Letters to the Editor

Trust you?
Editor: Does it shock anyone else that we are being asked to trust that the money raised by Measure A will be spent on the things that are being touted, such as road improvements? It is a misnomer to call it a “road tax;” it is a general purpose tax. I share the concern that the money will actually be spent to kick the can of unfunded public pensions down the road. It’s way past time for every level of government to bite that bullet. (I love mixed metaphors, don’t you?) The Tribune’s article stated “The county is expected to receive about 44 percent of the funds each year, presumably to use on miles of crumbling rural roads.” Please note the word, “presumably.” It went on to say, “The details of how cities might receive and use the funds will not be established unless the tax passes.” What? I’m supposed to hand over my hard-earned dollars, and I don’t even know beforehand what I’ll get for them? This “general purpose tax” takes $20 million of our money per year, with no requirements on how it is spent. As I understand it, we’re told that we have to watchdog the way the money is spent, and if we don’t like it, we can repeal the tax in five years. At the end of five years, $100 million will have been spent. And let’s not even think about the fact that a sales tax is regressive, having the largest impact on the people who can least afford it. Or that we are spending our money to hold an election in which the only thing on the ballot is a pig in a poke.
Jane St. Claire
Healdsburg
Yes on Measure A
Editor: Instead of just wondering and doubting that Measure A tax money will go towards the road repairs so desperately needed, I called and asked my county supervisor directly what he will do should Measure A pass. My supervisor said that he would vote to allocate the funds first and foremost to repairing our roads and setting aside 10 percent of the county’s share to help our veterans and students ride our bus system. I liked his answer. I trust his answer is sincere, and I will expect that is the way he will vote on where the tax revenue will go. I have lived here for many years. I like taking the “back roads” and enjoying the view of the vineyards and trees and open space that makes this county so unique. The drive is much more enjoyable on a smooth road. Just as I do not mind paying a bit for open space, I do not mind paying the estimated extra 88 cents a week for this Measure A sales tax initiative. Seems a very small price to pay to save our roads. I urge you to vote yes on Measure A, like I have.
Mary Kennedy
Healdsburg
A shower of thanks.
Editor: Thank you Healdsburg for the wonderful, water-saving shower head. It works beautifully.
Jody Wilson
Healdsburg
City working hard
Editor: I want to thank the city of Healdsburg for discussing the Urban Water Plan with the community on Wednesday, May 13. In two quick hours they were able to show us the complexity of water issues statewide and locally. It was a good start with a long way to go. Special thanks to Terry Crowley and Meg Lawrence. I believe they are working hard to comply with state regulations while helping Healdsburg navigate these difficult water issues with integrity. Good work.
Catherine Mihalik
Healdsburg
Practice what you preach
Editor: Last week, your front page reported that the city approved the building of 34 houses on Healdsburg Avenue, which will cause more water usage by the new occupants. That contradicts the general restrictions already imposed on us by the same city.
Armen M. Cuadra
Healdsburg
Oak Mound update
Editor: The Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society continues work in the heritage section of the Oak Mound Cemetery. After several days of work in March, April and May, consisting of over 500 hours of donated labor, the cemetery is once again beginning  to attain some of its former beauty. The most recent project involved removing some very large trees that had died and were posing a safety concern. The work also included the removal of a 100-plus year old oak tree that had fallen several years ago. This uprooted tree caused considerable damage to the gravesite of the Grant and DeGeus families, relatives of the Fitch family. Removing the dead and dangerous trees were lofty goals, but with the help from the following companies, individuals and  cash donations, the project continues. Many thanks go to Jeff Kowell of Image Tree Service for the more-than-generous donation of many pieces of heavy duty equipment and a considerable amount of labor. Thank you to Atlas Tree Surgery, Inc. for recycling the root ball; Mike Biaggi for his talented skills working his excavator; JR’s  Concrete for disposing of the concrete rubble and to my tireless volunteer, Matthew Thompson, who not only knows all about trees, but is pretty handy with a shovel. I invite you to come see the cemetery. Even though there is much work yet to be done, I think you will see a remarkable improvement.  Continued donations to the museum’s cemetery fund places us one step closer to making this a cemetery to which we can all be proud.
Jim Dreisback, Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society Project Manager
Generosity
Editor: On behalf of the Healdsburg Food Pantry I want to thank the generous people of Healdsburg and especially the letter carriers of the Healdsburg Post Office for their “Fill A Bag” program. On May 9, we received 125 bags of groceries at an average value of $25 per bag, which is a donation of almost $3,000.  Thank you, letter carriers. If anyone would like to help us feed those in need in Healdsburg, please visit us at healdsburgfood
pantry.org.
Roger Dormire, President, Healdsburg Shared Ministries
Time to speak up
Editor: This past week, a Facebook post by actor Peter Coyote about my hometown of Mill Valley went viral. “Why I’m Leaving Mill Valley” came out at the same time as a local front page article on short and long-term vacation rentals overtaking Sonoma County. Both of these, in my opinion, should be required reading for every one of us. My beloved hometown is now completely in the pocket of multimillionaires and investors who care nothing about long-term livability and sustainability (ie. water, traffic and crowded conditions). And Healdsburg is only one step behind Mill Valley. Wake up, people! We have to do something to stop the madness. You may have read what Fitch Mountain resident Kathryn Henderson said in the news article about the overwhelming number of vacation rentals on her block. I too have lost my sense of neighborhood on Haydon Street in Healdsburg – my one block alone has at least six long-term rentals and second homes. There are no other home owners in my immediate neighborhood, no one else committed to community building. And this will happen to you too. Every one of us is impacted by increased growth, lack of water, more developments, bigger crowds and the power of big money. Speak up. Write letters. Go to meetings. Contact our mayor and city council. The future has already happened here.
Shonnie Brown
Healdsburg