Likes seeing council on TV
EDITOR: After reading the letter from Mark Decker about city council meetings being on cable channel 26, I watched the meeting which covered the presentation of the parking study. It was fascinating and eye-opening. Even better, it was fairly easy to follow. Like ballgames, it’s exciting to be there, but the TV camera shows the action up close and personal.
Since the program is repeated, Monday through Friday at 7:30 p.m., one can watch in convenient segments and see the whole meeting, having snacks and goodies, as one speaker recommended.
Thank you, Mark.
Billie Harrison, Healdsburg
Price of success unacceptable
EDITOR: I am writing in response to two recent pieces which thoughtfully discussed the balance between tourism and the needs and wants of locals: Bruce Abramson’s call for a ban on further hotel development (8/3) and Chris Herrod’s commentary on community values (8/24).
The latter piece resonated strongly with me, and seems a continuation of many lively Facebook threads in which we both participated. I think that I bring a different perspective; I have lived here for only three years, having bought the house where my parents lived for over 30. Now I am reaching out to make a home for myself here, and I look for that which is welcoming, necessary and familiar in my new community. I rely on our downtown for the social interaction, arts, shopping, dining and entertainment it offers.
A gentleman wrote, in another post, that he avoids the Plaza and all of our iconic dining spots (while he misses them), and “lives (his) life elsewhere.” I think that is tragic; I understand the economics of tourism, but the price of its success, driving locals out of their own downtown, is unacceptable.
I support any initiative to encourage local shopping, dining, etc., as Mr. Herrod suggests. I think it would be refreshing for locals and merchants alike to focus together on a more balanced Healdsburg, which is accommodating and accessible to all. It’s been a frustrating experience to try to integrate into a community where I am outnumbered by tourists and often treated as one.
With regard to hotels, the oft-mentioned issues of crowding, traffic and parking are already so challenging, an additional 350 rooms seems well beyond the breaking point. The city council just voted unanimously to limit tasting rooms downtown – let’s also ban further hotel development, as advocated by Mr. Abramson. And let’s enact that ban now, before another hotel developer steps in to purchase vacant and/or vulnerable downtown property. Surely we, as a community, can find uses for those last few sites, which better serve the future of our town.
I’d like to call Healdsburg home for the foreseeable future, and look forward to gathering with my friends and neighbors – downtown.
Joan Berler, Healdsburg
Great reporting
EDITOR: Regarding the article, “What is the role of law enforcement in dealing with the homeless?” (Aug. 10, 2017) great article. I think it’s inspiring that law enforcement, social services and the Sonoma County District Attorney are all working together to help all the folks out there who have fallen on hard times.
Also, a great big thank you to Heather Bailey and Amie Windsor for great writing and great reporting. Sorry it took me this long to get this letter to you.
Gloria C. Bagnani, Cloverdale
