Letters to the Editor 7-2-15

Renters forced out
Editor: In the early 70s, Healdsburg was a town with less than 8,000 people. We recall going to the supermarket and spending an hour in the store, not because we were buying groceries but because we came across a relative or a neighbor to catch up on the latest news.  This was Healdsburg when everyone knew each other. We walk into the store now and we barely know a single person that is shopping. This quaint town that we love, live and work in is now being taken over by outsiders with money. It is increasingly obvious that Healdsburg is focused on filling this town with elitists. This must be the reason why renters are being forced from their homes so they can be rented to people from the bay area as weekend homes. I believe these rentals will eventually be torn down and new expensive home will be erected in their place.What other reason makes sense when rents are raised by $650 to single parent households as well as disabled renters? The term “greed” comes to mind. These rentals are by no means beautiful homes, and many improvements were made by these renters at their own expense. Where are these folks expected to find an affordable home here in Healdsburg? This is a good question for the city council members who hopefully are here to help protect the long time taxpaying citizens of this community.
Ken and Suzie Buchignani
Healdsburg
Tuesdays going to the dogs?
Editor: We attend most of the Tuesday evening music series and have noticed this year there is a growing presence of people with dogs. This includes people sitting on the plaza with their pets as well as those just walking through with dogs on leashes. We are not against owning dogs (we have two) but fear this could be a real problem in the making. For example, a large muscular pit bull recently had to be held tightly by his owner when other dogs went by. We think it would be good for the city to take a number of steps to remind all attendees about the request to keep dogs at home on Tuesdays:
1. Send email messages to the community with the reminder about dogs not belonging at the music series.
2. Update website and related promotional materials to make this notice more prominent.
3. Post large and obvious “Please leave dogs at home” signs at each sidewalk entrance to the plaza on Tuesdays.
Lastly, all who attend these events should also remind our fellow neighbors that a dog’s place is better at home. It may take a week or two for people to get the message, but the current situation needs to be addressed in order to protect the safety and well-being of concert attendees.
Bill Carney / Scott Monroe
Healdsburg
Mickey’s water is clean
Editor: In the article on filling swimming pools last week a comment was made that begs a correction. Mark Millan of Data Instincts, who I know and respect, was quoted in a way that insinuates that Disneyland serves tertiary-treated wastewater when people drink water there. We know that the water there is either typical So-Cal imported water from Colorado, or Northern California or water from the Orange County Groundwater Replenishment System. The Orange County system takes tertiary-treated wastewater and treats it with reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation to remove the hundreds or more unidentified compounds that are present in tertiary-treated water. That water is drinkable and I’ve been to the plant and drank water right off the end of the RO plant. It is not the same as tertiary-treated water or membrane filtered water like Healdsburg’s plant produces, it is cleaner than the rain that falls on our state. Knowing Mark, I would guess he did not mean to confuse tertiary wastewater treatment with reverse osmosis – it is like comparing crude oil to gasoline, one is far more refined. While there are hundreds of safe uses for tertiary-treated water, drinking water is not on that list.
Don McEnhill
Russian Riverkeeper
Healdsburg
Thanks for 23 years
Editor: Bistro Ralph opened July 1, 1992, 23 years ago this week. The ride has been rewarding beyond any expectations I might have had. Reflecting through the years on all the customers, staff members, and purveyors that have contributed to its success is an inspiration in itself. Cheers to all of you. Bistro Ralph will voluntarily close its doors after service on July 6, 2015. We begin the transformation into Ralph’s Martini House the next morning. Ralph’s Martini House will be taking advantage of our liquor license with a full bar. We will still serve our food, although transitioning into more of a small plate venue. Don’t panic. The world has changed in the way we dress, the way we socialize and the way we eat, I’m just trying to keep up. Look for us in late July and keep living the dream.
Ralph Tingle
Healdsburg
Fair coming
Editor: The Traveling Fair is coming to Healdsburg on Thursday, July 9, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Center. We hope that every kid in town will come and join in the fun — free popcorn and balloons, games, a giant coloring mural and even a LEGO contest. We’re a part of the Sonoma County Fair, and our theme this year is ‘Down on the Farm.’ Lots of farm-related fun. Please spread the word. Everything is free.
Lew Sbrana
Healdsburg
Preserve Eldridge
Editor: Thank you Senator Mike McGuire and Assemblyman Jim Wood for bringing S.B. 639 to the attention of the citizens of California. S.B. 639 proposed by Jeff Stone is, in my estimation, a ruse to convent the needed Sonoma Developmental Center into a gated community with golf course, hotels, restaurants and a playground for the 1 percent. A boon for the greedy real estate developers. If it were my decision, the 940-plus acres would be deeded, in perpetuity by the state of California for the sole purpose of forever retaining S.D.C. and similar facilities which would be of benefit to our fragile society; those in need of special assistance. During the time of Governor Reagan’s term of office, he was responsible for the injustice of closing Agnew and Talmadge, both being facilities for people with very special needs; which proved to be a disaster for the next ensuing years. It is imperative that the Eldridge property will be forever retained as a refuge for our most vulnerable society, wildlife and the needed conservation of precious water. Avaricious real estate developers and lawyers should be forbidden from perpetrating S.B. 639, a land grab proposal.
A. Barclay Nalley
Healdsburg