Readers speak out about Nov. 4 races and ballot measures

Battenfeld for SRJC

EDITOR: Dorothy Battenfeld, an award-winning Montgomery High School teacher, is running for election to the Santa Rosa Junior College Board of Trustees on Nov. 4. The junior college has great teachers, students and staff. But the Board of Trustees - the six men and one woman who set policies for the college - needs new blood. Why? Enrollment is down. Some classrooms, labs and facilities need major repairs. Many students aren’t able to get the classes they need to move on to a four-year college or into career programs.

She’ll bring her experience as a progressive professional educator to the board. She’ll fight to keep tuition and fees affordable. She’ll insist that every dollar of taxpayers’ money is well spent if voters approve Measure H. She’ll work to have the junior college serve all areas and all students in the county.

And she’ll push to change the unfair electoral system that allows three members of the SRJC board, all living in the same Santa Rosa neighborhood, to represent almost half the county, including all of Rohnert Park, Cotati and Santa Rosa.

On Nov. 4, let’s elect Dorothy Battenfeld to the SRJC board.

LORRAINE HINKLE

Santa Rosa

Sharing the bananas

EDITOR: While I admire and respect the work Tom Schwedhelm did as a police officer, I cannot support more police presence on the Santa Rosa City Council. Schwedhelm retired at age 53 with a $300,000 lump sum and a pension of $13,000 every month. He is already making more every month than some folks are living on for the whole year.

Yes, police and fire employees deserve excellent compensation and adequate resources to do their job safely. No, I do not think anyone deserves 80 percent of their salary in perpetuity unless they have a significant disability incurred while on duty. One of the major issues our City Council needs to address is the public safety gorilla that is eating over half the bananas in the budget.

LINDA CURRY

Santa Rosa

Experience is key

EDITOR: With Sonoma County facing a multitude of issues ranging from water, roads and growth to balance sheets, public safety and affordable housing, the upcoming election is important. Most local town councils and administrators also confront similar issues. Their knowledge and experience play a huge role in finding the necessary balance to maintain economic vitality, public safety and a healthy balance sheet. Interestingly, in Sonoma County, Windsor has become a leader in those three categories.

Both candidates running for 4th District supervisor have touted their job qualifications as reason for getting your vote. James Gore’s political/work experience in Washington was focused on international trade and natural resource conservation. Important issues, but narrowly focused. Sonoma County issues are far more diverse. On the other hand, Deb Fudge has 18 years of public service experience as a Windsor Town Council member, and she was elected mayor five times. She also served on several regional boards and commissions in that same period. Fudge has the necessary leadership experience and qualifications - and proven track record - to do the job.

Please join me in voting for Deb Fudge for 4th District supervisor.

DON ALBINI

Planning commissioner, Windsor

Vote for Sawyer

EDITOR: We need John Sawyer on our Santa Rosa City Council. He is a proven consensus builder - just what that group needs.

As a lifelong resident of Santa Rosa and a former local small business owner, he knows Santa Rosa very well. He doesn’t just promise to be a conscientious, effective council member. His track record in volunteering and government proves he works for what is best for us citizens.

Join me in voting for John Sawyer.

DONNA M. BORN

Santa Rosa

No on Prop. 1

EDITOR: Drought is a part of nature. But ending up with a water shortage is our own fault because, even with a doubling of the population, a major reservoir or dam hasn’t been built in California in 35 years.

Proposition 1 was placed on the ballot supposedly to address water storage. However, it also contains language that calls for the removal of fish “impediments,” which means dams.

Some proponents have been trying to figure out for a long time now how to destroy the dams (including four on the Klamath River) without raising the ire of the public, even though dams are also one of our best sources for clean, cheap energy, provide recreational boating and fishing and often have productive fish hatcheries attached (such as the Iron Gate Dam in Siskiyou County).

Destroying these dams would cause untold damage to the privately owned and well-kept farms and ranches in the path of the tons of sediment that would be released, such as those in the beautiful high desert country of Siskiyou County.

Proposition 1 is using the drought “crisis” to deceptively gain more control over the people and our resources while destroying private property and water storage in rural areas of California. Vote no on Proposition 1.

MARGE SORBI

Santa Rosa

Bonds and incumbents

EDITOR: I currently pay almost $500 per year on a 1,200-square-foot home for five existing elementary, high school and junior college bonds. If Measures H, I and L pass, that would increase to more than $1,000. In their argument for Measure H (“Say ‘Yes’ to Measure H to upgrade SRJC,” Close to Home, Oct. 5) proponents wildly understated the cost. I’ve done the math.

As a retired teacher, I believe students would be better served by expenditures for excellent educators rather than buildings. I question why anyone would re-elect school board members who squander taxpayer money, promising more improvements than they deliver and then go after more taxpayer money.

The junior college wants $74 million for technology. Would you pay potentially 10 times interest for 30 to 40 years on a computer? With the last bond, the junior college built a wonderful culinary center but did not repair electrical problems causing closure of the Newman Theater. How did they prioritize expenditures? We need school boards that spend our money responsibly and inform everyone, not just campus stakeholders Please don’t vote for incumbents.

JANN EDWARDS

Santa Rosa

Advocate for SR

EDITOR: I used to look forward to an early morning read of local columnists in The Press Democrat. Still do; there just aren’t as many of them.

One columnist I particularly miss reading interviewed interesting people from all parts of our city. His columns were edgy. He researched local issues; sometimes pushy, always engaging. When a sporting goods store came to town, a column raised a question of company signage and branding vs. local identity. Other columns addressed questions of transportation - the train, the airport, Highway 101, bicycle and pedestrian safety.

But then one morning, one of my favorite columnists seemed to go away. I missed his independent and thoughtful voice. So I was pleased to hear that Chris Coursey was ready to return to his role as advocate for quality of life in Santa Rosa. I’m glad he’s running for the City Council. There will be no better champion for our city than Coursey, addressing the new issues that inevitably emerge: transportation, public safety, economic growth vs. environmental preservation. Coursey will help us grow from a 20th century town into a 21st century town.

JOHN CUSHMAN

Santa Rosa

No more Barich

EDITOR: Just in case you’re new in Cotati and are getting slick brochures and seeing signs for George Barich, here is why we do not want him on our City Council. He was on our council, but we had a recall vote in 2009 that removed him. One reason was that he sent a letter to the president of the United States under fake city of Cotati letterhead. The letter included Barich’s personal opinions, but it gave every impression it was an official letter from the city at large. He was unapologetic about the tactic (fake city letterhead) and his message (right-wing Republican blather). He tried to hide behind his lawyer’s legal technicalities and defended his behavior as if it were his right to free speech. He didn’t fool the voters.

In the years following, Barich has continually advertised and run to regain his office. This included writing and publishing his own newspaper, which was delivered to our homes where he tried to convince us to vote for him. In the process, we have learned much more about Barich, and we don’t want him representing us in any capacity. He can’t fool us with slick brochures and seemingly endless signs.

JACK CZAJKOWSKI

Cotati