Letters to the Editor
Editor: I was impressed to hear that a local man of moral conviction gave so generously to promote the passage of legislation requiring teens to notify their parents prior to having an abortion. I was shocked that this straightforward initiative did not pass with at least a simple majority of Californians. How sad that so many cling to this “right” and turn a blind eye to emergent human life in the womb. How small, cold and callous our hearts have become when we choose to sacrifice a life created in the image of God for the convenience of the child’s parents. May God have mercy on us though we have no grounds to ask for it. One day it will be shown to all that life in the womb is sacred and is not to be disturbed in any circumstance. Until then I pray that Don and others like him continue to store up for themselves treasure in Heaven by defending the cause of the voiceless pre-born.
Dave Palmgren, parent
Let Cirrus fund hospital’s
construction
Editor: The financial flaws raised regarding the “free land and hospital” plan are tiny compared to the front-loaded cost of building a new hospital. The flaws and issues raised pale in comparison to the financial blessing that such a low-cost public/private partnership solution would bestow on this community. It will also preserve an emergency room.
So far, the perceived flaws raised are easily paid for by a tiny parcel tax, sales tax, hotel-room tax or other mechanism. The bond debt and interest – which will total well over $200 million and growing – that current hospital administrators propose are massive compared to picking up the tab for small costs the Cirrus plan may not cover. Why not let Cirrus foot the bill for construction? If Cirrus fails I would much rather buy the hospital for cents on the dollar in the future. And wasn’t a skilled nursing facility always going to be privately funded anyway? The hospital board can negotiate with Cirrus and allay their basic concerns now.
CNBC just ran a story on luxury health spas and hospitals and the titans of industry investing in them such as David Murdoch of Dole Foods, Steve Case formerly of AOL and Time Warner and Gerald Levin of Time Warner. The trend has been confirmed. The public/private partnership model is sweeping over the world and hopefully we have the vision to recognize it. Doctors have already spoken and said they would invest in the proposed local facility. It is time for the fractious splinter groups to put the greater good of the community first. The repetitive stop gap of a parcel tax will be defeated unless it is accompanied by a defined, financially sensible and passable plan.
Dennis Hipps
VOMDES
thanks donors
Editor: The Dec. 21 edition of the Sun contained a picture of several members of the Valley of the Moon Dilettante Enological Society (VOMDES) presenting a $15,890.97 check to the Sonoma Valley High School Boosters. VOMDES is the Sonoma Valley Home Winemaker’s organization. The nearly $16,000 was raised at our first annual Home Winemakers Celebration. VOMDES would like to recognize those individuals who helped make this event a success: Hank Marioni and the Swiss Hotel, who donated the use of the facility as well as much of the food; the local wineries, businesses and community members who donated goods and services for our silent auction; members of the Boosters who provided much needed labor and the 260+ members of the community who participated in the event. We thank all of you and we look forward to your support of our second annual Home Winemakers Celebration next fall. VOMDES meets at the Vintage House at 7:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Anyone interested in the art of home winemaking is invited to attend. For more information, please visit our Web site, http://www.vomdes.org/.
Douglas Ghiselin
Secretary/Treasurer VOMDES
Stop dropping off chickens
Editor: To the individuals who are dropping off chickens at the Chicken Car Wash: Please stop. Please find a better home for your chickens as the city of Sonoma has revoked my poultry permit without cause. The Sonoma City Council has created its own court system that is called an administrative hearing.
In May, I was sent a letter from the chief of police stating that my court-approve poultry permit has been revoked and that all chickens were to be removed from the car wash property. This was done without notice or just cause. The chief of police stated that the chickens were kept in un-poultry like conditions and therefore the revocation of my permit.
I removed my permitted six chickens from the cage and caught many of the feral chickens that were in the area and relocated them to a safe home by the date set by the city prosecutor but the city continued with the hearing (kangaroo court) on Aug. 11, 2006.
Their hand-picked attorney sat in and heard both sides and ruled in the City’s favor. Hearing officer Mark Freed fined me $7607 which consisted of $500 per day for every day that any feral chickens were in the area, $1,557 for administrative costs and prosecuting attorneys (at $90 an hour for 15 hours) time to prepare case against me, police inspections and taking of pictures $250. I appealed the ruling and lost. (The saying “you cannot fight city hall” is true, as they are all in it together). On Dec. 14 I received a letter from Mike Fuson, city manager, stating that the total fine is now $45,607 and that if by Dec. 29 I am not in compliance and pay $7,607 to the city, the city will proceed with steps necessary to place a lien on my property. Even though I removed my penned chickens and caught as many of the feral chickens as possible and relocated them to good homes in the short period of time allowed, the city continues with the fines.
I feel that this AMH process is unfair and one-sided I will pay the city in protest and put in a demand to the City requesting that I be reimbursed my fine . If this is not accomplished I plan to appeal and take all necessary steps to get justice.
If any attorney that specializes in this type of law and is interested in this case, please contact me.
Jerry Marino,
owner of the Chicken Car Wash
