From:
Subject: RE: Agenda Request: Sebastopol Resolution: Ceasefire in Gaza Date: Saturday, March 16, 2024 12:24:00 PM
Good morning Woody
I have checked the emails and searched on your name and agenda title and I do not see that the March 11th email was received. I have forwarded today’s email to the Council.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you
Mary Gourley
Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
7120 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Phone: 707-823-1153
Please note that email correspondence with the City of Sebastopol, along with any attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt.
From: Woody Hastings
Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2024 12:18 PM
To: Mary Gourley <[email protected]>; City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Agenda Request: Sebastopol Resolution: Ceasefire in Gaza Hi Mary,
I never received any confirmation that this email, sent on March 11, was received. Can you please confirm?
Thanks,
-Woody
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Woody Hastings <
Date: Mon, Mar 11, 2024 at 10:13 PM
Subject: Agenda Request: Sebastopol Resolution: Ceasefire in Gaza To: <[email protected]>
Dear Mayor Rich, Vice Mayor Zollman, and Council Members, I am writing to urge the Sebastopol City Council to place on the agenda and adopt a ceasefire resolution regarding the ongoing death and suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. As a 15-year resident of the greater Sebastopol community, I believe it is imperative for Sebastopol to take a formal stance on this issue and advocate for peace and justice in the Middle East and everywhere.
The reason I am writing today is that I filed my income taxes last night. As I was doing that, I was thinking about how much of my tax dollars go to Israel for weaponry. Israel has been a major recipient of U.S. aid for a long time, receiving at least $3.8 billion annually. That means Sebastopol residents pay about $117,844 per year according to notmytaxdollars.org. There are proposals in Congress requesting $14 billion more -- over 3.6 times the annual amount, so for taxpayers living in Sebastopol that could mean paying an additional $424,000.
Innocent lives are being lost, homes and communities destroyed, and families torn apart. It is heartbreaking to witness the violence continue without an end in sight. As a community nicknamed "PeaceTown" that values compassion and justice, we must not remain silent in the face of such atrocities. By adopting a ceasefire resolution, Sebastopol can join Cotati and other cities in California and across the country in calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages, and the initiation of diplomatic efforts.
By taking a proactive stance on this issue, Sebastopol will set another example for other communities and encourage broader engagement in the pursuit of peace. Our voices matter, you, in your role as mayor and council members, amplify our voices, and by speaking out against violence and advocating for dialogue and reconciliation, we can contribute to the collective efforts to end the suffering in Gaza.
Once again, I urge you to prioritize this matter for discussion on an upcoming agenda and adopt a ceasefire resolution. Let's have Sebastopol stand on the right side of history and humanity and work toward a future where peace and justice prevail over violent conflict.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Sincerely,
Woody Hastings
Sebastopol 95472