Wednesday's Letters to the Editor

<p><b>Photo doesn't quench</b></p><p>EDITOR: So many homegrown events this past weekend, and the photo on Sunday's Empire section is a cyclist sitting at a table “to chug a beer.” He is surrounded by six other cyclists straddling their bikes watching him. Wait. What? Seven-thousand cyclists from everywhere, 200-plus miles of gorgeous scenery and countless hours, days, weeks of organization and you come up with a photo of a guy chugging a beer?</p><p>There were more photos inside the Empire News section. Why not use one of those? Even a photo of Levi Leipheimer, organizer Carlos Perez of Bike Monkey, Raissa de la Rosa, the city of Santa Rosa's economic development specialist, chugging a beer at the finish line would have been better than the photo of the guy sitting at a table. Leipheimer has brought the cycling world to our county. Perez, de la Rosa, numerous volunteers and sponsors have helped a lot. I look forward to reading a follow-up article about the GranFondo with some artistic photos befitting the magnitude and importance of this annual event.</p><p>BECKY JANSSEN</p><p>Santa Rosa</p><p><b>A man of integrity</b></p><p>EDITOR: I am endorsing Michael Allen for the state Assembly. That may come as a surprise to some since I am profoundly disappointed in the Legislature's failure to deliver meaningful reform on public employee pensions. Across California, pension costs are crushing local governments and much more work remains to be done. The question is: Who is better equipped to deliver those reforms?</p><p>I believe that choice is clear.</p><p>Allen is a person of high personal integrity, not a “do anything, say anything” candidate desperate to win an election. He is also a collaborator, willing to bring together opposing sides for a common goal.</p><p>With those traits and continued input from local voices, I am confident that he will serve us well for the next two years.</p><p>JOE NATION</p><p>Greenbrae</p><p><b>Marlow mess</b></p><p>EDITOR: Recently, Santa Rosa or its contractor tried to resurface Marlow Road between Guerneville and Piner roads. I'm not sure what they hoped to accomplish, but I believe that the surface now is worse than before they began. If the intent was to create a smooth street after the siphon pipe work, it didn't work. It's a mess.</p><p>JIM COCHRAN</p><p>Santa Rosa</p><p><b>Sawyer's deep roots</b></p><p>EDITOR: I am voting for John Sawyer in this election because, as shown in his recent campaign mailer, he has strong ties to Sonoma County's past and understands the need to work hard for each person living in the 1st Supervisorial District.</p><p>As a fourth-generation Sonoma County resident, he has lived in Sonoma County his entire life and in the 1st District for 20 years. His great-grandparents settled on a farm in Bennett Valley in the early 1890s, and each successive generation contributed to our community's prosperity.</p><p>The family newsstand, Sawyer's News, was an institution in downtown Santa Rosa, and he spent more than 35 years successfully adapting the small business for survival.</p><p>This connection to Sonoma County's history demonstrates his commitment to maintaining a healthy, sustainable economy that values our rich agricultural heritage and business community.</p><p>We are very fortunate to have a person of Sawyer's integrity seeking the 1st District seat on the Board of Supervisors. I have known him for 16 years, and he is running for all the right reasons: He cares about Sonoma County's people, land and economic stability.</p><p>Sawyer's deep roots in our district make him the obvious choice for 1st District Supervisor.</p><p>JENNIFER HAINSTOCK</p><p>Sonoma</p><p><b>So soon?</b></p><p>EDITOR: Christmas decorations had already been installed in some stores by Sept 22. Not too long ago, Thanksgiving marked the initiation of the shopping season; it then crept up to Halloween (which seemed absurd at the time). Now, we are experiencing a shopping season over more than three months long. Does anyone really need this?</p><p>ROBERT SETTGAST</p><p>San Rafael</p>