Letters to the editor from Jan. 10

<p>CLARIFYING BOAT STORY</p><p>EDITOR: Your reporter did a great job on the article “Boater asked to leave Turning Basin.” I had several conversations with the reporter, and my name did appear in the article. After reading it, I see the need for a few corrections and clarifications:</p><p>1. “Dave Koot, a local pastor”: I did not say that I am a pastor, nor represent myself as such. But I appreciate being thought of in that way. I take it as a compliment, and feel honored.</p><p>2. “Who legally moors his boat in the Turning Basin”: The boat does not belong to me. It is owned and operated by Wellness Central, a nonprofit corporation. I am the caretaker for the boat.</p><p>3. “Whatever his doctor thinks is best, I would agree with.” My number one concern personally is for Mr. Proctor's health. I had read the doctor's recommendation that Mr. Proctor was in no condition to move, and should stay in the area. However, in follow-up visits with Mr. Proctor, I mentioned to him my belief that it would be best for his health to get off the boat and get a room on land, where there are sanitary facilities and a warm, dry environment —and, away from the stress involved with living aboard there right now.</p><p>4. “My boat got loose two weeks ago at about 2 in the morning.” On a Thursday morning recently, I came down to the dock to discover that the nonprofit's boat had been turned around, stem to stern, and was quite mystified as to how that might have happened. Later in the day, Mr. Proctor told me that at 3 a.m., he had seen the boat adrift in the Turning Basin, that it was close to the bridge, and that he had taken his skiff out and towed the boat back, against the tide.</p><p>I did not see the event personally, but am very appreciative to Mr. Proctor for his kind efforts which he reported.</p><p>5. “Koot also pointed out that having someone in the Turning Basin can be helpful.” Indeed, it seems helpful to have someone there. However, my greater concern is for Mr. Proctor's health. I hope to see him recover. I believe that relocation to a room or home on land would be most conducive to that, and could also resolve some of the other issues.</p><p>David Koot, Petaluma</p><p>GUN CONTROL NEEDED</p><p>EDITOR: What if all the great men and women have already been born? What if some of them were the victims of gun-related deaths in their childhood or young adulthood and were never able to accomplish the greatness that destiny allocated to them such as cures for diseases or ways to bring about world peace?</p><p> Gun lovers say new laws will not prevent criminals or malcontents from getting guns. But shouldn't we at least try to make it more difficult to buy weapons? Shouldn't we at least take semi-automatic weapons off the market, stop selling weapons through the mail and stop selling weapons at local stores? </p><p>We all know that idiots of all ages who are bent on killing will find a way to do so, but if Mommy and Daddy do not own semi automatic rifles and guns, then it would be more difficult for them to run amuck. </p><p>If NRA members were more concerned about the lives of others and not so concerned with themselves and would stop paying off Congress, we would have better laws controlling the purchase of guns. If Congressmen would do their jobs and stop lining their pockets with payola, we would have better laws and a better America.</p><p>This is 2013; it isn't the old west anymore or 1776. We need to get guns off the streets. We must begin now to legislate for stronger gun control laws and enforce them. We need to stop shopping in places that sell them. We need to collectively do something and put the gun sellers out of business and wake up Congress.</p><p>Becky Young, Petaluma</p>