Letters to the Editor 6-27-13

Sunrise
Editor: The Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise will officially end its Rotary year on June 30. The past-presidents of the Sunrise club want to thank outgoing president George Dutton for his year of service. Under president George’s leadership the club heightened its commitment to the local community. Numerous volunteer hours and financial contributions in excess of $30,000 were given to local organizations. The club successfully completed it’s annual teacher appreciation event, junior-high Choices program, high school mentoring and vocational service program, high school scholar athlete scholarship program, as well as the Valentine Day Charlie Musselewhite concert, first annual Fourth of July Picnic and Duck Dash among many other accomplishments. George, the board of directors and members of the club are to be commended for their commitment to upholding “service above self.” Beginning July 1st local realtor, Larry Orr, will become the 5th president of the Sunrise Club, who will build upon the momentum of president George.
Past Presidents of Sunrise Rotary
Healdsburg
Regional approach
Editor: Local governments often tackle similar issues with different solutions. The result is usually a patchwork of varying laws in neighboring cities, increasing the difficulty and cost of compliance for businesses and confusing consumers.  We applaud all 10 Sonoma County jurisdictions for addressing carryout bag regulation in unison.
Through the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency, all 10 Sonoma County jurisdictions are simultaneously working to regulate carryout bags. This regional approach has included numerous opportunities to discuss and review the proposal both with the agency and in each jurisdiction.
By employing a regional and measured approach, Sonoma County elected officials have respected the public and businesses, while working to achieve their environmental goals. This level of regional cooperation should be recognized and rewarded.
Over 75 jurisdictions in California have already regulated carryout bags. The proposed Sonoma County regulation, similar to other California ordinances, will maximize environmental gain and minimize impacts to business. Since passing a similar ordinance in 2010, Los Angeles County has seen single-use bag consumption reduced by over 90 percent. They also found that consumers quickly adapted and businesses felt minimal impact.
We agree with many that this is an issue of statewide concern and the State Legislature should step up and regulate bags. This would create the most environmental benefit and eliminate the patchwork of local legislation.  As an industry, we continue to push for a reasonable statewide law in order to remove the difficulty of implementing dozens of varying local bag laws.
Unfortunately, the State Legislature has failed us and left the task to cities and counties. The Legislature’s inaction makes the Sonoma County regional effort even more valuable to consumers and businesses.
We urge each jurisdiction to remain committed to the regional process and regulate carryout bags in unison. We believe the proposed ordinance is respectful of consumers and businesses, as proven in dozens of other California cities and counties.
The process is often just as important as the policy being considered. In this case, Sonoma County elected officials got it right by pursuing a regional bag ordinance.
John Lloyd, President,
 Big John’s Market
Ron Fong, President/CEO,
California Grocers Association
Thanks to shelter staff
Editor: I want to express my admiration and thanks to all the HAS staff, volunteers, vet techs, animal control officers, and veterinarians who gave their all to the welfare of the shelter animals. It always gave me joy to see the dog walkers out on Westside Rd. making sure the shelter dogs were exercised. Rain or shine I’d see some of the same faces every day faithfully walking one dog after another. That is dedication.
On the other hand I am disappointed that so many people in the community have acted as if the shelter had become some evil entity and couldn’t understand that the players had changed. The current HAS board needs to be commended for being brave enough to step in and try to rectify the stupid mistakes of their predecessors (who have been long gone). But bad public perception is a hard thing to change sometimes. People want to string up the guys that blew all their donations on an unusable building. They want names and public confessions before they shell out another dime. We all want accountability. Unfortunately, because of the ongoing litigation, fingerpointing would harm the chance of recouping the money that was spent on the building.
The community’s withdrawal of financial support is misplaced anger at the wrong set of people and it only hurt the animals.
To have a shelter in Healdsburg again could be possible but will take people supporting the effort.
I for one am willing to take that leap of faith.
Cecilia Pietropaoli
Healdsburg
Our ancestors
Editor: I am the great granddaughter (x4) of Captain Henry Delano Fitch and Josefa Carillo. I lived in Healdsburg as a child, on Westside Road and still visit regularly. I am a member of the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society and have worked with them on my roots in Sonoma County. I often visit Oak Mound Cemetary to pay my respects to my ancestors, many of whom are buried up there, including Josefa Carillo, Anita Fitch de Grant, and other Grant relatives.
I am recently retired, and want to take on a long-planned personal project to give these ancestors, who are Sonoma County pioneers, a more dignified resting place. As you may know, the older part of Oak Mound Cemetary is not endowed, and many of the headstones have deteriorated beyond repair, and the whole area is quite overgrown.
I have contacted the private owners of Oak Mound several times, with the assistance and support of the Historical Society, asking to work with them on this project, but have not received any response, which is quite frustrating. I am asking for permission to begin this work, and am also seeking partnership from the City of Healdsburg, to honor these original owners and developers (pre-Mr. Heald) of the town.
Please let me know how I can get this project moving. I believe it is for the benefit of Healdsburg history and certainly my own family pride. You can reach me by email at [email protected]
Kathleen Eagan
San Jose
Dog licensing
Editor: With the closure of the Healdsburg Animal Shelter, dog licensing for Healdsburg residents will now be handled by the City of Healdsburg. Please be patient with them during this transition. Any future questions about your dog license should be directed to Janet Kinney, Administrative Services Department at 431-3307.
Caroline Marker
Healdsburg
Amazing museum display
Editor: Big thanks to the Healdsburg Museum for putting together an amazing display of “The Movie Stars Next Door,” the story of our “famous” neighbors, Fred MacMurray and June Haver. The memorabilia was fascinating but more than that, I learned that Fred MacMurray, one of my favorite actors, was so much more than his screen persona. His love of the land and nature was so evident in this wonderful exhibit.  I think what made it even more personal, was Kate MacMurray’s audio narration.  The emotion in her voice when she told stories relating to her parents brought tears to my eyes more than once. You could just hear the love in her voice and laughter many a time as she recalled certain incidents in her parents’ past.  I highly recommend that everyone go to see this awesome exhibit right here in our very town….you will not be disappointed.  Thank you Holly Hoods, Kate MacMurray and all our Museum volunteers.
Susan Matheny
Healdsburg