No new taxes
EDITOR: We are vehemently opposed to the city council proposing a housing bond issue that punishes home owners for the stupidity of prior city councils and outside activists that were largely responsible for the Healdsburg housing shortage due to their ill-thought-out building moratorium.
When a community grows and prospers, housing values rise. It is not the responsibility for current homeowners to subsidize those that cannot afford to live here. We will vigorously oppose any council members that support this proposed new burden on current home owners.
No new taxes. Enough is enough.
Andre and Linda Bertauche
Healdsburg
Zuke Fest Aug. 11
EDITOR: It’s time once again for the wild and wacky Zucchini Festival, happening Saturday, August 11 at the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market.
Bringing out the kid in all of us, the Zucchini Festival celebrates the humble vegetable in several ways. The first is size. If you have a giant zucchini growing in your garden, don’t cook it up just yet. Instead, bring it down to the market and enter it in the Giant Zucchini Competition. Your humongous squash might be a winner, beating out all the other mongo zukes in the neighborhood.
Decoration also plays a part in the festivities. Creativity is key here, as bedecking your zucchini in an artistic way can net you some great prizes. But this lovely art piece must also roll. Yes, each zucchini must have wheels inserted, and then raced down the farmers’ market specially built track.
The Zucchini Races are as hilarious as they are clever. A Healdsburg tradition going back decades, this festival is a delight for the whole family. There are multiple age categories, so everyone can enter. Several local businesses have donated prizes, and the market gives away lots of market bucks, so plan on competing for the goodies and the glory.
Held in the parking aisle adjacent to the market, it’s an easy stroll over to do your shopping. If you’ve not yet been to the Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Market, you are in for a treat. Over a dozen local farms selling tons of fresh produce, combined with cheeses, eggs, meat, seafood, breads, baked goods, condiments, chocolate, organic almonds, pastas, fresh tortillas, handmade craft and much more. Delicious prepared gourmet breakfasts by Epicurean Escape and enticing fruit concoctions by Fruity Moto make this not only a great shopping destination, but a breakfast stop as well.
Come enjoy the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market Zucchini Festival, then shop our wonderful market, and share in Healdsburg’s celebration of its agricultural heritage and bounty.
To register, just show up at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 11. For more information or to volunteer email [email protected] or call 824-8717. The latest updates are always at facebook.com/HealdsburgFarmMarket.
See you at the races.
Janet Ciel
Manager, Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Market
The Prune Pits
EDITOR: Are you over 60? Do you want to get more exercise and have fun at the same time? If you answer “yes” to the first question and the second question occasionally pops into your mind, then please consider joining those of us who have joined The Prune Pits, Healdsburg’s 60 (or better) active adult softball club.
We range in age from 60 to 88 and have a wide range of experience. I had never played softball before our last season, and we have several MVPs from yesteryear.
Our second season starts on Wednesday, August 8, and is held at the Healdsburg Elementary School fields, 400 First Street, from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Come check us out first, or take the plunge and join by registering at the Healdsburg Senior Center, 133 Matheson Street; only five bucks for the season.
You will be required to fill out the city’s waiver of liability form before you start playing. It’s available at the senior center, or I can email it to you ([email protected]). You can fill it out and take to the senior center or drop it and $5 off at our manager Denny Drowty’s home at 301 Plaza Street, tucking it in the mail slot. I hope to see you on August 8.
Gail Jonas
Healdsburg
Don’t borrow without a plan
EDITOR: Considering that the price of land, materials and labor are fairly constant, it would appear that housing density is a variable that could bring down the cost of housing. Manufactured home developments are typically higher density neighborhoods.
Down in Silicon Valley, manufactured homes sell for a million or more dollars less than equivalently sized homes on foundations and single family lots. However, such development requires, among other things, an adequately sized parcel, interested landowners, developers and proper zoning.
If the city is loath to approve “trailer parks,” this is all moot. Under any circumstance, this issue is not simple and is not solvable by simplistic answers. Let’s not borrow money (sell bonds) and then see what we can do with the money. We need definitive plans.
Glenn Grigg
Healdsburg
Your voice counts
EDITOR: A team from the American Institute of Architects, including urban planners, facilitators, social economists, architects and designers, are coming to Healdsburg to work with the community to imagine what Healdsburg can be moving forward. They will help us develop a roadmap for our future but they can’t do it without our input.
Your voice counts. Do you want Healdsburg to be like Tinseltown or Carmel? Maybe a haven for mostly wealthy people like Aspen?
Or maybe you want Healdsburg to be a wonderful place to live that is lively, inclusive, environmentally sustainable and affordable for all? You are invited to town hall meetings on Aug. 13 and 15 at 6 p.m. at the Healdsburg High School Smith Robinson Gymnasium. Hope to see you there. If you want more information visit www.healdsburg-sdat.org.
Gina Riner
Healdsburg
