Don’t love the city to death
EDITOR: What do we really see for the future of Healdsburg? This question is almost as divisive as the 2016 election. We all voice loving our small town with its cast of characters, fabulous restaurants and wineries all adding up to a beautiful, bucolic place to live, raise a family and grow old. But that dream is only available to the lucky ones who arrived early enough to purchase a home at a reasonable price or for those who earn a much higher income than the average person.
Our city debated a permit request for a 230 seat restaurant and lounge on the plaza, called The Matheson. Obviously a project this size will further impact parking, congestion, noise and the tempers of those trying to reach downtown. A large swath of property was purchased to create this new venue and longtime business are being evicted. Fabrications has closed and One World moved, how many more will be affected? Does anyone care that these are business owners with dreams and plans too?
Since moving here in 1998, I’ve heard people complain about the number of businesses we have that cater to the tourist dollar and not to the needs of our residents. We have elegant stores, hotels, tasting rooms and galleries, all offering numerous ways to drop a thousand dollars in an afternoon. Is this all we want? We’re losing our diversity and becoming an extremely elitist town, with a growing number of part-time residents.
There’s no turning back the clock. We have become a tourist destination, with all the positive and negative aspects that go with it. But are we going to love Healdsburg to death and loose what attracted us here in the first place? It is time we paid attention to what is needed to keep Healdsburg healthy, vibrant and growing in a way that is inclusive.
I have nothing against Dustin Valette, he’s doing a great job with Valette’s and is a terrific member of our community. His investor is hoping to make his mark on Healdsburg, but at what cost to our town?
Maggie Medeiros
Healdsburg
