Extra Letters: On the Nov. 6 election

Maintaining parks

EDITOR: We take a lot of things for granted here in Sonoma County: gorgeous sunsets, great food, world-class wine and beer, a temperate climate and much more. One thing we shouldn't take for granted is the marvelous park system that provides all of us with the opportunity to hike, picnic and play in the countryside, seaside and riversides that make up our piece of Northern California.

But to transform open space into a safe and inviting park takes a lot of time, money and thought. Trash needs to be removed, trails and access ways maintained, buildings repaired and history interpreted. Unfortunately, our taste for parks has surpassed what our county and cities have been able to budget for their proper care; and we need to do something about it.

Measure M on the November ballot would prop up funding for our county and city parks for 10 years. Please join us in voting yes on Measure M.

BILL and MAGGIE FISHMAN

Penngrove

A leader for Healdsburg

EDITOR: As we continue this great experiment called democracy, which commenced following our founders' Declaration of Independence in 1776, I write to encourage my fellow citizens in the city of Healdsburg to vote for Evelyn Mitchell for City Council. Our system of government is reliant upon we the people electing fellow citizens to represent us in the making of policy.

I have come to know Mitchell as an analytical thinker with a balanced perspective. As a longtime resident of Healdsburg, she is acutely aware of the challenges that face our community. While she may not have all the answers, she has the capacity to listen to stakeholders, process data and make decisions.

In our system of government, we need leaders who can and will make decisions that contribute to our collective welfare. Mitchell's roots in our community, financial acumen and management style contribute to a powerful perspective and skill set making her highly qualified for the office she seeks.

Please join me in voting for Evelyn Mitchell for Healdsburg City Council.

WILLIAM SEPPI

Healdsburg

Santa Rosa's priorities

EDITOR: The Santa Rosa Council has announced that “vital city services” (roads, police etc.) are its absolute lowest priority. The council won't provide these unless we give them more money by passing Measure O. I don't know about you, but if I have a fixed amount of money to spend, I arrange my priorities, and the lowest ones drop off. If I want to do something additional, I decide what on my list is less important and forgo that for the new item. Apparently every other expenditure is more important than vital services.

PHIL MITCHELL

Santa Rosa

The mystery surcharge

EDITOR: Sunday's Forum section included a thorough article about all the surcharges that result in gasoline in California being 80 cents a gallon higher than the average of all other states (“Mystery surcharge on California gas”). With Proposition 6 on our ballot, it is urgent that everyone know that these extra charges aren't, primarily, due to the new gas tax, which added only 12 cents a gallon.

The author of this article, Severin Borenstein, did extensive research covering all the charges that have gone into our gas prices over the past 20 years. His conclusion is that there are charges that cannot be accounted for that require a thorough investigation by the state. Where are those funds going, and for what purpose?

But the bottom line is stated in the last short paragraph: “Instead of voting against a gas tax that benefits us all, tell your representatives in Sacramento that it's time to solve the gas-surcharge mystery.”

PAMELA TENNANT

Sebastopol

You can send a letter to the editor at letters@pressdemocrat.com