Letters to the Editor 6-26-14

Housing needs
Editor: Marie Gewirtz’ editorial regarding  various items including the lack of housing opportunities for middle class and young people in Healdsburg was well timed. There will be second meeting on the future of Healdsburg housing in July.
I attended the beginning of the first meeting and was enlightened. A study is being finalized as to what Healdsburg’s housing needs will be over the next X years. The houses in various categories did not support the need of Healdsburg for either middle class or young families.
The fight for housing for the middle class and younger people is not, in my opinion, for those of us 50 and over. Those directly affected-our children, their friends-have an opportunity to do something. There is not only the upcoming meeting but I have always found groups such as the Planning Commission and City Council to care about their constituencies.
Mike Fairchild
Healdsburg
Legion Auxiliary
Editor: I’d like to tell you a little about the Sotoyome Unit 111 of the  American Legion Auxiliary. Nationally, the American Legion Auxiliary has over 800,000 members and is the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization, yet many people have no idea who we are or what we do. And we do a lot!
The American Legion Family includes Post, Unit, Sons and Riders. Local groups meet at the Villa Annex in Healdsburg, where installation of officers for the July – July year was recently held. Our Unit 111 works year-round making poppy wreaths for graves at three local cemeteries. Our Past Presidents canasta group pay dues which contribute to a yearly nursing scholarship. We sponsor three high school juniors (from Windsor, Healdsburg and Geyserville) to go to Girls State, where they can learn how government works by running for office, holding elections and passing laws, but having fun doing it. At July Fourth fireworks we help the Post by selling flags, homemade cookies, glow-in-the-dark headbands and drinks.
We send donations to Yountville Veterans Home for their Spring Fling Party, and at our Christmas party, profit from a big raffle goes to Pathway House at Yountville, a place for combat veterans to stay while combating mental or physical problems.
The American Legion originated right after World War One ended and the Auxiliary began a year later. So we’ll soon be celebrating 100 years of service and there will be lots of special events.
We always welcome new members (you have to be related to a military member or veteran), especially younger women who are interested in carrying on our good work. For more info, call me at 838-4035.
Bettie Crandall
Healdsburg