Sunday’s Letters to the Editor

Treats for the mind

EDITOR: I have to share an experience I had on Halloween. My library had a book sale in September where I bought two big bags of children’s books for $10. I decided I would give kids a book as well as a treat when they came by trick or treating. I set up a table on my driveway loaded with 100 books and a big “Free Books” sign. The kids were drawn to it and enjoyed picking out their book. Some asked if they could they have two books if they didn’t take a treat. I loved being outside with the kids chatting about what they like to read. In this age of electronics it was wonderful to see kids getting excited about reading. It was such a positive experience for us all. I will definitely do this again next year.

NANCY SEVILLA

Rohnert Park

Trailhead parking

EDITOR: I read Brendan Roberts’ complaint about the metal posts installed on the shoulder near the Joe Rodota Trail trailhead on Occidental Road (“Unsafe situation,” Letters, Oct. 27). I agree they effectively, and unfortunately, eliminate most of the available off-street parking.

I suspect the intent was to prevent walkers and cyclists from getting hit by cars as they dash across the road. That trailhead is popular with all kinds, including groups with small children pushing strollers, bikes and scooters.

Another factor may be that many vehicles park in any direction they want. Those who park perpendicularly must back out into the road. Others stop to turn left into this parking area, forcing drivers headed west into the setting sun to veer around them on the shoulder. The road also has a slight S-shape, which contributed to an early morning fatality a few years ago.

All of which makes for a potentially hazardous situation. If people were less litigious and used more common sense, fewer safeguards would be required. But relax, I noticed recently an indignant someone removed most of the offending bollards and liberated that patch of ground for the people.

Probably Antifa.

PATRICK CORCORAN

Occidental

Failing to factor for costs

EDITOR: With respect to Marisa Endicott’s most recent article about senior mobile home parks, not all real estate investments are winners (“Relief for renters in mobile homes,” Oct. 25). To hear new park owners carp about needing to increase rents, in one case a 100% proposed increase, seems criminal, especially for senior citizens on fixed incomes. When prospective investors take into account rates of return for any real estate investment, they should have negotiated a better purchase price to offset deferred maintenance and other expenses. Trying to capture these costs after the deal closes, from the wallets of senior citizens, is obscene and should not be allowed.

KEVIN BASHEL

Santa Rosa

Correcting historic wrongs

EDITOR: Thanks for the column on the movement to undam our dams (“Nation’s dams are coming down,” Oct. 28). I often slip into despair over the devastation we have wrought upon the environment and one another, and it’s easy to feel the future is grim for our species. But reading about how we’re beginning to understand the downside of our actions and are seeking ways to correct historic wrongs gives me hope.

These days, many clamor for their rights, but are unconcerned or unaware of their responsibility. Responsibility isn’t simply what one does to get what one wants or needs, but what one does for the greater good.

It was as recent as the 1950s when plastic made its debut as the newest, best thing. Now we’re awash in it and aware that it’s a massive problem. Dams belong to that category of ideas that seemed great at the time but are now recognized as counterproductive and destructive.

We are clever and ambitious creatures, but cleverness and ambition without empathy is toxic. Empathy seeks the greater good for all ecosystems and creatures; wisdom is empathy in action. When empathy and wisdom lead, there is hope for the future. Failures of the past are not destined to be precedent. Taking down dams is a big step in the right direction.

GINA CLOUD

Bloomfield

Insurance market

EDITOR: Amy Bach writes that insurance companies are probably overreacting to the Glass Fire, Tubbs Fire, etc. in terms of fire insurance rates (“Crisis rooted in climate change and big profits,” Oct. 29). I do know that according to my insurance broker, fire insurance companies in California have lost money for the last five years, and they have a fear of going broke if they continue to keep insuring in the state.

I suggest spraying nontoxic fire retardant annually on the home, as well as measures to reduce foliage, as well as other measures, may mitigate such fears and allow insurance companies to feel comfortable continuing to insure.

No matter what, I foresee a time when it will be mandatory for homeowners to allow on-site insurance inspections before insurance is offered.

CARL MERNER

Holualoa, Hawaii

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