Friday’s Letters to the Editor

Pay attorneys in stock

EDITOR: I am a 2017 fire survivor, and as a PG&E claimant, I have always hated that 50% of the Fire Victims Trust is funded with PG&E stock. When the figure of $13.5 billion in trust funds is mentioned, it assumes that PG&E stock is valued at about $14.65 per share. However, it has mostly been between $10 and $12.

I am disappointed by the governor’s decision to pass on providing a loan that would have allowed the trust to realize an expected future increase in the stock price and pay claimants faster (“State turns down loan request,” Oct. 7).

Attorneys representing claimants are allowed to charge 25% for their fees. This is as much as $3.3 billion of the potential trust fund, which is astounding. As an alternative to the loan from Sacramento, I think the plaintiffs’ attorneys should agree to have their fees paid in PG&E stock based on a future price of $14.65 per share. They recommended approval of the PG&E bankruptcy plan and funding the trust with stock.

JIM HUNT

Santa Rosa

SDC plans

EDITOR: Glen Ellen and Sonoma Valley residents have come up with a plan for the Sonoma Developmental Center that would put the 945-acre property in the public domain in perpetuity. The property will be lost forever in a sale to developers.

This plan has affordable housing built in keeping with the rural nature of the property, probably by the same developers. It would preserve the wildlife corridor and open spaces and save historic buildings for public use. It would be overseen by elected residents of Glen Ellen and Sonoma Valley.

As a former resident of Hillsborough County, Florida, I was the environmental member of a team, with a biologist, a planner and a representative of Tampa Electric, to explore charted environmental lands to recommend to the county for protection. That is why I understand the importance of this plan.

LYNN McGARVEY

Santa Rosa

No on Measures C and G

EDITOR: I am outraged that the Santa Rosa school board has the audacity to ask for another increase in property taxes for the next 30 years when they wasted the last increase. Instead of maintaining the facilities we gave them, they let them deteriorate. Now they have the nerve to ask for another $400 million, which they will again waste.

How about we get rid of 40 overpaid bureaucrats and their bloated staffs? Since each bureaucrat and their duplicative staffs probably cost us up to $500,000 per year, there’s $20 million without even trying. We give these “educators” huge amounts of money “for the children,” but it only goes to wasteful spending. It is far past time to tell these folks to not make their living off of folks who really work for a living.

Vote no on Measure C and Measure G. The trough is closed.

STEVE HAEFFELE

Santa Rosa

Failure to help

EDITOR: I will not be voting for Victoria Fleming because we need leadership that can help us help our fellow Santa Rosans. I voted for Fleming in the last election after she stood on my front porch promising her priority to help the homeless. We agreed that many living on the street are not transients — they are Santa Rosa residents without homes. They are our neighbors.

When a mentally challenged nonviolent homeless person was stranded on our street this year, we and our neighbors worked to help him navigate his way to suitable resources. We found ourselves in a maze of bureaucratic dead-ends. When we called Fleming for advice, she had no idea how we should proceed. Apparently, it’s not a priority for her after all. In fact, it’s a basic leadership qualification. Every City Council member should be able to tell us who to call for appropriate help. It’s the least they can do.

Calling the police isn’t fair to the police or to our neighbors in need. Catholic Charities helps as well as any understaffed, underfunded, nongovernmental entity strapped to the front of a runaway locomotive can. We can’t allow elected officials to abdicate their responsibility.

CATHERINE EDMONDSON

Santa Rosa

Keeping a balance

EDITOR: Healdsburg is a beautiful, diverse and thriving community. The surge in tourism, brought by world-class wineries and acclaimed restaurants and hotels, has brought vibrancy to downtown. But, as a third-generation resident, I can attest that Healdsburg is also a town with a deep sense of community and a historical dedication to residents.

This sense of community is why I endorse Chris Herrod for City Council. I have worked with him on the Parks and Recreation Commission, where we advocate to provide quality, safe and accessible fields and play areas for all residents. I have also volunteered with Herrod with local nonprofits and in public schools. He has the right voice to help balance a world-class destination and a small town where future generations will want to, and be able to, raise their children. Please consider voting for Chris Herrod.

CINDY BETH

Healdsburg

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