Extra letters: On the June 7 election

Evans and pensions

EDITOR: Thank you for your editorial regarding Noreen Evans (“Lynda Hopkins for 5th District supervisor,” Sunday). The pension benefits burden has destroyed much of our ability to move forward. We must pay off yesterday's unconscionable, corrupt promises, “which involved the kind of retroactive 50 percent increase in retirement benefits that now saddles local governments with massive unfunded liabilities.”

As the editorial noted, Sebastopol's pension costs “soared from $100,000 a year to roughly $750,000 in five years” and “Evans authored legislation that would have raised the cap on pensions for firefighters and police from 90 percent to 100 percent of salaries.”

I was a teacher. Ninety percent (of salary) was preposterous, let alone 100 percent. A 100 percent pension? As you said, “voters should have little confidence that she will put their interests ahead of those of the public employee unions.” I have wondered what government power brokers pulled off this heist. I have one ID'd now. Thank you. And what did Evans receive in return, quid pro quo?

GARY DeSMET

Sonoma

Opposing Hopkins

EDITOR: The Press Democrat's endorsement of Lynda Hopkins reminded me why I cannot vote for her. Her run in the 5th District began because no one would help her and the neighbors (winery owners) stop the Lytton Springs Native American development? I guess her studies at Stanford did not cover the definition of tribal sovereignty. The Pomo Indians have a right to create a home for their tribe.

Then I read the letter by Nick Frey (“Fresh ideas,” Monday). I knew that name from somewhere - the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission. His job is to support the wine industry and educate the public on the value of the grape. Oh boy, that is what we need, a board member with no political experience in the pocket of the wine industry. It is ironic those against the Pomo development cry no water, too many cars, too many events.

My question is, how does organic farming a piece of inherited land in the 4th District qualify someone to represent me in the 5th District? And for the record, she is also a carpet bagger. She just bought a house in Forestville last year. Tom Lynch is looking better every day.

CAROLE DOMEIKIS

Forestville

Cuclis' priorities

EDITOR: I'm the immediate past president of nine years of the Sonoma Developmental Center's Parent Hospital Association. My son lived at the center until he passed away in 2011. For several years, I've been impressed with 1st District supervisor candidate Gina Cuclis' advocacy on behalf of Developmental Center residents and employees.

Unlike the current supervisor, Cuclis didn't wait to get elected to an office with a six-figure salary to get involved. A few years ago, when the debate over the future of developmental centers was heating up, Cuclis got the Sonoma City Council to ask the state to keep Sonoma Developmental Center open, and she and I organized a rally in Sonoma to demonstrate community support for the center.

I trust Cuclis to be the best choice to lead the community in designing the center's future while protecting its residents. She's lived 30 years in the Sonoma Valley and at one time around the corner from the Sonoma Developmental Center. Under her leadership, a planning process will be transparent and inclusive. Please vote for Gina Cuclis for 1st District supervisor.

MARY O'RIORDAN

Larkspur

Time for new ideas

EDITOR: There has been a spate of letters pretty much vilifying Lynda Hopkins for some of the support she has received and also for being young. Many of these were written by old politicos (Mike Reilly, Ernie Carpenter, Lynn Woolsey, et al) seeming to me to be wanting to hang on to the good old days when they were in charge. They all back Noreen Evans.

Well, everyone receives backing from someone who expects something from it. Evans has always been heavily backed by the Service Employees International Union, whose contracts have to be approved by the Board of Supervisors. Is that not a conflict of interest?

As for 33 being too young to be supervisor, Barack Obama was only 47 when he was elected president of the United States. Vote for who you want, but I plan to vote for Lynda Hopkins. It's time for young blood and new ideas.

DAVID LITTLE

Sebastopol

Sanders and Clinton

EDITOR: Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders? We can win with both. Here's how: Vote for Sanders on June 7, and vote for Clinton on Nov. 8.

Clinton is likely to be the Democratic candidate in November, and we need to support her against Donald Trump, to finally have a woman president and to appreciate her tireless work for women, children and our country.

And, if you support Sanders' platform of getting big money out of politics, reducing Wall Street's control of Congress, breaking up the big banks, ending tax loopholes and offshoring of assets, enacting single-payer health care and free tuition at public universities, vote for him in the primary election. His victory in California's primary would help move the Democratic Party and its platform in a progressive direction, convert some Trump supporters and support young people's new enthusiasm and activism.

If you fear a Trump victory, note that Sanders is considered unfavorably by only 37 percent of the voting public while Clinton is by 56 percent. And the latest NBC News poll shows Sanders defeating Trump by 13 percent while Clinton leads by 5 percent. So let's go with a win-win strategy: Vote for Sanders on June 7, and vote for Clinton Nov. 8.

TOM WODETZKI

Albion