Letters to the Editor 4-28-16

Community forum
Editor: In last week’s Tribune, you might have seen a note from me announcing a series of Northern Sonoma community forums. Unfortunately, I somehow omitted the Healdsburg area meeting. Sorry about that. This meeting is set for Wednesday June 8, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Healdsburg Community Center. Hopefully you can join us.
James Gore, County Supervisor, Sonoma County’s Fourth District
Can’t find parking
Editor: I am writing in support of Rick Doss. Although I don’t frequent the Bear Republic, in days gone by I used to meet friends downtown, wherein we would buy Downtown Bakery sticky buns, get a cup of coffee and sit in the plaza and discuss retirement issues. It was one of those nice, small town things to do. Unfortunately, those days are gone as we can no longer find parking in the downtown area to facilitate our plans. Not a big time financial loss to the Downtown Bakery, but symptomatic of an issue that is impacting the quality of life in Healdsburg.
Vernon Simmons
Healdsburg
Irresponsible
Editor: It would be irresponsible to drop the growth management ordinance without having something in place to keep uncontrolled growth in check.
Stu Matlow
Healdsburg
Hospital volunteers
Editor: Become a hospital volunteer. It is a worthwhile and fun way to give back. The patients and staff of Healdsburg Hospital appreciate all that we do with just a few simple tasks. For example, refreshing water pitchers, passing out menus and helping patients fill them out, running errands for the staff nurses and cafeteria personnel. We also man the gift shop located in the lobby and hold two bake sales annually with the proceeds going towards scholarships for hospital employees and their medical careers.
Both men and women are needed. If you can give just a couple of four-hour shifts each month, you will be surprised how satisfying it is helping hospitalized neighbors as well as the hospital. If you are interested, please call 431-6500 and ask for the gift shop. You can leave a message with your name and number. You won’t be sorry. Volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.
Debbie Williams
Healdsburg Hospital Volunteer
Good work by committee
Editor: I wanted to acknowledge the great job the members of the Community Housing Committee and our City Council did over the last few weeks with regard to the Growth Management Ordinance (GMO). I left both meetings feeling proud of our little town and felt both the council and the housing committee actually listened to and acknowledged all the various viewpoints of our community in making their final decision. The real work starts now. I look forward to attending the upcoming housing committee meetings over the next few months as they fine tune the Housing Action Plan, which will be the foundation of the November ballot measure to modify the GMO. The GMO needs to be updated so we continue to have a place for families to grow and stay in our home town.
David Hagele
Healdsburg
Don’t scrap GMO
Editor: Scrapping the Growth Management Ordinance (GMO) instead of modifying it is not a good idea for Healdsburg residents. There seems to be a lot of pressure from developers to build market rate homes. The GMO has kept our town growing at a reasonable rate. The issue of affordable housing has been used to debate the GMO. The GMO has always allowed for any amount of affordable housing to be built. The profit to build these is less than market rate housing, so developers are pressuring the City Council to scrap the GMO. Please don’t let profit determine our city growth, a lot is at stake here. We need more apartments and infill in our town, not urban sprawl.
Vesna Breznikar
Healdsburg immigrant
Students’ success
Editor: On Saturday, April 23, Healdsburg High School hosted its second annual CARnival and first annual Street Fair. Nearly 100 car enthusiasts participated in the competition, and students’ work and HHS’ new buildings were showcased for the entire town to see. Families and community members enjoyed listening to the school band, tasting desserts made by the culinary students, watching short films, viewing wood-working projects and looking at student artwork, among other activities. We are proud that we were able to host such a terrific event, and we thank everyone for their tremendous support. We hope to see even more of you next year, as we continue to expand our program and support our students’ growth and success.
Lori Rhodes, HHS Principal
Healdsburg
Gonzalez family fundraiser
Editor: I would like to express my sincerest gratitude and appreciation to the hundreds of wonderful supporters who came together on April 17, making the fundraising event for the Gonzalez family such a special day. The tremendous outpouring from this generous community left me personally humbled, profoundly moved, and reminded me just how important it is for neighbors to unite offering strength, hope and support towards the challenges both Gonzalez boys and their family are conquering. The benefit luncheon was a huge success. On behalf of the Gonzalez family, friends, the Healdsburg Unified School District, Garden Creek Vineyards and so many volunteers, we thank the following:
Auria Correa, Jennifer Silva/parents Martha and Jose, DJ Fabian, Danise Salinas and Healdsburg Cheer Team, Bear Republic Brewing Company, Marcin, Jorge, owners and staff/Isaac Howell, HUSD, HHS Mayo Club/Ms. Hamilton, HHS students/staff volunteers. HEF/Dana Grande, Lynn Williams, Bill Halliday, Erika McGuire, Lori Rhodes, Michael Waters, Rob Baum, Karen Perez Photography, Mike Edwards, Nina Adams, HHS Team Main, Pamela Swan, Costeaux, Campo Fina, Annette/massage therapist, Top Nail Care, HRC, Bernardo Ruiz, Jorge Vázquez, Blanca Ávila, DK Embroidery/Marian, Jorge Vasquez, Sandra Aguado, Relish/Donna del Rey, Brent Mortensen, Tom Gore, Jim Cason, Rob Smith/Titan Security, HPD, Terry Silva, Bliss, Round Table, anonymous donors, businesses and Healdsburg citizens.
Special thanks to Karin Warnelius-Miller/Justin, Garden Creek Vineyards who have generously matched 100 percent of the funds raised at the event.
Nina Adams
Healdsburg
Oak Mound update
Editor: The Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society would once again like to thank the all those who have contributed to the restoration of the historic section of the Oak Mound Cemetery. Our most recent cleanup day saw 23 workers, donated by the farming community, remove another 160-plus yards of duff and debris.
Thanks to the following companies and individuals that were involved: Clendenen Vineyard Management, Grace Vineyard Management, Hopkins Vineyards, Petersen Land Management, Redwood Empire Vineyard Management, Robert Young Vineyards, RAWAH Vineyard Management, Rochioli Vineyards, Syar Family Vineyards and Tri-Valley Vineyard Management. Big John’s Market supplied lunch for the workers and The Ratto Group donated the debris boxes. I also want to thank my volunteers that day, Tim Tesconi and Meredith Dreisback.
If you have visited the cemetery lately you may have noticed that the central fountain, that was originally dedicated in 1876, has been removed for refurbishing. Thank you to Scott Cavallo of The Welding Shop who will be heading up the repairs and Joe Lickey of Denny’s Electric who helped with the dismantling and removal of the fountain. The Healdsburg Kiwanis Club was on site April 23 to work on the maintenance of the section they have adopted. If your club or organization would like to assist in maintaining the cemetery grounds, contact the Healdsburg Museum.
Jim Dreisback, Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society