Letters to the Editor

Random mutations created intelligence

Editor: Larry Barnett’s June 21 column (A Display of Primordial Intelligence) describing intelligence ranging from a single cell to cellular systems is awesome, but is less of a mystery if one considers the random mutations that have occurred over millions of years and the survival of those mutations that are beneficial.
Eugene Spivak

I want to meet
Jewel Mathieson

Editor: Kudos to Daedalus Howell’s 10 Q interview with Jewel Mathieson in the June 21 FineLife. Talk about the glass being half filled and enjoying life. I need to add “meet Jewel” to my list of things to do.
Don Chase

Not enough detail about poll data

Editor: I would politely suggest that you do not refer to the “Sebastiani Poll” until you have done some statistical analysis of it.
As commented in a letter published last week, the study was undertaken by a firm that is biased in its political stance. That should call into question the results of this poll. Will this paper cite this poll?
What is not given is how many of those 300 whom responded to this poll and from what population were they drawn? Did the 300 come from the August Sebastiani contributor list, Republican voters residing in Sonoma, or independents? We do not know.
For example, if the poll had 150 responses and 53 percent voted yes on a certain issue, then it be fairer to say that 80 of the respondents in a positive manner. In that context, 80 voters out of the thousands in the city of Sonoma, do not constitute a majority.
In the future, I would hope that you will, when citing data, give relevant information so that the public interest is served.
Gerard F. Orme

U.S. residency means obeying U.S. law

Editor: A letter-writer recently quoted a woman who spoke to the Sonoma City Council regarding the ICE raids in Boyes Hot Springs using such descriptions as “storm troopers,” “brutally and callously ripping,” “shocked and devastated,” “sadistically snatched away.” Not having been there myself, I would still find it totally inconceivable in this day and age that any U.S. agency would set itself up for any sort of negative publicity.
The letter-writer wrote that, “Some of these people have lived and worked in our community for 15-20 years – responsible, law-abiding and tax-paying people.” Evidently, they haven’t been all that law-abiding, because they have been breaking the law for 15 to 20 years.
It seems to me that when people come to this country illegally rather than assimilate, many choose the laws that work to their benefit and totally disregard those that do not. Suppose anyone else were to have the same blatant disregard for the rules of his or her country? Would they receive the same kid-glove treatment by their officials? Somehow, I think not.
If you believe that our laws are so offensive, then may I suggest that you somehow work for their change. Until that day, if you are here illegally, you will have to live knowing “The ICE man may cometh.”
Oh, and by the way, I think the letter-writer owes a major apology to all those who are here legally and those few Anglos who also make up part of the backbone.
My father immigrated to this country under the quota system in the 1920s. He spoke four different languages, none of which were English. He learned English, became a naturalized citizen and was proud to be a citizen of this country. He always took off his hat when the American flag went by and never spoke to me in any other language but English.
So personally, I have very strong feelings towards people who only want the advantages, rights and privileges of living in this country without having any of the responsibilities of being a citizen.
Ron Gruetter
Sun reader offers recycling tips

Editor: To answer anyone’s dilemma in trying to recycle hazardous waste, I have been doing a lot of planning and investigating.
In the big ATT phone book there is a 28-page Recycling Guide that will answer about every question you have about the subject.
There is a community schedule for toxics and hazardous waste pickup.
We all have nearby areas where we can make appointments and take our paint, light bulbs, batteries, make-up, nail polish, pesticides, old drugs, etc. It is a delight to rid oneself of these materials that are just lying around taking up room. And it is satisfying to know that you are at least trying to help the environment.
For questions not answered anywhere else, call the Eco Desk at 565.3375. They will call you back and answer about any recycling question you have. Also, many stores take used batteries back. It is all there in the Recycle Guide for Sonoma County.
I live in Sonoma, and have taken my hazardous materials to Kenwood, Glen Ellen, Boyes Hot Springs and Oakmont and, of course, Sonoma.
I have had no trouble getting an appointment. Call 795.2025 or toll-free 1.877.747.1870 for appointments. Save up all your hazardous stuff that you want to get rid of.
Hang in there!
P. Doreen Proctor

Eyewitness to
annexations

Editor: It is always a pleasure to read the articles by Gerald Hill of an interesting part of the history of Sonoma and the Sonoma Valley. In his article on “Unincorporating Sonoma,” I finally learned about the reasons why the trustees disincorporated the City in 1862 and then reincorporated the City again on Sept. 3, 1882. He stated that “the new boundaries of the city encompassed only the core area a square mile bordered by present-day MacArthur on the south, Fifth Street East, the creek in the west, and farther enough north to include the Mountain Cemetery and the new Vallejo home above Spain Street.”
The high school property and Prestwood School property were annexed to the city in 1954. The city’s boundary to the west ended at present day Fifth Street West, not at the creek in the west. The current Sonoma Market area was annexed to the city in 1954-55. The second piece of property west of Fifth Street West was annexed to the city in 1959. This area included a strip down West Napa Street from Fifth Street West to Sonoma Highway, the present El Pueblo Inn, Off Broadway Cleaners, the Trojan Inn (Farrell House), Sonoma Auto Parts (Farrell Lumber Company) and Bonanza Ford (Henris Supply) properties. This annexation procedure occurred at my first meeting with the city council on Oct. 19, 1959. During my term of office as Sonoma City Clerk, I was involved in all the other annexations to the city that occurred outside the original one square mile and which is now the 2-plus square mile city. I may or may not have been involved in the annexation of the “sweat equity” property on Napa Road and a small parcel on Fifth Street East, south of Denmark Street.
Eleanor Berto