As a community of music lovers of all ages, many of us have followed our local symphony orchestra because of Michael Nowak, our orchestra's long beloved music director and symphony conductor for over 31 years. So we were all shocked when we heard, after bringing music to this community and to the Central Coast for so many years, he has been removed from his position as the soul of classical music. However, bewildered as we are by the board's action, rather than accuse or make this board a target of our anger, and as bereft as we are over Michael Nowak's dismissal, we passionately ask the board of directors to please reconsider its decision. He is irreplaceable.  The undersigned beseech this board to reinstate Michael Nowak as our city's and this county's personal music director and symphony conductor. We choose to state this as a personal plea because Michael Nowak has become for us a member of an extended family; so personal is this that many of us feel we have lost one of our own and indeed we have. But this board can change what it has undone today. Please, please, as a matter of community respect for those of us who have signed this petition, as well as respect for Michael Nowak, please reconsider your decision and reinstate our beloved music director and symphony conductor.