Letters to the Editor 5-23-13

One-lane or two?
Editor: After six months of reader letters denouncing the Foss Creek Circle debacle, it is now clear that Kim Jong-un and the other members of the city council do not intend to admit that they have made an error.  
As Mr. Ineich wrote in his letter (published May 16, 2013), the temporary-now-permanent flags and cones do indeed make it clear that city liability may be a consideration. Since change is not going to happen, could we at least determine if Foss Creek Circle is a one-lane or a two-lane street? Perhaps some painted lines, dots, and arrows might help somewhat in aiding drivers to more safely navigate this mess. The arrows at the distal end of the street are the only marks on the entire length of Foss Creek Circle. Why not all the way around?
Marty Cablk
Healdsburg
Head on
Editor: Within the past week I have seen two very dangerous situations on Foss Creek Circle, despite all of the publicity that has been given to the one-way street fiasco. I almost collided head-on with a pickup truck exiting from the south entrance onto Grove Street as I was entering. The next day I witnessed an SUV darting from the Post Office mail drop into the first driveway on the south side of the circle. Of course, you must go the wrong way to do this, but it avoids driving all the way around.
I understand that the City Council will be considering alternative solutions at the June 3 Council meeting. Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend, so I’m using this forum to appeal to the Council to use some common sense in their decision.
I’m told that several potential solutions are being considered, at least one of which would cost a lot of money. I don’t believe speed bumps (which are being considered) are needed.  As I’ve said before, this solves a problem that doesn’t exist.
I’ve taken an informal poll and have yet to find anyone disagreeing with a simple solution. Revert back to a two way street and restrict parking on one side. Then make sure that lanes and parking spaces are clearly delineated.
Please, Council members don’t make more out of this than it deserves. Make the right decision and then get back to the real business of managing the city.
Al Loebel
Healdsburg
The spandex offensive
Editor: The city council is considering allowing bicycle riders to sue Healdsburg residents. Believe it or not.
An elite special interest group called the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition is petitioning the City of Healdsburg, with a proposed ordinance for special protection, allowing bike riders and other “vulnerable pedestrians” to sue for treble damages, in particular motorized drivers from Healdsburg, in civil court. The proposed Vulnerable Users Ordinance document states “after public hearings and receipt of testimony” declares “that harassment of Vulnerable Users on the basis of their status as pedestrians and/or riding a bicycle exists in the City of Healdsburg.” One remedy is to be liable for treble the actual damages, attorney’s fees, the cost of litigation and, in addition, the court may award punitive damages. The HPD states there are no complaints or history of harassment to the police from bicyclists and, that there are existing laws to cover all harassment issues. There is no verifiable sworn testimony that harassment exists in Healdsburg. Believe it or not.
The proposal language used is reflected in the Bay Area Plan “…To meet the goals of SB 375 more of the future development is planned to be walk-able and bike-able … reduce transportation-related pollution that dirties our air and negatively impacts people’s health. In short, the proposal is an environmental political action campaign that also places the city at risk of litigation as once the city agrees that this elite group is “vulnerable” it may have to comply with special conditions such as special roadways and parking spaces at taxpayer expense. Believe it or not.
There is no substantive merit for this ordinance other than politics and support of it is an affront to the Healdsburg community. To effectively integrate bicycle riders into the community the city council should evaluate the traffic flow, transportation, planning and safety impacts and not consider the political whims of an elite group unless you are pandering votes for county or state office.
Probably 99 percent of us need to drive as part of daily life while probably 99 percent of bike riding is recreational. Passage means the city council is more concerned about an elite special interest group then they are about the residents of Healdsburg. Believe it or not the city council is actually considering adopting this ordinance. Let them know what you think. No more useless regulations.
Kevin J. McCann
Healdsburg
Post office food drive
Editor: Another year, another success!
Big thanks to the Healdsburg Post Office for their annual Food Drive run by the letter carriers and the rural carriers. On May 11 they brought in thousands of pounds of food to the Healdsburg Food Pantry, donations we need and use. As always, this community is very generous! A special thanks to Bonnie Buckingham at the Post office, and to Ignacio Perez and Charlie Scalione at the Food Pantry for all their tireless work.
Thank you all!
Robin Ridder
Healdsburg
Most successful yet
Editor: The local chapter of the American Association of University Women’s 23rd Healdsburg Homes Tour was the most successful tour yet, raising over $46,000 for local education and scholarships for women.  AAUW members worked long and hard to put on the event, but its success depended upon the generosity of the Healdsburg Community.  We thank the owners and residents of the seven homes on the tour for getting their homes “ready for company” of about 600 guests. We thank the home sponsors, advertisers, and raffle prize donors for their generosity. Thank you to the merchants who allowed us to cover the town with our posters and postcards.  Thank you to the Healdsburg Center for the Arts and most especially to the Healdsburg Museum and its curator Holly Hoods. Thank you to the Tribune, the Press Democrat, the Museum, the Healdsburg Education Foundation and Patch who provided wonderful publicity for the tour.
This year we extended the hours of the tour in part to allow out of town visitors to have time to lunch and stroll around the plaza.  We also provided a list of local restaurants on the Homes Tour page of our website and on an information sheet passed out at the start of the tour. We hope this brought more business to town. If any of the readers have suggestions about how we can make this community event more helpful to local businesses next year let us know.
Thank you all!
Ronnie Devitt and Janet Hoehn,
co-chairs
AAUW Healdsburg Homes Tour
Healdsburg history
Editor: If you care about Healdsburg … chances are you appreciate Healdsburg history. If you appreciate Healdsburg history you absolutely need to get down to the Healdsburg Museum to see the latest exhibit. It is fabulous!
“The Movie Stars Next Door and the Twin Valley Ranch” tells a story about the life and times of Fred MacMurray and June Haver at their Twin Valley ranch off of Westside Road. It is a truly spectacular property that was the chosen spot for these two Hollywood stars. They raised cattle and they cherished their time at this very special property. The exhibit includes some very special photos, vintage fishing gear, movie posters and memorabilia, costumes, and lots of mementos from both  Hollywood and the Ranch. There is an audio tour narrated by Kate MacMurray that accompanies the exhibit.
The exhibit goes through July 21st. It’s a “must see” for those that appreciate Healdsburg history.
Kent Mitchell
Past-President Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society
Keeps you on your toes
Editor: I am amazed at the amount of whining going on about the one-way on Foss Creek Circle. Think about it … the street is a 1/4 mile long. All this fuss over A -QUARTER-OF-A-MILE street. Really? Whether it’s one way, or two way, you will still have inconsiderate drivers not using their blinkers, driving too fast, driving on the wrong side, not paying attention and you will still have an uncooperative post office. At least this way, you only have traffic (both considerate and inconsiderate) in your flow of traffic, not coming at you! And so what if it goes in a direction you aren’t “comfortable” with. It keeps you on your toes!  Having worked on Foss Creek for seven years now, and using the gym facility, I appreciate the one way because pulling in and out of the driveway a few times a day is safer being as you don’t have traffic coming at you from both directions. Having cars parked on both sides, you can’t see until you are in the street. I think it’s time we stop hounding the City Council; find something productive to do with your time; pay attention while driving; and be considerate. Step outside yourself and think about your fellow men and women and what might be good for others.  Just a thought.
Joanne Clark
Healdsburg