Sunday's Letters to the Editor

A better trash plan

EDITOR: I think a combination of raising rates and reducing the waste flow could generate enough money to reopen our dump. For instance:

*Raise the garbage fee on all can sizes, say 20 percent.

*Introduce a new can smaller than the current smallest size (say 40 percent smaller) at a rate lower than the rate for the current smallest size.

*Introduce cans in between the sizes of 32, 68 and 95 gallons, so people can get a smaller can and avoid the increased cost by getting a smaller can.

*I don’t have access to the current pricing, but there should little, if any, volume discount. So if you generate twice as much trash as the next guy, you pay twice as much.

*Put the savings of both the lower trash volume and increased revenue toward retrofitting the landfill so it could be reopened.

*Put yet a stronger emphasis, along with financial incentives, to recycle, reuse and reduce.

The current smallest can is 32 gallons. Say that currently costs $10 a month. Raise that to $12 a month and offer a new 20-gallon can for $8 a month. So if people can cut back on their waste, they can save money.

BARRY CHERTOV

Sebastopol

EDITOR: As a proud Purple Heart recipient of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I find it tragic that so many of my fellow Americans view Nov. 11 as just another day off work. I lost friends in Iraq, and I made a promise to their families that they would never, ever be forgotten.

With wars on two fronts — and the Department of Veterans Affairs workload topping 1 million claims — it’s time for all Americans to remember the true meaning of Veterans Day. I hope everyone in our area will remember what Veterans Day is all about. The day is about giving thanks to those who have sacrificed so much, so that we may enjoy our freedom.

And as we near the holidays, please keep our deployed troops and their families in your prayers. Send a care package or donate to a program that supports our troops and veterans, such as VFW Operation Uplink, www.operationuplink.org. Always remember those who have fought for your freedom.

JEREMIAH R. PAULEY

Santa Rosa

EDITOR: I’m a disabled person in a wheelchair, and I can tell you an inch can mean a lot. The article about Santa Rosa’s big Americans With Disabilities Act compliance bill (“SR must pay $2.5 million for disabled access, Monday) seemed to scorn the idea of moving a toilet only an inch. Eighteen inches is the outside parameter of how far a toilet should be from the wall. My own toilet is 13 inches away; 18 is just doable and 19 inches probably is impossible.

The ADA rules are such a blessing to us because they really work and are not some non-handicapped person’s idea of access.

I wanted to stay overnight in Santa Cruz and looked at five so-called disabled rooms, and none of them worked for me. The toilets were too low or the grab bars were in the wrong place in these retrofitted bathrooms, which apparently were not required to be ADA compliant. It was discouraging and maddening.

I know it is expensive and a bad time economically to have to do this, but it is not frivolous or unimportant.

KAREN JONES

Sebastopol

EDITOR: How ironic that you chose to run a large article on vehicle seizure laws being protested the same day that the person being charged with causing a fatal crash on Highway 101 was identified as being an unlicensed driver.

People don’t have to agree with all the laws we have in place, but the fact of the matter is that it’s the law.

In regard to the privilege of driving in California, you must have a driver’s license and car insurance. The vast majority of drivers meet these requirements. If you don’t meet these requirements, don’t drive. If you don’t like the laws, move somewhere else. There is no law forcing anyone to stay here, unless they are on parole.

The statement that we should emulate San Francisco in regard to its unlicensed driver policy is laughable. Our police forces are already overworked, and the last thing they should be doing is waiting around for 30 minutes in the hope of a licensed driver showing up to bail out the lawbreaker.

It is amazing how many people think that they have a special requirement and that the law does not apply to them.

MIKE VELASQUEZ

Windsor

EDITOR: The current crossroads that the city of Cotati finds itself facing illustrates that, while diversity of opinion and representation for all are necessary ingredients for the success of the council and the city, the most important factor may be the ability of our elected officials to work together in a responsible manner.

Cotati needs someone strong enough to actually listen to others before making a decision, someone who will work with the council to achieve consensus instead of consistently making a show of themselves for attention and, finally, someone willing to move past all the old arguments and help resolve the current problems this city faces.

I believe Linell Hardy can and will do this job for us. She brings a wealth of experience that ably qualifies her for the job, but just as important she brings the ability to work well with others that is so sorely needed. Combined with her outstanding work ethic, attention to detail and strong sense of fiscal responsibility, I’m confident she will make an excellent addition to our City Council.

On Nov. 17, vote yes on recall and vote for Linell Hardy for City Council.

MARK LANDMAN

Cotati

EDITOR: As a member of Friends of Santa Rosa Creek Nature Preserve, I want to let everyone know that the federal grant money for paving the trail on the north side of Santa Rosa Creek between Fulton and Willowside roads has an important stipulation. The trail is to be used for transportation, a conduit for moving people from home to school, work or stores, therefore, cutting down on auto use. That’s fine except the west end of the trail is a dead end in the countryside at Willowside Road. The only use that I can see for the trail is recreational, negating the grant stipulation.

I’m sure there are many other places that these funds can be used that would reap more benefits. The Board of Supervisors needs to take another studied look at this issue.

JANET BLAKE

Santa Rosa