Sanctuary
EDITOR: (a statement to the Healdsburg City Council)
My name is Lisa Steinkamp, and I am an immigrant.
My grandfather was an officer in the Wehrmacht. He was killed in 1939, fighting for a man who had promised to relieve the burden of poverty and repression for the common people of Germany. My grandmother raised her two children alone and starving in a war she did not understand. As an atheist and a liberal, she thought the leader of her country was demented.
This is the leader who sold his hatred as hope for the poorest citizens of his country, promising Germany First! in the rebuilding of a great nation.
The free press was called “Lügenpresse” which directly translates to “fake press.”
The free judiciary eroded with no place for independent judges who were not aligned with the ideology of the leader.
Specific groups of immigrants were blamed for major problems in society and a special task force rounded up these enemies of the state by “Schutzhaft,” protective custody. Prisons and camps were to rid the nation of this problem.
It all sounds so familiar.
My grandmother watched this unfold and did nothing, deeply regretting it for the rest of her life.
We in this community however, are in a position to act. We can take a stance for what is good and right by making our city a sanctuary, or a safe haven, if you prefer.
Time is of an essence. The roundups have begun, and people across this nation are being detained and deported. Judge James Robart was shamed for disagreeing with the president, who declared the court system to be “a threat to national security.” The attacks on the press are ongoing, and white supremacy and hate crimes are surging since the election.
No, we are not the Third Reich. Far from it. But there are too many parallels to close our eyes and look away. You, members of the city council, don’t want to be in a situation in which your grandchildren ask you in years to come why you did nothing, when you were in the unique situation to do so. Please don’t let your answer be that it was because you were worried about the potential loss of funding. Our roads, bridges and buildings can be repaired in four years, our hearts and communities cannot.
I respectfully ask you to consider these statements and adopt an amended resolution to keep everyone living in our town safe.
Lisa Steinkamp
Healdsburg
Dine Around another success
EDITOR: The annual Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce Holiday Dine Around was once again a wonderful success. Thank you to all of the participants, both new and seasoned, who made this event a part of their holiday tradition. We are so grateful for our restaurant partners including Barndiva, Bravas, SHED, Spoonbar, Willi’s, Campo Fina, Mateo’s, Persimmon, Siduri, Dry Creek Kitchen, Baci Café, Café Lucia, Costeaux, Guiso, the Downtown Winewalk Tasting Rooms and our restaurant coordinator, Lori Moore. Your generosity allows us to make donations to the Healdsburg Food Pantry and to the North County Consortium. The Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce Dine Around is a local tradition. Mark your calendars for December 6, 7, 13 and 14, 2017. It’ll be here before you know it.
Carla Howell, Executive Director
Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau
