LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 7-12-12

Kudos to the American Legion Post 111
Editor: Not only did the American Legion Post 111 people organize a fantastic firework display on the 4th, but they also need to be commended for the exceptional job they did in placing the “No Parking” signs on several streets surrounding the athletic field. I was very impressed with the literally hundreds of sawhorses spaced approximately every 15 feet apart.
I recommend that the Healdsburg Police Department would follow this very same format. What I’m referring to is the poor job that was done for marking the no parking areas at the time of the Healdsburg Farmers Parade on May 24. The signs on Center Street were placed well over 100 feet apart. While making a left turn from Matheson Street and taking the first parking space on the east side on Center, as I did, not one sign was clearly visible from the direction I was coming from. Fortunately I got back to my car at the time it was readied to be towed. In order for me to move my car I was given a big favor from the towing company for only charging me $100, and not the full towing charge, all this for just pulling up their tow truck behind my car.
As a Healdsburg citizen I strongly feel that this is not a representation of being a “citizen friendly community” as Healdsburg is portrayed. With two hours prior to the start of the parade not only did I not receive any compassion from the police officer for my plea to have a 20 minute grace period, but likewise the Police Department dismissed my well supported argument for not having sufficient and clear markings indicating the no parking sections along the entire street.
$100 well spent? Certainly not in my view.
Win Scholze
Healdsburg
Community support
Editor: The 2012 American Legion Fireworks Show is history and the comments range from outstanding to the best ever, especially the grand finale.
There are several groups that deserve all the credit for a very successful fireworks show. The first group is George Erdman and his crew. They work tirelessly to ensure we have a beautiful show. Each year they outdo themselves.
The second group are the people of Healdsburg who contribute to our fundraising efforts. This group includes individual contributors, local businesses, those who drop money in the collection jars local businesses and those who support us at the show by stuffing money into the white buckets.
We also have to thank the City of Healdsburg who support the annual show. Behinds the scenes were the city inspectors and the fire department who help ensure the safety of our workers and the spectators. The Healdsburg Police Department were present during the show to ensure public safety.
The men and women of the Sotoyome American Legion family (Post, Auxiliary Unit, the SAL Squadron and our American Legion Riders) put in hundreds of hours over the course of the year to plan, set up and cleanup after the show. The fireworks is one of our major events during the year.  Even the Healdsburg Prune Packers baseball players came and helped set up the morning of the 4th.  
Finally we want to thank the citizens who stepped forward and cleaned the field after the crowds had departed. Others, including members of Cub Scout Pack 21, came Thursday morning to continue cleaning. TV coverage of the debris left at Fort Mason Wednesday evening shows how lucky we are here in Healdsburg.
The show is our way of saying “Thank You” to the Healdsburg community. Planning has already started for the 2013 show.
Tom Grimes
Healdsburg
Unfair board
Editor: As some of you already know, our daughter, Katie Sereni was voted off the fair board in June because she doesn’t believe in the 2.0 GPA rule and because she fought for a young lady who became disabled during her senior year. This young lady was not allowed to show. She had a letter from her doctor as well as one from her teacher that she hand delivered to one of the executive board members. These letters were withheld from the full board; therefore there could not have been a fair vote as to whether or not she should be allowed to show.
 This brings us to the executive committee. There are some members of the board that have been on the executive committee for 10 years or longer and we feel they are unduly manipulating the rest of the board. Point in case two years ago four executive board members called Katie into a “secret meeting” to bully her into quitting the board. She, of course, refused. How many board members knew about this meeting? We think not many. This is not what the executive board is supposed to be about. It is time the other board members investigate what has been going on behind their backs. It is time to disband the executive committee and elect a new one. It is time to give the fair back to the kids, where it belongs.
Between our years of board membership and volunteering, our family has served over 60 years for this fair. We are deeply saddened.
Mary Enzenauer
Healdsburg
What’s nifty about Healdsburg
Editor:
1. The Downtown Bakery and their sticky buns and breakfast treats.
2. The plaza with its sparkling fountain, inviting benches, and come-hither atmosphere.
3. The fireworks on July Fourth providing a slice of Americana.
4. The new paint job at McDonalds and their dollar menu. Finally, a different color scheme has appeared in our dusty hamlet.
5. A ballpark that looks like a ballpark, and I don’t even enjoy football and baseball.
6. Tourists. And the wine industry. For every building that’s torn down, it seems that another six have been restored and renovated.
7. Wurst. A hot dog smothered with onions and mustard with an order of sweet potato fries is my idea of summer cuisine.
8. The shops. No matter who I need to buy a present for, I can always find something special downtown.
9. Costeaux Bakery. Their chocolate cookie dusted with powered sugar, besides diet Coke, is the only food item one needs to keep alive.
10. Memorial Beach and the bridge. Sure, both have been a part of my life for 50 years, but I still enjoy them.
Brent Mortensen
Healdsburg
Thanks Rotary
Editor: Thank you Rotary for a great 4th of July event. My family and I packed up our picnic lunch and joined the fun at Rec Park. We had a blast! Kids, parades, games, music, food and fun! My brother, son and I participated in the pie eating contest, we bought our duckie tickets and cheered on our ducks at the race. A great time was had by all. We hope this is a tradition Rotary will continue year after year. Thanks for all of your hard work, it was a huge success and a great way for our family to start our 4th of July celebrations. My family and I are looking forward to next year’s ‘Old Fashion Picnic at the Park.’ Thank You.
Linda Cook
Healdsburg