Page 32 - Sonoma County Gazette - June 2018

Defying the Evil of Violence
At the May meeting of the Democratic Club, members were charmed by four young women who participated in the March for Our Lives in DC, and reassured by their enthusiasm for gun control and political action in general. Cheers! But in light of another mass shooting last Friday the 19th, feeling cheerful wasn’t quite enough. Said Eliza Neeley, “Though it is empowering [to be part of this movement] it’s still terrible and nothing has been done.”
No, nothing has been done, and it’s unacceptable that children go to school afraid they might not survive the day.
If Texas, where the Santa Fe shooting occurred, turns out to be the first to do something about this problem that will be a miracle. Of all the states in the country, Texas is the most deeply embedded in the gun culture and so-called Second Amendment “rights”; and Mr. Trump is on their side.
Texans certainly haven’t heard historian Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz debunk the myth that the Second Amendment guarantees personal liberty in the shape
of a pistol. According to her, the Second Amendment was forged to allow the formation of local militias to take the lands and lives of the Native Americans who lived here, not to protect the “freedom” of all Americans to carry a weapon. Her new book, Loaded, is subtitled “A Disarming History of the Second Amendment.”
Violence seems to be interwoven in the very fabric of our society.
Despite all the platitudes spun about our exceptional democracy, the stark truth remains: this country was built on slaughter and slavery. In my day, kids grew up playing cowboys and Indians as if it were natural. Now they can access all kinds of violence on smart phones and computers. The Internet is rife with monsters masquerading as heroes and it has made sex trafficking of women and girls so easy. In her book, Epidemic, America’s Trade in Child Rape, Lori Handrahan reveals things you don’t want to know about the link between pornography and sexual slavery. It goes on everywhere, even in pristine Sonoma County, where we have a Task Force on Trafficking because it is here.
Tourism helps provide customers seeking perverse entertainments after dark. How can we get so aroused about stopping abortion in this country but can’t stop the use of the Internet for the sex trade? We are not talking consensual sex here, or girls who dress too naughty or otherwise bring on the abusers.
Most vulnerable are the mentally disabled, who may have been traumatized in their own homes or in foster care before being picked up with promises
of fine clothing and all the treats a lonely child desires, promises only good
for the initial induction. Most incredible of all is the role that some pediatric oncologists play in the trade and torture of small children. I can’t write this here. You’ll have to get the book. But torturing children is not unknown, even at our beloved Sonoma Developmental Center, which has its own tawdry history.
What’s wrong with the human race? Is this “human nature”? It’s disgusting! As if the Nazis weren’t enough, men—yes, mostly men—persist
in these endeavors, making the world a filthy dangerous place when it was created to be paradise. This month we heard Trump calling immigrants animals. Animals, god knows, behave better. Who is he talking about? How dare he speak of any moral virtue, having defiled them all—and this man is president??
“March for Our Lives” carries a strong message; or it should. The movement, which filled the streets of Washington DC with thousands of fervent young people March 24, has championed two goals: to require universal background checks for prospective gun purchasers, and raise the legal age to 21.
That, and getting the younger generation to vote! (The assembled Dems clapped for that one.)
But what about a ban on assault weapons? “We’re trying to start with the smaller stuff,” said Emma Maggioncalda. Is that going to be enough?
Ava Rognlien said reducing the number of guns was a step. “If you have a gun to protect yourself you’re mostly trying to protect yourself from someone else with a gun. If you reduce the number of guns, you won’t have that fear.”
It’s a start, but what about boys who fire off AK47s at unarmed students? We have to do much more to show that this culture of violence we have spawned is not the natural way of humans.
“It’s not just school shootings,” said Ali De Klercq. “There are Americans who live with violence every day of their lives.”
32 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 6/18
Sonoma Developmental Center Decisions Coming!
The long awaited report by the consulting firm of Wallace, Roberts & Todd will be revealed at a community meeting in late June. Its charge was to evaluate the infrastructure of the 142 buildings and the condition of the 860 acres and environment, among other things.
What is to become of the SDC? Casino, Resort Development, Upscale Homes, or Community Center?
The State of California plans to close the SDC doors at the end of 2018. Legislative leaders Sen. Mike McGuire, Sen. Bill Dodd, and Supervisor Susan Gorin, together with Sonoma residents and organizations, are trying to develop a consensus to present to the Department of Developmental Services about alternative uses. The late June community meeting is an integral part of that decision making process.
Is there a consensus growing among residents? At a mid-April meeting at Dunbar School attendees in separate committees came together on the concept of forming a “trust” with the State to manage the properties. The idea is based on the “Presidio Trust” formed in San Francisco.
On May 10 there was a little publicized meeting about the future of the SDC at Altimira Middle School. To view the meeting go to Sen. Mike McGuire’s website under “California Legislators.” There is a complete replay of the meeting there.
If you wish to present your ideas watch for the time and location of the late June meeting. See you there!
Important issues: Resident Community Care, and Employees...
While the future of the physical facility seems uppermost in people’s minds, there remains the question of care for the remaining residents. The general citizen lacks understanding of resident needs. They require 24 hour attention. They are severely disabled. When Developmental Centers closed in other parts of the State clients were transferred into community residential settings. The question remains whether the SDC clients, many of whom are more profoundly disabled will be able to make such a transition.
Little discussion has been publicized about the future of the current
SDC employees. It is anticipated that the employee representatives are in discussions with the State about severance, transfers, continuity of service in other facilities, continuation of benefits, and retirement assistance. Hopefully such matters are brought to the general public’s attention in the coming weeks.
Important Community Decisions Will Soon Be Made!
Sonoma citizens need to make their wishes known to decision makers about the SDC. Plan to attend meetings. Write your State Legislators, County Supervisor, and Governor Brown. In the final analysis it will be the Legislature and Governor who determine the outcome of this issue.
Supervisor Susan Gorin, District 1 • State Legislators: Search on line. Susan.Gorin@sonoma-county.org: Phone: 707-565-2241
State Senator Mike McGuire: 916-651-4003; 707-224-1990
State Senator Bill Dodd: 916-651-4002; 707-576-2771 Assemblywoman Cecelia Aguiar-Curry: 916-319-2004; 530-737-1034 Governor Jerry Brown: 916-445-2841
Potpourri – Springs Community Alliance Meeting Report
In mid-May Supervisor Susan Gorin attended a meeting of the Springs Community Alliance to discuss a myriad of issues related to the community.
First, she introduced her two new Field Representatives who community members may call with questions. They are Liz Hamon and Arielle Kubu- Jones.
After the fire... What did we learn? First, prepare against the next one. Weed abatement - clear brush and grasses, check your insurances, record on videotape all your important belongings, rebuilding cost estimates, escape routes, and pre-arranged contacts with loved ones, and... Paving... is planned for Riverside to Boyes Blvd. as well as Arnold Drive from Boyes Blvd. to Madrone... Roundabout at 121/116 is coming according to Cal Trans... Improvements to Hwy 12 from Madrone to north of Kenwood has also been promised by Cal Trans... to solve Springs parking we need a Municipal Advisory District, and a timetable for implementing the Springs Specific Plan is set.