The race for three city council seats in Healdsburg enters its most important month, since while “Election Day” is Nov. 8, mail-in ballots will be accepted beginning Oct. 10 at the Registrar of Voters Office (435 Fiscal Dr., Santa Rosaaddress) and the next day at official Ballot Drop Box locations.
This week, there was a forum at Coyote Sonoma on Sept. 14, at which all candidates were scheduled to make an appearance, field questions and engage in a Q&A with attendees. The Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event, with assistance from Healdsburg 2040. Moderators were scheduled to be Walter Niederberger of Healdsburg 2040, and Dan Maraviglia of the chamber.
With this issue, the Healdsburg Tribune presents the four candidates for the two full-term seats on the council. Next week, the three candidates for the partial two-year term will respond to the same questions. The candidates are presented alphabetically, though there is an incumbent running for re-election. Their comments have only been edited for technical reasons (spelling, etc.).
Linda Cade
What are the most important reasons you’re running for a city council seat?
I am a natural leader who loves to listen. I’m not afraid to speak up, and I’m good at solving problems. My top priorities are small business development for locals, affordable housing for families and workers, as well as viable solutions for homelessness. I also care about planning for weather related emergencies, bike paths, senior citizens and pets.
What experience or specific qualifications will you bring to the city council?
As an experienced manager, financial advisor, mother, grandmother and life/health/happiness coach, I bring caring connectivity. I’m also able to ask important questions, as well as articulate information and explanations to others who care.
How do you think the council can better represent its constituents?
Be involved in community activities, attend local functions, be available and listen to what constituents are saying.
What do you think that visitors should know about Healdsburg?
The people who live and work here are important and valuable resources who shall be appreciated, well compensated, and honored for their skills, expertise and generosity.
Campaign website: www.linkedin.com/in/cadeforcouncil2022
Susan Graf
What are the most important reasons you’re running for a city council seat?
I have always thought about running but couldn’t because I lived in Alexander Valley, so now that I live inside city limits I am able to run. I have the time, the experience and enthusiasm, and frankly I am tired of complaining. My core desire is to be of service to the community that has been so good to me.
What experience or specific qualifications will you bring to the city council?
My breadth of experiences, coupled with a quarter of a century working and living on Matheson Street, makes me uniquely qualified for this leadership position. As a result of my many years of fundraising for multiple local charities, I received the Wetzel Community Leadership Award in 2014. I am proud of my 20-plus years on the board of the Healdsburg Food Pantry. I am hardworking, blessed with high energy and strong organizational skills.
How do you think the council can better represent its constituents?
By forming private citizens’ task forces to tackle some of our town’s most pressing issues. Why not use some of our successful retired CEOs? Leaders in their fields to give us “some free advice.” I also feel on some issues, they need to be approached more like running a business, balancing budgets, managing employees and most importantly working together to achieve goals, even when one might disagree.
What do you think that visitors should know about Healdsburg?
I believe it is self evident when you arrive on the Plaza, “it’s charming” is how I hear Healdsburg referred to by many visitors, and it is my intention that it stays that way. We work together—we in Healdsburg—an example is we were asked to maintain a 20% reduction in our water usage, and together we are over 30%—because we all care.
Campaign website: susanforcitycouncil.com
Chris Herrod
What are the most important reasons you’re running for a city council seat?
Residents feel cut off from our downtown and dismayed to see it turning into little more than an expensive tourist mall. Let’s create a downtown that welcomes all and reunites businesses with the buying power of Healdsburg’s residents. We need to embrace and promote the idea of economic diversity, build resilience, pledge support to the businesses already contributing to our community and open pathways for local-serving entrepreneurs.
What experience or specific qualifications will you bring to the city council?
I have served over six years on the Healdsburg parks and recreation commission, being appointed on three occasions and selected chair on two occasions. This has given me ample time to learn how city hall works, and occasionally doesn’t work. I have developed a reputation as a collaborative, diplomatic leader whose connections to the community have served me well in helping to guide our community services department. I have a BA in psychology and have worked for 25 years as a sales manager at a local small business (Luthiers Mercantile; we started in Healdsburg and moved to Windsor a while back). But my main qualification is that I have spent nearly all my life here and that I am raising my family here. My boys are both at Healdsburg High now, and my wife, Briana, works in the Sonoma County library system.
How do you think the council can better represent its constituents?
Latinos make up around 1/3 of our population. We have seen advances in representation in recent years. I will work to make this the norm and not the exception.
I have deep connections to the community, and I have a record of promoting and safeguarding transparency, improving outreach and listening carefully to the concerns of my neighbors. Let’s put a prominent link to city council meetings on the front page of the city website, so participation is only one click away.
What do you think that visitors should know about Healdsburg?
Healdsburg has a long history of being a hard-working agricultural town. As a small town, we value the ability to easily gather with our neighbors, and when need be, support them. For most of us, our tastes are not extravagant. We hope that our efforts to maintain our small-town charm are appreciated by visitors.
Website: www.chrisforhealdsburg.com
Evelyn Mitchell
What are the most important reasons you’re running for a city council seat?
There are a number of ongoing initiatives we started on council, and I feel it is important I provide continuity and continued support to see them through. The key initiatives are: completion of several affordable housing projects; open the L&M Village to provide supportive housing for the homeless; water resilience projects; climate mobilization strategy; DEI initiative (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).
What experience or specific qualifications will you bring to the city council?
I have served for four years on council, one and a half of those years as mayor during some very turbulent times. During my tenure on council, I have become very knowledgeable about the specifics of the issues we face, as well as government processes, budgeting, fund accounting and strategic initiatives. Being on council is not for the faint of heart! It has been very challenging at times, but as I have gained experience, I have been able to provide clear and concise direction. My education in business/accounting and work background providing consulting services to mid-size, family owned businesses, give me the skills to provide the leadership to help run our city.
How do you think the council can better represent its constituents?
Now that we are able to conduct in-person meetings, we look forward to hearing from residents, both in the council chamber and on Zoom. Hybrid meetings allow greater participation. We have started providing our agenda in Spanish, and Spanish translation is available. I encourage our constituents to participate! I read every email and take all comments into account during deliberations.
What do you think that visitors should know about Healdsburg?
We are a diverse and proud community, and we love our city. We value our traditions and love the fact we get to live in this wonderful place. We welcome visitors and ask they respect the community while they enjoy visiting our city.
Website: evelynmitchellforhealdsburg.com
