Your opinions

Water rights

EDITOR: I doubt that Mendocino Town has ever seen, in its 150+ year history, nine people run for a seat to an elective office. It is happening this year. TheMendocino City Community Service District has four vacancies on its five-member board. There is really only one issue that has generated such civic interest: Water rights!

Dowe the year-round residents and voters of our townwant to eliminate the GroundWaterManagement Services provided by MCCSD? I believe thismonitoring benefits all of us in this age of drought and climate change.

In April, Mr. Steven Gomes, a property owner in the district — but a resident of Ukiah — changed his voter registration to his property’s address inMendocino; thus, he became eligible to run for an MCCSD board seat.

Mr. Gomes does not believe that the district should continue to have control of ground water monitoring and usage although the courts disagreed with him. His recent suit against the district over this issue cost the

MCCSD approximately $200,000 in legal fees, a cost to the community and you, the voter.

I am asking for your help in keeping the community’s Ground Water Management Services available for the benefit of all of us. Please vote for candidates who support fiscal responsibility, ground water conservation, and reliable services that ensure our ability to be good neighbors. Please vote for Christina Aranguren, Dennak Murphy, Maggie O’Rourke and Jim Sullivan. See their candidate information at: https://tinyurl.com/y3awvams

Thank you.

Keep deer wild and adopt cats

EDITOR: Toomany folks are feeding feral cats. All cats are susceptible to infections like rabies and Parvovirus.Feral cats can get fleas, ticks or rabies that can spread to humans or other animals. Feral cats may leave behind diseased feces.

UrbanWildlife Research Project’s Feral Cat Feeding Station Data noted, “A sign found on a feeding station, near the habitat of theWestern Burrowing Owl read ‘this is a humane project for 100 percent benefit of our feline friends’. But is it humane for the wildlife? Kibble was found in the scat of Raccoons, Gray Fox and Skunks andmany birds eating from the feeding stations.

The California Towhee and Oak Titmouse take the cat food back to feed their young.” This feeding may be affecting the natural cycles and health of wildlife and the catsmay be a minority at the feeders.

Feeding deer and other wild mammals is illegal and contributes to their domestication and their getting sick.

Deer bring ticks that carry Lyme disease into areaswhere dogs are walked, and children play.

No one does any wild mammal a favor by physiologically or behaviorally contributing to a change in their natural environmental conditions.

California Dept. of Fish &

Wildlife says, “Allowing deer in your garden or landscaping, or intentionally feeding deer, can be deadly. Wild animals naturally fear people, keep a distance, and will not bother you, if they remain truly wild. If they become accustomed to humans, their natural ways are ruined. That’s when conflict occurs.”

Editor’s note: Kaczorowski is a former staff member and current freelancer for the Advocate-News and Beacon.

Sayno to thepot dispensary

EDITOR: I’ve been informed that there has been an application for a permit for a pot dispensary to be located at the southeast corner of Franklin andAlder streets here in Fort Bragg. That would be kiddie corner fromthe post office to you that are not familiar with the area. I would not be writing this letter if I was not concerned about this project. The dispensary’s warehouse doors are approximately 40 feet frommy family’s property, which is onMcPherson

Street. I have never been a fan of the legalization of pot for recreational use, but I have no problem with it being used formedicinal purposes if prescribed by a physician. There are concerns with property values and safety issues. Are the police going to have to change their nightly patrols on account of a warehouse being stored full of pot? If this place is robbed are the people going to hide inmy backyard from the cops? How are they going to control the smell that is going to invade our neighborhood? I thought the city had already zoned other places for this type of business. All I know is that I definitely do not want this inmy neighborhood. How about you?

Thank you

EDITOR: A wonderful issue. Refreshing to have the quilts on the front page as cozy art to concentrate on. The article by Dr. Millerwas informative, as well as comforting. Great detail to ponder andwork on. Thank you very much for all you do.