Letters to the Editor 7-21-16

GMO forum next week
Editor: A community forum exploring Healdsburg’s November ballot measure to amend the city’s existing growth management ordinance will be held on Thursday, July 28 from 7 to 9p.m. at the Villa Chanticleer Annex, 1248 N. Fitch Mountain Rd. in Healdsburg. The event is sponsored by the Windsor/North County Democratic Club.
The current ordinance has been in place since 2000 and caps market rate units at 30 per year. The ballot question seeks to expand the annual number of units allowable in a combination of multi-family and single family housing. The forum will feature a panel of four Healdsburg residents with deep roots in the community. The panel will provide information as to what the revised ordinance contains and will offer two differing perspectives on how changes will affect the city.
Speaking in support of the ballot measure will be Tom Chambers, currently serving his third term on the Healdsburg City Council and his third term as mayor. Also speaking in support of the measure is Jim Brush, now retired from his public accounting firm in Healdsburg. He was recently named President and CEO of the Summit State Bank.
Jim Winston, who drafted the existing Growth Management Ordinance which was passed by voters in 2000, will present the perspective for maintaining the current ordinance. Gail Jonas, a retired attorney, favors keeping the current GMO in place while other solutions are sought to provide more affordable housing.
As Healdsburg has moved from a quiet agricultural community to a high end tourist destination, the complexities of growth regulation discussed at the forum should give those attending greater background to make an informed vote. The event is free and open to the public. For more information visit the Windsor/North County website at www.windsordemocrats.org.
Barry Hirsch
Windsor
Proud to serve
Editor: Editor: The July 7 issue of the Tribune highlighted a number of great community agencies that provide healthy and nutritious meals over the summer to students who typically rely on free and reduced lunch programs during the school year months. Given the scarcity of food, these students face health risks associated with undernourishment and hunger, which can mean these students are also more likely to fall further behind academically than their peers in the fall.
These are just a few of the reasons we at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County are so proud to be serving almost 200,000 healthy meals across Sonoma County this summer. We are equally proud to serve over 300,000 additional meals to our members during the school year, helping to ensure their health and development year-round.
Campers at each of our eight summer camps across the county, including 575 kids in Cloverdale, Healdsburg and Windsor, receive three balanced meals each day. These meals are important for both physical and academic development and ensure they are able to fully take advantage of the enrichment programs offered at our camps over the summer.
We are proud to highlight our tremendous partners who support the communities we serve through their contributions. Farm to Pantry often gives fresh fruits and vegetables in our Windsor, Geyserville and Healdsburg clubs, exposing our members to new, locally grown produce. Members participate in a garden program at our Cloverdale and Windsor clubhouses, growing fruits, vegetables and greens in their club gardens which is used in cooking programs. At our Windsor club, Cathy Matonak has been volunteering as the garden coordinator for the last seven years! Cathy’s program has educated and inspired countless local kids in growing your own food right in your own backyard.
Lastly, we would like to thank the Healdsburg Prune Packers and Pure Power Solutions for honoring our Healdsburg Club at the July 3 Prune Packers game. It was such a joy to have our 2016 Healdsburg Youth of the Year, Jackie Martinez, throw out the first pitch and have another club member participate as a bat boy for the game. What fun.
Parke Hafner, Vice Chair Development and Jennifer Weiss, Chief Executive Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County
Healdsburg spirit
Editor: Kent Mitchell’s passing is leaving behind a huge hole in our Healdsburg heart. He had that Healdsburg spirit – the magic that gets into your blood and DNA. You become part of the people, agricultural lands, our Plaza, our Fitch Mountain trails, and ever changing river – a true point of reference of the Healdsburg spirit.
It shows up in your walk – no limitations to age, gender, titles or upbringing. In your talk – telling it like it is, straight up, mixing it up, talking smack, using jocularity, being real, while enduring friendships (or challenging adversaries). He was always expressing his love for Healdsburg through his broad range of community involvement; defending it, supporting it, protecting it.
I’ll be seeing him in my mind’s eye for years to come. His standard line to me when in a crowd: “Hey Ted, when’d you get out (jail)?” I’m thankful to have known him as a Healdsburg brother.
Ted Calvert
Healdsburg
Ending the year on a high note
Editor: There was a time a while back when locals in Healdsburg celebrated New Year’s Eve at the Villa. Many people will remember the celebrations with dancing and themes. In today’s newspaper, people will find the advertisement about New Year’s Eve coming back to the Villa in Healdsburg and the website to buy tickets.
There are many people and many businesses that support the great community service groups in this city. Throughout the year, thousands of dollars are raised to help people in need, children, and provide scholarships.
The Healdsburg Kiwanis decided that we would bring back New Year’s Eve so the city could celebrate the past year of achievements together. We are going to have Ken Rochioli and his team cater a plated meal with dancing and celebration to follow (limited to the first 200 people to sign up), and we are inviting an additional 100 people to sign up as night owls that would arrive after dinner for dancing and celebration.
The Harvest Band will be on stage getting us on the dance floor with their rock and roll, soul and Motown music. For the people signing up to have dinner, there will be a surprise dinner show. Let’s all celebrate (wearing our cocktail attire only) what all of us have accomplished as a community in 2016, as we bring back the tradition of New Year’s Eve at the Villa.
The theme of the night will be Midnight in Times Square and the money raised will be going toward scholarships and the many other children focused events that the Healdsburg Kiwanis help throughout the year.
Susan Sheehy
President, Healdsburg Kiwanis