Letters to the Editor 10-3-13

More hotels, less parking
Editor: I was very surprised when I read about the potential plans for a new hotel south of the plaza along with the possibility of the City of Healdsburg negotiating away a city parking lot as a part of the deal. The hotel would be built on an existing parking lot and the city parking lot next to it might get assigned/sold to the hotel for the hotel’s parking? The city would lose two parking lots for general parking! This news hit me a few days after my wife and I drove around the downtown area one evening for about 20 minutes looking for a place to park so that we could dine at one of the downtown restaurants. We first checked out all of the street parking to no avail, then the parking lot west of the Healdsburg Hotel/Bear Republic (which the city gave 1/3 of to the hotel and is blocked for others to park) to no avail, then the parking lot next to the Shed to no avail, and then to the parking lot mentioned above that is south of the plaza to no avail. It may be a surprise to our city planners, but Healdsburg has a major parking problem.
Our family has lived in Healdsburg for over 30 years and we have seen our town’s growing pains over the years. In our minds most of the growth and changes have been positive in that it has afforded more opportunities for our youth to live locally and make a living. The town is also a good showcase for our wine industry which is a big part of our economy. Tourism is obviously becoming a very important economic engine for our county and Healdsburg is in the middle of it. It is also becoming very obvious that some of Healdsburg’s infrastructure is reaching a breaking point with all of this growth and it is making it miserable for those of us that live here and also for those tourists that are visiting. Have you tried to find parking at a Tuesday night concert? How about during the Saturday Farmers Markets?  How about just going out to dinner?
I have a lot of respect for our Healdsburg City Council and the Planning Commission. They have done a remarkable job over the years in steering the city in a positive direction. I just cannot figure out why they have ignored this very serious problem. Everyone knows that additional public parking might be costly and the city does not have an abundance of money. This does not justify allowing additional projects that would further reduce existing parking lots and exasperate an already difficult situation. I also do not think that it is a local taxpayer’s issue. The local businesses that cater to tourism in Healdsburg are what is stretching this infrastructure to a breaking point and this is the segment that should pay the brunt of these needed infrastructure improvements. Balanced growth is a very overused term in most cities planning PR, but it is very simple concept. You do not ignore important issues as you move forward. You mitigate these issues with proactive plans. So what is Healdsburg’s solution for this parking mess?
John Vink
Healdsburg
Plans for the future
Editor: Kudos to Jim Wood and others who feel we must take a look at life beyond tourism.
A lot of residents have expressed dismay at the lack of options for those who live here 12 months of the year. Maybe this will alleviate some of that distress.
I would hope that the “stakeholders” that are scheduled to meet include regular residents of varied ethnicities, ages and finances. We need to ask young people what they need to stay in their home town and also look at steps to take for an aging population. A survey for all townspeople could bring in some good ideas.
We have taught a lot of people about good wine, food and art, now maybe we can “lure” people to Healdsburg and inform more while helping ourselves in the process. A city and county that relies on a mono culture has a decided disadvantage — think Detroit people.
We could be more environmental or monitor our building and remodeling and bring back the quaintness of Healdsburg.  Maybe get listed as one of the small town gems of the U.S.
How about becoming a model as a “transition city,” since there is already a transition group established. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transition_Towns or www.facebook.com/transitionhealdsburg for further info.)
I’ve heard rumors of a parking structure. Parking lots often bring more congestion due to cars going in and out.  Maybe this structure should be for employees of businesses in the area.  That could bring less congestion and more street parking for the rest of us.  
We have new lovely little pocket parks, a few more parking spaces and narrower streets – just in time for bigger wine tour buses. Let’s try off site parking for buses and limos, at the north or south end of town and jitneys to bring people to town center. Again, think quaint.
Many cities have designated areas for residents to park with specific stickers for their cars.
Local businesses that serve our everyday needs; not just tourist needs, not just tasting rooms. If residents have to drive out of town to get necessary items, that money is not staying in Healdsburg.
I, for one, am quite interested in seeing what the stakeholders decide and look forward to their ideas.
Marie Salerno
Healdsburg
Join Warm Springs 4-H
Editor: Join 4-H today. Why should you join? To develop skills to succeed in a workplace; to improve goal-setting and decision-making skills; to become a school or a community leader; to discover how our government works; to learn to care and protect the environment; to have lots of fun while learning by doing; to make lasting friendships; to develop talents and skills; to help solve issues and problems facing youth together; to learn more about dogs, swine, poultry, cooking, photography, sewing, rocketry, etc.
Warm Springs 4-H meets the third Monday of each month at Hoofbeat Park from 7 to 8 p.m.
Youth membership is $71/year which includes two tickets to 4-H chicken Que. For more information contact Charlotte LeGallee at: cl*******@at*.net or call (707) 481-4413.
Beatriz Savin y Juarez,
Club Reporter
Bad math
Editor: It was mildly disappointing and somewhat ironic to see a basic math mistake in the front-page story on improvements in the graduation rate at HHS. While the change from 83.9 percent to 94.8 percent in the last three years represents 10.9 percentage points, it’s actually a 13 percent improvement.
Pat Abercrombie
Healdsburg
Let the jury decide
Editor: Until now we have not heard of the trauma that the alleged victim incurred, this could be the feelings of the sufferer still agonizing filled with mental anguish.
Ever since that early July 3:40 a.m. rude awakening, of a person who broke the screen of my bedroom window by trying to force his way into my sanctuary, sleepless nights, daily anxiety attacks, severe headaches, stress, pain and suffering and loss of appetite has occurred.
An unwanted man, wearing only shorts and socks, certainly had full intentions of either burglary or rape.
Ten months prior to this infamous attack the perpetrator (who holds a Black Belt in Karate) knocked out a man on the sidewalks of San Diego. He was jailed and held over night.
Because of his political position the charges were dismissed, but by law he committed a felony.
My presumption is that the performance of burglary and rape are felonious acts.
The person, in question, should be prosecuted and given a sentence of several years of jail time.
He is a basher, boozer and burglar. His wanton behavior is unpredictable. Now let the jury decide.
A. Barclay Nalley
Healdsburg