Nov. 7 Letters to the Editor

Save libraries

EDITOR: The proposed closing of school libraries and elimination of librarian positions is a mistake that will work to the detriment of our students and our community (“SR school libraries face ax,” Oct. 27).

Twenty years of work in college libraries and scholarly research lead me to conclude that the students coming to college are increasingly poorly equipped to handle the demands of research. These students are certainly more technologically adept, but there is a wide gap between downloading an app and information literacy. The ease with which students today use technology has the unfortunate side effect of making it easier to bypass resources and services that improve one’s critical thinking skills.

It is erroneous to suggest, as Santa Rosa school board member Tad Wakefield did in your article, that class size and the existence of strong library services programs represent an either-or choice. Both are central to one’s education. Libraries have long since ceased to be warehouses for texts. They are active learning laboratories, integral to the curriculum, that are accessed physically and virtually. They empower and educate our citizens.

Let’s look elsewhere for budget cuts that don’t threaten the critical thinking and learning skills of our future adult population. Please visit www.srcs.k12.ca.us/news/PotentialReductions.pdf and click on item No. 53 to comment on this proposed budget cut.

NANCY A. PERSONS

Santa Rosa

EDITOR: Ronald Reagan is credited with saying that “freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It has to be fought for, protected and passed down, or we will lose it.” We are losing our individual freedoms and liberties at a alarming rate, and why? So government can grow, control and regulate every aspect of our lives.

Government has spent, stimulated, bailed out, regulated, legislated, subsidized and penalized the working class, small business and the free markets in order to appease its insatiable appetite for control. All for the collective redistribution of wealth, a socialist/Marxist agenda. Can anyone give an example of when and where this has worked successfully?

No on this massive health care debacle. We have squandered enough of America’s future.

PATTY REGALIA

Santa Rosa

EDITOR: The Windsor Town Council is completely missing the economic boat by pursuing these insipid limits on businesses in their retail district (“Windsor may limit some businesses,” Tuesday). Massage therapy is part of many spa treatments. It has been clinically demonstrated that massage therapy is extremely beneficial for optimum health, and these provincial attitudes toward health and well-being businesses is immature and counterproductive. I would think the focus from the city leaders would be on attracting more business and encouraging economic vitality. It’s the economy that needs attention.

ANNETTE COOPER

Santa Rosa

EDITOR: In response to a recent letter raising concerns about Rohnert Park’s City Hall, I can assure you that Rohnert Park takes accommodation of persons with disabilities very seriously and is sensitive to the needs of its citizens (“Unfriendly city hall,” Letters, Thursday).

Rohnert Park is one of the first cities to comply with a new law requiring a state-certified disabled access specialist to deal with disabled access related concerns. While not required by the Americans with Disabilities Act or state law, Rohnert Park City Hall does in fact have automatic openers on its two main exterior doors — installed last week.

In addition, we continue to test and adjust the interior doors to meet requirements relating to maximum opening force. We are happy to serve our public in a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold-rated green building.

DARRIN JENKINS

City engineer/director of development services

Rohnert Park

EDITOR: I have already sent in my absentee ballot for the Nov. 17 election to recall George Barich.

I’ve lived in Cotati for 60 years and have been active in many organizations and activities. I think this is important to a community. To my knowledge, Barich has participated in none and has been a divisive force in the community for years, constantly criticizing the efforts of our governmental bodies.

As a member of the City Council, he has increased his destructive and demoralizing efforts. I believe recalling him is our only hope of keeping Cotati alive. We’ve had past City Council members who served one term, made drastic changes, then left us to cope with the results.

I also voted for Susan Harvey for City Council. She ran an almost-successful campaign in the last election, and even though she did not win a seat, she has continued to be interested in Cotati business, serving on the Planning Commission, educating herself on the budget, arranging donations to local causes and devoting many hours to painting at the future Cotati Museum.

I recommend voting yes on recall and for Susan Harvey.

LLOYD B. DRAPER

Cotati

EDITOR: Tuesday’s letter, “Leading by example,” praises Bill Carle and Larry Haenel for taking 10 percent pay cuts for serving on the Santa Rosa school board. I will praise them when they stop taking all money from the school district. These positions used to be regarded as community service fulfilling civic duty.

My grandfather served on a school board for 40 years and would never have thought of taking any money from the school district. When he finally stopped serving, the community wanted to name a school or a hall after him. He refused these honors because he believed in giving back to the community where he lived.

In the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District (where I work), five board members receive fully paid health benefits and stipends that cost the district nearly $100,000.

I will praise these people when they begin to serve the community by doing their civic duty, not their hired responsibility. Ironically, this same school board requires the students to serve volunteer hours or community service to graduate.

LANNY LOWERY

Rohnert Park