Letters to the editor 8-25-16

Making Healdsburg livable
Editor: The pro-GMO supporters; this is the political crowd I usually run with. But after careful thought, I am going the other direction to vote ‘yes’ on the Healdsburg Housing Measure, Measure R. A yes vote amends (some say scraps) the GMO (Growth Management Ordinance) in order to give the city new strength to heal the housing crisis. Of course, no bill is perfect, but this one is a forward moving and fair compromise with great potential.
GMO proponents like Gail Jonas (whom I like and respect very much) argue that growth controls should stay in the hands of the voters (the voter approved GMO) rather than be allowed to be swayed by opportunistic developers and their allies on future city councils. Looking back, as she did in her thoughtful piece in the Tribune, one can see why the GMO battle was fought 16 years ago. But I don’t think we need to stubbornly cling to those victories.
The pro-GMO folks won’t tell you how the GMO increases housing affordable to Healdsburg’s workers, because it doesn’t. Their arguments rest 100 percent on distrust of government. But I find it ridiculous to think Measure R was recommended by the Housing Committee because they want to push back against the GMO in order to forward a “greedy, pro-development agenda.”
The GMO, despite its passive allowances for low-income housing, was never designed to be a tool to balance housing options or to make Healdsburg an affordable place to live.
A ‘yes’ vote will not abandon the goals and outcomes of the GMO (maintaining “small town charm”). Sure, citizens will need to continue their work to keep the city council on track. We’ll need to focus on candidates with no vested interest in development and who emphasize livability. In a small town, democracy is very hands-on. If the citizens should turn a lazy eye on an errant or opportunistic council, then we will get what we deserve.
Along with the Healdsburg housing measure the city will have new tools (primarily the Housing Action Plan, and the new 30 percent inclusionary low-income housing requirement) to aggressively tackle the housing crisis. It will make it possible to welcome thoughtful projects that yield a reasonable but necessary profit and help meet our critical housing goals, with full community review at all stages. Let’s take a valuable forward step towards making Healdsburg livable for everyone and vote yes on R.
Chris Herrod
Healdsburg
Zucchini Festival is Saturday
Editor: Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls of all ages mark your calendar for Saturday, Aug. 27. The Healdsburg Farmers’ Market will hold its annual zucchini festival and races. Decorate your zucchinis of all sizes, put wheels on them and bring them to the races. I have from special informed sources that Cap’n Zuke himself will join in on the fun.
Kip Miller (aka Cap’n Zuke)
Healdsburg
Editorials matter
Editor: The first homework assignment for every student sixth grade through 12th grade should be reading and responding to Rollie Atkinson’s editorial “Words Matter.”  
Carolyn Moore
Healdsburg
Marathon effort
Editor: In just a few short days, I will be participating in the Santa Rosa Marathon to support my friend and fellow Rotarian, Andy Esquivel, who lost his son Drew tragically in New York last month. Drew was an exceptional young man who impacted our community and all those with whom he engaged. Your paper has covered the story. Here is another chapter.
The Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise established a scholarship fund to honor Drew. Recently at a Rotary meeting, Andy challenged the community to join him in making an everlasting difference in Drew’s memory.
In a way to honor his memory, Andy and the Sunrise Club are raising funds for a permanent fund that will recognize outstanding students who exhibit the leadership, scholarship, athletic, service and adventure ideals so evident in Drew’s life. Andy will be running a full marathon while others will be participating in various segments of the race. Since I made my initial request to support this cause a week ago, there has been and continues to be generous contributions to the fund. That said, there is still time to make an investment. Those wishing to make a tax-deductible donation to the scholarship fund can send checks to Sunrise Rotary Club of Healdsburg Foundation, a 501(c)3 corporation, Attn: Drew Esquivel Scholarship, P.O. Box 302, Healdsburg, CA 95448 or donate at www.crowdrise.com/DrewEsquivelMemorial. Together we can make a difference.
William K Seppi
Healdsburg
Middle income mandate in question
Editor: Currently, the city requires that 15 percent of the total number of units constructed in a market-rate project be affordable for low to moderate income households making up to $99,000. Contrary to Joe Naujokas’ letter last week (“Give council plan a shot”), these affordable units do not count toward our Growth Management Ordinance (GMO) cap.
If Measure R passes, the city will venture into uncharted legal territory. It plans to create a new 15 percent mandate on top of the existing 15 percent. This added 15 percent deed-restricted housing would go to middle income households making $100,000 to $132,000. Because this new mandate is well above California’s qualifying income levels for affordable housing, it is legally suspect under a recent California Supreme Court case, CBIA v. City of San Jose.
A key incentive for voters is Measure R’s promise of deed-restricted mandated middle income housing. We hope the city will answer this question: will developers actually have to build any of these needed units?   
Janis Watkins and Gail Jonas
Healdsburg