Letters to the Editor 3-19-15

Embarrassed and ashamed
Editor: One of the great things about retirement is being able to spend time supporting and spending time in your grandkids’ activities. I have a grandson who loves America’s pastime – baseball – and I have gotten very involved in Healdsburg’s Little League program and in trying to practice with him to improve his skills. In doing so, I have become aware of several things that leave me both embarrassed and ashamed for Healdsburg. First, we may be the only city in the U.S. that does not own, provide or maintain ballfields for the kids. I grew up in a town of Healdsburg’s size and enjoyed the use of 13 city-owned and maintained ball fields. Every neighborhood had one where kids could walk or bike to play. Yes, we have Recreation Park, an adult field but locked and generally not open to public. We do have two fields at the elementary school, with limited access, hard to maintain to competitive levels by volunteers since there is no city or school funding other than use and mowing, and with hundreds of kids using them, very difficult to schedule. No city-owned and maintained ball fields – this is what I’m embarrassed about. But I’m also ashamed of the fact that we as residents pay nothing for our Parks and Recreation Department, including the senior center. That’s right, we all enjoy the parks, swings, walking and running trails, dog parks etc. and the entire operation is paid for by tourists through the bed tax on hotel rooms, those same tourists that residents are now complaining about. This probably explains why funds are limited and we don’t have ball fields. I was brought up and taught that if you want something, you should pay for it – not someone else. It’s called skin in the game. Adults can pay, kids can’t. As I understand it, not one dime of the city’s general fund is used to fund our parks and rec department. Seems perhaps we should stop freeloading off the tourists and all step up and fund our own recreation. Embarrassed and ashamed, yes. If we all stepped up and took our turn at the plate, we might be able to fund what has been the most basic of city park facilities for generations – ball fields for our kids!
Greg Wilcox
Healdsburg
Not a bright idea
Editor: I’d like to know whose bright idea it was to make two diagonal parking spaces in front of where the old Post Office was and then two parallel spaces right next to it in front of the bank. Obviously no one was taking into consideration having a large truck or SUV park in the diagonal spaces, blocking the view of anyone who is leaving the parallel spaces. Just another asinine solution to the parking problems in this town. It rates right up there with making getting around downtown harder with those beautiful corners now protruding out into the street.
Marlene Hogden
Healdsburg
Cleaning up the cemetery
Editor: The Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society is heading up a campaign to tackle the overgrown vegetation in the old sections of Healdsburg’s Oak Mound cemetery. These sections are not endowed and are minimally maintained. We want to get a regular maintenance plan in place so that the cemetery reflects our community’s respect for the ancestors and founders of our city. The work plan is being coordinated in consultation with the cemetery owners. Phase I will include a crew of professional vineyard workers with appropriate equipment to begin clearing out much of the overgrown vegetation in the non-endowed areas of the property, estimated to take at least 400 worker hours. That will be followed up with extensive professional tree trimming and removal of fallen and dead trees and limbs, again with substantial equipment needed to do the job. Thereafter the project will include maintenance of these areas on a regular basis to keep the areas in shape and improved signage. The initial work will start at the end of March. We hope to raise $100,000 to put into a separate fund to support this worthy project. We ask for the community’s support and welcome your participation or tax-deductible contribution. For more information, contact the Healdsburg Museum at 431-3325 or

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Holly Hoods, Curator,
Jim Brush, HM&HS President
Jim Dreisback, Project Manager
Healdsburg
Potential loss
Editor: I’d like to bring it to everyone’s attention that an application for the removal of a 120-foot tall heritage redwood tree has been submitted by the owners of the property at 325 Fitch Street, Healdsburg. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24 in City Council Chambers (after 6 p.m.) The potential loss of this magnificent old redwood tree is of utmost concern to all citizens. Having had a lengthy conversation with a representative from the city, I am confident that all parties are approaching this matter with a comprehensive degree of diligence, responsibility and care. Due the overwhelming impact of this situation, I felt it important to highlight this issue for those who may as yet be unaware.
Dawn Dhyanna
Healdsburg
Thanks to HJH PTO
Editor: The Healdsburg Junior High PTO graciously funded the Transition Club field trips for the rest of the school year. The Transition Club is for students that need life lesson skills that involve interacting with the community. We have 20 students in the club and have already gone on our first field trip to Costeaux Bakery, where everyone had a great time. Thanks to the PTO for supporting all students.
Lyn Salomone and Sarah Sheehy
HJH Teachers
Healdsburg