Be thankful

What a bunch of baloney! I’m referring to the flyer and the website that was put together by ‘Healdsburg Citizens for Sustainable Solutions’ (HCSS). Sheesh. Where do these people come from? The gall to take credit for negotiations with recent hotel proponents is incredibly bold and deceitful. The City of Healdsburg has a dedicated team consisting of the City Council, Planning Commission, and city staff  that is quite capable of working and negotiating with prospective developers. They have approved some quality projects that have greatly enhanced the economic and visual character of the downtown corridor, and they have denied some projects that were inappropriate for various reasons. They have done a commendable job, and along the way, public input was always considered at every aspect of the planning process. Truly a transparent process that encourages any and all to participate.
Quality projects take time … my recollection is that Healdsburg Hotel took over 10 years from concept to completion. Several different proponents; many different plans; lots of give and take; and eventually a 4-star project that became the anchor of what is now the world famous Healdsburg Plaza district. Subsequent downtown development has led to additional lodging, shops, access to world class wine tasting, and some of the most fabulous restaurants in Northern California. Our economy is strong and divergent, and because of that we are the envy of many other towns and cities that are struggling. Our downtown is vibrant, and that vibrancy generates the tax dollars that pay the bills that allows Healdsburg to remain one of the most desirable places to live in the country.
I’m assuming the folks from HCSS are fairly new to town, or maybe don’t even live here (they don’t identify themselves). It wasn’t that long ago that we were an economically distressed city. The Plaza had a high number of vacancies, schools were not doing well, the city was under-funded and did not have a clear direction in terms of economic development. In 1982, we brought in an ‘urban development team’ (RUDAT) that studied the economic alternatives, and eventually they made the recommendation that we pursue tourism as a (hopefully) viable means of economic development. Bingo. The lights went on, the energy level went up, ideas flowed, stores opened, wineries took notice, and a couple of ‘nicer’ restaurants opened on the Plaza. The rest is history.
The decision that was made in 1982 proved to be very prescient. It opened the doors to economic recovery, and transformed the city into a ‘destination.’ The 14 percent tax that visitors paid allowed the city to re-start a park and recreation department, and helped to partially fund the public safety departments. Without that Transient Occupancy Tax, I doubt that we would even have a Park & Rec department. Tourism pays the bills and allows the city to provide quality municipal services that we all demand. Everyone wants quality schools, responsive public safety departments, a comfortable Senior Center, and Community Centers, etc. Every city wants to provide that, but not every city can afford to provide that. We can; and we do. Maybe the folks at HCSS don’t care about funding for schools and public safety, etc. I know that I do … my kids went through the Healdsburg public schools system and got an excellent education. And in our family we’ve had a few runs to the Healdsburg Hospital … it is ever so comforting to know that hospital is there. Many smaller towns can’t afford a hospital.
So I’m the first one to admit that I have no understanding of the motivation behind HCSS. Are they anti-business, anti-tax? Do they have no understanding of economic realities? Do they not understand that a city needs a tax base to fund necessities? Are they upset because they can’t park in front of their favorite shop, and may have to walk a couple of blocks? I’d really like to know who these folks are. They say ‘our future is at stake.’ Really? Are we supposed to be scared?
To the naysayers at HCSS I say that you really ought to think this through. Be careful what you wish for, and be thankful for what you’ve got. You’re living the dream and you don’t even know it. Most of us live here because we want to live here, and we do what we can to make it a better place. Quit whining about the number of hotel rooms in the new hotel, and go out and do something productive.
Kent Mitchell is a former Healdsburg City Councilmember and Mayor.