Editorial

The results are final for the county’s Measure A sales tax increase, purported to be a partial remedy for fixing local roads. The sharp split among voters at Tuesday’s ballot confirmed some serious doubts about county leaders’ tax mathematics.

There is real enthusiasm in Sonoma County for renewable energy and to that end the Board of Supervisors has voted to explore various public options. Over the next few years, they will try to run-to-ground the costs, consequences and benefits of forming a public power agency. Healdsburg has something to offer in this debate. Not one of the hypothetical possibilities in their study, but the best example in the county of a successful, living, breathing public power entity.

Our presidential candidates are doing their best to sell us on a vision of their presidencies. Bigotry, hate, anger, selfishness, scarcity, and lack of respect for human life characterize a number of these visions. Such visions are deeply disturbing, scary and sad.

One of the reasons so many people in Healdsburg say “we are so lucky to live here,” is the Healdsburg Museum. On par with the city’s beloved library, the Museum is a keeper of the community’s culture.

Pests, whether ants in the kitchen or weeds in the garden, are a frustrating reality in any home or garden. While many of us think of a pesticide as the quick solution, it is not the safest alternative for our family’s heath and for the environment. Our watershed, creeks, rivers and local water bodies can be contaminated with pesticides and other chemicals that we commonly use. These chemicals are not only a threat to aquatic life, but can also affect the quality of our drinking water and our health. So, how can we control pests safely? What are alternatives to pesticides? Should pesticides ever be used?

Frank Robertson, in his commentary "Hard to swallow" last week

On Tuesday, November 15, 2011, a public hearing was held at the

“Why doesn’t someone do something about all the trash in the creek?” This question from an 11 year old girl scout surprised me. Dozens of energetic volunteers surrounded us scouring the banks of Santa Rosa Creek along the Prince Memorial Greenway for trash washed down by the winter rains. I started to explain that many people were indeed doing something, only to be interrupted by her observation that cut to the quick of any storm water program, “Yes, but if people were really doing something, we wouldn’t have to be here cleaning up after them.”

Local law enforcement leaders oppose Proposition 47. Although well intended, its consequences will not be as advertised.  The proposition promises to channel funds from prisons to schools and rehabilitative programs by reducing many crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. However, what we’re not hearing in pro Prop 47 arguments is that many successful programs currently exist for offenders that Prop 47 would negatively impact. In Sonoma County we have an extensive diversion program for drug offenders, and specialized courts to address drug and alcohol addiction.  By reducing these crimes to misdemeanors, the incentive to combat these addictions is replaced by a revolving door at the jail.  Worse yet, date rape drugs will be reduced to misdemeanor crimes.  

In Healdsburg and throughout Sonoma County, issues related to housing have been in the spotlight for many months. The city is keenly aware of our community’s housing needs and has been working hard, alongside our residents, to address these serious housing problems. Providing affordable housing to working families and building government subsidized, affordable housing units continue to be top City Council priorities. Much has been accomplished and a great deal remains to be done.