A Friendly Face for Visitors
Visitors from California, the U.S. and around the world come to Healdsburg—yet our Plaza has no visible welcome or central place to answer their questions.
Other destination towns already have kiosks or visitor centers that showcase what makes their community special. A well-designed kiosk or information cart in Healdsburg, staffed by volunteers, could help visitors find shops, restaurants, events and more, and provide answers to questions about the town while highlighting its unique charm.
Visitors who feel welcomed stay longer, spend more and return—often bringing others with them. That increased spending generates tax revenue that supports city services and benefits the entire community.
With friendly staff available to answer questions and offer guidance, a quick visit can become a full-day experience, supporting businesses across the Plaza and beyond. This isn’t just about tourism; it’s about community pride. A visible welcome point signals that Healdsburg values everyone who comes through our doors.
I urge our city leaders and HTID to prioritize a central, welcoming visitor hub on or near the Plaza. It’s a small step with a big impact—helping Healdsburg remain a destination people talk about, remember fondly and revisit often.
Susan Halstead, Healdsburg
Leaf-Blower Ban
Last week at the Healdsburg City Council’s annual Goal Setting meeting, I again requested that they consider an ordinance banning gas-powered leaf blowers.
The State legislature outlawed their sale in California over two years ago, because their inefficient engines are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions (GGE): the California Air Resources Control Board estimates that using a blower for one hour generates as much GGE as driving a Toyota Camry 1,100 miles. But they continue to be ubiquitous, except in the hundreds of municipalities that have banned their use.
Every city in Marin County has banned gas-powered leaf blowers. Other examples include Los Angeles, Oakland, Berkeley and Walnut Creek. Locally, the City of Sonoma has had a ban in place since 2016. Transition to electric devices was not onerous, and they report minimal issues with enforcement.
With so many successful examples to replicate, Healdsburg staff could draft an ordinance and policies with a minimal investment of time. I have heard no objection to doing so that didn’t sound more like an excuse for inaction than a real barrier to success.
At the meeting I presented the signatures of 65 residents who signed a petition in support of a ban. These were collected by a volunteer during an event on the Plaza. We might have collected hundreds more, because it is a very popular idea. I did not encourage volunteers to do so, because I felt that if we were making that effort, we might as well collect the 765 signatures required to place an initiative on the ballot.
But I hope that won’t be necessary. I hope our elected representatives will represent us, as the system is meant to work.
If you support banning gas-powered leaf blowers, write the City Council and tell them so. You just need to send one email to the City Clerk at ra****@********rg.gov. She will distribute your message to the full council. Councilmembers also welcome phone calls and meetings with residents.
Leah Gold, le*******@***il.com
Healdsburg
