Letters to the editor from Jan. 31

<p>Paying for dredging</p><p>EDITOR: I was dismayed at the tone of the editorial “Petaluma River should be Dredged” that calls for soliciting federal representatives to get the government to do it. I suspect that argument would get a lot more attention (from the government) if the people and companies who will benefit from the dredging put up at least part of the money. As we all know, the government is in fiscal hell. It is much more likely to help those who expect a return and show a willingness to invest in order to get that return. It's called capitalism.</p><p>I'd like to see the Argus-Courier do an investigative piece that goes into a lot more depth. How much will it cost? Is the government willing to listen to sharing proposals? Who benefits? In dollars, what is the expected return or, if it can't be measured, what is the imputed value of those benefits? Who is best-positioned to take the reins on the issue? Let's get some hard information upon which a strategy can be developed before we start begging the politicians for money.</p><p>Michael Burwen, Petaluma</p><p>Guided to safety</p><p>EDITOR: The issue of violence against women is critical. While the statistics for violence against women varies within each city, county, state and country, the United Nations states that, globally, one in three women on the planet will be raped, beaten or sexually abused in their lifetime. Do the math – that's one billion mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, nieces. One billion women violated is an atrocity. </p><p>The Petaluma Police Department alone states there were 152 reported domestic violence incidents in 2011 (many more go unreported). Additionally, in Petaluma we've lost five young women to this violence in recent years: Polly Klaas (1993), Georgia Moses (1997), Kimberly DeLongis (2002), Buapha Mullennix (2010), and Kim Baucom (2012).</p><p>V-Day.org is inviting one billion women and those who love them to walk out, dance, rise up and demand an end to this violence on Feb. 14. One Billion Rising will move the earth, activating women and men across every country. V-Day wants the world to see our collective strength, our numbers, our solidarity across borders. One billion women dancing is a revolution! </p><p>One Billion Rising is: a global strike; an invitation to dance; a call to men and women to refuse to participate in the status quo until rape and rape culture ends; an act of solidarity, demonstrating to women the commonality of their struggles and their power in numbers; a refusal to accept violence against women and girls as a given; a new time and a new way of being.</p><p>“Relationship abuse does not discriminate against age, race, sexual orientation, religion, gender, educational background or income level. It effects not only the immediate family, it also impacts the community as a whole.” </p><p>While numerous One Billion rising events are scheduled in the bay area, two, in particular, are scheduled for the North Bay … Dominican Rising (Dominican University) and North Bay Rising (Petaluma). To participate at the event nearest you, go to www.OneBillionRising.org.</p><p>Join us, along with over 182 other countries, in RISING and saying “No More!” to the violence.</p><p>Trisha Almond, Petaluma, President, Guided To Safety</p><p>SMART woes</p><p>EDITOR: Reading the article re. SMART in the Jan. 24 edition of the Argus, I imagine the current landowners now know how the indigenous Americans felt when the big railroads took their lands. The SMART people are making a strong case to not support this farce. Eminent domain! Sounds like highway robbery to me.</p><p>And I just can't wait to be stranded at the redlight at D and Lakeville during rushhour watching the train lumber through.</p><p>Natalie Brubaker, Petaluma</p><p>Opposes timber tax</p><p>EDITOR: This year, a new timber tax goes into effect in California, protecting timber companies and costing consumers. Assembly Bill 1492 demands consumers pay 1 percent tax on most wood products. The timber companies, however, pay nothing more.</p><p>This bill unfairly shifts the cost of regulating the timber industry from the companies to the consumers. In California, most major industries fund state regulations through fees. For the timber industry, multiple agencies are responsible for reviewing a company's Timber Harvest Plan, which must be submitted before clearcutting land. Due to state budget cuts, however, such regulation isn't always happening. Sierra Pacific Industries' clearcut plans haven't been reviewed for over a year. There is no guarantee that it's following timber regulations. </p><p>California needs higher tax revenue to fund regulations, which should be generated by timber companies. In 2011, taxpayers spent $18.8 million on regulations, while the companies spent only $550,000 in fees. The new bill only increases the cost individuals pay to fund timber regulation, failing to hold companies responsible for the financial contribution they should make.</p><p>We need to raise public awareness about this and ask for new legislation that protects taxpayers and replaces the damaging practice of clearcutting with sustainable forest practices.</p><p>Teagan Thompson. Petaluma, CA</p>