Tax cut for Trump

EDITOR: Donald Trump says he will eliminate income taxes Social Security. But it turned out 60 percent of people don’t pay Social Security taxes anyway. Who pays? Rich people. Who will benefit from this tax reduction? Rich people like: Donald Trump. Another tax cut for Trump himself.

BOB HESSE

Sonoma

Actual Size J

EDITOR: I read it measure J and I couldn’t find a single word about animal welfare. California already has laws regulating the treatment of farmed animals, but Measure J would not provide further protections. Measure J would shut down farms of certain sizes in Sonoma County.

When farms are closed, it doesn’t just affect the owners; It disrupts the entire local economy built around the farming community. This includes small farms that may have to pay higher prices when feed companies and other farm suppliers close or increase prices due to loss of customers.

Don’t let all the press about animal cruelty distract you. If you think eating meat is cruel, you have the right to be vegan. I support you. I hope you will support our local economy by voting no on 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 this issue. measure W.

Since 2016, when the current tax was approved, library system has grown 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 range of electronic services we offer free of charge is also much larger than it was eight years ago. We also offer hundreds of programs a year, including summer lunch programs for children, at branches and elsewhere in the county.

Providing all these services requires people. It takes people to move thousands of books through the system. Nothing happens with magic.

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

If our current sales tax fund is not renewed, we will no longer be able to extend our service hours and our purchases of materials and services will shrink.

DAVID IGNORANT

Santa Rosa

Supporting Measure J

EDITOR: This is absolutely not true measure J It will drive small farms into bankruptcy. According to the text, an estimated 21 existing farms would qualify as large farms. CAFOs Subject to the requirements of Measure J. They can adapt by changing their activities.

The false fear-mongering is based on speculation that Measure J will later lead to regulations on small farms. This is a slippery slope argument with no basis in reality. Measure J is a moderate measure that limits the largest concentrate feed operations.

While Sonoma County is known for its hundreds of small farms, there are approximately 20 large CAFOs in the County; one of which traps 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, causing water pollution and threatening wildlife. Nearly every stream and river in Sonoma County suffers from nitrogen or phosphorus, of which animal waste from CAFOs is the primary source. Measure J would protect vital watersheds such as the Petaluma River and Sonoma Creek.

The No campaign should not be funded by vested interests. I have no such interest. Nobody is paying me to approve Measure J.

JERRY BERNHAUT

Santa Rosa

Yes, in Measure I

EDITOR: Child care is a critical need for young families, especially here in Sonoma County where both parents must work to make a living. Since the pandemic, it has become an increasingly difficult challenge for parents with young children to access quality care. Since 2020, Sonoma County has lost 40% of its available child care openings. Many programs have closed due to the high operating costs required to manage quality programs. Additionally, low wages paid to early childhood teachers significantly impact the recruitment and retention of qualified staff.

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

MISSY DANNEBERG

Sevastopol

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