To the Editor:

Why Garberville?

On Monday, Sept. 24 at 4 p.m., I was on my way out of town to my bi-monthly eye doctor visit to the Bay Area. I had noticed throughout the day, carloads of backpacks, dogs, and cardboard signs unloading in front of the Shell station and Ray’s market.

Before heading south, I decided to cruise Redwood Drive. 32 vagrants, enough said. Heading south, Laytonville - 0 vagrants, one transient, walking outside of town. Next stop, Willits - 0 vagrants.

Tuesday’s earlier trip home the numbers changed. Laytonville -0 vagrants. Willits - 0 vagrants. Arriving in Garberville at 6:30 p.m. from off ramp to on ramp - 62, that’s right, 62 vagrants in Garberville at 6:30 in the evening. Why?

Now look what is happening. Our own deputies are being assaulted on our own streets. Some would like to use the local industry as an excuse for the influx of these street gangs. That’s right, street gangs.

Let me think, oh yeah, aren’t Laytonville and Willits considered to be involved in the same industry? These people are here in May, and don’t leave until the rains. These gangs are here dumping everything from garbage to their own bodily fluids on our community, and every community that enables them.

Again, there is a huge difference between our local homeless, transients, and vagrants. The street gangs are here to take all they can and give nothing but grief in return, and have total disregard for the law, as you have now witnessed.

What do you parents and grandparents think when you pull into the market and see a group of children that just got off the school bus, stopped talking to these people. How many of you just pass by 8-10 year old kids talking to and possibly being influenced by these people?

Have any of you considered any of these people could be felons, parolees, rapists, child molesters, thieves (our worst year). Think back this last summer; home invasions, many downtown stabbings and assaults, thousands of dollars lost in multiple burglaries, in Garberville. Why? Because we enable them.

Now I’m not the kind of person that complains without offering some kind of proposal that could possibly rectify, or at least add "food for thought" regarding the situation. I acknowledge to my friends at the chamber that these are not my original ideas, but until somebody comes up with anything better, or anything at all, these are just a couple of thoughts that could help our community as a whole.

”It could take a village." No kidding. Take a look below and when finished with the village details, check out the web site I left concerning Santa Cruz’s same problem and how they have successfully eradicated their problem. This is a brilliant idea, and I believe it would work in our community.

These are the things that separate towns and villages. I believe that the village of Garberville would be able to solve a lot of problems.

Purpose

Some of the most obvious distinguishing factors between villages and towns are understood when considering their underlying purposes. While villages are rural settlements where citizens specialize in agriculture, towns are more commercial and provide standard public services.

Additionally, although towns cannot easily expand their borders, villages typically have greater zoning authority. Implementing annexation with limited complications maintains the original purpose of the settlement. Towns, while they may eventually merge with surrounding areas, typically do so out of obligation to the state. This enables modernization and may be considered beneficial to some, while others prefer the more specialized function of villages.

Economy

Several traits that are characteristic of towns and villages are related to their economies. Both towns and villages, because of their small size, make specialized considerations when it comes to financial decisions. Villages, however, typically function with more freedom in this respect. They have the ability to establish tax incremental finance districts to advance revenue for more specific projects. Towns do not have this power, nor do their citizens have as much say in financial matters. Although villages have a wider array of options, it is not without a cost; residents of villages typically pay more taxes than those who live in towns.

Government

Governmental affairs in towns and villages are conducted with different underlying considerations. While both settlements are expected to require adherence to national laws, it is easier for villages to gain exemption from them. Citizens of villages also have the ability to participate directly in their government; for example, they are allowed to initiate ordinances. The degree of separation a village has from the state may explain their increased flexibility in such respects. Citizens of a town may prefer to focus improvement on a wider level.

Check out www.acardott.wordpress.com/tag/vagrancy-law/.

Again, these are only good ideas if you, the citizens, act. Form groups, talk to everyone you know about the gang wars on our streets. I truly believe Santa Cruz has a great detailed plan that is working. But I’ll leave that to the community powers that chose to act. For those of you that think these people belong here, say a prayer for the deputies that were injured, then take as many vagrants as you can home with you.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the two deputies and their families. This should have never happened. Why Garberville?

My next letter will address street vendors.

Thank you for your time.

Mike Martin

Garberville merchant