Page 5 - Sonoma County Gazette July 2020
P. 5

LETTERS con’t from page 4
I WAS Homeless...
Proposed Gas Station,
Car Wash, Rv Storage &
Food Mart
  My name is Lisa Kagan an I am a previous homeless person. I became homeless due to health issues, waiting on SSI, after a family member stole my inheritance.
I would like to provide my opinion on the proposed gas station at Llano Rd and Hwy 12. (ONLINE June 21, 2020 article)
I moved to Guerneville in 2002. Yes, I am an alcoholic who is in recovery.
This is not the time to build more gas stations with the country, indeed the world, dealing with the fallout from climate change caused in great part by fossil fuels. We need to start thinking about eliminating gas stations rather than building more.
I’m Going to list some of the reasons why this recovery happened.
People in the community trusted me. They knew I wanted to get better. This help was provided when I was in active addiction. When I
say community, I mean downtown business owners, longterm residents, individuals who have clout in our community.
In addition, there are many gas stations already within a short distance and no need for another. This also goes against the County’s own policies on climate change, including the Climate Emergency Resolution approved in September 2019. So why the hypocrisy at a time when we need to start to REVERSE our course on climate change?
Now on to real truths... being homeless takes your soul, your self worth, any desire to change doesn’t happen. How many doors closing in your face can one take?
I’m writing this to provide another view of what really goes on. This information is true and current.
The above-ground storage poses a threat to the surrounding area should anything happen to the tanks and this is adjacent to the Joe Rodota Trail, which many people use to try to get away from the cars and trucks that we are constantly surrounded
by. Any issue with the storage could cause irreparable harm to an area that is supposed to be a bit of an oasis to Sebastopol residents.
I am housed due to West county Community Services. I have been
in my home exactly 1 year. My life
is radically different. I come from
a upper class history. Being on the streets was a conflict, one that left me hopeless. Having somewhere to sleep at night, to wash my hands without fear, to have a supporting situation with access for help is imperative.
We already have the Chevron station/mini-mart that is within the Laguna area (and less than a mile away) and we all saw that underwater during the flooding. Do we really need another?
I can say this with conviction. There are many homeless who would grasp the anchor and would not sink any further. Housing does affect positive change.
In addition, the Laguna is a critical habitat for the tiger salamander which is already losing some it’s home in
the area. We need to start considering not only the increased threat to the environment, but to the animals that we share this planet with.
I know most of the homeless community who are the people who pick up garbage with Chris Brokate who has done tremendous work in organizing trash pick up.
My information is from a personal experience. I hope this letter changes one person’s negative view of a great solution for homeless people.
Please do not approve another unnecessary, pollution-generating gas station in our beautiful city.
Lynda Hopkins - thank you for the support you give us.
- Kim Krattiger
God bless everyone, stay safe and healthy.
LETTERS cont’d on page 6
 Lisa Kagan
LETTERS & OPINIONS: editor@sonomacountygazette.com COMMENT ONLINE @ sonomacountygazette.com
 7/20 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 5
































































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