Ag Boosters event
EDITOR: The Healdsburg FFA Ag Boosters will host a summer “Shrimp Boil and Bluegrass” to support the FFA members of Healdsburg. On behalf of the FFA Ag Boosters, we would appreciate your support by joining us or donating to our silent and live auctions. The evening is scheduled for June 24, from 4-8 p.m. at Richard’s Grove at Saralee’s Vineyard in Windsor.
The proceeds from this auction will enable the FFA Ag Boosters to support the Healdsburg High School Agriculture Department and FFA chapter. The proceeds directly impact the program and its students so they may develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. Money raised in previous years has allowed the Ag Boosters to award scholarships to FFA members, sponsor awards and support personal development programs such as leadership retreats, skill development and leadership conferences as well as the National FFA Convention held in Indiana.
We would greatly appreciate any contribution. Specifically, we would welcome donations of gift certificates or auction items. The Healdsburg FFA Ag Boosters is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization. In addition to your donation, we would like to promote your business at our auction and welcome any promotional items to be placed on the banquet and item display tables.
Thank you for your consideration of our request. Your contribution would be of great service to our organization and a benefit to students enrolled in the agriculture program at Healdsburg High School. If you would like to discuss more opportunities for donations, please do not hesitate to contact us. Contact Sally at 592-8878 or ps******@so***.net.
John Azevedo, FFA Ag Boosters
Healdsburg
A silver lining
EDITOR: As Ray Holley mentions in his March 30 Main Street column, there is a bit of construction activity taking place in our town. The combination of the roundabout and the H3 Guesthouse in addition to the other smaller construction projects all taking place simultaneously in one concentrated area is quite extensive. My family owns Café Lucia, a mom and pop restaurant located in the Deas Building on Healdsburg Avenue just north of the roundabout and immediately adjacent to the H3 project.
We are not alone in worrying that the recently reported delay for the roundabout could prove catastrophic for some of the smaller businesses in the area without the resources of other investments or outside investors. We admit that once these projects are behind us, our business will benefit. However, there is a bit of a climb between now and then. If you have dined at Café Lucia and keep coming back with your friends and family, we sincerely thank you. If you are avoiding the downtown area due to construction, please remember that some of these businesses are owned by local families and neighbors.
We happen to live on a “first name” street in Healdsburg and received one of those letters that Ray refers to about street repair in old neighborhoods. While we find ourselves dealing with another construction project and the accompanying noise, construction trucks, orange cones and street signs, we also get to see the joy on the faces of the neighborhood kids as they take in the show — all from the comfort of our favorite chairs while enjoying our morning coffee. Every cloud has a silver lining.
Lucia and Tracy Fincher
Healdsburg
Honor the voters
EDITOR: The contentious and divisive presidential campaign of 2016 emotionally spilled over to local politics in the form of Measure R, the housing measure that deeply divided the residents of Healdsburg. The election saw the voters defeat Measure R by a large majority of roughly 60 percent. The election also saw Gary Plass, a 12-year city council member, voted out of his seat and two new candidates elected, Joe Naujokus and David Hagele.
The fallout continued with the resignation of councilman Eric Ziedrich because of his staunch backing of Measure R and the voters’ rejection of it, leaving an empty city council seat that now needs to be filled.
Leah Gold, a former mayor and city councilwoman of Healdsburg, saw the voting results, recognized that voters wanted change and offered to be part of that change. She stepped up to fill the vacant seat, submitting a petition of support that was signed by over 350 residents.
However, the city council decided to temporarily fill the seat with recently defeated member Gary Plass, and to hold a special election to let the voters decide again.
On June 6, this special election will be held to fill the vacated city council seat. I hope the voters will again choose change and elect Leah Gold.
RD Boyda
Healdsburg
