Letters to the Editor 3-12-15

No to mosquito assessment
Editor: I agree with Ray Holley that the Marin-Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District is a solution looking for a problem. I was on the City Council when we were asked to join the district. I spoke and voted against it because during the 10 years I’d lived in central Healdsburg, I’d seen perhaps two mosquitos, so I felt that Healdsburg residents could put their tax dollars to better use. But the district was doing the same fear-mongering then that they are doing now, and my opinion did not carry. I’m not anti-tax in general, but this unneeded item on my tax assessment rankles, and reports that the district is operated inefficiently increases my irritation. I urge property owners to join me in mailing in a “no” vote on the increased assessment.
Leah Gold
Healdsburg
Missing Zin
Editor: I am currently lamenting the demise of my favorite restaurant, Zin, and heard of a new restaurant being proposed that costs $200 per person. As a working person with a family, this is something that I would not even consider. I have taken my son and daughter to Zin and it was well within my budget. However, I do not see how this new place could be of any benefit to the majority of people who live in Healdsburg. We need another place like Zin that serves high quality food at a fair price.
Michael G. Powell
Healdsburg
Time for Windsor to detach
Editor: I was surprised to find a line item on our 2014-2015 property tax bill “North So Co Hospital District,” for a direct charge of $150. This is on every Windsor resident’s property tax bill. The money goes to the Healdsburg District Hospital, which is located north in Healdsburg. We are paying for a hospital that most of us probably don’t use and that isn’t as close to us as Sutter Hospital. As you know, last year Sutter Hospital opened a new hospital on Mark West Springs Road in Santa Rosa, which is much closer to Windsor residents and has much newer technology. I live next to Windsor High School and Sutter Hospital is much closer to us than Healdsburg District Hospital, which means a lot in case of an emergency. North Sonoma County Hospital District needs to be redistricted to exclude Windsor. This is going to be tough because, right now, they are getting a free ride. Healdsburg District Hospital is a non-profit hospital, which means that they get most of their revenue from our property taxes (over $1 million per year). I want to get the word out about this issue and get Windsor residents involved. I think that most people in Windsor would agree with this proposal (using Sutter Hospital rather than Healdsburg District Hospital) and could use the $150 off their property tax bill. In order to be out of the North Sonoma County Hospital district, we need to do the following: we need to get at least 25 percent of Windsor residents to agree with this effort and submit it to the Sonoma Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), which regulates the boundaries of cities and special districts. Email me (jm*******@co*.net) saying that you agree. I need the resident’s name, address and assessment number (on your property tax bill). If we do nothing, this $150 tax will stay on our property tax bill for as long as we own our property. Thank you for your consideration.
John Martin
Windsor
Heartfelt thank-you
Editor: On behalf of the Peavler and Dericco Families, we would like to give our heartfelt thanks to the Healdsburg and surrounding communities  for  their outstanding  support. The benefit and fundraiser that was held for Dawn Peavler was amazing. We wanted to thank each and every one of you for your  generous support and to all who donated to the Dawn Peavler Trust Fund. To all of the people who helped pull this together and all of your hard work, your kindness and to all of the people who came to show their support for Dawn and her family. To Healdsburg Unified School District for the use of their facility and to all, staff, students, businesses and many friends. A very special thank you to Jeanette Bedolla for getting this all going.  Dawn was very blessed to have you as her friends. We know she is smiling down from heaven and is so very thankful to all of you. She will be truly missed and in our hearts  forever.
The Peavler and Dericco families
Healdsburg
The Pack is back
Editor: The birds are chirping, lawn mowers whirring and the smell of cut grass is upon the breeze. Spring is nigh, baseball season is upon us once more and the Boys Of Summer are on the way. We would like to remind everyone that the Healdsburg Prune Packers collegiate baseball team will be playing again this year at historic Recreation Park. And if you didn’t know about the Pack, come on out and see for yourself. This is real, high level ball played by pro prospects. Two of last years players are in pro camp today with the Minnesota Twins and the SF Giants. The Packers need hosts for players who come from all over the country to play in Healdsburg. It’s entirely possible that you could have the next Matt Cain or Joe Panic living at your house.  And so that you can witness their athletic prowess for yourself, each host house receives two free season passes. The season is essentially two months, though players arrive at the end of May and leave in early August.  These are young men who had to excel not only in their sport, but academically also in order to play college ball. Relationships developed over the summer can last a lifetime. The Prune Packers also are looking for interns and volunteers to help with game day and stadium operations. Interns can possibly gain college credit if their school has an internship program. For information, please call or email Gerry or Laurie North at 707-473-9409, Ge********@co*****.net, Laurie.north@com
cast.net
Gerry and Laurie North
Healdsburg