A tax cut for Trump

EDITOR: Donald Trump says he will eliminate income taxes social security. But it turns out 60% of people already don’t pay Social Security taxes. Who pays? Rich people. Who would benefit from this tax break? Rich people like… Donald Trump. Just another Trump tax break for him.

BOB HESSE

Sonoma

True measure J

EDITOR: I read it Measure J and I couldn’t find a single word about animal welfare. There are already laws in California regulating the treatment of farm animals, but Measure J would add no other protections. Measure J would close farms of a certain size in Sonoma County.

When farms close, it doesn’t just affect the owners; it disrupts the entire local economy built around the farming community. These include small farms that may have to pay higher prices when feed companies and other farm suppliers go out of business or raise prices due to the loss of customers.

Don’t get distracted by all the media about animal cruelty. If you think eating meat is cruel, you have every right to be vegan. i support you I hope you will support our local economy by voting no to J.

DEANNA ISSEL

Santa Rosa

Library offers

EDITOR: As one of two library commissioners appointed by the Santa Rosa City Council, I would like to make a few comments in support of Measure W.

Since 2016, when the existing fee was approved, library system increased dramatically. In 2016, branches were closed on Sundays and Mondays. We are now open seven days a week. Our collection of books, DVDs and the wide variety of electronic services we offer for free is also much larger than it was eight years ago. In addition, we offer hundreds of programs a year at branches and other parts of the county, including summer lunch programs for children.

Providing all these services requires people. Moving thousands of books into the system takes people. Nothing happens by magic.

We have an active, independent citizen oversight committee. Our staff meets with the committee regularly, and the committee publishes a detailed assessment of our spending annually. In addition, we have had “clean” audits by our external auditors every year.

If the current sales tax funding is not renewed, we will no longer have extended hours of service and our purchases of materials and services will decrease.

DAVID CAHILL

Santa Rosa

Support measure J

EDITOR: That’s simply not true Measure J it will put small farms out of business. Based on the text, it is estimated that 21 existing farms would qualify as large CAFOs subject to the requirements of Measure J. They could comply by changing their operations.

The false fear mongering is based on speculation that Measure J will lead to further regulation of smaller farms. It’s a slippery slope argument with no basis in reality. Measure J is a moderate measure that limits the largest concentrated feeding operations.

While Sonoma County is known for its hundreds of small farms, there are about 20 large CAFOs in the county, including one that confines more than 500,000 birds with little or no room to move.

These large CAFOs are major polluters. Waste is often stored in open pits, polluting water and threatening wildlife. Almost every river and stream in Sonoma County is affected by nitrogen or phosphorus, of which animal waste from CAFOs is a primary source. Measure J will protect vital watersheds such as the Petaluma River and Sonoma Creek.

The campaign must not be financed by persons with vested interests. I have no such interests. Nobody is paying me to endorse Measure J.

JERRY BERNHAUT

Santa Rosa

Yes to Measure I

EDITOR: Child care is a critical need for young families, especially here in Sonoma County, where both parents must work to make ends meet. Since the pandemic, it has become an increasingly difficult struggle for parents of young children to find quality care. As of 2020, Sonoma County has lost 40% of available child care spots. Many programs have closed due to the high operating costs required to run quality programs. In addition, the low salaries paid to early childhood teachers have a significant impact on the recruitment and retention of qualified staff.

Measure I will provide desperately needed support for early childhood education programs and directly benefit young families and their children. Similar measures have been effectively implemented throughout the state. Let’s give a rich and robust start to our young children. Please vote yes Measure I.

MISS DANNEBERG

Sevastopol

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