Debating ‘the law’
EDITOR: In his recent letter, Jim Brush tells us “the” cause (not “a” cause) of the housing problem is lack of supply caused by restrictive controls. He quotes obscure 19th century author, Henry Wood, “The law of supply and demand is perhaps the most general and fundamental of all … natural laws…” There is a grain of truth that levels of supply and demand have an effect on the price of housing.
But we can’t settle for a grain. We must look at the details, and take account of surrounding circumstances. It’s perhaps understandable that a 19th century metaphysician would write nonsense presenting supply and demand as a universal, simple and predictable “natural law,” as if it was as firmly founded (no, more firmly: “the most general and fundamental”) as Newton’s universal law of gravitation, and not a vague formulation describing the functioning of the market – a squishy recent human construct. However, for more than a century it’s been understood that other factors inevitably distort the “law’s” smooth operation, leading to disastrous bubbles and crashes. For example, the rise of monopoly is an inevitable outcome of unregulated markets, which leads to persistent violation of the “law.”
Regarding housing supply, we think this consists of how many units exist in the community, but in Healdsburg on almost every block there is a house that usually sits empty, on some blocks two or more — so a large part of the normal supply has been removed from the equation.
At least as important are the specifics of current demand, which Mr. Brush entirely ignores. Normal demand is the number of individuals who seek to buy or rent places to live in a community. Before our town became a tourist destination, this was basically accurate. Unfortunately, today a very large portion of demand is exerted by a tiny number of very (or astronomically) wealthy persons, who have little interest in living in the community (beyond perhaps, the rare weekend), but who interpose themselves between housing and those who need it. These individuals buy as an investment. They buy second homes, 32nd homes, and in the case of some billionaires or their corporations, 45,432nd homes. This has driven prices up far beyond what normal demand would cause.
It’s correct that we need to work on supply and demand, but that work must include finding ways to retain existing supply and to rein in speculative demand.
Robert Nuese
Healdsburg
Third annual Bach Jam
EDITOR: On Wednesday, July 25, at 7:30 p.m., at the Raven Performing Arts Theater in Healdsburg, you just might be able to catch a glimpse of Johann Sebastian Bach. He’s been invited to the Raven Theater to preside over a performance in his honor.
The third annual Bach Jam is a tribute to Mr. Bach and only pieces composed by J.S. Bach will be performed. The evening starts out similar to a student string recital and ends with accomplished musicians playing performance repertoire.
The recital part is for beginning violin, viola and cello players and includes pieces out of the Suzuki method books.
“Many older adults are taking up music or getting back to their instrument after years of being away, so you will see all ages on the stage,” said organizer Joella Olsen.
The featured soloist for the evening is cellist Ella Hoffman playing the first movement from the Bach Suite #1 for Unaccompanied Cello.
The performance part will consist of two Bach Chorales, the Brandenburg Concerto #3 first movement, and the Bach Double Violin Concerto as the finale. The goal for the Bach Double is to have as many violinists as possible playing the two concerto violin parts, accompanied by as many violists and cellists.
The Bach Jam is free, made possible by the Raven Performing Arts Theater, and we’re lucky to have the Sonoma String Quartet join in the fun. Anyone wanting to play any of the pre-selected pieces included in the Bach Jam should contact Joella Olsen at 836-0816 (jo******@sb*******.net). There will be plenty of seating, so everyone is invited, including Mr. Bach.
Joella Olsen
Windsor
Superb staging
EDITOR: We’ve been to many Raven Players musicals and have enjoyed them all. Sunday we were wowed by the superb staging of the classic Cole Porter musical “Anything Goes.” What a delightful show: outstanding voices singing tuneful songs, accompanied by a great pit orchestra, fantastic choreography and a clever set, all wrapped up in a funny, campy storyline. Just a delightful way to spend an afternoon. Healdsburg has a gem. Congratulations to the extraordinary cast and their marvelous director Joe Gellura. There is still time to catch their last performances this weekend.
Lew and Elaine Sbrana
Healdsburg
Wine theme park
EDITOR: The continued allowance of more and more tasting rooms in the downtown area does not improve the quality, charm or identity of Healdsburg. The proliferation of tasting rooms and wine bars may well have reached a saturation point beyond which Healdsburg’s attraction and therefore its reputation as a wine country destination will be diminished.
The Paul Mahder Gallery, with its multiple use event center and now wine bar, is the latest in a string of controversies created by the planning commission and city council, which continue to allow the spread of wine tasting rooms; a direction most locals have not supported for some time. To the casual observer, downtown Healdsburg looks like a wine theme park outfitted with restaurants (mostly out of reach for the average local), hotels and real estate offices. Once charming Healdsburg seems more and more like an imitation of Carmel, sans white sand and ocean.
Let’s be clear, the promotion of Healdsburg as a destination has been extremely successful. Isn’t it time to shift our tax money away from attracting still more tourists, to focus on the needs of our local population? Far too many of our friends and neighbors have been forced to move, or live in fear of the landlord’s next rent increase. The ongoing housing crisis is the ugly downside of the huge success for a very small minority, the speculating class and their facilitators.
I want to thank Ken Buchignani for raising the issue of tasting room proliferation, and for his efforts to make our city a healthier and better place for all.
Heidi Marino
Healdsburg
