Voting Decisions
On the surface, Proposition 33 seems like something I’d support, but the more I think about it, it’s seems like a no vote from me. Here’s why: seriously, how often do you really ever switch insurance companies? My parents have had AAA since 1974, and I’ve had the same insurance since I graduated from college. Other than the company being bought by Nazis, I don’t know what will cause me to switch, considering I’m happy with them. I’ve been hit too many times by drivers without insurance. I’m against anything that makes it more expensive for these people.
Via online
A Dubious Legacy
Anyone who references Ayn Rand with admiration is, or wishes he could be, among the 1%. To those such as letter writer Jeff Black (“Rhapsodies & Rants,” Oct. 10), the end justifies the means. We peasants among the 99% are still suffering from the Great Recession, which was triggered by 2008’s financial meltdown. The 1 percent-er Robber Barons’ reckless gambling devastatingly reduced the fortunes of the middle class. Meanwhile, the Green Music Center for years struggled to completion, the costs running grossly over budget. Then came the cash infusion from 1 percent-er Sanford Weill, former CEO and chairman of Citigroup. Citigroup was among the Wall Street players who crashed the economy, and were bailed out by the government. The Green Music Center, with its “acoustically divine space,” was finally completed. It’s a monument to “the heroic journey depicted in Ayn Rand’s novels.” The end justifies the means.
Cloverdale
Maher’s Decision
Since I do not blog, tweet or Facebook, I would like someone to “friend” Bill Maher and ask him, “What in the heck are you thinking, playing the Green Music Center?”
Doesn’t he know where the money comes from? You would think that he or his interns would have done some research and found that the money has blood, sweat and tears on it. This type of abuse is what he rants about on his show, yet he will take their money and run.
He should be on the outside shouting about the madness behind it all rather than on the inside talking about—what? What can he possibly be talking about and to whom? I am shocked they are letting him in the door! Maybe they told him not to talk about rich republican banker CEOs who ripped off the “people,” bragged about it and then were welcomed into Sonoma County with open arms. And then, what the heck, for a few bucks we will name a hall after you, the one Bill Maher is performing in. Not to mention that the money spent on this building probably could have been spent in a more educational way. Either Bill Maher is a hypocrite . . . or a Trojan horse?
Sebastopol
What’s Right for Sebastopol?
The future of Sebastopol may well be determined by who is elected to the Sebastopol City Council. As a 40-year resident of Sebastopol, I find the CVS/Chase downtown development a defining issue for the town. The CVS/Chase project, approved by a 3–2 vote of the current council, allows these businesses to relocate to downtown Sebastopol. This will mean horrific gridlock at one of Sebastopol’s most prominent and heavily traveled intersections. Since CVS/Chase is currently situated in an appropriate location, the move certainly was not designed to enhance the quality of life in Sebastopol.
The approval of this relocation also means that powerful corporate entities can influence local decision-making through the threat of lawsuits (as was reported to be the case with CVS/Chase) at the expense of the vast majority of Sebastopol residents.
Two very fine and impressive women, incumbent Kathleen Shaffer and candidate Kathy Austin, are unfortunately in favor of the project. Candidates Robert Jacob and John Elder oppose it. Robert and John want to create a more pedestrian-friendly town and support sensible growth as reflected by the Barlow Project. If Jacob and Elder are elected, they will join current council members Sara Gurney and Michael Kyes, who are also opposed to the CVS/Chase project. Perhaps a newly constituted and more progressive council could reverse this ill-advised decision and prevent future development from being hijacked by a few large corporations.
Sebastopol
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