Letters to the Editor 5-5-16

Change is inevitable
Editor: I could not help but think of our dear Healdsburg while reading one of the letters in “The Economist” this week. And I paraphrase liberally: “(Healdsburg’s) very reluctance to build changes it, just as surely as a construction boom would do.” I love our little town as much as so many of you. But time marches on, and it will change … no matter what we do.
James Dolan
Healdsburg
Roundabout lottery
Editor: Thanks for your article on the roundabout coming to Healdsburg. You point to a City Council approved contract of $10.3 million. I am curious as to what the total budget for our famous roundabout is and more importantly to track what the actual cost will be. I am suggesting a lottery as to what the final cost will be. A grand prize should be awarded to the closest guess as to what final cost will be.
Bill Konrad
Healdsburg
Parking suggestions
Editor: Problem: parking downtown. Potential solution: change the free parking time in the downtown area from the current three hours to one hour. This would apply to the plaza and one block away from the plaza. It would also apply to the municipal parking area and the area around the old steel building. Outside this area area the free parking could be increased as seen appropriate.
The key is enforcement. This could be done with chalking the tires, using digital pictures to note license numbers and times or even computer scanning of license plates. These restrictions would apply from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outside of these hours the regular three-hour free parking would apply. Long term parking could be provided at outlying lots such as the Villa, park and ride, etc. with bus transportation to downtown provided by the city at a charge or by the employer.
To ease the rush, SoFi and other large employers could stagger their working hours to ease the rush at specific times. There is no need to have three hour parking in the commercial zone and employees should adjust to support patrons that support their businesses.
Vernon Simmons
Healdsburg
Public servants
Editor: Public Service Recognition Week is May 1 through May 7. Let’s remember our public servants in the federal, state and local governments. Many of the people who work in public service work behind the scenes where we don’t think of them on a daily basis.
Whether it is a meteorologist working for the National Weather Service, a public health nurse working with families to promote their health or a volunteer fireman who is always on call and donates his time to the community, they help keep our society working together. Let’s not forget the vital services they provide to our community at all levels.
Linda Robinett, Secretary Chapter 53 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees, Sebastopol
Challenge to city
Editor: There has been much discussion regarding the parking situation in Healdsburg, which is a real concern. Another recent concern is when, or if, the SMART train is coming to town. I issue a challenge to our city council to make a strong effort to actually do something significant to increase parking for shoppers and employees who work in town.
Next to the train tracks is the old Purity Chemical building, which the dirt area alongside is used as a parking area for a few lucky people if a space can be found. As has been repeatedly said, this site would make an excellent location for a multistory parking garage. A modest hourly or daylong rate would provide revenue to offset the cost of construction and maintenance.
This garage would accomplish two important things. It would greatly add parking for shoppers and employees of the stores in town. Additionally it would be absolutely necessary if or when the train comes to Healdsburg. It would provide day parking and encourage people to use the train, especially because they would not have the issue of finding parking nearby. A modest covered depot with seating provided by the train could be incorporated easily into the structure. This might actually give the SMART train additional incentive to push to Healdsburg as it would most likely increase passengers for the train. Residents, employees, shoppers are not interested why this can’t be accomplished. The question for our city management is “Why isn’t this being done?”
James Reed
Healdsburg
Taking too long
Editor: I enjoyed the columns by Rollie and Amato in last week’s paper. They were both about how long it takes to build anything by the government in Sonoma County. The SMART train is a joke. It’s been eight years since we passed the initiative. The casino is up and running in Rohnert Park in less time.
And the roundabout to take 16 months to build is also a joke. They built the Empire State Building in 13 months and under budget. I still can’t believe how long it took to get Memorial Bridge rebuilt, and it is just as narrow as ever. Fun to live in an amusement park. If motivated I’m sure the roundabout could be built in a week.
Tim McGraw
Healdsburg
Bike tour thanks
Editor: Thank you to everyone who participated in the 30th annual Healdsburg Bike Tour. You’ll notice we dropped the “Harvest” since we changed the date to April. We heard a lot of favorable comments from the riders who had done the July event in the past, that the course was so green, and there was even  some water in the creeks. It was nice to show off Healdsburg in another season. I personally would like to thank the following Healdsburg businesses for their wonderful and generous response to our sponsorship request; Bear Republic Brewing, Redwood Moving and Storage, Portalupi Wines, Williamson Wines, Geyser Peak Winery, Acorn Winery, Thumbprint Cellars, Syar Family Vineyards, River Rock Casino, Starbucks Coffee, Bright Rentals and So Eventful.
I would also like to thank all of our volunteers who helped with the heavy lifting and coordination that an event such as this requires. Most importantly, I would like to thank my staff, Charlene Staten, Aleena Decker, and Christine Hyde for all of their support and hard work through the event.  It was a major task tackling a new date, a new venue and food trucks, and we did it.
Carla Howell, Executive Director, Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau