LETTERS TO THE EDITOR – SUPER-SIZED

Due to the volume of letters to the editor submitted this
week, Sonoma West Times & News has devoted extra space to the
voices of the community.
Cowardly council
Editor: Last week, the Sebastopol City Council, in a stunning
act of irresponsibility, betrayed its ethical obligation to try to
protect a besieged minority of electro-sensitive people by voting
against a moratorium on the installation of PG&E SmartMeters.
The Council did this knowing that their plea for a time-limited
ordinance to delay the installations represented the last best
chance to give ongoing research time to validate their afflictions
and to suggest alternatives.
What is the recourse when PG&E arrogantly chooses to ignore,
even deny, a chorus of assertions of harm, abetted by a regulatory
agency whose idea of an independent analysis of the safety and
accuracy of the meters consists solely of reviewing the mathematics
of PG&E’s unproven assertions of safety, and not even
addressing any claims of possible harm?
There is no question that numerous people are sufficiently
electro-sensitive as to exhibit various forms of physical and
correlative mental distress in the proximity of SmartMeters and
other electronic devices. Others with electrical implants such as
pacemakers are also at risk. As a mental health professional I can
attest to the reality of anxiety and fear that the installation of
these meters is engendering.
When the city council was confronted with this issue, it urged
contact with the CPUC, knowing full well that the CPUC has ignored
all requests to investigate potential harm. One member of the
council said that this issue must be taken up at the national
level. When has any minority issue ever been recognized other than
by grassroots pressure? Another even made the fatuous suggestion
that there are people in Sebastopol clamoring for SmartMeters.
I believe it was incumbent upon the Sebastopol City Council to
make a concerted effort to delay these installations by ordinance,
an action both right and reasonable and one which other cities had
already joined. In the unlikely event that PG&E sued the City
because of the creation of a moratorium and money was short, the
council could always capitulate later.
Instead, trembling at the thought that PG&E might one day
possibly perhaps maybe sue the city, or hiding other motives behind
that rationale, the members of the council, with the notable
exception of Mayor Gurney, allowed themselves to be transfixed by
this chimera and, from willful and studied ignorance and an
astonishing lack of courage, gave the request the thumbs down. In
so doing the council abandoned its own integrity, turning its back
on the larger, essential responsibility of local government to take
every reasonable precaution to protect its citizens from harm.
Shame on them.
Will Riggan
Sebastopol
Support incumbents
Editor: I strongly urge residents of the Palm Drive Hospital
District to retain board members Chris Dawson, Linda Johnson, and
Nancy Dobbs. I know all three have had careers of both extensive
public service, and business experience required to oversee Palm
Drive Hospital.
I admit that I have a strong emotional attachment to Palm Drive,
having been born there. My family and I have been fortunate to have
had this wonderful medical facility so close by during my entire
life in the Sebastopol area. I know the hospital has had its ups
and downs in recent years, but speaking from personal experience, I
feel that it is headed in the right direction. I had two hip
replacements this year at Palm Drive, performed by my Sebastopol
surgeon with the latest techniques, because the hospital is the
only one in the area with the requisite operating facilities. I
received excellent post-op care from Palm Drive staff, both in the
hospital, and at physical therapy after surgery.
The present hospital board members up for re-election have both
the personal commitment, and practical knowledge needed to keep
Palm Drive alive and well.
Greg Jacobs
Sebastopol
Palm Drive stability
Editor: The election of three board members for Palm Drive
Healthcare District is approaching. In fact, many voters have
already received their mail-in ballots. This is an important
election with four candidates running for two 4-year terms and two
candidates running for one 2-year term. An article in Sonoma West
said this election was a referendum on Brim Healthcare’s
management, while others talk about cohesiveness on the Board of
Directors. Both issues are on the table.
A little history: Since Palm Drive was acquired by the community
in 1999, the hospital has had a parade of CEOs and CFOs, none of
whom seemed to have the necessary knowledge and experience for a
hospital of our size.
In August of 2009, the Board of Directors hired Brim Healthcare
to manage the hospital for us. They brought with them the complete
toolbox of management skills that we needed. In the initial nine
months, they concentrated on three areas — improving our
productivity, reducing unnecessary expenses and getting the
hospital out of bankruptcy. The investment bank that worked with us
to sell bonds for getting out of bankruptcy asked us not to change
management until after we exited bankruptcy. This stability of
management, and the fact we had improved our financial health under
Brim’s management, allowed us to improve our S&P rating and
sell the bonds.
Since May we have interviewed six candidates for the permanent
CEO position. This last month, we interviewed one more candidate.
He was a perfect fit for us and has accepted our offer. He will be
starting the first of December.
There is still work to be done, and the four board members
listed below have pledged to work with Brim Healthcare to: finish
the strategic plan; make improvements to the office space across
the street from the hospital so there will be room for more family
practice physicians and specialists to better serve the health
needs of our district; expand the services that are offered at Palm
Drive; enlist more surgeons and specialists to utilize the services
at Palm Drive; and continue to improve our financial conditions so
that we have more funds to invest in improved health care for you,
the residents of our district.
Keep the momentum and maintain stability. Vote for Nancy Dobbs
and Chris Dawson for the four-year terms and Linda Johnson for the
two-year term.
Your vote makes a difference in the health care issues in West
County.
Nancy Dobbs
President
Chris Dawson
Vice President
Linda Johnson
Secretary
Frank Mayhew
Director
Palm Drive District Board
Slayter for council
Editor: We would like to endorse Patrick Slayter for Sebastopol
City Council. Having worked with Patrick on the Planning Commission
we have seen firsthand how Patrick performs representing the
citizens of Sebastopol. He is a thoughtful and thorough planning
commissioner using his architectural and business background and
experience to analyze and raise important issues. He is willing to
voice his concerns even when they represent a minority
viewpoint.
Patrick knows that running a city is much like running a
business. It takes creativity, efficiency, hard work, and the
ability to stay within your means. Patrick will listen, analyze
alternatives, and make thoughtful common sense decisions that are
in the best interests of the majority of Sebastopol residents.
We recommend that you vote for Patrick Slayter for City
Council.
Robert Green
Colin Doyle
Matt Stevens
Jonathon Mann
Yes on V
Editor: On Nov. 2, voters living in the Forestville Fire
District will make an important decision on Measure V and the
future of the Forestville Fire District. At stake is our ability to
maintain current staffing levels and response times while also
being able to afford to purchase essential firefighter safety
equipment, replace aging fire apparatus and make repairs to our
35-year-old fire station.
Costs are much higher for all of us, including the Forestville
Fire District, and our tax revenue has not kept up. The District’s
current parcel tax has not been increased since it was passed by
you, the voters, in 1982 and the tax only has 56 percent of its
worth in today’s dollars. Cutbacks have been made from the top
down. Our Fire Chief’s salary has been cut by 50 percent and our
full-time firefighters have deferred pay raises for the last two
years.
In just the next 11 years, Measure V will help pay for the
replacement of three fire engines as they turn 25 years of age, 20
self contained breathing apparatus for use in interior structural
firefighting, more than 60 sets of firefighter protective clothing,
30 new radio pagers used to summon personnel for emergencies, as
well as numerous repairs to our 35-year-old fire station including
a new roof.
If Measure V does not pass, future budget cuts will be needed
and will result in reduced staffing levels, less firefighters to
deal with emergencies, longer response times and a greater
dependence on assistance from other fire departments. Inevitably,
in November of 2011 or 2012, the District will be required to
return to the voters again in an attempt to pass a similar special
tax measure.
Approval of Measure V will assure current staffing levels and
response times when it really matters. Last year our firefighters
responded to nearly 700 emergencies, over 385 of those were medical
related and many were to assist the elderly. Measure V is a new
special tax that charges each improved parcel in the District $75
per year. Improved parcels are those that have structures,
including mobile homes, on them over 120 square feet in size.
Parcels without structures on them are exempt from the new tax.
For over 60 years Forestville Firefighters have been there when
you needed us, but now we need you. For 20.5 cents a day, or $6.25
a month, you can protect your community by maintaining current
staffing levels and response times and know that when your
emergency arises we will be there with the firefighters, safety
equipment and apparatus needed to take care of you and your
family.
Measure V is unopposed on the Nov. 2 ballot. The Forestville
Firefighters Association urges all of our citizens to Vote Yes on
Measure V.
Jamin Perkins
President, Forestville
Firefighters Association
Council civility
Editor: I appreciate walking around our small town and seeing so
many colorful signs advocating various candidates for city council.
It is great to have choices. Sebastopol residents certainly have a
good record of voting and thus demonstrate our responsibility as
citizens.
Many different things qualify a candidate for public office. I
want to focus on the importance of maintaining some continuity,
which can help provide institutional memory and stability. This is
especially important in our time of growing uncertainly and
instability. Of the six candidates running for three seats, only
one offers that continuity — Sarah Gurney.
There are numerous other good reasons for voting for Sarah. She
has represented Sebastopol well within its city limits and beyond.
She has served not only as a council member but as mayor. The
council and its decisions influence not only those living within
the city but many others in the Sebastopol countryside and in West
County.
Sarah has been a wonderful mayor and council member. She brings
patience, and wisdom to her good work on our behalf. 
Sarah is an excellent communicator and gets things done. She
reaches out to people. Sarah has been a voice of reason and unity
during her service to Sebastopol and has strengthened the
connection between electeds and citizens.
I enjoy seeing Sarah and her teacher husband Dan — both of whom
are very people-oriented — cycling around town and leading
community walks. 
Her experiences as a mother, attorney, and mediator also serve
us well. Please keep Sarah in office by your support and vote so
she can continue her good work.
I do not mean to suggest that other candidates would not make
good city council members. For example, I think that Michael Kyes
and Maureen Shea — both new to running for elected office — would
be likely to be good council members.
We could benefit by leaving behind the disunity and lack of
cooperation that has existed in certain years on the council. 
Different points of view are helpful, but when this results in a
lack of respect and civility and an unwillingness to work together
for the common good, it is counter-productive.
I am glad that Guy Wilson and Kathleen Shaffer will be
continuing as council members. They both clearly represent
important constituencies in Sebastopol. May whichever three new
council members the majority elect join with these two remaining
dedicated servants to move Sebastopol forward into an unknown
future.
Shepherd Bliss
Sebastopol
Basso questions
Editor: I have serious concerns about Ron Basso’s ability to be
objective enough to be a Sebastopol City Council member. Mr. Basso
is clearly one of the biggest commercial property owners in
Sebastopol. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to conclude that,
based on his large property holdings alone, Mr. Basso will be
considering his own property interests at many decisions before him
if he was a Council member. One of five is a big vote. Even if
there is no actual legal conflict of interest, there will be many
apparent conflicts of interest. Simply put, is Mr. Basso capable of
deciding what’s best for Sebastopol ahead of what’s best for Basso,
if and when that’s necessary? Because it will be. Could he be
objective enough? Should he even be running for office simply
because he has such a personal property interest in our wonderful
town? I don’t think so. I recommend not voting for Ron Basso for
City Council. 
Nancy J. LoDolce
Sebastopol
Twin Hills irresponsibility
Editor: Sonoma County voters face a multidude of local measures
in November’s election. I want to mention Twin Hill School
District’s Measure M and bring to your attention that while the
school district is (if you’d ask the board) short on money, and
seeking to “provide our children with a quality education” (ballot
statement), in their great wisdom they thought it beneficial to
make Friday, Oct. 8, “Limo Day.”
Of all times when Americans are tightening their financial belts
and seeking for ways to cut costs, and eliminate unecessary
spending, why should the Twin Hills School district waste first of
all education time, and then education dollars for this unecessary
event?
It makes me wonder how many other school districts have similar
wasteful events while at the same time begging the taxpayer for
more money. Obviously the Twin Hills School District needs new
leaders who will use wisdom in using the taxpayer’s money and in
saving a portion for maintenance and emergencies. I am also
appalled to notice that while the School District makes unwise
choices today, if M passes, our children and grandchildren will be
paying for it until 2062. That is a clear sign of irresponsible
non-leadership.
Ron Sondergaard
Sebastopol
Socially secure
Editor: There is no Social Security crisis. It runs a big
surplus, and can’t contribute one penny to the deficit. By 2023
Social Security will have a $4.3 trillion surplus. And, it’s
legally prohibited from adding to the deficit.
A big majority of Americans oppose benefit cuts. In a recent
poll, 68 percent opposed benefit cuts, including raising the
retirement age. Instead, Americans want to see the rich pay their
share by lifting the cap on Social Security contributions. Right
now millionaires only pay Social Security taxes on a tiny portion
of their income.
We should thank our representative Lynn Woolsey for standing up
and making sure we’ll have the secure retirement we’ve earned. And
we should call on our other elected representatives to do the
same.
David L. Matt, Esq.
Occidental
Buying office
Editor: Whitman and Fiorina must slow down their massive
finanncial investments in this primary. The spending by Meg Whitman
and Carly Fiorina to get into California State governmental
positions bothers me greatly. I respect women who work very hard in
the world of business. However, I do not respect women who openly
spend millions of dollars to win an election. The accountability
and focus of women like Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina are off
message — money can’t buy greatness. Years of hard work and focus
are what grows trust, respect, and experience. Sorry girls, you
can’t buy my vote. What would you gals be doing differently? Just
exactly what? Perhaps your writers would help you come up with
concrete ideas? (for another small fee?)
Lynn Wagers
Santa Rosa
No to Fiorina, Whitman
Editor: Congratulations to Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina. They
figured out that Americans will “buy” anything if enough money is
thrown at the advertising. Remember that we made the inventor of
the pet rock a millionaire.
I believe that a person who spent $80 million dollars of her own
money just to get in the primaries does not have my best interest
at heart but her own ego. She could have given that money to
charity and helped a lot of people, those small people she now
supposedly cares about. She did not have the courtesy or caring to
vote but will now try to run things democratically.
Then there’s Carly, a woman who spent her own money to spy on
her board of directors to make sure she got what she wanted. Yes,
she got fired for it but left with $42 million. Can you just
imagine how someone like that will care about the little guy,
especially the ones who got fired?
Corporate types are interested in the bottom line. What is the
corporation going to get for the money spent? You can be sure they
aren’t thinking about what you want or are going to get.
Marie Salerno
Healdsburg
Dobbs for Palm Drive
Editor: I strongly encourage voters in the Palm Drive Healthcare
District to give favorable consideration to Nancy Dobbs’ reelection
to the District’s Board of Directors. My endorsement of her
candidacy is based on my work with her as a fellow member of the
Board of Directors of Northern California Health Care Authority JPA
on which Nancy sits as a representative of Palm Drive and I am a
representative of Northern Sonoma County (“Healdsburg”) Healthcare
District.
Speaking personally and not on behalf of my district or the JPA,
I can attest to Nancy’s extremely effective leadership in founding
and building a strong JPA for the mutual benefit of its five member
districts. Her many contributions have proven the worth of
collaboration and cooperation between our districts, a concept to
which she has long been firmly committed. I am convinced that our
districts’ membership in the JPA is a hugely valuable asset to each
of them and an undeniable benefit to our constituents, and Nancy’s
continued participation on the JPA Board will help to ensure
success in its important work.
Bill Esselstein
Healdsburg