Editorial

As a first year County Supervisor, I often tell people that “I am so full of purpose I might pop.” I love my job … and I don’t take a bit of it for granted. Some people ask me how I deal with the negative aspects of being a local elected official – the accusations, the blame and the demands to fix everything under the sun.

Before my head and my heart could accept that the end of a decade might be a good transition time, my body made a point of telling me that the chapter as Farmers’ Market Manager was coming to an end. In June, my back refused to be comfortable in my ‘69 Ford Market Truck, and I had a big epiphany after Epiphanio Juarez offered to purchase the truck. When I handed him the keys a few weeks later, I realized it was not that difficult to let go. And so began a summer and fall of small letting gos, until finally, after the market on Oct. 12, my back just stopped working. Fortunately, the market was beginning to wind down, and we had two well-trained assistants, Carl Hubbell and Teo Tomerlin, to work at the market. Thank you Greta Mesics, David and Sally Hubbell, Leslie Kelley Byrnes, Steve and Cheryl Caletti, and Zack Schwa for your help. And thank you to Ann Carranza for cheerfully managing the Pumpkin Fest and the Arts and Crafts Fair.

What a bunch of baloney! I’m referring to the flyer and the website that was put together by ‘Healdsburg Citizens for Sustainable Solutions’ (HCSS). Sheesh. Where do these people come from? The gall to take credit for negotiations with recent hotel proponents is incredibly bold and deceitful. The City of Healdsburg has a dedicated team consisting of the City Council, Planning Commission, and city staff  that is quite capable of working and negotiating with prospective developers. They have approved some quality projects that have greatly enhanced the economic and visual character of the downtown corridor, and they have denied some projects that were inappropriate for various reasons. They have done a commendable job, and along the way, public input was always considered at every aspect of the planning process. Truly a transparent process that encourages any and all to participate.

Mylar balloons, new shoes and envelopes full of money always make good gifts for graduating students. And, this being June and the beginning of the local graduation season, it’s not too early to pick over suitable gift suggestions. But caution is urged. Not all gift categories fit all graduates. Clothing, personalized tattoos or inspirational books can really miss the mark. Graduates may be quite young with much more to learn, but they know exactly what they want. Especially when it concerns fashion, peer approval and mandatory tests for coolness.

On August 14, 1935, after much debate and protest, President

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