May 7 Letters to the Editor

Making a safe choice

EDITOR: I doubt that Supervisor Efren Carrillo would have hired Chris Andrian as his attorney if Andrian had been the person in the papers for questionable behavior, not once but twice in the recent past. He certainly could have found an attorney who didn't have all the doubts that come with that kind of notoriety. Why should the public not make the same choice?

MARIAN MURPHY

Healdsburg

For Krovoza

EDITOR: As we all know, California faces some tough problems, problems made even more challenging by the effects of the drought. This is no time for ineffectual business as usual in Sacramento. We need strong, fair leaders who relish hard work, have the integrity to stand up to the enticements of special interests and possess the foresight to look beyond the conflicting pressures of the moment and focus on sustainable long-term solutions that will meet the needs of our children and grandchildren. That's why, as a resident of the 4th Assembly District, I'm so enthusiastic about Joe Krovoza.

Krovoza's public service record, effectiveness and commitment are all truly outstanding. He has worked for 17 years at UC Davis, developing world-class academic programs in clean transportation and energy efficiency As mayor of Davis, he has spearheaded efforts to protect open space, improve air and water quality, increase energy and water efficiency and reduce carbon pollution. Above all, he understands water on a level unmatched by any legislative candidate past or present.

Assembly District 4 needs Krovoza, and so does California. Please join me in voting for him on June 3.

VICTORIA BRANDON

Chairwoman, Sierra Club Redwood Chapter

Why he should leave

EDITOR: Perhaps some attorneys see life differently than the rest of us. Supervisor Efren Carrillo's attorney, Chris Andrian, rhetorically asked, "Why should he step down now?" Even though Andrian doesn't expect a response, I wish to answer.

Carrillo should not step down because he was acquitted of peeping into a woman's residence. Andrian is clearly very shrewd, and peeping was just the wrong charge. And this incident wasn't simply an isolated life mistake, nor one that most of us can relate to, as another local defense attorney implied.

Even though it is clear that Carrillo will resist requests that he step down, which would probably end his ascendancy to state and federal offices, he should listen to the countywide sentiment that he is not the man we thought he was. And after reading the accounts of this case and trial as well as listening to the Jane Doe tape, how do we really know who Carrillo is now?

So many of us wish him continued personal growth and happiness but that he would accomplish it on his own time and not ours. It is for these reasons, Mr. Andrian, that we want your client to step down.

DON HOLDEN

Santa Rosa

West county's rep

EDITOR: For 27 years, I worked with several boards of supervisors as an aide/district director for the 5th District. I cannot imagine any other board in history that would have convicted a member before a trial. Responsible members would have initially responded to the press that they would wait and see and let the justice system do its job before commenting.

Not one of the current supervisors had the integrity to do that.

Now that he has been found not guilty, those same supervisors are calling for Efren Carrillo to resign. He is our only representative for our vast west county. If he resigns, who will make sure that the 5th District gets its fair share of the budget, and who will keep our projects on course while the governor takes a year to appoint someone?

In addition, the supervisor's district director is an at-will employee, so her job goes when the supervisor goes. Who will answer our calls for help with constituent problems? Shirlee Zane?

Let the 5th District people decide whether Carrillo has done a good job of representing them. I have worked with three past supervisors and think that Carrillo has done a wonderful job meeting the needs of the 5th District.

CAROL MILLS

Forestville

Tailgating solution

EDITOR: A recent letter addressed tail-gating ("Simple physics," April 29). There is a very simple, effective rule to follow. No matter what speed you are traveling at, pick a point ahead of the car in front of you, a traffic marker, a line in the road, and as the leading car crosses that point, count to three. If you cross the point before you get to three, you are too close. It works, it is easy and it has become my driving mantra.

I am amazed that with today's technology, all new cars and trucks are not equipped with sensors (which could not be disabled) that would sound an alert when tailgating. Until then, simply count to three and drive safely.

STEVE MIKSIS

Santa Rosa