Letters to the Editor 9-22-16

Don’t trust council
Editor: On a chock-full ballot in November, Healdsburg residents are being asked to trust the city council alone with the development of our community. Behind the idea to remove the Growth Management Ordinance (GMO) are three city council members, devoted free market adherents, one with a developable parcel adjacent to the railroad and the Central Healdsburg Avenue Special Study Area, who stands to benefit personally from lifting the cap. While all three are dedicated to the city of Healdsburg, as well as kind, intelligent and thoughtful men, their idea of putting Healdsburg development back into the hands of just three councilmembers chills us to the bone.
According to the city of Healdsburg’s own housing element assessment, there are approximately 600 existing parcels available for development before we bump into the Urban Growth Boundary. The city’s proposed Housing Action Plan, in conjunction with terminating the existing GMO, intends to develop 70 market-rate units each year, equaling 420 market-rate units in the first six-year period alone. That number, 420, does not include any affordable housing or secondary dwelling units that may be built as well. In fewer than 12 years, there would be no more parcels left to develop. Would they then turn their eyes to further expansion by amending the Urban Growth Boundaries?
We say stop. The Chamber of Commerce and the City of Healdsburg have done a wonderful job selling Healdsburg as a wine and food destination, bringing visitors and new buyers from far and wide, sending prices soaring. Please understand that housing is a challenge across the entire Bay Area, including those cities without GMOs. Who do we trust with Healdsburg’s future: three development-minded city council members or voters dedicated to responsible, sustainable growth?
We’re delighted to share with the community that No on R is endorsed by the Sonoma County Democratic Party, Sonoma County Conservation Action, Service Employees International Union 1021, Citizens for a Better Sonoma County, Healdsburg Citizens for Responsible Growth, the Healdsburg Fair Rent Group, and Healdsburg Citizens for Sustainable Solutions.
Do you really want to place Healdsburg’s future in the hands of just three individuals sitting on the city council? We say trust the voters. Please vote no on R.
Jim Winston and Ann Carranza
Healdsburg
Beth for HUSD
Editor: Cindy Beth has committed most of her adult life to making a difference in the future of our children. She sincerely deserves our support to continue her effort. I’m honored, therefore, to endorse Cindy as an exceptionally qualified candidate for the Healdsburg Unified School District (HUSD) Governing Board of Trustees.
As a third-generation resident and mother of two, she has extensive experience as a local parent volunteer. Altogether, she has worked thousands of hours in support of the Healdsburg Community Nursery School, the Alexander Valley School Parent Club, Alexander Valley 4-H, Healdsburg Junior High PTO, HHS Boosters, HHS FFA and multiple class committees. She has been a member of the HHS Governance Council for three years and a member of the HUSD Measure E Bond Oversight Committee.
Over the past six years, I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Cindy during her tenure as the President of Healdsburg Little League (HLL). I’ve observed her to be an intelligent, collaborative and highly effective leader. During this time, she successfully managed HLL’s integral participation in the renovation of Recreation Park’s grandstands and infield turf while leading what I believe to be an outstanding youth sports program. These firsthand experiences motivate my support of Cindy.
We are fortunate that Cindy Beth remains committed to supporting our youth, this time as a potential member of the HUSD Governing Board of Trustees. I urge you to vote for her this November.
Denny Drowty
Healdsburg
Our housing crisis
Editor: I continue to hear about confusion from some voters as to what Measure R will do if it is passed and what will happen if it does not pass. The vocal proponents of a no vote on Measure R are promoting this as an Armageddon level battle and are pulling out all stops to demonize the citizens, city staff, and the city council who worked to craft the new Housing Ordinance/Housing Action Plan and are prophesizing our town’s total destruction at the hands of greedy developers and evil local business owners.
I am seeing long term friendships dissolving, ongoing Facebook and other social media confrontations and the maligning of people daily. This is something I thought I’d never see in our community. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but be sure to educate yourself on the arguments on both sides.
I support a yes vote on Measure R and I am the chairman of the committee who is working toward that goal. The key question going forward, and is at the real heart of this ballyhoo, “Do we have a housing crises or not?” And is Healdsburg serving the housing needs of our community?
I say it is not meeting the need. Young families, couples and individuals earning incomes over the Affordable Housing income cut off are not able to afford to rent or buy a home here. There has not been a market rate apartment project built since the GMO was passed 16 years ago. It is obvious to me that our town is losing this middle group to other cities. We need to address this shortage and I firmly believe that Measure R with the Housing Action Plan documents that were crafted by many citizens over the last year will accomplish this goal.
I encourage everyone to go back and read Jeff Civian’s commentary in the September 1, 2016 Tribune. Jeff, in a very articulate manner, lets us know what is at stake. Vote yes on Measure R.
Mark Decker
Healdsburg
Free the pool
Editor: Hot again. It’s 97 degrees today, but my son and wife can’t swim in the local pool because the city of Healdsburg and Park and Rec declared that summer was over on Aug. 20.
Free the pool. I’ve signed the petition going around to get the swim center open and keep it open. Hopefully everyone has signed or will. I can’t take my family to the pool. They go five days a week during the summer and it is still summer. What’s up?
Seth Lewers
Healdsburg
Support the river
Editor: I would like to thank Supervisor James Gore for his Confluence Initiative … paddling the entire length of the Russian River with our Riverkeeper, Don McEnhill and LandPaths ED, Craig Anderson. The Confluence Initiative was created to begin a conversation along the entire length of the Russian River between all the different stakeholders that rely on the river.
His commitment is going to lead to a new wholistic approach to how we listen and learn what is truly needed for our urban and rural communities to thrive along with the rich biodiversity that make their home along the river.
To this end, the Board of Supervisors have extended the comment period, and thus this important conversation, that has begun as a result of the Low Flow / Fish Protection EIR recently proposed by the Sonoma County Water Agency.
As witnessed by the large turnout at last week’s Board of Supervisor meeting, the EIR has stirred a lot of emotion and passion regarding the longterm health of our river and tourism sector from Healdsburg to Jenner. The EIR, for sure, is faulty and one-sided, not the multi-sided wholistic approach that is now being looked at by Supervisor Gore and others.
On Saturday, September 24, the second annual Russian River Awards Gala to benefit the Russian Riverkeeper is being held at Shone Farms, beginning at 4 p.m. It’s always a fun event, celebrating our county’s most precious resource. Attendees will find a fresh local farm-to-table meal from A La Heart Catering; local craft beer from Russian River Brewing Co and Lagunitas; local organic and biodynamic wine from Preston, DaVero, Truett Hurst, Hawley and more; alive auction by Senator McGuire and a silent auction filled with local whiskeys, gift certificates, exclusive experiences, romantic getaways and more we aren’t going to reveal yet; live music out on the patio by local musicians; and an awards ceremony for those extraordinary businesses and individuals who love our watershed. (The river loves you back)
Tickets can be purchased at riverawards
gala.eventbrite.com. See you there.
Larry Laba
Russian River Adventures, Healdsburg