Editor’s note: Due to a production error, Friday’s letters didn’t appear in the paper. Those letters are included in today’s paper.
A renewed debate over SDC redevelopment
Editor: The importance of protecting the Sonoma Valley wildlife corridor from the massive development proposed for the historic campus on the former Sonoma Developmental Center land wasn’t mentioned in the recent article about the new environmental review process (“County seeking input on new study of disputed SDC project,” Sept. 16). A key reason that a judge threw out the previous environmental impact report for the SDC specific plan was its failure to provide specific and meaningful measures for protecting natural resources from harm as required by the California Environmental Quality Act. The EIR also punted on wildfire safety, climate pollution, air and water quality, historic preservation, affordable housing and multiple other environmental issues. The county and its consultants never seriously considered alternatives to scale back urbanization and protect historic buildings. So now we have to start over, making the same arguments about why it makes no sense to put 950 new homes, a hotel and conference center, commercial buildings and 3,000 parking spaces in the middle of a wildlife corridor and greenbelt in a high wildfire zone in the heart of rural Sonoma Valley.
— Teri Shore, Sonoma
‘Exceptional’ claims may fuel political violence
Editor: I generally agree with what columnist Anita Chabria wrote about Charlie Kirk’s death except for one thing: she said we must “preserve the constitutional values that make America exceptional” (“Killing may not be end of political violence,” Sept. 14). What exactly makes us exceptional? There have been variations of democracy since the ancient Greeks. Currently, there are many countries that have forms of democracy, with varying degrees of success. If exceptional is taken to mean “better than everyone else,” this can only exacerbate our current divides. Are Americans better than (fill in the blank)? Based on current events, I think a lot of people think so. I believe that humanity is exceptional. Got a problem with that?
— David Reitman, Santa Rosa
Democrats didn’t start the redistricting fight
Editor: If the president’s policies are so unpopular that he needs to tell red states to redraw their maps in an attempt to hold onto a congressional majority, maybe it’s about time the other party steps up and says no. Democrats did not start this fight, but we are not going to lay down and play dead.
My family has lived in this country since the 1600s, and we have had someone fight in nearly every war. As I watch the apparent leader of the free world do all he can to dismantle what so many fought for, I can’t stay on the sidelines and watch. Finally, there is something we can do to stop the madness. Proposition 50 is a temporary redrawing of our districts in direct response to Donald Trump’s election-rigging. I will be voting yes on Prop. 50 and hope you will too.
— Suzanne O’Brien, Santa Rosa
Trump demands students’ grades. So let’s see his
Editor: The White House just ordered colleges to hand over data about grades and test scores that includes race and gender concerning their students. And it wants to see merit aid data as well. This from the same president whose own college grades are kept under lock and key. All the colleges should get together and tell Trump: “In the spirit of transparency, you release your grades, and we will consider releasing the information requested.”
— Carl Merner, Holualoa, Hawaii
Preserve railroad line from Cloverdale to Willits
Editor: The hoped for cross-country “Rail Renaissance” described in the Sept. 21 edition could also happen in Sonoma and Mendocino counties if state Sen. Mike McGuire’s Great Redwood Trail would be built next to the tracks from Cloverdale to Willits instead of tearing out the rails as currently planned. At Willits, the railroad would connect with the Skunk Train, which has been working on adding freight service, as well as passenger service, to Fort Bragg. The tracks from Cloverdale to Willits, unlike the tracks in the Eel River Canyon north of Willits, are on stable ground and easily accessible. It is poor planning — and totally unnecessary — to destroy such a valuable resource for our region and for the health of the planet.
— B.B. Kamoroff, Willits
Democrats must fight GOP election-rigging
Editor: Ever since Ronald Reagan slanted the political competition in the conservative direction, the Democratic Party has consistently lost the ability to compete by following the rules. Clearly, Republicans and MAGA have no use for the rules, or democracy, for that matter.
So, where does that leave Democratic representatives and liberal political activists attempting to maintain democracy and fair play through adherence to the Constitution? Apparently, sidelined and ineffective in representing their constituents. Therefore, California should become the leader in countering the long history of right-wing cheating by calling for a referendum to temporarily redraw the district maps to favor the Democratic Party and, hopefully, counter Republican efforts in Texas and elsewhere.
Passing Proposition 50 is a must if we are to continue a constitutional democracy in America. Please vote for Proposition 50 on Nov. 4 to neutralize the Republican election rigging by gerrymander.
— Ken Smith, Santa Rosa
Remembering America as it once was
Editor: America was once a beacon of hope and opportunity. The shining light of a working democracy. We were considered the world leader in terms of scientific research, technology and medical intervention.
Students from all over the world flocked to our colleges and universities to further their education. Immigrants found a safe place to start a new life, free from oppression and segregation. Laws were passed to protect the LGBTQ+ community, and gay marriage became the law of the land. Women had full access to the health care they needed, and medical insurance became affordable for millions of our citizens with passage of the Affordable Care Act. Yes, we had our problems, and the government was far from perfect, but we had trust in the rule of the law to review and address our problems.
Where did that America go? The present administration rules by brutality, injustice and retribution. Our universities are being blackmailed to alter their teachings to fall in line with Donald Trump’s beliefs. Funding for medical and scientific research has been gutted and experts in those fields have been fired. The most vulnerable in our society live in fear. Time to make compassion and empathy normal again.
— Joan Mc Auliffe, Santa Rosa