The people we read and talked about in 2017
Our 2017 news coverage was often dominated by stories about policy: housing policy, immigration enforcement policy, parking policy and tourism.
But, the stories that stay with us are the stories about each other. Let’s take a look at the people who made news in 2017.
While he never set foot on local soil — and likely never will — President Donald Trump cast a long shadow over the community last year. His election and subsequent actions spurred Healdsburg to form a local chapter of “Indivisible,” a grassroots effort that seeks to oppose his administration and its actions. Healdsburgers participated in the national Women’s March, held local rallies, wrote letters to the newspaper and tried to comprehend a new federal regime at odds with many local (liberal) values. Not all oppose Trump — he has supporters here as well — but his election galvanized local activists.
Continuing a theme of resistance, our typically low-key police chief made headlines when he told a packed Healdsburg City Council meeting that the Healdsburg Police Department does not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. When Chief Kevin Burke told the council: “We want to let people know our policy isn’t going to change, no matter who the president of the United States is. We have a responsibility to serve the whole community,” he received a standing ovation from attendees at the meeting.
As 2017 ended, the Healdsburg City Council chose Brigette Mansell to be the 2018 mayor, the seventh woman to hold the post since the city’s incorporation in 1867. Mansell was elected to the council in 2014.
Leah Gold became a city councilmember for the second time this year. After serving a four-year term from 2000 to 2004, Gold bested Gary Plass, Rosie Fabian and Erica Whisney in a June special election held to fill an unexpected vacancy on the council when Eric Ziedrich resigned at the end of 2016, halfway through his term
Plass was defeated in 2016 in his bid for a fourth term, but served five more months as an interim councilmember, until the June election seated Gold.
Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore stepped up during and after the October firestorms. His daily Facebook videos, often co-starring Cal Fire Battalion Chief Marshall Turbeville, were lauded for providing clear information and hope during a difficult time. Gore will serve as chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in 2018.
Brian Crabb had a great year. After being chosen as the Healdsburg Fire Department ‘Firefighter of the Year’ for his dedication as a reservist, he was later hired as a full time firefighter.
Also at the fire department, Amanda Newhall became the second woman in department history (Gala Norton was the first) to become a fire engineer.
New leaders emerged at the Healdsburg Unified School District. Bill Halliday followed many of his graduates by moving from Healdsburg Junior High to Healdsburg High School as principal. Michael DeFrancesco became the new HJH principal. Erika McGuire became the new principal at Fitch Mountain School. Stephanie Feith stayed put as the principal at Healdsburg Elementary School.
Also at HES, fellow educators and adoring students offered an emotional farewell to “Maestra” Vikke DuRee, who retired after 30-plus year of teaching.
Another fond farewell took place as “Mort” (Brent Mortensen) retired after 31 years teaching at Healdsburg High School. Former students of the drama teacher came to the final performance of the final production of “Snow White,” and many tears were shed.
Marcus Ezeff resigned as head coach of the Healdsburg Greyhound football team without calling a single play. Ezeff was detained, then released, after his girlfriend claimed he backed his car into her on purpose following an argument. She later recanted her story.
Tom Negrino died by his own hand in 2017. One of the first to take life-ending drugs as legally allowed by the “End of Life Option Act,” Negrino was an author and Macintosh computer guru, who openly shared details of his losing battle with cancer.
The Healdsburg Police Department took “warm and fuzzy” to a new level in 2017. Norman the therapy rabbit often visited the dispatch center, comforting staff and the public after disturbing situations. Another bunny, dubbed “Officer Speedy” by his owner, Police Officer Katie Close, hopped into local hearts when he “joined” the department as a mascot.
Healdsburg native Marc Bojanowski published his second novel in 2017. “Journeyman” is set in a small town that will remind readers of Healdsburg.
Kurt Hahn died in 2017. The former finance director for the city of Healdsburg, Hahn was an empire builder and an unabashed polisher of his own legacy; many say it was well-deserved. He also served as the first chair of the North Sonoma County Hospital District board.
Max Dunn also died. Dunn was a retired Standard Oil executive when he was asked to help a struggling local clinic turn itself around. Alliance Medical Center is still flourishing, as well as the Healdsburg Day Labor Center, also fostered by Dunn.
Cindy Beth and Kent Mitchell were honored with the prestigious Marie Sparks Award for volunteerism. Beth is an active youth sports leader and Mitchell received the award posthumously for decades of public service.
Anna Grant became the new Healdsburg Senior Center Supervisor.
Amy Covin launched Amy’s Wicked Slush, promising to “bring northern Boston to southern Healdsburg” with authentic bagels, soft serve and a rainbow of flavors of Italian ice (call it “slush”).
Pearl Fisher was just 7 when she decided to help build wells in Africa through fundraising, lemonade stands, bake sales and selling note cards featuring her stylized line drawings of animals. She’s been very successful and we can’t wait to hear what she does next.
The Healdsburg Museum conferred its annual Pioneer Award on longtime volunteers and community activists Jim and Meredith Dreisback.
Justin Olson made his mark — again and again — with a unique style of environmental art. Olson lives near the creek and spends time downtown every day, creating fanciful art installations from discarded and found materials ranging from flowers and chestnut pods to chalk and glow sticks.
Harry Bosworth shook up more than a century of tradition in 2017 by liquidating the hardware in his Bosworth & Sons hardware store, a downtown Geyserville landmark. The store will emerge in a new form, likely focusing on western wear.
Scott Gabaldon sent shock waves through the community in December, when he stated his intention to lease an 11,000 square foot downtown commercial space and open a gun shop with a focus on firearms education and safety. The Healdsburg City Council responded by approving a 45-day moratorium on firearms dealers so it could study whether gun shops are a fit downtown.
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