Let’s be right the first time
Healdsburg’s GMO (Growth Management Ordinance) is a complicated citizen’s initiative that was passed in 2000. In essence it limits the number of homes that can be built in a given year to 30. Since then the population has increased by less than 500 people. It is very difficult to provide housing opportunities for working folks in our community as median home prices have risen dramatically, inventory shrinks and nearly one third of re-sales are for second homes. Two years ago a committee was formed to look at amending the GMO. A compromise was reached that would give us a few more units for a 15 year period and then revert back to the current GMO. It wasn’t perfect, actually far from it. The original author of the GMO measure attended and spoke at the meetings. However he would not support even the modest changes the committee proposed, but agreed to remain neutral. He insisted that the GMO wasn’t broken and didn’t need a fix.
What’s the price of all this beauty?
My Indiana friend sent a photo of her dazzling ruby-colored backyard. For your fall fix, she wrote. A California friend visiting Maine posted golden leaves on Facebook and happily reported it blustery enough for gloves and scarves.
Why do it?
I am running for Healdsburg City Council and as such I am one of six people running for a total of three open positions. There are two incumbents and four new people, such as myself. I have no doubt that each of the candidates have the interests of Healdsburg at heart. They have to, with a salary of $150.00 per month, with very limited medical coverage and no real retirement benefits; you sure don’t do it for the money. You surely don’t do it for the vast prestige of the position either, as there are no corporate boards to join after your retire or speaking tours that are super lucrative. In point of fact, you end up working something on the order of 20 hours a week for a basic salary of something less than $2.00 per hour. This is less than minimum wage in California. Even at that, some people feel that their representatives are overpaid. SO WHY DO IT????? I think you have to have some issues that you feel need to be addressed and the belief that you can materially contribute to the resolution of these issues. In my case I am very concerned about the financial well-being of the city, given the current city government salary levels and the generous retirement benefits. This is a CURRENT problem and not a future issue that can be addressed by simply changing the conditions for new hires only. The work force is contracting and not expanding, so the impact of new hires on the retirement system is minimal. The city employees are very dedicated and through salary give backs and related concessions they have materially lessened the financial impact on the city. However, these steps may not be enough and additional difficult steps may be required to achieve financial well-being for the benefit of everyone.
Cries of the Earth, germs of racism
We have been living in a global village and sharing the same orbiting planet much longer than social scientists have been reminding us, or the first photos from outer space of our fragile blue-green marble confirmed.
Changing seasons
The seasons are changing at this time of the year and some of the changes are more apparent than others. The sun is lower in the sky, mornings are cooler and Daylight Savings Time ends soon. October’s colors are spectacular and the foliage of the trees and vineyards are the most visible reminders of the changing days ahead.
Creating a safe haven for animals by Kiska Icard
As we continue our mission to ensure every animal receives protection, compassion, love and care, the Sonoma Humane Society is proud to announce the final transfer of the unfinished shelter building on Bacchus Landing Way in Healdsburg from the Healdsburg Animal Shelter to the Sonoma Humane Society. With the final paperwork completed to transfer the building and remaining assets, our next steps include ensuring the safety and integrity of the building and developing plans to finish the facility in a manner which pays tribute to the generosity of Rodney and Charlotte Strong, and the generous and caring community who supported the project since its inception.
Keeping the lights on
After reading Rollie Atkinson’s editorial it got me thinking just how valuable the Tribune is to Healdsburg and I’m sure how the other Sonoma West Publishers’ weekly papers are to their communities.