Letters to the Editor 2-7-13

Wrong way
Editor: I have been silently annoyed by the one-way drama on Foss Creek Circle. I read with interest the very polite letter from Marlene Hogden in the paper and was glad someone finally spoke up, however mildly. Now I feel moved to do so as well.
In the last two weeks, I have met three cars coming the wrong way on the drive, and another turning the wrong way coming out of the Post Office drive-through. The whole arrangement is counter-intuitive and dangerous. I do not understand why Foss Creek Circle should be one way in the first place, but assuming optimistically that there are good reasons, why it should go the wrong way is beyond me. I have heard plenty of objection and only one reason for the direction; a difficult turn by trucks from one business on the circle. I do not believe that this decision is either fair or safe. It is also not fair to expect the publically supported Post Office to pay for moving the drop-off boxes to the other side for a more logical entry. If anyone should make accommodations, the privately owned business should widen or alter its own drive or something.  We need our businesses, but we need safety and fairness, too.
I hope the City counts up the cost of multiple signs and flashing lights, the nuisance and danger to a counter-intuitive one way direction, the problems with cross-traffic at the intersection of the Post Office driveway, and seek another solution, like making it two way again.  Business owner happy, public happy, Post Office happy. Please consider this option.  
And for Healdsburg residents — speak up if you agree!
Mary M. Johnson
Healdsburg
Chamber music
Editor: While I appreciate the recent article on Russian River Chamber Music and my leave taking as artistic director, I was surprised to read the quote from board president Richard Kagel referring to RRCM’s “aging and shrinking audience.”
The facts simply don’t support that rather rueful viewpoint. As evidence to the contrary I would cite the near capacity audience at the final concert of last season (the last one I was involved with.) And I understand the recent concert they presented in January was very well attended.
Clearly RRCM has a loyal and vital audience and one I can say is at least as healthy as that of any other chamber music series in Sonoma County. RRCM audiences are indeed a bit older than we would like to see, but this is the case throughout the U.S. and has been so for a long time. This is partly because the venues do not inspire younger people to go to them. But after all, older people (whatever that may mean) bring a lot to chamber music concerts and are a real mainstay to the art form at a time when the general population itself is aging to a significant degree.
I would also mention that the “Boho Award” given RRCM for “significant contributions to the arts of the North Bay” a little over a year ago, was not bestowed on a concert series in decline. I believe we can all be proud that RRCM had a chamber music series that was second to none in Sonoma County.
Gary McLaughlin
Healdsburg