Letters to the Index-Tribune editor, Oct. 26, 2022

It’s all about political endorsements in this edition.|

Winders is who we need

EDITOR: Without naming her, Gina Cuclis’ letter on Oct. 19 seemed to imply that Celeste Winders has an adversarial relationship with the SVUSD board. I would suggest that it is the board that is in an adversarial position to the students and parents of the district. The services and civil rights that Celeste advocates for are mandated. Students have the right to receive these services and have their civil rights upheld. Time and money is wasted by school administration and staff when these rights are ignored and families stonewalled.

I support Celeste Winders for Area 2 representative on the SVUSD board. She has parented four children in Sonoma Valley schools. She understands the difficulties Valley families face in accessing appropriate education for their children. Three of her children have disabilities that require accommodation and services. Celeste works with other parents to advocate for their children. She knows that federal and California state law mandate equal educational opportunities for all children.

Celeste has the lived experience of low-income parents struggling to make ends meet. These difficulties are many—inadequate housing, nutritious food, clothing and the extras that all parents want for their children. Many Spanish speakers in the Latinx community speak “conversational English” which creates obstacles to through information flowing between school personnel and parents. This must be corrected by providing all messages and documents in Spanish, as well as English.

It is clear that Sonoma Valley schools had many problems pre-COVID. Isolation and distance learning exacerbated these problems and created missed opportunities-educational and social. It is generally acknowledged that our schools would benefit from more funding. We can’t wait for that! What is needed is a SVUSD board with a “yes, we can” attitude and the will to find innovative solutions for the needs of students and parents in our schools.

Celeste’s experience and point of view will benefit the SVUSD school board, as well as the entire population of the Springs. It is time that Area 2 has the benefit of a representative who is more in touch with the majority of Springs residents and will speak for us from her experiences.

Iris Lombard

Boyes Hot Springs

Teacher for Lemas

EDITOR: Please Join Sonoma Valley teachers and vote for Joe Lemas - Area 2 school board trustee.

I am Mike Lyons, a retired English teacher, having taught at Sonoma Valley High School for 27 years. As a resident of Area 2 for over 36 years, I'm confident that Joe is the best choice to represent Area 2. Joe's banking experience will serve him well as budgetary matters are a crucial issue for board members He has children attending Sonoma Valley schools. Joe will put students first. He will be a consensus-building force as the district is facing challenges that need to be addressed in a respectful manner among all stakeholders. As a past president of Valley of the Moon Teachers Assocation, I believe he will work to seek and retain the best educators for our students.

Michael Lyons

Sonoma

Housing Group supports…

EDITOR: Based on how they will address housing issues, the Sonoma Valley Housing Group has voted to endorse Patricia Farrar-Rivas and Thomas Deegan for Sonoma City Council.

Both told us they support adopting rent stabilization and just-cause eviction in Sonoma, favor an “empty-house” tax on second homes and vacation rentals, and would back establishing a public bank to fund low-income rental projects like the Alta Madrone apartments on Broadway.

“I also endorse low-income communities having a voice in new developments,” Farrar-Rivas wrote, adding that she supports government policies “that respect and regard renters equal to homeowners.”

On the council, she said she would “prioritize affordable and workforce housing” and would work with county supervisors and the state to maximize affordable housing at the Sonoma Developmental Center.

Deegan expanded the idea of an empty-house tax to include empty business buildings. He added that he supports emergency rental assistance to prevent homelessness and that he thinks that council members should “regularly meet and consult with affordable-housing advocates.”

Both said they recognize racial and economic segregation as an issue that the city needs to address, and support establishing a city commission to deal with it. “And the commission should reflect the diversity we pursue,” Deegan added.

Farrar-Rivas saw that “essentially, Sonoma and the Springs are like a single city,” and said she would “potentially support annexation.” Deegan supported annexation “only if it benefits the parties involved and has the approval of both parties.”

The Sonoma Valley Housing Group sent questionnaires to all five candidates, with all but Ron Wellander responding.

David Kendall

Sonoma Valley Housing Group

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