Community Support for the Petaluma Asphalt Plant

Community leaders and Petaluma area residents support the Dutra Materials Haystack Project for many reasons. The following are a sampling of quotes from various letters and emails sent by community leaders, companies, organizations, and area residents to the Board of Supervisors and/or the City of Petaluma supporting the project. Click here to add your support

“My family and I have lived in Petaluma for 34 years. Our children were raised in Petaluma and have gone to Petaluma schools. Dutra has operated in south Petaluma for 20 years. In all the years we have lived in this community, we have never heard of one single health issue directly tied to the Dutra operations along Petaluma Boulevard South. I see no downside, and many benefits, to the Dutra plant being operated in Petaluma. My vote is yes on Dutra and a local asphalt plant for Petaluma.”
Jan Curry

“When Bill Clinton got elected, he did it on one line "Its the economy stupid".  I want everyone who is opposing the Dutra Plant to take a breath and remember that we need industry, jobs and road maintenance. Asphalt can't be mail ordered- you actually have to produce it where you want to use it because it has to be hot to spread on the road.”
Patricia Hidy

“The Plant uses the river for means of transportation, which is part of the industrial and commercial business use. So, by keeping the local businesses using the river the US Army Corp Engineers will take care of Dredging the river. This will save the tax payers a lot of money. I know a lot of money was spent for flood control in the Payran area. And I'm thinking that it will not function properly without the proper dredging of the lower area of the Petaluma River. I really support the running of the Dutra Asphalt Plant to help start our own economic stimulant.”
Denise and Jeffrey Holtz

“Are we really going to allow scare tactics to influence Petaluma Citizens and Elected Officials? I believe our community deserves better. Asphalt is needed in all of our everyday lives-cars drive on asphalt, as well as bikes, skateboards and strollers.”
Marissa Miller

“This project makes perfect sense. A local resource for construction materials will continue to save us tax payers millions of dollars while helping reduce carbon footprints. This is the type of project we should all be encouraging. My vote is YES for Dutra and a local asphalt plant.”
Lori Baker

“Seems to me that having an asphalt plant in Petaluma , along the river, would prove to be useful for the City and County.  Taxpayer dollars would go further in construction jobs throughout the county because the costs for hauling asphalt would be minimal and the City of Petaluma would have an easier time justifying dredging the river when barges will be used to bring materials to the site.”
Gail Caughie

“Petaluma River owes its very existence to businesses such as Dutra. Without Dutra and others the Army Corps of Engineers would not dredge the river and soon it would be choked by silt and entirely useless. The river has been used by wild life and businesses since the first boats came up the river from the bay in the 1800s. People have not always been kind to the area, but the wild life did not go away in nearly two centuries. Why should it be any more impacted by the movement of Dutra to Haystack landing, any more than it has been by other uses on the river area?”
Derrick Storie

“The Santa Rosa City Council needs to pay full attention to the problems of those within our own city limits. With a full plate I want our council members working on Santa Rosa issues and not straying all over the county. I am hopeful the Dutra application will be given a fair shake.”
Debbie West

“Why can’t we have a discussion of the issues without disparaging our neighbors? In our opinion, the Dutra’s, a long-time family business, have provided a service to our community while remaining responsive to environmental concerns. Shouldn’t we leave character assassination on the sidelines while we discuss the pros and cons of the plant?”
Erik and Patty Bruce

“Millions of dollars are saved annually by reducing the trucking costs for projects that require countless tons of asphalt. I have read that the local construction companies employ close to 1,000 people. In these tough economic times, when many business are closing their doors, isn’t an opportunity to cut costs by having a local source seem like the right thing to do? I support the Dutra Asphalt Plant!”
Christine Hoberg


Click here to join in Supporting the Dutra Materials Haystack Project

“I have been reading a lot about the Dutra plant in Petaluma and with great interest on both sides of the argument. One thing that jumps out at me is how little people understand the need for asphalt in our community and everywhere else. Last time I checked the roads I drive on, the pathways I use, playgrounds and dozens of other important places we all utilize, are built of asphalt. I think this project is a win-win for the Petaluma community and Sonoma County. I am hopeful the Board of Supervisors will hold their vote of support!”
Tonya Moore

“I am a resident of Sonoma County for over 50 years. I watch with disappointment the debates over new construction of almost anything, and I am struck by the misinformation, and misrepresentation of so-called “facts”, that is being injected into the debates.

This seems to be a logical, environmentally correct, and economically sound idea The new site being on the Petaluma River allows raw materials to be barged in to make the asphalt and other road building products so needed to maintain our infrastructure”
John Bly

“The barging of materials will reduce truck traffic and vehicle traffic on our highways further reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The approval of this Project will provide a continued local source of asphalt production and recycling for public works and private projects that are important for the community”
Northern California Engineering Contractors Association

“I am writing to express my support for the Dutra Materials project at Haystack Landing. I have been somewhat bombarded this past week with requests to help "Save Shollenberger Park" by very well meaning friends but on this issue I have to take the "other side" so to speak. Many of the statements being made are gravely unsupported by the facts and that does our community a disservice. I urge you to vote YES on the project and thank you for your consideration.”
Lesley Cannan

“This project is a relocation of an existing plant that has been operating for over 20 years at a nearby location. The new facility will allow for cleaner, more efficient and environmentally friendly state-of-the-art operations that will allow the construction industry to buy materials from a local company at a lower price. To me it’s a win, win; the community gets a greener plant and we get more affordable local goods.”
Damon Calegari
4th Generation Petaluman

