Editorial

This is Part 2 of the “Cost Savings” commentary. In Part 1, the councilmembers discussed factors that led to the current budget conditions, as well as actions that have been taken in the past year to address the budget issues.

Part I

Exactly two years ago, I wrote a commentary on this page declaring that I would be away from the paper on maternity leave for a few months and that I was leaving the paper in very capable hands while I was away. I wrote that while I would be stepping back from the endless deadlines and late night meetings, I knew I would be up against a different set of challenges as I gave birth to my first child.

A serious issue

We are a group of Healdsburg residents who represent a variety of political affiliations and opinions. But we are united in our belief that Healdsburg residents, City Council, City staff, and employee unions need to work together NOW to solve the financial/pension crisis that Healdsburg, like so many other communities, is facing.

Crowds can be powerful, dangerous, glorious, murderous. Think of the crowds in the streets of cities in the middle east in what has been called the Arab Spring, a spring that has blossomed in hope for justice and freedom, a spring that has also suffered the chill of brutal repression. Think of the crowds of the Occupy events around the US, citizens gathering in protest, in hope, in resentment, and sometimes in crazy violence.

As one of two new Co-Chairs of the Board of the Healdsburg Animal Shelter, I want to take this opportunity to update the community regarding the new Shelter facility and outline a path forward toward its completion in the short-term. Further, I do so not in an effort to point fingers at any of the parties involved to date, but rather to move as quickly as possible to finish what will be an extraordinary facility. Our very achievable goal is that the new facility will continue to serve the many animals in need that have been so well provided for by the existing Shelter and operate to the highest standard possible utilizing the best practices in modern day animal care.

I am writing this letter to the community and to the remaining board members of the Healdsburg Animal Shelter. I am a former board member as is my husband George Dutton.

I love Daisy Damskey. And I love her grandmother’s wisdom that everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion, but no one owns the facts. Well, here are the facts:

The Healdsburg Animal Shelter is in the business of saving lives, and we do it well. National averages show approximately 50% of dogs and 70% of cats entering shelters are euthanized. The Healdsburg Animal Shelter’s rate is 7%. Additionally, in 2011, our dog adoptions tripled; cat adoptions increased by 29%; medical expenses decreased by 75%; professional fees decreased by 53%; income from fundraising events increased by 358%; charitable giving doubled and volunteers contributed 1,500 more volunteer hours. These are amazing accomplishments. Operationally our shelter ranks among the top in the nation.