Six months on the Plaza
EDITOR: Six months have passed since “Resistance on the Civic Square” has been peacefully demonstrating in Healdsburg’s Plaza, every Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. against the Trump Administration’s destructive policies. As an alternative to silence, which means consent.
What have we accomplished? Nothing measurable, that’s for sure, but tons of folks have thanked us for being there, some have even joined us for a few minutes, and many foreign visitors have sent home a photo of The Resistance. And yes, we can testify that Healdsburg has Trump supporters, not all of them polite.
Since the administration will be around a bit longer, so will we. We encourage our friends to join us on any corner you please. Bring any appropriate sign about true American values or hoist ones we supply. Our country is worth fighting for, and the Healdsburg Plaza is a great place to do it.
Dave Henderson
Healdsburg
Elephant at the intersection
EDITOR: In the Cityscape column on June 7, city manager Mickaelian notes a few items of progress: budget — part of the job; parking — SoFi will be happy; and the city hall wing — where the floorplan was a bust per facing page letter to the editor on the same date, “Another fiasco,” and new furniture needed to be ordered.
Importantly, there was no mention in the report of the “elephant at the intersection,” where asphalt meets ineptitude. You know, the roundabout, Healdsburg’s pride and joy, the five-way circus.
Horrifically over budget, stupendously behind schedule, the roundabout escaped Cityscape inclusion. Mickaelian failed to inform status on a major blight to the community, a project that has caused businesses to close, jobs to be lost and further loss of any credibility for all involved with it: city council, city manager and contractor.
That Cityscape was touted as a highlights report. Alas, silly me. Including roundabout status in a “highlights” and “progress” report would be downright oxymoronic.
Dave Dahlke
Reno, Nevada and frequent Healdsburg visitor
Terrific experience
EDITOR: On a recent Sunday, my husband and I had a terrific experience in the Plaza. We had to park several blocks away and as we walked toward the Plaza we could hear band music playing.
The Healdsburg Community Band was giving a concert, which included patriotic songs, old classics and show tunes. The weather was perfect, and as we sat among people from Healdsburg and tourists, it reminded me of old-time small town Americana.
It was wonderful to see people strolling by as they enjoyed the music, ice cream cones and iced lattes. How fortunate we are to have the Plaza with the gazebo. I hope the city will provide this venue again for the Healdsburg Community Band and other civic organizations.
Mary Jane Campbell
Healdsburg
Different juices
EDITOR: After the Tribune article about conditions in Healdsburg during the ‘70s, it became clear the city took a really sharp turn, discovering very different kinds of tourists. But the departure of motorcycle clubs wasn’t the first shift in the character of our visitors.
When folks once came up by train to enjoy the Russian River, they represented not a leisure class, so much as urban dwellers seeking relief outdoors. The last three decades, following the city’s embrace of suggestions in the 1982 R/UDAT, we have attracted visitors less interested in being outdoors than being in or near a bottle. Were there ever tourists who came for the prune juice?
The turn towards tourism, rather than becoming a regional commercial hub, has been very good for us. However, it does feel like we are at a crossroads or a dead end. Very different than the ones faced by Clark Foss driving the Geysers Stage into the Mayacamas with folks seeking a mineral cure, but finding a washout on the road into the mountains.
What is different is that we are flying high. So high, that some folks who might want to sink roots here can’t. It is exciting to contemplate what the American Institute of Architects Communities by Design program will bring in August with their Sustainable Design Assistance Team. We don’t know what the outcome will be, but it will be like looking in a mirror, when they tell us what they heard from the community.
But more dramatic will be their feedback and suggestions on how we might evolve sustainably over the next several decades. I definitely plan to be at the Healdsburg High School gym on August 13 when they are here to listen to us and then, on the 15th, share their recommendations. Then it will be up to us to listen. Everyone is invited.
Richard Burg
Healdsburg
Meet candidates June 28
EDITOR: General election season begins now. Candidates for the city councils of Healdsburg and Windsor can file their intention to run now. The difficult issues facing local governments, such as housing needs vs sustainable growth, transportation needs vs climate protection and federal immigration policy vs sanctuary cities must be addressed.
Local Democrats will hear from three candidates for council, Esther Lemus and Rosa Reynoza for Windsor council and Leah Gold for Healdsburg council, on Thursday, June 28, from 7 – 9 p.m. at Windsor Round Table Pizza. Free pizza provided. See www.windsordemocrats.org for more information.
Rick Massell
Windsor
Note to Holley
EDITOR: Oh, yeah. Healdsburg will always need someone willing to kick @$$ and take names and you do it so well. Please keep it up in your Tribune column.
Jane St. Claire
Healdsburg
Mill booster
EDITOR: The Mill District, to be located on the NuForest property at the south end of Healdsburg, is going through the Healdsburg’s Planning Commission approval process. A workshop will be held by the planning commission on Tuesday, June 26, from 4 to 6 p.m. to study the project’s proposed affordable housing component, public roads, and parking.
I am supporting this project because it’s a good project. Several adjustments have been made to the plans to address public comment over the last two years.
The developers, who work for Replay Destinations, are wonderful community members. They’ve engaged in our important local issues, including homelessness. You can learn more about the project at milldistricthealdsburg.com. I hope to see you at the workshop on the 26th.
Gail Jonas
Healdsburg
