Columns

Though it was only a few months ago, it seems like a lifetime since the city council developed their five-year strategic plan. It was a plan based upon a reality which is no longer relevant, thanks to COVID-19. Epidemiologists suggest that an effective vaccination for COVID-19 will not be available before 2021. Economists, in turn, suggest that the national and international economies will be in a recessionary status throughout this period and beyond. Until we move through this coming period of economic and social uncertainty, we will be subject to outbreaks, spikes and continued disruption to our economy. Some businesses may never reopen and others may go through several cycles of open/close/re-open, dampening tourism. The possibility of another major fire this season is high with the consequent damage to the Healdsburg economy. The confluence of these factors will continue to have a negative impact on the two main sources of city revenues: the Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) and sales tax.

On Saturday, Jan. 27, the Windsor Town Council held its annual goal-setting workshop. My personal takeaways were that, at a minimum, three priorities were identified and discussed.

(This editorial was originally published last April, 2020. We think a rereading offers a valuable reflection of where the past 12 months have taken us and shown us both what we have and have not learned.)

'We are fielding a lot of questions these days about our upcoming Building Modernization Project. The planning stage of the project is nearing completion and we still anticipate a start date for construction around Sept. 1...'

The recent passing of Barbara Bush and her request to die with dignity has shone some light on the question of death and dying. I am hoping it will help people begin to talk about these issues among themselves and especially with their families.

Every year as December dawns we sit down in the newsroom and make our plans for the last issue of the old year and first issue of the new year. We always make these two issues our year in review issues, and we do this for a couple of reasons, some practical and some more esoteric.