Columns

We expected this new year of 2020 to be a very full 12 months of news, it being a presidential election year, a Leap Year, the start of a new decade and the continuation of an age of digital disruption. But we didn’t also expect so much news about homelessness, endless tax questions on our election ballots and plenty of employment but not enough money to pay our rents and mortgages. And then there’s all that presidential impeachment news, too.

Let the (hair) growing begin!

Four Democratic Party presidential candidates, Pete Buttigieg, Bernie Sanders, Michael Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren, were represented at the Windsor Democratic Club’s first meeting of 2020, Jan. 30 at Round Table Pizza.

Genetics are pretty cool. I was given the heritage kit from 23 and Me over the summer, and it confirmed what I had pretty much known all along: I am extremely Northern European. My “fish belly white” skin (as described by my little brother in that loving way only little brothers can achieve) gave that away years ago.

For years they have been talking about “completing” the north side of the Town Green. Although it is referred to as the Civic Center project, it has somehow morphed into turning this area into a high end hotel and resort, with private residences and nightly rentals. (This comes after another large hotel is already being planned on the southeast corner of the green.)

Homemade Craft Fair & Bake Sale, Saturday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Twenty years ago, December 1999, I asked my fellow physicians in Healdsburg what they thought were the major medical advances of the twentieth century. Their responses were extensively covered in the Healdsburg Tribune.

COMMENTARY — On Jan. 21, the Healdsburg City Council met to consider a $7 million donation from the Foley Family Foundation to build the approved community space, performance center and farmers market at 3 North. Over 100 citizens attended, and many walked away embarrassed and dismayed by our elected’s performance. Based on a show of hands, an overwhelming majority was eager to embrace this unique and generous offer and was excited to see the city finally move forward with a project that was years in the planning and adopted by council in 2017, but lacked funding. All with virtually no strings attached.

Various elected officials and area firefighting administrators have been trying for several decades to better coordinate and add more efficiencies to all of Sonoma County’s firefighting services, personnel and tax structure. It has been a history of turf battles, bookshelf studies (you know, when a study is commissioned and then immediately left on the shelf unutilized) and even a recall election or two.

Hello, and happy 2020. Every January, the city asks you how Measure V funds should be spent via an online and print survey.