Letters to the Editor

Outraged by quote

EDITOR: I am outraged regarding the statement attributed to Steve Mitchell, the attorney representing the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department in the Jeremiah Chass civil action, that the entire "incident" (a nice euphemism for a 16-year-old boy being shot seven times) could have been avoided had Chass received proper attention for his mental illness prior to the morning he was shot.

Mitchell's complete ignorance of mental illness, especially in teenagers, is appalling. I suggest that Mitchell educate himself regarding mental illness before he starts blaming others for this unfortunate and avoidable tragedy.

DENNIS BYRNE

Sebastopol

EDITOR: Sounds like plans are moving forward for the Courthouse Square renovation.

Here is an idea we found in Stockton: their "Miracle Mile" shopping area is being renovated. They have removed all the parking meters and placed flower baskets on every "meter" stand with notes letting people know that their business is appreciated.

Sounded like a great idea for our downtown shoppers -- "Come for the shopping, stay all day!"

JAN LEE

Santa Rosa

EDITOR: This is in regard to the Friday letter from Stephen Ruffino titled, "What experience?" I would like to add that Martin Peretz, editor in chief of the New Republic, wrote in the Wall Street Journal Friday, "The fact is that Hillary Clinton has never answered the red phone at 3 a.m. or any other time, for that matter. And Bill's record on this matter is not reassuring, either."

It's nice to know that some voters are using their brains.

MARGARET SHAPHREN

Santa Rosa

EDITOR: Volunteer firefighting, like many other memories of my youth, have been regulated out of existence. When I arrived in Sierraville (pop. 300) in 1966, within a month I was a member of the local volunteer fire department. Other than receiving a handout to interpret fire siren sounds so I'd know where to go to a fire, I can't recall any other training until a year or more later, when I was shown how to start the engine pump.

We didn't pretend to be big city firefighters and neither did the townsfolk and outlying ranchers. I'm sure the chief and his two assistants had more training so they could direct others where needed when they arrived at the scene. But when a guy a few years younger than me and I were told to get the ambulance and transport a drunk who had set his bed on fire to the hospital 14 miles away, we were much more concerned with getting him there than with how to activate the siren.

Today, volunteer fire department service is like belonging to the National Guard with similar training and time commitments. It's more like an unpaid job than true volunteerism. Volunteers are expected to do nearly everything that paid, urban firefighters do.

As your article said, being a volunteer firefighter today is like taking on a second job but without pay. So why are we surprised few do it?

STEVE BECK

Sebastopol

EDITOR: I am writing to you because I am incredibly concerned about the current condition of the Russian River. Not too many years ago, the river was a beautiful, safe, clean place for families to enjoy the hot summer; now I won't even let my dog swim in the water. The Russian River has become heavily polluted with not only chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides from Sonoma County vineyards, but also with sewage runoff and garbage.

This is unhealthy for the steelhead fish which used to be abundant but also for the land surrounding it. It is not the fertile, fresh place it once was. Now, it has the distinctive smell of pollution. This pollution is tapping into our ground water, and it's unsafe and dangerous.

We should begin restoring the Russian River to the beautiful place it used to be. This condition affects everything along the banks of the river. Animals can no longer safely drink the water, and humans can no longer safely swim there. Something needs to be done, and people need to stop dumping their waste into the little fresh water we have on Earth. Only about 1 percent of water on Earth is available for our use, so stop polluting it.

KAYLA ELDRIDGE

Forestville

EDITOR: I attended the Levi Leipheimer/Scott Nydam event at Last Day Saloon in Railroad Square and was heartened to see 250 people there to support the Tour of California in Santa Rosa. I was saddened by the risk of losing a stage finish, stage start or both in 2009.

It is clear the tour has rocketed in popularity here and abroad in three short years. The number of world champions and recognized top world riders in 2008 was phenomenal. Word has spread among the elite that this is an up-and-coming race. It is well organized, has great scenery and is well supported by fans. Because it has been so well received in such a short time, serious talk of a two-week race has begun. It could be moved later in the year to take advantage of weather allowing for a Sierra Nevada stage that would rival anything in Europe.

I believe in five years the race will be second only to the Tour de France, and maybe surpass it given the failures of that tour's organizer to recognize Astana this year.

Therefore, it is inconceivable to me that Santa Rosa would risk losing what no other city has, a stage finish and start. The city and county tourism community stands to lose a great deal as this tour expands and becomes recognized worldwide. We cannot buy that kind of publicity for Sonoma County. The people who showed up at the Last Day Saloon put their money up (more than $4,400). The city of Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, tourism bureaus and hospitality industry, along with all businesses that prosper from increased exposure of Luther Burbank's chosen countryside, need to band together in the next eight weeks and let the Amgen Tour organizers know there is no chance we will let it ride around our town.

BILL CARLE

Santa Rosa

EDITOR: I was very touched by the picture in Thursday B section showing a senior citizen hugging her newly adopted cat from the Humane Society. You can see the loving bond they are forming.

This woman saw the special beauty of a sad and lonely cat that needed a loving home.

This is a lesson to us all. Look for the beauty within.

MARY CAY SPRAGUE

Santa Rosa