Supply and demand
Editor: All current residential property owners in our town owe an immense debt of gratitude to all the voters that voted no on Measure R. By doing so, those voters reaffirmed once again the hallowed law of supply and demand, thereby enhancing even more the market value of our homes. Thanks very much.
Bill Andersen, Healdsburg
Which group for you?
Editor: “Which Side are You On?” goes the old protester’s anthem.
There are a few who opposed Measure R who would like to make (protect?) Healdsburg into a Wine Country Carmel or Martha’s Vineyard where the help are kept at arms’ length (commuting from Santa Rosa or Windsor etc.) and their garish housing is far from the lovely streets of Healdsburg that are depicted in tourist brochures. Call them Group A.
But there are many well-meaning, progressive oriented folk (Group B) who opposed Measure R because they want to keep Healdsburg small and fear the influence of opportunistic developers. They care about the housing crisis and argued again and again that low and mid income housing could be built under the current GMO, despite the fact that a mid-income multi-unit dwelling hasn’t appeared during the 16 years the GMO has been in effect.
Okay, great – prove it.
Get your plan to the city council and the planning and housing committees right away and let’s see if you can do a better job of luring investors in to build an apartment building (that we can all be proud of) despite the stiff constraints of the GMO. Maybe Mr. Winston, who donated $28,000 of his own money to defeat R, and his friends, have some spare change or spare time to help in this campaign.
Group B, you now have an opportunity to demonstrate your values. But if you are passive in this effort then please allow me the option to consider you a member of Group A instead.
You can count on my help, because I remain committed to tipping our housing options away from McMansion dominance. I will do this out of respect for the community’s workforce who have lived here, have grown up here and built this town, and who are now wondering if the appeal of ‘No on R’ to Healdsburg’s voters wasn’t more than discrimination against them.
Chris Herrod, Healdsburg
Core goodness
Editor: Response to Jack Russell Stone’s letter to the editor in the Nov. 10 Healdsburg Tribune: In this time of deep division, anxiety, and even discord, I believe we all must take comfort and find renewal where we can.  It goes without saying that won’t be the same place for everyone. The pastors of Healdsburg who offered an Election Day prayer service (of whom I am one) joined together to offer our community the best way we know to rise above divisiveness. We are grateful to the Tribune for publishing our letter and extending the invitation to join together with the community at large in a conscious effort to bridge what divides us.
Mr. Stone is certainly not the first person to ask the legitimate question, what good god can let tragedy and evil happen in the world? For those who do have faith in God (Jewish, Muslim and Christian alike) the goodness of God is found not in the avoidance of pain and suffering, but rather in the goodness of creation and in our own God-given purpose and potential to love. As I see it, anything that reminds us of that core goodness is a good thing. Peace be with you, Mr. Stone, and with us all.
Rev. Sally Hanes Hubbell, Healdsburg
‘Gut’ thanks
Editor: We would like to thank everybody that participated, sponsored, donated, and volunteered for the GutBuster Fun Run and Walk that was held on Saturday, Nov. 5. in Healdsburg. We had over 230 participants and at least 70 volunteers helping to put on the event.
November is National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month and the purpose of this event was to raise the awareness of stomach cancer the third leading cause of death in the world from cancer. Over 72,300 people die every year from stomach cancer and its estimated that there will be over one million diagnosed with that form of cancer this year.
All the net profits will go to two non-profits. The first is No Stomach for Cancer. This organization raises awareness of stomach cancer that is usually diagnosed in late stages. The other is Sonoma County’s own Ceres Community Project. They treat food as medicine and provide it to people struggling with serious illness.
We had several people that could not make it to the event but chose to donate to these great causes. Our sponsors included The Bear Republic, Healdsburg Running Company, Joey Manfre, Replay Resorts, GHD, Sutter Health, Buff USA, Tri-Star Automotive, Brandt Insurance, ServePro, Healdsburg Signs, The Ratto Group, Jelly Belly, Redwood Credit Union and The Galloway Group.
Our volunteers included members of Boy Scout Troop 21, Healdsburg Kiwanis, Geyserville Firefighters Association, the Fitch Mountain Association, Healdsburg Police Officers Association and your co-host, the Healdsburg Firefighters Association.
With all of your participation and hard work we raised approximately $10,000 in our inaugural year for this event.
The Losh Family, Healdsburg
Appreciation
Editor: We want to say thank you to all of the people who voted to  keep our growth management ordinance by voting no on Measure R. You have shown the city government that you love your town and want to protect it into the future.
The survey that the city conducted in January 2016 told them that a majority of us were happy with the current growth rate and not in favor of increased development. Despite this knowledge, the city went ahead and spent approximately $200,000 of your tax monies. They hired a consultant, part time, for more than $100,000 a year. They hired a city housing manager and an assistant housing manager, whose efforts were largely focused on policies dependent on removing the GMO, rather than on promoting any other methods of building affordable housing. Several positions were also added to the building department in anticipation of all the incoming development. They hired a PR firm and a political consultant to get their measure passed. Finally, they spent thousands more of your dollars inundating you with information mailers. Thankfully, there were the 60 percent of you who put your time and energy into informing yourselves and voting no on Measure R. You are appreciated.
Maureen Mousley, Robert Nuese and Heidi Marino, Healdsburg
Change still needed
Editor: A change to the Growth Management Ordinance is needed. I attended meetings, listened to Urban Green and expected a change to the GMO. It was the city council’s decision to go with a measure that threw out the current GMO by a 4 to 1 vote. My no on R vote was for a change to the GMO requiring voter approval. It is my hope the voters of Healdsburg will now get a chance to vote for an expanded GMO. Whether it takes a special election to do that or wait until the next congressional election, let’s start it rolling. The new city council must keep this in mind.
Beth Sawatzky, Healdsburg
McCaffery thanks
Editor: I give my most sincere thanks to all who supported me for another four years on the Healdsburg City Council.  I am looking forward to working with lots of folks to make our town a better place.  Please do not hesitate to call or email me if any issues arise where I am able to help.  My email is sf*********@ya***.com and my mobile number is 707-206-2371. Have a happy, safe holiday season.
Shaun McCaffery, Healdsburg

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