Letters to the Editor 9-10-15

Expedient and safe
Editor: The single problem with the old Foss Creek Circle one-way was its direction. Because it has two driveways on the inner circle and six on the outer circle a counterclockwise flow would mean there would have been much fewer cars attempting to cross in front of others when exiting or entering the street hence smoother flow. Making it two way again simply gave the council a way to say we broke it and now we fixed it.
Argue as we may, the science regarding most surface street applications is that roundabouts are more expedient and safer than intersections and it gives us folks that like to drive the opportunity to play together nicely while behind the wheel.
John Lloyd
Healdsburg
Wrong solution
Editor: The approved roundabout in Healdsburg will not really solve the traffic problem at the busiest intersection in town. The heaviest direction of traffic is northbound with a large number of vehicles turning left from Healdsburg Avenue onto Westside Road and Vine Street. Add in the vehicles from the other directions and it will be difficult for the roundabout to handle the traffic efficiently and safely.
It doesn’t take rocket science to figure out that even with the roundabout, it will be one very congested intersection and perhaps more of a hazard once the train track is in use. Instead I wonder if any of the planners have considered building the missing freeway ramps at Highway 101 and Westside Road. Completion of the freeway northbound off-ramp and the southbound onramp would obviously reduce the congestion and be a better solution to Healdsburg’s traffic woes.
The goal should be not only to improve the traffic flow, but to lessen the amount of unnecessary vehicles at this five-way intersection. Save the expense of the roundabout. Build the Highway 101 ramps first, then see if a roundabout is really needed.
Ed Liu
Healdsburg
End the bashing
Editor: People, can we please stop the roundabout bashing? It’s coming. Period. End of sentence. Roundabouts are not evil, they’re not voodoo, they’re not magic. Our dear tourists are wealthy, not stupid. And even if they were stupid, roundabouts are not complicated; it’s not like we’re trying to teach them three-dimensional chess blindfolded. A well-designed roundabout (as it seems this one will be) is simple. Follow the arrows, get out at the street you’re looking for – voila, you’re on your way. And based on the designs presented to us at the workshops over the summer, this one will look nice to boot.
Meg Keehan
Healdsburg
Building knowledge and enriching thought
Editor: This year the Healdsburg branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) inaugurated the new Healdsburg AAUW Forum as part of its 40th anniversary celebration. Response to the initial program — a two-part history of California presented by Dr. Christopher O’Sullivan — was so enthusiastic that we are pleased to continue the series.
Two new six-week courses will be offered this fall. O’Sullivan will regale us on Tuesday mornings with a personal history of the Roosevelts (1860-1920). Kayleen Asbo will discuss the drama-filled lives of the Romantic composers while interspersing the lectures with performances of their music on Thursday mornings. More courses are planned for the winter and spring.
Forum currently offers the only opportunity for this kind of adult learning experience in Healdsburg. AAUW is pleased to be able to hold the series at the convenient and comfortable Raven Theater Healdsburg venue. The tuition — $90 per course — is the lowest for any university-level course offered in the entire Bay area.
Healdsburg AAUW serves Cloverdale, Geyserville, Healdsburg, and Windsor. It furthers its mission by providing scholarships for women and girls and supporting local educational programs. Last year we provided more than $70,000 in scholarships and grants for local education. A complete listing of what we have funded appears on our website at www.healdsburgaauw.com/scholarships/.
Forum is one of our major fundraisers. You will be making an important contribution every time you enroll in one of the courses. Encourage your family, friends and neighbors to do likewise. The only limitation is the capacity of the Raven Theater.
Classes begin Tuesday, Oct. 6 and run from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Raven Theater in Healdsburg. Register online at www.healdsburgaauw.com
Ronnie Devitt, President
Healdsburg AAUW
Disappointed by paper
Editor: I was very disappointed when I read the Tribune, and not one word was mentioned about keeping pets out of the river, because of the toxic alge. I had planned on taking both of my dogs for a swim, glad I didn’t. I would think something this deadly would have been mentioned in the local paper.
Nancy McIntyre
Healdsburg
Sound and fury signifying … what?
Editor: The proposal for a roundabout has most certainly raised the ire of many of my dear local citizenry. One wonders (okay, I wonder) if it wouldn’t be a good time to initiate a remedial driving course. We could go over the basic functions of the steering wheel, the accelerator and that seldom-used pedal just to the left of said accelerator: The Brake. When all three components are working, a driver may then sally forth, easing her flivver into this circle which would mean slowing down, moving above-mentioned steering wheel a bit to the left, merging calmly with other motorists. It shouldn’t be too onerous.
Barbara Médaille
Healdsburg