Loves big ideas
Editor: What a terrific article in The Sun about the mentees and the Big Ideas series. This whole experience makes my daughter, Chalon and me so happy inside and out. It is a wonderful story of what is possible and the power of sharing the creative process.
When I read about Janeth, it made me cry. Tears of recognition about what can happen when this portal opens. How fulfilling it is from the inside out and what a difference all of us can make from this place. I had also brought the inspiring book with me about the Power of Beads. When I read it and got to the part about helping others with healing by creating bracelets of beads, I thought about Janeth’s discovery and her intention for her senior project. I wanted to share this with her. I still have it out.
Thanks to The Sun for advocating for this wonderful story with the mentees. What a blessing all around and I bet there will be many others in our community touched by what they read. It’s good news!
Carole Pecorini
Sonoma
Clearing the air via email
Editor: The Sun’s funky pickup truck, spewing noxious gases in the parade, reminded us all of how it used to be before smog control laws were enacted and enforced. We breathed a sigh of relief when the truck had passed, wondering how such a filthy demon could have passed smog inspection. We guessed that it had not, and had only been brought out of retirement (illegally) for the parade. Please tell me I’m right, and it will not be in general use!
Jim Bowden
Sonoma
Editor’s response to Mr. Bowden: As a legally registered historic vehicle, the old Chevy (now forever back in the barn) is exempt from smog laws, but you’re right — the smoke was unpleasant . Hopefully you noticed that midway through the parade we actually turned off the motor and pushed the truck back to the staging area. Not quite the ideal example of a ‘zero emissions’ vehicle, but the best we could do at the time. We hope that clears the air!
Editor: Since we were near the beginning of the parade route, we didn’t observe the great turn-off-and-push process. Thanks for clueing me in. The air is now clear.
Jim Bowden
Sonoma
Needed: pesticide inspector
Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to 1st District Supervisor Valerie Brown.
Dear Supervisor Brown,
It’s been brought to my attention that the position of pesticide inspector in the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is planned for termination. I understand that a budget cut is the prime reason. As you are well aware, a recent helicopter pesticide spraying incident occurred in Sonoma County. Certainly, because of past budgets cuts, insect issues (LBAM, the Euro. and more) and other responsibilities, it took the ag commissioner’s office two weeks to find out the details of the helicopter spraying incident. We still do not know if the person responsible for the spraying was within his/her limitations (drifting onto Hwy 12). This is not to be critical of our ag ommissioner’s office, just the opposite. Many believe, as I do, that we should keep the position of pesticide inspector intact. Ours is a heavy agricultural county that uses hundreds of gallons of pesticides a year. A patchwork of thousands of Sonoma residents live in immediate proximity of this agricultural land. Although budget cuts are painful in any department, many of us feel that it would be foolish and a failure to let this position go. Further more, it would be simply irresponsible.
Under California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Sections 6400, 6412, 6420 and others, a group of pesticides usually referred to as “Restricted Materials” would require a detailed permit from the ag commissioner. It simply does not make sense for this office to be the department that issues the permit for pesticide use, but does not have a pesticide inspector.
Allowing this position to stay intact is for the benefit of all Sonoma County constituents, our growers and our farmers and of course, for our agricultural commissioner and her staff.
I humbly, but strongly ask, Supervisor Brown, that you fiercely argue in favor of keeping this position.
Yannick A. Phillips
Sonoma
Soccer fan disagrees
Editor: I have been trying to figure out how to express my outrage at the article you printed by Rick Burgo a week ago. I am on the Sonoma Valley Youth Soccer League Board and have shared it with others on the board and other soccer enthusiasts in this town because it is outrageous and insulting in so many ways. There is a good reason why this sport is the most popular in the world and why it is the fastest growing sport in America. The youth soccer league has about 1300 registered players. So add to that family members, coaches and referees and you have quite a lot of people who love soccer. But Mr. Burgo not only insults all of us who love and understand soccer, he then goes on to make a totally sexist and unacceptable comment comparing soccer players to “sissies” who should be wearing lipstick and high heels. Really?? This is what you have to offer this community, full of soccer loving people not to mention many of us being female??? What a nice message to all the girls and young women out there playing this sport, and the 12 under-ten select soccer team girls that I coach. I bet Rick Burgo doesn’t even know that the U.S. women’s soccer team is one of the top ranked teams in the world. It’s a pity.
And this is what you print during the World Cup tournament? No stories about the amazing games being played or even how well our own US team did? Disappointing at best, disgusting and offensive at worst.
Colleen Paul
Sonoma
Editor’s note: The Sun is a long-time supporter of the Sonoma Valley Youth Soccer Association and regularly covers soccer as a sport as well as the goings-on of the SVYSA. The Sun has invited Colleen Paul and the SVYSA to submit an article covering this year’s World Cup competition.