Letters to the Editor, July 14: Our ’bubble of ignorance’

Readers weigh in on racism in Sonoma.|

Our ‘bubble of ignorance’

EDITOR: Thank you for Maurice Parker’s article in last week’s Index-Tribune (“Sonoma Is Not Hallelujah,” July 3). Years ago a friend told me she was afraid of this town and I wondered then, as I felt this town was fairly liberal. We live in a bubble of ignorance.

You are a brave man, Mr. Parker and I am thankful you told your story.

Please, others of you who have experienced racism - speak up.

We need your experiences. We need to be realistic. We need more voices in our government.

Carol Mckillop

Sonoma

Fire lots not out of the woods yet

EDITOR: The fire lots where especially large homes with attractive acreage are rebuilding have in my opinion a much bigger problem (“Fire-Ravaged Lots in Sonoma Valley Retain Value,” July 3).

These once attractive properties were severely scorched and many will be a visual blight for years to come as nature works to restore them. Excess fuel in many cases was burned, but so were beautiful stands of native trees and ground species that will take years to recover.

The same devastating environment with high pressure moving down the mountain ranges bringing high winds is a predicable annual event. Careless behavior and intentional fire starters are always in the scene. Why would anyone not be thinking of selling or buying into that?

Current owners in this dilemma have a few hard choices to make. Do I rebuild and watch my tarnished property slowly recover during my senior years (in most cases these owners are seniors) or, do I rebuild with the intention of flipping it to the next guy, or do I just sell the land?

I have to believe the intent of most of these owners who have experienced these tragic lessons is to just get out and move on with as much equity as possible. The vast majority who are insured realize that to just sell the land will not maximize their recovery — they must rebuild and hope to resell to the next group of unwitting buyers.

Steve Proehl

Sebastopol

Divided we fall

EDITOR: Seventy-five years ago we won the war against Nazi Germany and victory over Japan was imminent. We were truly united since everyone was on the same page. There was no debate as to what the goal was. Everyone was sacrificing in one way or the other and we knew that if we didn't prevail our entire world would change for the worse. Our political leadership was united.

Today our country is under siege from an unseen virus which doesn't recognize political affiliation, sex, age or national origin. And how are we approaching a solution? The United States of America is anything but. Wearing a mask has become a political problem of such magnitude that it threatens to break us: economically, socially and politically. If "preserving Confederate statues and respecting our heritage" are the priorities, COVID-19 will continue to kill and divide us. Are we so myopic, "we can't see the forest for the trees?"

Carson Watson

Sonoma

Supervisors need to take human rights commission seriously

EDITOR: The killing of George Floyd has unleashed a much-needed reckoning with our nation’s long history of systemic racism. Right here in Sonoma County we need to acknowledge the realities of white supremacy and the ways in which this has been manifested in police biases and in the disproportionate enforcement of “law and order.”

Because “Black Lives Matter,” it is most dismaying to learn that D’mitra Smith has announced her resignation as Chair of the Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights. The reasons she gives for resigning are truly shocking and unacceptable: (1) although there are 15 commissioner positions, there have been only six serving, including the Chair; (2) the Commission for Human Rights has been underfunded on a shoestring budget of $12,000; (3) a public service announcement produced by the Commission in 2017 to inform the public of racism in our communities was not funded by the Board of Supervisors, nor given the permission to fundraise for its distribution.

Susan Gorin has encouraged us to “reach out to, and read, what people of color are saying about this moment in time.” Indeed, our Board of Supervisors needs to listen to Commissioner Smith and the five other commissioners and then announce a plan for restoring a fully functioning County Commission on Human Rights. Only then will it be clear that the BOS is truly serious about confronting our practices of white supremacy and racism along with specific steps to address and remedy their systemic-institutional roots.

Surely, the BOS must recognize that a fully staffed and funded County Commission on Human Rights has a key institutional role to play in meeting this challenge.

John Donnelly

Sonoma

Light a Sparc for Sonoma

As the City Council considers the candidates competing for Sonoma’s exclusive cannabis dispensary license, I encourage them to look no further than Sparc, founded by Erich Pearson.

When I moved to the Valley 40 years ago, my vision was to introduce biodynamic farming techniques to the vineyards of California ensuring a balanced, self-sustaining and healing ecosystem. Erich shares this vision, bringing green farming practices to California’s cannabis industry.

In 2017, Erich launched Sparc Farm in Glen Ellen, establishing one of the first independently certified biodynamic farms for responsible cultivation of cannabis in the U.S. Erich’s pioneering work has been lauded by industry insiders and non-traditional allies alike.

As a founding member of the Sonoma Valley Cannabis Enthusiasts, Erich works tirelessly to educate and inform residents regarding properly grown and responsible use of cannabis adding value to the environment and broader community.

Erich recognizes the importance of being a good neighbor. Before breaking ground on his farm in Glen Ellen, he reached out to his neighbors to introduce the project, answer questions and proactively resolve issues. Erich’s commitment to transparency and strong desire to remain accountable to his community is an admirable quality.

Knowing him as I do, I am confident that Erich and Sparc will bring this same level of commitment to Sonoma and urge the Council to award Sparc and Erich Pearson the city’s first cannabis dispensary license.

Mike Benziger

Glen Ellen

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