Last Modified: Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 2:09 p.m.
Delayed SMART
EDITOR: It is ironic that a strategist who was very responsible for an eight-year delay in funding the SMART train and trail project is now crowing about the challenges of an unpredictable bond market. (“SMART’s money problem is no surprise,” Close to Home, Thursday) In 2004 and again in 2006, the opponents of passenger rail service, mostly in Marin County, were able to keep this essential project on hold.
If voters had approved the project in 2004, we would be riding trains and using the bicycle-pedestrian pathway today. Had SMART passed in 2006, both construction and financing costs would be much lower than now expected.
JOE CLENDENIN
Santa Rosa
Dutra benefits slim
EDITOR: The proposed Dutra asphalt plant in Petaluma would employ 5 people. That’s not much, is it? The current asphalt plants in Sonoma County are operating so far below capacity that a new plant could cause one of them to close. How is that beneficial to our local economy and work force? The project EIR is flawed as it disregards legitimate mitigations on issues and instead calls them unavoidable. And in violation of state law, the EIR on this project is missing input from numerous government agencies. This is simply negligence.
When it was in operation, neither the City of Petaluma nor local contractor North Bay Construction used Dutra’s asphalt (from a plant 10 percent the size of their proposed project) unless absolutely necessary. The last time the City of Petaluma used Dutra asphalt in a project, it was immediately replaced due to the sub-standard quality of the asphalt.
Dutra simply refuses to build this plant the right way with modern environmental controls in a suitable location. Therefore, the Board of Supervisors must vote no on this project to protect the health of the people. Don’t do it if it’s not going to be done right.
DAVE LIBCHITZ
Petaluma
Record food drive
EDITOR: In these tough economic times, when bad news seems to outweigh good on a regular basis, I witnessed an outpouring of goodwill on May 9. On the day of the 17th annual Stamp Out Hunger Letter Carriers’ Food Drive, our local letter carriers collected 148,382 pounds of food to be distributed by local food banks and pantries to families and individuals in need in our area. Our postal customers gave so generously that we set a new record for donations and met some very optimistic goals we had set for the drive. Once again, the people of Sonoma County showed that they care about one another. Thank you to everyone who participated. Every donation, large or small, makes a difference.
LINDA JAMES
Food drive coordinator, National Association
of Letter Carriers
Santa Rosa
Single-payer needed
EDITOR: There is much rhetoric and special interest posturing in news talk and print as Congress addresses health care reform. Facts support that until we adopt some form of single payer health care financing and administration America will not control it’s health care costs, solve the uninsured and under insured problems or attain universal coverage. Why are we waiting?
STEVE BIRDLEBOUGH
Santa Rosa
Selling green
EDITOR: Amazing how we can be so green. Take screw-in fluorescent light bulbs, for example. Just think of all the green the manufacturers get from creating an artificial demand. Oh right .
.
. energy savings.
Well let’s see:
1. We have to drive them back to a toxic waste disposal site, which probably uses more energy than they theoretically saved.
2. China probably burned more coal in their manufacture than they would ever theoretically save.
3. Many are sold in packs of five or even 10 lamps, which mostly sit on the shelf in the garage because after screwing the first one in the purchaser hated the color or it wasn’t enough light.
4. Their lifespan is nowhere near the advertised hours because they aren’t supposed to be used where they are turned on and off frequently, in such places as kitchens and bathrooms.
5. Their dead-on-arrival right-out-of-the-box rate has been reported to be over 10 percent for some brands .
.
.
So why do we keep promoting them as green when we are destroying the Earth every time we buy one?
Ah, marketing.
SERGE ZIMBEROFF
Santa Rosa
Paving plans
EDITOR: A few years ago, our family began a twice a week 90-minute walk with our elderly mom and her doggie. It’s become an exercise ritual that she and I and anyone else we pick up along the way truly enjoy.
