearly every voter wants, regardless of political party.
Parnay was critical of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain because they all support borrowing more money, as the three of them seek to buy more votes, with none of them supporting a balanced budget -- only promoting more deficit spending.
He listed other issues he wants to see an honest candidate support: "commit to lowering the national debt . . . start gradually cutting wasteful and unnecessary programs, such as farm subsidies; forget further tax reductions . . . levy a small tax . . . exclusively for debt reduction . . .," etc.
There is one presidential candidate who has already declared his support for all of Parnay's issues, Rep. Ron Paul. He is the only one who has publicly announced that he favors all of Parnay's vital issues.
Paul's delegates were in the majority at the Republican convention in Nevada last month, so GOP leaders closed the convention without allowing state delegates to vote for any of the national convention delegates they need to send to St. Paul, Minn., where "St. Paul" is expected to defeat McCain.
DOUG MILLAR
Windsor
