Sonoma County Library Services

PUBLISHER: Neil Herring confuses Sonoma County Library administration with support services that also existed before the sales tax but were not included in its account (“No on measure W”, Letters, October 15). Sales tax revenue represents approximately 40% of library revenue; It is important to note that these funds are spent to support direct public services.

Library headquarters staff includes managers and administrators. It also includes book catalogers, delivery drivers, event planners, construction mechanics, accountants, graphic designers and computer technicians, all of whom support free library services.

I agree with Herring that library staff are “dedicated, efficient, and helpful employees who promote democracy in our communities.” This description includes staff who work behind the scenes.

Support staff work on critical initiatives that improve the services made possible by the library sales tax, such as efficient book delivery, maintaining the dozens of free databases and streaming platforms available to the community, purchasing new books and technologies that the community asks us for, and much more.

As a volunteer library commissioner, I am proud that the library spends our sales tax prudently on direct public services. Vote yes for Measurement W.

SARAH LAGGOS

Saint Rose

Measure J will cost jobs

EDITOR: Measure J says “…and demand, among other things, the Agricultural Commissionr create a professional retraining program for CAFO workers. Measure J assumes job loss. They don’t try to hide this fact. This begs the question: How long will people go without income while the agriculture commissioner creates a retraining program for workers? How long will workers remain without income while waiting to benefit from this retraining? How long will workers go without income before earning their first dollar in their new job? How do families manage to make ends meet while all these retrainings are created and implemented? Are there any guarantees that workers will earn income commensurate with the income they lost because of Measure J?

I don’t understand why proponents of this terrible measure are so cavalier with the lives and livelihoods of Sonoma County’s agricultural community. Please vote no on Measure J.

TERRY SANDERS

Manager, Non-Tailored Campaign J

Advantages of roundabouts

PUBLISHER: Every city in Sonoma County can use roundabouts in plans to improve street safety, except Cotati. It is high time to repeal this ban.

Roundabouts are a remarkably safe intersection design that effectively protects drivers and pedestrians. It’s no surprise that the Federal Highway Administration, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and Caltrans are all advocating for increased use of roundabouts in roadway design. Studies have consistently shown a significant reduction in the number and severity of accidents at roundabouts compared to signalized intersections.

Roundabouts reduce traffic jams and delays caused by red lights and stop signs. Roundabouts move all traffic flows in the same direction, improving visibility for pedestrians and drivers. Cyclists can easily merge into traffic on roundabouts and ride at a safe speed. The circular nature of roundabouts requires drivers to reduce their speed, creating a safer environment for all vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

Roundabouts reduce air pollution, fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by allowing vehicles to pass through intersections without stopping or idling. Roundabouts require less maintenance, have lower annual operational costs associated with traffic signals, and do not require police presence during power outages.

Please join me in supporting Cotati Measures.

ED GILARDI

Chairman, Cotati Planning Commission

Vote

EDITOR: After participating in 11 presidential elections, I think I understand the process. During their campaign, candidates try to win votes by making countless promises. However, in our system, a president has limited power to implement policies unilaterally. So, all we can do is evaluate the candidates’ core values, choose the one that best aligns with our own beliefs, and hope that he or she will perform the job in accordance with his or her core values.

Within this framework, and based on years of observing Donald Trump’s words and actions, it seems clear that one would vote for Trump if one values ​​hatred and greed over caring and compassion; prefer to live under an autocratic government rather than a constitutional democracy; believing in racism, anti-Semitism or misogyny; or you believe in some combination of the above.

BRENT BABOW

Petaluma

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