We started at Spring Lake. It is flat and scenic and mostly peaceful. But, we had to move on to a new location eventually. The bicyclists got to us. Because they ride so fast and without any regard to elders walking slowly, my mom felt she was getting in their way.
Long story short, we came upon a perfect walking location. We share it with joggers and strollers and dogs and slower moving bicycles. She and I could not be happier. The fast daredevil bike riders are nowhere to be seen. We can amble at our leisure and take in the scenery and turtles and birds. We are waiting to see our first creek otter. With a creek in the middle, we alternate sides to walk on to change things up just enough.
Now we are heartbroken. Word is out. We can’t believe it. This little creek path between Fulton and Willowside roads is scheduled to be paved in a few months. Why?
BARBARA PADOVAN
Santa Rosa
Save SRJC program
EDITOR: Over the last few weeks we have all been hearing about the “cuts” to vital programs in our communities. Which of these populations, student athletes, children’s services, or the disabled, are going to suffer the most? My guess is the one who does not have the loudest voice. I would like to scream, “Sonoma County has already lost one of the most important programs that provides a basic necessity.” The most inspirational people I have ever met are in the Adapted Physical Education Program at Santa Rosa Junior College. Our students accomplish small miracles daily. The loss of our Adapted PE summer program at the SRJC is devastating. Who knows what will happen in the fall to our program for our students with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke victims, and numerous other medical frailties. My heart breaks for them. Their bravery and determination to improve not only their bodies but their daily existence into being the best it can be, is nothing short of amazing. I am sick that the one opportunity for these people to stay healthy and increase the quality of their life has been taken away. In the blink of an eye your life could change and you or a loved one could be in need of this program. Lets all hope that the “cuts” are not too deep, another small miracle at best.
<p>Delayed SMART</p><p>EDITOR: It is ironic that a strategist who was very responsible for an eight-year delay in funding the SMART train and trail project is now crowing about the challenges of an unpredictable bond market. (“SMART’s money problem is no surprise,” Close to Home, Thursday) In 2004 and again in 2006, the opponents of passenger rail service, mostly in Marin County, were able to keep this essential project on hold.</p><p>If voters had approved the project in 2004, we would be riding trains and using the bicycle-pedestrian pathway today. Had SMART passed in 2006, both construction and financing costs would be much lower than now expected.</p><p>JOE CLENDENIN</p><p>Santa Rosa</p><p></p><p>Dutra benefits slim</p><p>EDITOR: The proposed Dutra asphalt plant in Petaluma would employ 5 people. That’s not much, is it? The current asphalt plants in Sonoma County are operating so far below capacity that a new plant could cause one of them to close. How is that beneficial to our local economy and work force? The project EIR is flawed as it disregards legitimate mitigations on issues and instead calls them unavoidable. And in violation of state law, the EIR on this project is missing input from numerous government agencies. This is simply negligence.</p><p>When it was in operation, neither the City of Petaluma nor local contractor North Bay Construction used Dutra’s asphalt (from a plant 10 percent the size of their proposed project) unless absolutely necessary. The last time the City of Petaluma used Dutra asphalt in a project, it was immediately replaced due to the sub-standard quality of the asphalt.</p><p>Dutra simply refuses to build this plant the right way with modern environmental controls in a suitable location. Therefore, the Board of Supervisors must vote no on this project to protect the health of the people. Don’t do it if it’s not going to be done right.</p><p>DAVE LIBCHITZ</p><p>Petaluma</p><p></p><p>Record food drive</p><p>EDITOR: In these tough economic times, when bad news seems to outweigh good on a regular basis, I witnessed an outpouring of goodwill on May 9. On the day of the 17th annual Stamp Out Hunger Letter Carriers’ Food Drive, our local letter carriers collected 148,382 pounds of food to be distributed by local food banks and pantries to families and individuals in need in our area. Our postal customers gave so generously that we set a new record for donations and met some very optimistic goals we had set for the drive. Once again, the people of Sonoma County showed that they care about one another. Thank you to everyone who participated. Every donation, large or small, makes a difference.