Editorial

Most people have heard the slogan “Only rain down the drain” or have seen decals near storm drain inlets with the words “DRAINS TO CREEK, NO DUMPING” on them. And we know what a wonderful environment we have in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties — our rivers and creeks are a major part of what is so great about living here. As you go about your daily tasks at work and home, you want to do what’s right to protect our environment, but sometimes it seems more convenient to overlook the responsible action, or just take a shortcut. It may seem easy to just clean a paint brush or roller with a hose into the street gutter or inlet rather than into the sink. After all, it’s just a little paint. Or when completing the replacement of a portion of a driveway you might be tempted to hose off the excess concrete into the nearby storm drain inlet — what else can you do with it? Let’s say the area around the dumpster or garbage can is getting a little dirty so why not a quick rinse with a hose to clean it up? It goes to a treatment plant, doesn’t it? These are all examples of how waste can end in our creeks.

Sometimes enduring tough economic times reminds us of certain

Probably every issue of this newspaper ever published has contained at least one story or item about a death. That’s because when we share our lives and community together, we also share our passings.

Each of us, as individuals and as a community, possesses a

“All who believed were together and had all things in common. They would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need…”

A few months ago I made an urgent plea that folks stop burning

Don’t look now, but the “when, where, how and who” of future

The origins of Memorial Day are often attributed to General John Logan. It is true that, in 1868, he gave impetus to an official “Decoration Day” as it was first called, a time for remembering the Civil War dead and decorating their graves. But Logan never really understood the meaning of the day. Until his own death, he remained a radical reconstructionist whose fierce anger toward the South never abated.

I want to earn your vote! You and I have the great pleasure to live in Healdsburg where, for over 150 years, people have built a great community, come to each other’s aid when required, and looked forward to an ongoing future of growth and prosperity. I believe we are now at a crossroads. One where your future city leaders will decide whether we can afford to do all the great things we want to do.