“As for the life safety of those traveling on Highway 101, our fire house situated at the Dutra site is optimum and must be carefully evaluated as this matter is considered further by the County Supervisors.”
San Antonio Volunteer Fire Company
Richard Borders & Brian Perry, Members - Board of Directors
Jerry Corda, Fire Chief
Ron Pomi, Assistant Fire Chief


Click here to join in Supporting the Dutra Materials Haystack Project

“The Dutra Asphalt plant will produce much needed jobs in Petaluma; produce much needed material for road improvements at a lower cost while keeping a business in Petaluma that has proven to be a good community partner. In this economic downturn, we need to help businesses that add to the sustainability of our county thrive and remember that sustainability means providing all the resources needed, be it asphalt or parks or jobs. North Bay Leadership Council supports the Dutra Asphalt plant because we support improving transportation, wise spending of taxpayer funds and the need to create new jobs.”
Cynthia L. Murray, President & CEO
North Bay Leadership Council
"Employers committed to regional prosperity and quality of life."

“As a mom, protecting our environment is a priority. I support the new asphalt plant because pavement is a part of my everyday life and my family and I depend on it daily when we ride our bikes on paved paths, take walks on the sidewalk or drive to school - moving to a new facility that is more efficient and environmentally friendly seems to me to be the very best long term option for our community so the infrastructure we rely on can be maintained from a greener local source.”
Patricia Salyers, Petaluma

“This project is a boon to the community and the environment because it takes trucks off the road reducing Greenhouse Gas improving our air quality. It will help continue to provide low cost asphalt, recycle existing concrete and asphalt we greatly need as well as provide jobs to the local economy. The City Council initially was in favor of the project and wrote a letter of support indicating the great need for the project to serve Petaluma’s infrastructure needs. Now, after last minute political maneuvering, the City Council switches its position. The City Council’s concerns were addressed by the County staff and additional Conditions of Approval.

This project has highlighted the worst in Petaluma politics with naysayers who cloak themselves in the guise of environmentalists when in reality are pushing their own private political agenda. With the budget crisis before the City of Petaluma, the Council needs to explain how they intend to come up with the $2.5 million dollars annually to fund the extra cost of trucking in asphalt for roads if the project doesn’t move forward. We, the voters, deserve the answer if they are going to continue to play politics instead of doing what is best to keep Petaluma’s infrastructure up and be fiscally sound.”
Former City Councilman Mike O’Brien

“The Haystack Landing Asphalt Plant and Recycling Project’s new location will maintain traffic on the Petaluma River, guaranteeing continued funding by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of up to $4 million every 4 years for dredging. This is more important than most people know; it will protect against flooding and preserve the river for commercial and recreational use.”
Ed Brush, Petaluma


Click here to join in Supporting the Dutra Materials Haystack Project

“A local asphalt company will save tax payers an estimated $2.5 million per year in trucking costs – this savings will help ensure local construction jobs on public works and highway projects. I support new construction jobs and the new asphalt plant.”
Clara Franco
Petaluma Resident

“On behalf of North Bay Construction and its 250+ Sonoma County Employees I write you this message to urge you to issue the permit for Dutra Materials Haystack Landing Asphalt Plant in Petaluma. This project has undergone extensive environmental review and is subject to specific conditions and measures that will ensure proper protection of air quality, the ecosystem of the Petaluma River area, adjacent wetlands and species habitat while providing a much needed local source of asphalt products and recycling products required for future public works projects. Again, North Bay Construction and all of its local employees strongly request your support and approval of Dutra Materials Haystack Landing project.”
Steve Geney, President North Bay Construction

“As the City and County face tough budget decisions, it makes fiscal sense to have such a local source when calculating costs for a project. As a citizen and registered voter I would ask no less of my city and county governments.”
Doris Laul. Petaluma

“We need reliable, affordable construction materials to support Sonoma County strategic initiatives. This proposed asphalt plant is one of many needed to help meet the goals of reducing traffic congestion, improving road maintenance, reducing County costs and reducing carbon emissions.”
Willie McDevitt
President, North Coast Builders Exchange

“I wanted to be a voice for those of us not getting swayed by the hysteria of people in a well organized faction clamoring for the vote against the Dutra Asphalt Plant. Not that I'm a fan of asphalt plants in general, but I don't like the bad information that is being blatantly pushed on the public. I realize that a near-by plant is better than a far away plant for doing local jobs, for hiring local workers, and for contributing to the all important commercial tonnage numbers on the river.”
Alice Forsyth, Petaluma

“Trucking asphalt longer distances increases costs, greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion. This proposed asphalt plant will help reduce the number of trucks on Highway 101 and improve road maintenance while reducing County costs and carbon emissions.”
Brian Gilardi

“I was disappointed to read, in the Argus Courier today, that our city council opposed the
building of the Asphalt plant. With the losses of business in our community, I believe the
building of the plant in this location is the most logical, and green. It has river access, easy freeway access and would "pave" the way for improving our roads, some of the worst in the country. The provocative full page ad in the paper is full of half truths,"7/24 hour operation", is only one of them.”
Pamela and Peter Bertagnolli, Petaluma

“I am writing you to strongly endorse the approval and full permitting of Dutra Materials' proposed Haystack Landing Asphalt Plant and River Barge Unloading Facility, on the bank of the Petaluma River. My primary reasons for advocating for this project are: (1) It would minimize existing negative environmental impacts, (2) It exemplifies efficiency in bulk materials transport, (3) It will greatly reduce the costs of all public and private road construction and reconstruction projects south of Rohnert Park, and (4) It will be a boon to Petaluma's struggling local economy.”
J. Douglas Hamilton, Petaluma