Letters to the Editor 8-8-13

Airport prophecy
Editor: A governmental chain reaction started when powerful environmental groups sued the EPA and forced them to get rid of toxic lead in “avgas” used by mostly small general aviation planes; they in turn forced the FAA to get the lead out (they may by 2018). You and I had it taken out years ago with catalytic converters and lots of engine changes, and of course, cleaner gas. All that costs money, and general aviation will have to face that with an aging (70 percent) fleet of planes going back to the late ‘40s. Many of the general aviation fliers will be forced out by expensive engine changes, plus, gas will be more expensive. Here, they as a group love their airport, and most care about the neighbors.
What is coming is the super-expensive turbo jet: corporate jets; four, six, eight-seater twin engine planes, all of which are big, fast, loud gas-eaters, compared to their little cousins, whom I will be sorry to see go.
What is coming to us neighbors, to add to the noise and pollution, is a proposed flight school and Hertz-like rent-a-plane operation. This is currently before the city council, and if passed, it will open the door to other schools.
Healdsburg has become a tourist destination. In the future, all kinds of planes will be checking us out, especially our scenery, of which YOU are an important part. Smile. Look up. They’re coming.
Carl Sutter
Healdsburg
Post season
Editor: On behalf of the Board of Directors and players of Healdsburg Little League (HLL), I would like to thank the Healdsburg Community for supporting our efforts in the post season. HLL hosted 36 games in 29 days. Teams came from Santa Rosa to Visalia. We were praised by all the players, fans, parents and the District Staff for hosting high-caliber tournaments. Because HLL is a 100 percent volunteer organization, it took an army of over 75 volunteers to pull this off. In addition to our Board of Directors, parents, players, siblings and past players, we had 29 “superstars” help make it happen. Superstars is a term we use for our volunteers who do not have any children in the program. They helped with everything from concessions, National Anthem singers, umpires, scorekeeping, announcers and more. We would like to formally thank all our volunteer — but we especially acknowledge our past players and superstars.
They are: Past Players — Alex Reed, Brian Doss, Cassidy Jourdan. Eli Gentry, Jonah Brem, Stephanie Vasallo, Trystan Cleaver, and Will Talty. Superstars — Carol Noack, Carole Sauers, Dave Kennedy, Denny Drowty, Don Evans, Ed McCutchan, Gina Cleaver, Greg Meier, Jake Allegra, Janet Reed, Janice Sinclaire, Jeff Civian, Joseph Hall, Ken Fonti, Kim Thompson, Laurie North, Laura Jourdan, Melanie Gentry, Michaelina Mastrovich, Mike Downes, Mike O’Dell, Neal Rogers, Paul Deas, Sabrina Hall, Sharon Battaglia, Sue McCutchan, Thomas Perry, Tom Brand and Trey Dunia. It’s a pleasure to serve the youth of Healdsburg. Thank you.
Cindy Beth
HLL President
Round-a-bout a bad idea
Editor: The proposed Round-A-Bout at Westside Road/Healdsburg Avenue, if built, will be the most unsafe and dangerous intersection for all the local population and the many tourists that come to our little town.
Please rethink this expensive proposal before ripping out the helpful traffic lights that control vehicles coming from five different directions, as well as the intersecting train tracks that share this intersection.
Already many drivers exiting U.S. 101 travelling North on Healdsburg Avenue arrive at this intersection still traveling at a high rate of speed, sometimes 55 miles per hour. Vine Street, from the north-west, where it enters the aforementioned intersection, comes from an unexpected angle, behind and over the left shoulder, if traveling toward town on Mill Street/Westside Road.
Let’s not make another unwise and expensive decision.
John Bennett
Healdsburg
Pleasurable trip
Editor: What a pleasure to drive down Foss Creek Circle to mail a letter without having to make that pigtail turn. Thank you city council for fixing it. I know it was a tough decision and I appreciate your hard work.
Marian Caldwell
Healdsburg
Supporting Ag boosters
Editor: On behalf of the Healdsburg FFA Ag Boosters we would like to thank you for your support of our 4th Annual Healdsburg FFA Ag Boosters Golf Tournament held on Sunday, June 23, 2013.   
Thanks to all the sponsors and golfers who participated. With your help the Ag Boosters are able to provide the Healdsburg High School Agricultural Program with education, youth activities, scholarships, not to mention training and services that will benefit our agriculture industry today. Opportunities are endless and that is because of our amazing continuous community support.
Gold sponsors were Wilbur-Ellis and Opperman and Son, Inc.
Hole sponsors included: Martin G. Pozzi,  Fincher’s Auto Service, Silveira Pontiac, Denny’s Electric, Straight Edge Staffing, The Belli Corp, Healdsburg Fraternal Order of Eagles, Grace Vineyard Management, Inc., Allan and Claudia Nelson, Dorr Family Show Cattle, Michael McGuire, Walter and Prince, Dry Creek Excavating and Tractor Service, Western Farm Center, Phil Manoukian & Associates, ASLA, Murphy Ranch Vineyards, Paul Hammond, Plum Electric, Opperman and Son, Simi Winery, Cloverdale Automotive & Tires, Utility Pole Services, A & N Accounting, Tom Rued, Northern Sonoma County Locals Unlimited, Valero, Heavy Equipment Transportation, Inc, Aaction Rents, Rochioli J Vineyards & Winery Tri- Valley Vineyard Management, Pearson Ranch, Brandt Insurance, Luciani Pump, North Bay Petroleum, Eddies Quality Concrete, Constellation Brands, Chase Conley, Conley Plumbing & Backhoe, E & M Electric, Rossiter Wealth Management, Nalle Winery, Stan Johnson Pool & Spa, Saini Family, Miksis Services, Inc, Micheli Fabrication, A. Rafanelli Winery and Vineyards, J and D Bucher Enterprises, Inc, Forchini Vineyards & Winery, CCI, Alliance Cooling Products, Inc, Erickson Engineering, Ford Trucking, Gondola Kinne Insurance Agency. Inc, Bellezza, Jones Drywall, Dayton & Tremont Real Estate, Sierra Ad Specialtees, Dempel Farms, Big Jim’s Cattle Service, Burke Vegetation Management, SK Fencing, Johns Custom Concrete, Rege Construction
Look for your “save the date card” in the mail for next year’s tournament. If you have any questions or want to sign up early, please call Dave or Nancy Dorr at 433-1875.
DeAnna Fincher
Healdsburg