Email  Print

SCA important voice opposing MMDs

Editor, Index-Tribune:

 

I was surprised that your article, "Springs Group Opposed Medical Pot Clinics" (Index-Tribune, April 15), seemed to dismiss any importance of the Springs Community Alliance's (SCA) role in the community and the importance of SCA's recent position opposing MMDs in the Springs.

Actually, the SCA resolution - when added to the 500 Sonoma Valley signatures opposing MMDs, along with resolutions opposing MMDs from the school district and the Chamber of Commerce and the signatures of Spring's business owners opposing MMDs - now makes it very clear to Supervisor Brown that her constituents don't want MMDs in the Springs. If Supervisor Brown's intention is to represent her constituents, her position on MMDs in the Springs should be very clear.

Your article made it seem as if one person was pushing for resolution when, in fact, every SCA member who voted did so in favor of the SCA resolution opposing MMDs. Further, many members expressed strong "no MMD" positions, yet none of these were reported, including notable people like Patricia Talbot of the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, who observes youth marijuana use functioning as a gateway drug to meth, or Zuli Baron, St. Joseph Health Center outreach coordinator, who is knowledgeable about drug prevention and who spoke to the devastating impact MMDs anywhere in the Springs would create.

Alejandra Cervantes, of Nuestra Voz, a pivotal leader in our Latino community, advocated for resolution wording that opposed MMDs in the entire Springs area, not just the Highway 12 corridor.

Given the above, it seems that the importance of SCA as a community voice, and the unanimous vote toward a resolution opposing MMDs in the Springs, could have been made at least as evident as the "SCA vote doesn't matter" angle.  

I thank you for your overall good work in our community - and for your listening.

 Sioux Messinger

Vision for a Safe &

Wholesome Sonoma Valley