Leters to the Editor 10-31-13

The big picture
Editor: The Kessler representative for the proposed 75 room hotel on Healdsburg Avenue didn’t address all of the multiple concerns that I and other writers brought up in our letters to the press. Most people I have spoken to are overwhelmingly against this 75-room proposal.
After recent further inquiries, the public should know that there are potential plans for an additional two hotels on downtown Healdsburg Avenue. Multiple sources indicate a potential 30 room hotel being planned across the street from the proposed Kessler Hotel. Also, a potentially much larger hotel is being considered at the corner of Healdsburg Avenue and North Street extending to the old B & B Lounge.
I am requesting through this letter that these property owners promptly tell the public of their intentions — if they are proposing a hotel(s) — and the number of rooms, height, parking etc. and timing of a formal proposal. In addition, there are other large properties along downtown Healdsburg Avenue that could be hotel sites in the future.
My over-riding concern is that potentially three, yes three, new downtown hotels on two lane Healdsburg Avenue will substantially worsen parking issues near the Plaza, create traffic back-ups and intersection congestion, noise, etc. Locals want the downtown to remain small and personal and on a human scale. We share the downtown with tourists — but I, for one, do not want to go over the tipping point, and give away our downtown to 24/7 tourists with potentially three additional hotels and 150-plus rooms. Big-city traffic problems in a small town is not why most of us moved here.
I want to make it clear that I am not against new hotels — just that the downtown is too congested already and it’s the wrong location to put them. There is plenty of room on the several entry ways into town for new hotels. I would like the City Council to visualize the “big picture” and the negative consequences, and consider prohibiting hotels in the “downtown commercial district” only. They can amend the zoning ordinance. If they don’t have the will to do this, then a city sponsored referendum or a citizens initiative should be put before the town’s residents for their input and vote for the June, 2014 election.
Let’s remember why we all came to live in and enjoy Healdsburg. Please let the council and newspaper know your feelings.
Bruce Abramson
Healdsburg
Round-abouts
Editor: If you’re wondering whether roundabouts might be good or bad for Healdsburg, consider this from the website of Carmel, IN.
“Carmel has become internationally known for its roundabout network. Since the late 1990s Carmel has been building and replacing signalized intersections with roundabouts. Carmel now has more than 60 roundabouts, more than any other city in the United States.
Carmel builds roundabouts because of their safety record, their compatibility with the environments, their aesthetics and their ability to make it easier for pedestrians and bicyclists to navigate. In Carmel, where roundabouts have replaced signals or stop signs at intersections, the number of injury accidents has been reduced by about 80 percent and the number of accidents overall by about 40 percent. Our numbers are similar to those reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.”
Stephen Cotler
Healdsburg
Listen to the locals
Editor: I fear that when the City Council thinks of another hotel in town, all they can see is the income it brings from the tourists.  We have enough hotels, motels, and B&B’s already. And it is O.K. to share some of the excess tourists with Windsor, Santa Rosa, and Geyserville. In fact there are studies ‘out there’ that can tell you if your town is overbuilding, tourist wise, according to the size of the town, and other jobs available.  
It is almost impossible to find a place to park, with the number of tourist that come here now. Get a good recession, and where are we?
We are told we need the tourist — why?  Please allay my fears, and tell me we are not spending our precious dollars on unfunded debt, for health care, pensions, and retirement.
We really need more industry so the younger population can come back, find jobs (not only in hospitality), and live here. After the Post Office fiasco, please listen to the ‘Locals.’ We want to keep our town small, with the small town atmosphere.
Jody Wilson
Healdsburg
Offensive name calling
Editor: In the Oct. 17 to Oct. 23 edition of The Healdsburg Tribune, one of your column writers, Ray Holley, chose to use the word “moron” before the surname of an elected official. Democrat or Republican, this term is unnecessary and offensive in many ways.  Your front page article on Mr. Mike McGuire maintained respect and journalistic integrity.  A standard expected from a journalist or contributor.  
Obviously, Mr. Holley does not agree with Senator Cruz’ position or his actions. As such, I would expect that he would critique his policy or actions. However, please leave the offensive sophomoric name calling from print. In my opinion, a departure from civility by a columnist in a community paper serves only to alienate a segment of our population that does enjoy The Healdsburg Tribune. For Mr. Holley’s edification, Senator Ted Cruz is a graduate of Princeton, Cum Laude, with a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law, Magna Cum Laude.
June Snowden     
Healdsburg
Impact
Editor: My hope and the hope of many other residents and visitors to Healdsburg is that the luxury 75-room hotel proposed for downtown Healdsburg not be approved. Herein are but some of the reasons it is not necessary with some additional thoughts.
People have been drawn to Healdsburg, at least over the past few decades, by many factors, including: a small-town feel; vineyards and wineries primarily owned by local families; it is easy to walk and interact with local folks; some fine dining establishments; a true community feel; and ease of driving and walking around town. Certainly, a number of those characteristics have changed dramatically over these last few years. That, we cannot change.
Do we want all of those characteristics further impacted to the point that they may be lost? (Some say many are already gone.) Again, we cannot undo what was done. However, we can and should maintain the quality and character of the town that we now have.
Note: under no conditions should any variance (e.g. height) be allowed for any project.  History shows that the quid pro quo for allowing variances rarely results in a positive for the town, residents or visitors.
Certainly, the design and amenities of this luxury hotel, like most projects, are acceptable. However, the design, amenities and luxury is not the point. The point is saturation.
The occupancy taxes that this hotel would bring are insignificant to the negative impacts on pedestrian traffic, auto traffic and other congestion. A minute increase in the current tax rate would address that arithmetic.
Lastly, there is a bigger picture here that our capable city planners should look with respect to our wonderful town: Focus and address other building sites in the town to provide for development by accompanying such development with infrastructure design that connects a greater downtown to, from and around Healdsburg Plaza.
Gene Valla
Healdsburg
Run for Funds
Editor: The Healdsburg Junior High PTO held its second Annual Run for Funds event on Friday October 18. County Supervisor Mike McGuire was the keynote speaker for the rally just before the race. The Healdsburg Fire Department joined us on campus for the festivities with a truck on site with the American Flag handing elegantly from the truck’s ladder.  This year our race was 1.6 miles compared to .8 last year. The race began at the school went up to Sherman, then down Prince and East, around the plaza were tourists and locals cheered the students on in their black t-shirts that read “TEAM HJH” with the school hound. Over half the teachers ran with the students including Superintendent Jeff Harding. Parent volunteers, in special vests with arrows, ringing cowbells, directed the students at the intersections.  Back at campus students enjoyed music, popcorn, apples and water after the run.  Thanks to the hard work of our students and our wonderful community we have raised over $9,000 in pledges.  The money raised will go towards field trips, assemblies and PE mats. The PTO would like to thank the following businesses for their sponsorship: Bear Republic Brewing Company, Wine Industry Network, Spencer Solutions Tax Service, State Farm – Esquivel Insurance Agency, Bella, Parkpoint Health Club, and Healdsburg Pilates – Personal Fitness. We would also like to thank the students for working so hard and diligently in getting pledges. Many went door to door through various neighborhoods, collecting $1 to $5 dollar pledges. Thank you to Mike McGuire for providing inspiration to our student body at our Kick-Off Assembly as well as the actual event. Finally, thank you to: our wonderful teachers; school office staff; Principal Deborah Hall – who always finds a way to make it happen; students and families – without them, this event would not have been possible.  
Tara Smith
HJH PTO Treasurer
Healdsburg