</p><p>LINDA JAMES</p><p>Food drive coordinator, National Association</p><p>of Letter Carriers</p><p>Santa Rosa</p><p>Single-payer needed</p><p>EDITOR: There is much rhetoric and special interest posturing in news talk and print as Congress addresses health care reform. Facts support that until we adopt some form of single payer health care financing and administration America will not control it’s health care costs, solve the uninsured and under insured problems or attain universal coverage. Why are we waiting?</p><p>STEVE BIRDLEBOUGH</p><p>Santa Rosa</p><p></p><p>Selling green</p><p>EDITOR: Amazing how we can be so green. Take screw-in fluorescent light bulbs, for example. Just think of all the green the manufacturers get from creating an artificial demand. Oh right .<TH>.<TH>. energy savings.</p><p>Well let’s see:</p><p>1. We have to drive them back to a toxic waste disposal site, which probably uses more energy than they theoretically saved.</p><p>2. China probably burned more coal in their manufacture than they would ever theoretically save.</p><p>3. Many are sold in packs of five or even 10 lamps, which mostly sit on the shelf in the garage because after screwing the first one in the purchaser hated the color or it wasn’t enough light.</p><p>4. Their lifespan is nowhere near the advertised hours because they aren’t supposed to be used where they are turned on and off frequently, in such places as kitchens and bathrooms.</p><p>5. Their dead-on-arrival right-out-of-the-box rate has been reported to be over 10 percent for some brands .<TH>.<TH>. </p><p>So why do we keep promoting them as green when we are destroying the Earth every time we buy one?</p><p>Ah, marketing.</p><p>SERGE ZIMBEROFF</p><p>Santa Rosa</p><p>Paving plans</p><p>EDITOR: A few years ago, our family began a twice a week 90-minute walk with our elderly mom and her doggie. It’s become an exercise ritual that she and I and anyone else we pick up along the way truly enjoy. </p><p>We started at Spring Lake. It is flat and scenic and mostly peaceful. But, we had to move on to a new location eventually. The bicyclists got to us. Because they ride so fast and without any regard to elders walking slowly, my mom felt she was getting in their way.</p><p>Long story short, we came upon a perfect walking location. We share it with joggers and strollers and dogs and slower moving bicycles. She and I could not be happier. The fast daredevil bike riders are nowhere to be seen. We can amble at our leisure and take in the scenery and turtles and birds. We are waiting to see our first creek otter. With a creek in the middle, we alternate sides to walk on to change things up just enough.</p><p>Now we are heartbroken. Word is out. We can’t believe it. This little creek path between Fulton and Willowside roads is scheduled to be paved in a few months. Why?</p><p>BARBARA PADOVAN</p><p>Santa Rosa</p><p></p><p>Save SRJC program</p><p>EDITOR: Over the last few weeks we have all been hearing about the “cuts” to vital programs in our communities. Which of these populations, student athletes, children’s services, or the disabled, are going to suffer the most? My guess is the one who does not have the loudest voice. I would like to scream, “Sonoma County has already lost one of the most important programs that provides a basic necessity.” The most inspirational people I have ever met are in the Adapted Physical Education Program at Santa Rosa Junior College. Our students accomplish small miracles daily. The loss of our Adapted PE summer program at the SRJC is devastating. Who knows what will happen in the fall to our program for our students with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke victims, and numerous other medical frailties. My heart breaks for them. Their bravery and determination to improve not only their bodies but their daily existence into being the best it can be, is nothing short of amazing. I am sick that the one opportunity for these people to stay healthy and increase the quality of their life has been taken away. In the blink of an eye your life could change and you or a loved one could be in need of this program. Lets all hope that the “cuts” are not too deep, another small miracle at best.</p><p>DESIREE CANEVARI</p><p>Santa Rosa</p>