Letters to the Editor 1-24-13

Supporting Ag students
Editor: On behalf of the Healdsburg FFA Ag Boosters we would like to thank you for your support of our 5th annual Healdsburg FFA Ag Boosters Fall Fundraiser held on Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Alexander Valley Hall. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful meal and a spirited live and silent auction.
Thanks to those of you that gave generously to make the event such a success. With your support the Ag Boosters are able to provide the Healdsburg High School Agricultural Program with funds to help send students to leadership conferences, field days, and judging contests. We have also awarded several annual scholarships to deserving seniors. The opportunities are endless for those students involved in FFA and that is because of our amazing continuous community support.
Thanks again to our supporters.
Sonoma County Grange Credit Union, Northern Carpet Care, Dorr Family, Morgan Murphy, Bucher Farns, Urban Betty, Iron Horse Metals, Plum Electric, The Petal Pusher, Papitre, Savoir-Faire Salon, Mike Brookfield, Fincher Family, Vine Street Cuts and Tans, Jim and Kim Collins, Diva Salon/Anna Moore, Santa Rosa Country Club, European Facial Skin Care by Diane Franklin, Tami Ferrero, Guys and Dolls/Jennifer Cad, Copperfield’s Books, Rooster Run Golf Course, Frizzle Enos Feed, Healdsburg Lumber, Bean Affair, Zinful Chef, Costeaux Bakery, Big John’s Market, Sam Dolcini, and Shawn Anderson.
John Azevedo
President, Healdsburg FFA
Ag Boosters
Gun violence
Editor: Thank you very much to all those who signed the letter below last Sunday at our table in the Vineyard Plaza shopping center (and during the football playoffs, to boot).
“We the undersigned residents of Sonoma County, California, urgently and insistently call upon you, the elected representatives of our country, to pass into law the measures proposed by the President to contribute to the curbing of gun-caused violence against Americans.
“We believe these measures are fair, reasonable, and Constitutional. We believe that they are desperately needed. We do not believe they will infringe on the right to own guns, but they will prohibit military-style weapons and will help keep guns out of the hands of those who pose a danger to society and themselves. These measures will make our homes, streets, and schools safer.
“We strongly believe that the time has come for you to take a stand against the gun lobby and the lies it perpetrates. We demand that you do that.
“We want to hear no reasons for inaction or delay. Should you not take courageous, significant, and immediate action to curb gun violence, as embodied in the President’s measures, you will prove yourselves unworthy to safeguard and promote the welfare of the American people, and the blood of the next gun-fueled massacre will truly be on your hands.”
We will send the letter and each week’s harvest of signatures to President Obama and nine key legislators in the hope that our voice will have some weight. Get that cynical smirk off your face right now–and join us! And to the gentlemen who said that if Obama’s measures pass he’s going to “go back to Coeur d’Alene,” well, that’s not quite far enough.      
Dave and Kathryn Henderson
Healdsburg
Not closed
Editor: In a column in the Tribune of Jan. 10, it was stated that the Healdsburg Unified School Board is preparing to close the high school campus so that seniors will not be able to exit during the lunch period. The record will show that several years ago, a previous board did vote to close the campus. Perhaps this is where the notion that the campus is about to be closed arose, however, the current board has not taken action to implement this previous decision, and because of its age and intervening circumstances, considers it not in effect.
The current board is continuing to collect information, which includes canvassing input from students, parents, administrators, and local citizens. The results of this process will be presented at a future open board meeting and a vote will be taken.
Vince Dougherty
President – Healdsburg Unified School District Board of Trustees