Move on
Editor: I am surprised and dismayed concerning the criticism of Single Thread. It has been open for only a few days, but some folks seem to think that the Death Star has landed. Why aren’t we giving the owners any chance to show us that they’re great neighbors?
The matter of the very high-end price is ridiculous. In case we missed it, this wonderful town has been changing. I have lived in Healdsburg for 30 years and was employed here for seven years prior to that. I’ve seen the Iceberg Cafe, Arctic Circle, Center Street Deli, CK House and Fitch Mountain Eddie’s all disappear. Now we have Baci, Willi’s, Dry Creek Kitchen, Valette and Chalkboard, to name a few. More expensive, sure. How did you miss it?
And clothing stores? We still have Everywear and the work boot store, but what of all the high-end clothing stores around town? Did you miss that, too? It just happens that Healdsburg is very close to perfect in many respects. People will pay a lot of money to live, shop and eat here.
So who is to blame? The city council, landlords, property owners, travel magazines, wineries or realtors? No one is to blame. This is the way it is. As the song goes, “Call someplace Paradise.” I need to add that I have no connection to Single Thread or its owners. And, by the way, the old post office is gone. It isn’t sacred ground. Let’s move on.
Marty Cablk
Healdsburg
Grateful thanks
Editor: In 2012 I had a hip replacement and a stay in Healdsburg District Hospital. A week ago I had a bad fall and broke my lower leg, with consequently a further stay in the same hospital. In both cases I was very grateful to have our local hospital to go to. Other people have written in praise and I would like to add my voice to theirs in grateful thanks. We should make every effort to keep this important local facility open.
Lindy Date
Healdsburg
Thankful
Editor: Farm to Pantry is very thankful to the city of Healdsburg residents and the city council for the Community Benefit Grant we received this year. As a result of this grant, Farm to Pantry was able to bring classes from our local elementary schools and students from the city of Healdsburg Afterschool Programs on “gleaning field trips” (nutrition education) to have hands-on experiences harvesting and sampling nutritious produce, as well as helping their community.
Not only did the students gain powerful lessons in community service, agriculture, and exposure to healthy eating and the food system, they also learned that they can make a difference. Thanks to the combined efforts of over 300 students throughout the year, nearly 2,600 pounds of surplus produce grown in our community – avocados, cabbage, chard, citrus, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, peppers, persimmons, pomegranates, squash, tomatoes, and walnuts – were gleaned, providing over 10,400 servings of healthy food to those in need of nourishment in our community.
Dani Wilcox, Program Director, Farm to Pantry
Looking forward to
serving
Editor: We can all agree that the local results of this election send a very interesting message. Here’s my interpretation: As a community we are wary of our elected leadership and we value fresh faces and new ways of doing things, yet we also value the wisdom of experience.
Thank you, Healdsburg, for giving me your trust to lead the city for the next four years. I realize I have a lot to learn from those who have come before me and I’m eager to bring new ways of thinking to address our challenges. I also welcome the opportunity to work with my fellow council members to rebuild your trust in this institution.
But remember the saying, “The world is run by those who show up.” In a democracy we all share a responsibility in managing our destiny. The great thing about living in Healdsburg is that there are so many ways of showing up. Mine is running for and now serving on council. What’s yours?
As we move forward, please don’t hesitate reach out to me with your questions, ideas, or concerns. Best to reach me via email at jo*********@gm***.com or by phone at 707-583-3630. Thank you again, and I look forward to serving you.
Joe Naujokas
Healdsburg
Tis the season to try
to mail stuff
Editor: I am a longtime resident of the Healdsburg community, which includes an active post office (PO) box. I am not one to write to the editor, but this letter has been a long time in the making. The results of last week has ignited my pen to paper. Over the recent years, I’ve found other residents’ mail in my PO box, frequent missing issues of the Tribune, delivery of packages delayed beyond that noted via online tracking confirmation.
And then there was last week. Tuesday afternoon I arrived at the post office to mail a small package to find the line stretched past the lobby to the exterior door. I peeked inside to see only one clerk on staff. It was clear the customers had been there for quite some time and were not pleased. I waited for a while and then decided to go to the UPS store. I asked if anyone needed a ride. Two people took me up on the offer.
I returned on Friday afternoon to inquire about a missing package. To my chagrin, the same situation was again set in play. Another long line with only one clerk on deck. I had no choice but to wait. The attentive and responsive clerk was attending to the needs of the customer in front of him, while the snail paced line that snaked well outside the lobby was growing increasingly frustrated and irate.
Finally I was almost next in line. The lady in front of me asked the clerk for Christmas stamps. Unfortunately, the clerk informed her that they were all sold out. Mind you, this was December 9 and all the holiday stamps were already gone. The lady started to cry at which time the clerk offered her Batman stamps … that did not go well.
Once I finally got to see the clerk, he did the best he could to help with tracking my package. I then asked why, on Friday afternoon during the busiest time of year, with a line of customers backed up outside the lobby, was there only one clerk on staff? He responded that the other scheduled clerk was on lunch break. I was there for over 45 minutes and the clerk I spoke with was the only one on duty.
I then requested to speak to the supervisor, but as I might have expected, they were not on premises. As I left, the people left in line gave me a thankful smile even though my attempt to raise the issue of lack of service went unresolved. It was clear that they were as displeased and annoyed as I over the way our post office manages its customer service. I hope this letter can be one step in the right direction toward an improvement.
Steve Rezonja
Healdsburg
