Healdsburg Letters to the Editor

Endorsing McGuire
Editor: Rollie Atkinson asks in a recent editorial, “Which
candidate (for 4th District Supervisor) has shown the greatest
ability to work with a variety of interest groups, perhaps building
consensus or a balanced compromise? Which candidate is most able —
and willing — to reach across the table and provide
leadership?”
There is no question that these are extremely pressing questions
for our county in this time of a severe budget and jobs crisis. And
there is no question that the clear answer to this question is Mike
McGuire.
Mike has been a true leader on jobs, transportation, finances,
and the environment in our district.
He is accessible, an incredibly hard worker, and a great
listener.
He has forged effective, sincere partnerships between local
government and small businesses as well as schools. But his true
skill is in being able to bring all sides together and still get
things done.
Elect Mike McGuire for Supervisor on June 8!
Amanda J. Beeler
Healdsburg
A jewel
Editor: I have known and worked with Debora Fudge for over 14
years. Whenever we need something done for our Senior Center,
Debora is our “go to” person on the Windsor Town Council. She has
always come through for us and she bends over backward to get the
job done. Those of us at the Senior Center know that she listens to
us and takes our issues seriously.
With her dedicated hard work, intelligence and ability to work
with lots of different people, it is no wonder that Debora was so
instrumental in creating our vibrant downtown. The town is such a
success that it has earned national awards from the Sierra Club and
the American Society of Architects.
I’m proud to say that Windsor is the only city in Sonoma County
that is not having a budget crisis. While other municipalities are
fighting to stay out of bankruptcy and struggling to avoid firing
teachers, police officers and firefighters, Windsor is operating
its government with a budget surplus! This says a lot for Debora
who has been on our Town Council for over 14 years.
Debora Fudge will make a superior Supervisor for the 4th
District. I urge you to join me in voting for her on June 8th.
She’s a jewel!
Doris Leach
Windsor
Endorsing Passalacqua
Editor: Recently, a small number of attorneys who are Ravitch’s
supporters for the June election have criticized District Attorney
Stephan Passalacqua for filing charges against the defendants for
the murder of Matthew Toste and have even made reckless ethics
attacks. Let’s look at the facts. A Sonoma County Grand Jury
returned murder indictments on all of the defendants. A Sonoma
County Superior Court Judge denied a motion to dismiss and
concluded that a jury should decide this case. Four out of the five
were held accountable. The shooter will receive a 40 years to life
sentence.
I don’t know about you, but I am very pleased that we have a
District Attorney who aggressively prosecutes gang members. I don’t
want a DA who just gives in to the defense attorney’s wishes.
Someone who does not vigorously prosecute gang members is not
someone who cares about our safety. Passalacqua is fighting for
us.
Debra McGauley
Santa Rosa
Endorsing Fudge
Editor: I originally met and ran against Debora Fudge back in
the 1996 election. She beat me by 100+ votes, deservingly so. After
the election, I was appointed to the Town of Windsor’s Planning
Commission. At this time, I stopped being her opponent and became
her proponent. I’ve had the privilege of working with Windsor
Councilmember Debora Fudge on many of Windsor’s most difficult
public policy issues. During the most frustrating times in those
battles, I’ve always been highly impressed with Debora’s ability to
stay focused on the task at hand, set aside personal
considerations, and help lead her colleagues to the most sensible
solutions.
It is precisely that combination of policy expertise and
personal sensibility that I’m convinced will enable Debora to serve
the public superbly as their supervisor. Whether it’s dealing with
water, transit, economic, or education issues in the coming years,
I know her extensive background as a professional environmental and
community planner, her 14 years in elective office, and her strong
academic credentials will serve all of us well in Sonoma
County.
Please join me in supporting Debora Fudge for Supervisor. She
has the experience we need which is why she is getting our family’s
vote.
Kimberly Walton
Windsor
Warning to cat owners
Editor: Please try to keep your cats inside, especially around
busy streets. They cannot always be seen in the open, but may dart
into the side of a passing car and get killed, which is always sad
for the owner, and, if noticed, may turn out to be traumatic for
the driver of the vehicle involved.
Li Keiser
Healdsburg
People annoy people
Editor: After your story on banning leaf blowers I thought about
the weed-eater wailing nearby for most of the day as I worked in my
garden in the Sunday sun. It isn’t leaf blowers that annoy people,
people annoy people… I propose a full and complete ban on
inconsiderate people – punishable with 5 years of only Manilow on
your iPod, volume cranked to 11.
For all the earth-friendly bumper stickers riotously displayed
on eco-cars around HBG, there are as few considerate people in our
town as anywhere else – the music blarer’s outdoor speakers
battering mother nature’s calm with Wagner, the cell phone ringing
inside The Raven, the loud talker bloviating about her lack of a
love life last night for anyone at Ralph’s Bistro, the homebuilder
whose Xanadu took 3 1/2 years of mind-numbingly loud heavy
machinery due to must-have filigree ironwork around a trophy
kitchen and matching bocce court (what it lacks in beauty it makes
up for in size), the hip-hopper’s boom-box car, the biker at the
red light revving his Harley to affirm machismo, or lack of it.
Then there’s the smoker’s Marlboro exhaust settling over my
cassoulet at Charcuterie. Oops, already banned. See it is possible.
Someone once said “I care deeply about mankind – it’s people I
can’t stand.” Don’t ban the device, target the user. Being civil
and considerate should be codified if it isn’t, sadly, already a
community standard – even in happy Healdsburg.
Jack Belden,
Healdsburg
Better bookers
Editor: I call for a new booker to handle the Tuesday Healdsburg
Plaza Concerts. At a time when city workers are being laid off, the
job should be done gratis by a volunteer – and the music can be
better. If you agree, write to Healdburg Parks & Rec.
We’re all encouraged to “buy local” and support local merchants
but that’s lost on Dan Zastrow the longtime paid music booker for
the Healdsburg Concerts. Of the 14 acts scheduled for 2010 only one
is based in Sonoma County. (And does their “garage blues punk”
sound like anything Healdburg families want to hear?) There are so
many wonderful, exciting, professional acts around Sonoma County
why are the HEALDSBURG concerts going far and wide when local music
is as good or better – Gatorbeat, Brothercat, Charlie Musselwhite,
Frobeck, Steve Pile, Bobby Vega, Bill Noteman, Crazy Famous,
Jennifer Faust, Michael Lindner & Friends to name a few.
They’re skilled, exciting, experienced and local – with first-rate
CDs played worldwide.
This year’s line-up panders to be everything to everybody, so
much so that unlike the focused HBG Jazz Festival it has no musical
identity. Celtic Rock? Two “Jam Bands”? Droopy singer-songwriters,
yatta, yatta…
Time for a change. Highlight a style like Blues or Roots &
Americana. Use a volunteer to do the booking. Focus on local acts
to help them build a following. Don’t tolerate the 45 minute
intermissions taken by sloppy bands (you’re paid to play!) Run this
city-supported effort in a way that does Healdsburg proud. Time for
a change.
Jeff Bartman,
Healdsburg