Letters to the Editor 5-9-13

Gun obscenity
Editor: So far as I can tell, Ray Holley and I are the only ones to address, in these pages, the topic of gun obscenity. I can only hope that many community members already written a check to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (BradyCampaign.org) or to California’s Courage Campaign (CourageCampaign.org), which is working hard to pass reasonable gun-control legislation. Now that would be a powerful amount of contributions going towards restoring sanity in this country and stopping school kids from getting murdered.  
While we are being subjected to all of the vicious silliness currently being spewed out at the NRA convention in Texas, I have to ask how in the world “level-headed” NRA members such as Rep. Mike Thompson, and undoubtedly many NRA card-holders in this county can, with good conscience, remain in such a pernicious, criminally-misguided stalking-horse for the gun industry? To me, their continued membership has to mean that they personally support the rhetoric and programs of the NRA. That’s what membership in an organization conveys, Mike. Yet I haven’t heard of members publically disavowing or protesting the repugnant, so-called “American values” their organization preaches. Mike and community members, it’s now a “Joseph McCarthy moment,” so tear up your card, send them the pieces, and let the community know where you really stand. You can always re-join when the NRA has its teeth pulled or returns to sanity. Looking forward to hearing from you on this page.
Dave Henderson
Healdsburg
More trees removed
Editor: LA Comes to Healdsburg. It’s unfortunate that Kim and John Lloyd of Big John’s Market chose to remove all of the mature trees on the market property. I understand that one of the trees had to be removed to allow expansion of the fire road on the north side of the complex, however even trees that appear not be in the way of any construction are being cut down. Mature trees take decades to grow so replanting new ones won’t fix the problem for many years to come. The market complex now looks like any other strip mall you’d find in LA — is this really what we want for Healdsburg?  
Joanne Busso
Healdsburg
Truth, honesty, trust
Editor: I’m sure I’m not the only one getting tired of the week after week negative Foss Creek Letters to the Editor but as Carolyn Moore noted “It’s not going away.” The Foss Creek Circle issue is looking more and more emblematic of our current city council. Based on the overwhelming negativity of this project you’d think that by now the council would have been honest enough to admit that this one-way street business was a bad idea, changed it back and moved on to more important city matters. But it hasn’t and it’s beginning to look like the council thinks it can get its 3-2 way by stonewalling and hoping the town will get tired of the fight.
This thing seems to be a pet project of one of the councilmen. I think there have been more negative Letters to the Editor about this than the number of people in the bogus survey used to justify this project. In Gary Buchanan’s Letter “Close Call,” he referred to Gary Plass’ response as “glib” to a near accident. I don’t think his response was “glib” at all I think it was condescending.
I’m starting to sense that this council feels it can do whatever it wants without regard for the community. The town has a limited amount of money to spend on foolish projects. Two councilmembers, of all people, know we need every cent to pay for the city’s bloated unfunded long term liabilities. Unless they think they can just do Measures N, O and P to raise more tax money and the town would happily go along. Or maybe they could convert the town’s beloved library into an office building. Sound too farfetched? Don’t kid yourself they have already talked about it.
The council’s justification for Foss Creek Circle was that no one showed up to protest. People have to work and they don’t have time to show up for every council meeting. When this council was elected people thought they were getting representatives that would look after the town’s interests. They said the decision was made because Silver Oak needed the changes for their deliveries which turned out to be not true. I’m beginning to believe this council’s attitude with each other is “we’ll vote for your pet project if you vote for mine.”  
The counsel has asked the town for suggestions on how to spend the Measure M funds.  The whole town better show up because if they don’t who knows what the council will spend the money on and with the restoration of the $13.5m bond money maybe we need a citizen’s ad hoc oversight committee to keep this money from being wasted. Where’s the trust?
Michael Haran
Healdsburg
Cinco de Mayo success
Editor: The organizers and coordinators of the First Annual Cinco de Mayo in the Plaza would like to thank all those involved who made it such a resounding success. We would especially like to thank St. Paul’s church for their sponsorship which helped get our project launched. This would not have been possible without the wonderful support we had from the many businesses and merchants who provided financial contributions to defray the cost involved in putting such an event together. I would personally like to thank our Ballet Folklorico dance teacher, Kerry Ampuero, for all of her time, talent, and dedication to keeping this culture and it’s beautiful dances alive in the footsteps of the children.
We are so thrilled with the reception we received on Saturday afternoon. It truly was a child centered, family event, celebrating the rich Mexican heritage and the hard work of the children!
We are already at work on the Second Annual Cinco de Mayo in the Plaza for next year!
With many thanks and muchas gracias!
Linda Maxwell, Felix Ortiz and the Diaz family
Healdsburg