Share your ideas, not insults

To the Editor:

If you are a letter writer to the editor and do not use insults but do give good ideas and facts like Marv Keshner's LTE about economic development, I would like to thank you.

Here's a challenge: Send your ideas to improve our community's economic situation without insulting anyone else's ideas, past record, or performance.

The majority of venture capitalist firms with “dry powder” (ready cash to invest) are still centered around Sand Hill Drive in Palo Alto. Those firms are aggressively seeking “ready to go” projects near the Bay Area. They also now see the wisdom of investing in rural areas.

Since COVID 19, more people would love to live in a rural setting. But they need reliable and fast broadband and affordable housing. Anyone up for a visit to venture capitalists?

Bio-sequestration for ranchers helps capture carbon-inthe-atmosphere through herd rotation. What ranchers would like to get paid to move their hoofed stock around? Grants maybe?

What do we have a lot of? Sun and wind. What about a massive project to install solar and wind production for energy? Surely, there must be some grant or government money to build this out. We have land with farmers and ranchers worried about drought, that may be able to convert to solar production?

Had a hard time finding someone trained to do auto or home repair? What about pulling out all stops for a vocational training center to teach the trades? (I.e., a working/ teaching program to build and then affordably sell tiny houses?)

What about renovating the rail line from Sonora to the Valley for transporting goods and/ or workers? That could open light assembly and manufacturing jobs.

I would love it if instead of name-calling and insults, we brainstormed together in print. What are your ideas to improve our community?

Patti Cherry Sonora