Letters to the Editor 2-26-15

No answer
Editor: On Feb. 17, I attended our Healdsburg City Council meeting. In the previous council meeting of Feb. 2, I noticed on the agenda there were six items which had a “One Yes Vote” to pass all six items. A yes vote on five items were clearly explained, however, the sixth item had no explanation, yet the item was passed by motion to accept the planning commission’s action taken at its Jan. 13, 2015 meeting. Since I wasn’t present at that particular meeting I asked the council members what was item six? They wouldn’t or couldn’t answer my question. I was told this was not on the agenda by one council member and another council member stated “It is against the law.” Is this the way the public should be treated when questioning what was passed by the city council? Again, taxpayers of Healdsburg, do you know what is going on behind your backs? If you care about your town and what’s being spent, what’s being built, you need to speak up. Don’t complain once it’s built or how your tax dollars were spent.
Ken Buchignani
Healdsburg
Thanks from art foundation
Editor: On behalf of the Voigt Family Sculpture Foundation, I’m writing to thank a host of good people for helping us install our latest work of art in downtown Healdsburg. Percorso di Vita, by sculptor Michael McGinniss, is now in front of Healdsburg City Hall, and it looks fantastic. Healdsburg City Manager David Mickaelian first suggested that a work of art be included in the new drought-tolerant landscaping design for City Hall. Landscape designer Jay Tripathi was an enthusiastic supporter of the idea, and the Healdsburg Parks & Recreation Commission and City Council approved our proposal. Parks Superintendent Jaime Licea and his crew prepared the location, helped install the work and finished the area around it beautifully. Michael McGinniss is an artist and SRJC art teacher, and we all owe him our thanks for loaning his art to our foundation, so we could make it available to everyone to enjoy. Many of the artworks that our foundation have installed over the last nine years in Healdsburg are on loan from the artists, an arrangement that allows us to maximize our resources and collaborate with the city on a public art display that rivals any small town in the country. To learn more about our work and to support public art that is always free to admire and enjoy, visit www.celebratesculpture.com.
Judy Voigt, President
Voigt Family Sculpture Foundation
Geyserville
Thanks from Skurtun
Editor: I am delighted that Healdsburg Nursery has recently been sold to Prickett’s Nursery and will continue to remain a retail nursery. I trust the community will continue to support the good people of Prickett’s as you have me and my family. In 1991, I was 40 years old, my son Burt was 10. My body was wearing down resulting from having been a landscape contractor in Sonoma County since 1975. I knew I had to make a change. Having always loved gardening and the rewards it brought, I soon realized having a nursery was the way to go. I mortgaged my home to the max, borrowed every penny I could, pretty much depleted my savings and with the help of several friends, developed Healdsburg Nursery from a vacant lot. After several months we were able to put together a modest, yet efficient, retail nursery. With limited funds left over, we loaded it up with a fair amount of plant material and opened our doors on Aug. 30 in 1991. Everything seemed to be in place except one detail, you, the community. Now the scary part, would Healdsburg Nursery be accepted? My 10-year-old son helped out on weekends and now my 11-year-old and 13-year-old granddaughters (who you’ve watched grow up on Healdsburg Nursery’s e-mail blasts over the years) help out when in the area. Three generations, you made it possible by accepting us for almost a quarter of a century. I can’t thank you enough for your loyal support and kind words upon my retirement. Thank you just doesn’t say it all.
Michael Skurtun
Former owner, Healdsburg Nursery
Get on with it
Editor: In my 33 years of reading the Tribune, I don’t think I have ever read so many words about a project than the Seghesio building. As an investor in the Hotel Healdsburg et al, we have had a fair share of noise too but not requiring as much ink! The Seghesio family is one of our community’s longest standing families. The process of approval is demanding and I believe they have been very careful to seek approval for a very complex project. They described their program in depth with straightforward integrity and pride in their selection of associates. How can anyone prejudge a tenant until they open? Certainly they are confident of their abilities and their curriculum vitae is impressive. Let’s get on with it! Thank you Pete and Cathy!
John Holt
Healdsburg
10 percent ordinance
Editor: Parking for the new high-end restaurant at the “Meat Market” project is in question. The city concedes (Tribune, Feb. 12, 2015) that the changed project increases parking demand by four spaces (rounding up is required). However, it claims that it “has no ability to require additional parking spaces or fees.” Is this correct? Parking spaces must be provided when an “alteration or enlargement of use” increases the number of parking spaces by 10 percent or more. (Mun. Code 20.16.145.) The amended project increases the number of parking spaces by 17 percent, using city figures. Shouldn’t the city at least require the four spaces? Perhaps the city is not enforcing the 10 percent ordinance, or perhaps four parking spaces are “insubstantial.” (One would think a major alteration is substantial.) In either event, let’s have a transparent discussion in which the public has a voice, for this and future projects.
Janis Watkins
Healdsburg
Fawns need help
Editor: The future of Sonoma County wildlife depends upon us all. As their habitat is destroyed, wildlife must cope with more hazards. Fawn Rescue is seeking a responsible Sonoma County homeowner with a remote acreage to set up an enclosure in which to raise four fawns each year, (April-August). Fawns are raised in this natural habitat by the homeowner. At four months of age they are weaned, recognize their natural foods, and are prepared to survive in the wild. The gate is then opened and they are free to live in the familiar surrounding territory. It’s an ideal, non-stressful release. Training is provided by our animal care coordinator. All expenses are assumed by Fawn Rescue. We need you. If you can help please call 707-931-4550 for further details. Pass the word.
Matt Wolfe
Fawn Rescue