Extra Letters: November election

Yes on Measure H

EDITOR: I was a Santa Rosa City Council member when our first public safety quarter-cent sales tax, Measure O, passed. It made a significant difference almost immediately, improving police and fire response times and offering kids positive activities to build their skills and sense of self-worth.

Measure O is sunsetting, and we need Measure H to continue strong public safety services, perhaps even more than ever given that we now face a continual threat of wildfires. Rapid response by our public safety personnel is absolutely critical today.

In addition, our youth have had a rough couple of years due to COVID and badly need recreation programs to help them thrive.

Measure H is not a new tax, simply an extension of Measure O. It’s one of the least complicated issues on the ballot and one of the most needed. Please join me in keeping Santa Rosa safe by voting yes on Measure H.

JANE BENDER

Santa Rosa

For Aminzadeh

EDITOR: Voters must soon decide who will represent southern Sonoma and Marin in the state Assembly seat I held before I was elected to Congress. I know what it takes to make a difference in Sacramento and deliver results for North Bay values and priorities. I also know how important it is to have the best possible representation in the state Legislature.

I’m proud to endorse Sara Aminzadeh for Assembly. She is a proven leader who brings passion and urgency to combating the climate crisis. Her commitment to social justice is deep and authentic. As the daughter of immigrants and a working mom, she’s refreshingly different from most politicians in Sacramento.

And she’ll hit the ground running. She has years of experience drafting and passing legislation in Sacramento as an environmental advocate and statewide appointed official.

Change is not something we should just wait for. Especially now, with the climate crisis, water challenges and women’s rights and civil rights under attack. We need leaders who work to forge creative solutions, drive the agenda and make change happen. That’s the kind of Assembly member Sara Aminzadeh will be.

JARED HUFFMAN

San Rafael

Putting SR first

EDITOR: As a former mayor of Santa Rosa, I am saddened to see so many long-term residents being priced out of our community over the past four years. With intensifying cost-of-living challenges, it is imperative that we address the concerns of homeowners, homebuilders and renters alike. In Terry Sanders, we have a candidate for the 4th District City Council seat who is ready to tackle this important issue head-on.

Sanders will support efforts to increase availability of housing at all income levels, from affordable to market-rate, while collaborating with builders to discuss challenges and advance innovative solutions to address our housing crisis. Throughout his campaign, I’ve been impressed with Sanders’ common-sense approach to bring people together and listen to a variety of perspectives.

As a 23-year first responder, he will balance the need for housing that our growing population needs, while safeguarding areas that are vital to public safety during wildfires and other natural disasters. We need a new, multifaceted approach to address housing issues. Sanders has proven he’ll deliver on these and other issues by putting Santa Rosans first. He will be a strong and inclusive voice for our community — and our future.

SHARON WRIGHT

Santa Rosa

No on Prop. 1

EDITOR: Pro-lifers fully support true reproductive freedom. We support a woman’s right to choose. Men and women are free to choose to have intercourse, use birth control or bless a family eager to raise an adopted child. In the event of an unplanned pregnancy, they are free to seek help from crisis pregnancy centers (which outnumber abortion clinics 2-1 in the U.S.).

But no one is free to kill another human being just because she is small and hidden. No one has a right to choose the death of another little person, just because she is unwanted. What we do have is a responsibility to accept the consequences of our actions. If we have conceived a new human being, we are under obligation to secure her life, liberty and future happiness as best we can.

Proposition 1, if passed, would institutionalize reproductive irresponsibility. It would open a door to abortion up to the moment of birth. It could become the grounds for legalizing infanticide. It would turn California into an abortion mill. We can do better. We can take responsibility. We can love them both and choose life.

Vote no on Proposition 1.

BERNARD and CAROL WOESSNER

Santa Rosa

A proven asset

EDITOR: Victoria Fleming is a proven asset to District 4 and the city of Santa Rosa, and I wholeheartedly support her reelection campaign to the City Council.

I’m a District 4 homeowner, and my neighbors and I have called upon Fleming to guide us with ongoing fire prevention measures. She is always responsive and has worked with us to fortify our neighborhood against wildfires. Through her engagement and leadership, the Fire Department recently worked to have a large lot cleared of flammable brush and undergrowth.

We also sought Fleming’s counsel with ongoing issues tied to non-hosted short-term home rentals, which have proven to be a detriment to our neighborhood and city. Fleming recognized that out-of-town investors have been purchasing homes and renting them out with no regard to local concerns. She worked with the City Council to cap non-hosted short-term rentals in Santa Rosa, and we are grateful.

Fleming has demonstrated that she cares deeply about District 4 and our city. She stands with us, and I stand with her and am proud to give her my vote.

JOSE ARTURO IBARRA

Santa Rosa

You can send letters to the editor to letters@pressdemocrat.com.