Page 22 - Sonoma County Gazette July 2017

Santa Rosa went to the Polls June 6, 2017
Hot in Healdbsurg!
With a potential 88,754 registered voters voting in Santa Rosa only 14,724 Yes and 13,315 No counted votes Measure C, the Rent Stabilization Ordinance which was defeated. Measure D, the City of Santa Rosa Cannabis Business Tax was passed with Yes 21,516 and 6,253 No. Measure D will be known as the Cannabis Industry Tax Ordinance. The cannabis industry tax is enacted solely to raise revenue and not to regulate cannabis activity; regulation of that activity remains the province of the City Council. The cannabis industry tax is an excise tax on the privilege of engaging in cannabis business activity in the City; it is not a sales or use tax. All of the proceeds from the tax imposed by this Chapter shall be placed in the City’s general fund and used for general governmental purposes.
As I write this, we are experiencing a crazy heat wave throughout the County that has people scrambling for air conditioners and swamp coolers as well as cooling centers just to escape the heat.
At the writing of this column the o ce of Voter Registration Election Manager, Deena Thompson-Stalder advised to date all the ballots from 65 out of 65 Precincts and mail in ballot received by June 6th have been counted. She went on to explain that the o ce has 30 days to certify the election which during that time mail in ballots received from the polling place and the provisional ballots are counted. “Historically the early returns do not change,” Stadler said. You can see the results of the election at vote.sonoma-county.org/ content.aspx?sid=1009&id=2456.
As a Healdsburg resident, I highly recommend getting on to NextDoor.com. There are a couple groups in Healdsburg and, basically, NextDoor is a sharing platform where people can share news, concerns, coyote sightings, weird activity, neighborhood activities, needs for gardeners and pet care as well as items for sale. I have bought two TVs and a recliner thanks to NextDoor ...and met new neighbors as well. I also got a consulting job and learned today that two excellent beat-the-heat locations are the Healdsburg Public Library and the Healdsburg Museum. Excellent ideas in addition to the cooling center set up at the Senior Center on Matheson in times of extreme heat.
Andy Lopez Mural Unveiled
If you are a Mom and live in Healdsburg, reach out to be part of the 500 strong Healdsburg Moms Group. Their facebook page is protected but email Jessie Bushnell to nd out how to be a part of this group that helps Moms with questions and support in times of need. Social is a big part of the Healdsburg Moms and 30+ meet every month for wine, dinner, a movie and just some kid- free time. Jessie can be reached at shiftingperspectives@gmail.com.
Around seventy ve people attended the unveiling of a three panel mural honoring the memory of thirteen year old Andy Lopez who on October 22, 2013 was shot and killed on Moorland Ave. in Roseland when a sheri ’s deputy mistook the Airsoft BB gun he was carrying for a real one. The mural, spearheaded by Santa Rosa based Artstart and created by its local artist
Tourism is a hot topic in Healdsburg. A kind of “can’t live with them...can’t live without them” scenario. Tourism brings a lot to the community but can be very frustrating for the residents here. A new group called the Healdsburg Tourism Coalition has been actively holding forums and gathering residents input on the good, bad and wishes for the future. I agree that parking is impossible on the weekends but, at the same time, I don’t ever want to pay for parking. Had enough of that in LA!
and Director, Mario Uribe was installed on the northeast corner of the Old Albertson’s Shopping Center on Sebastopol Road.
The mural consists of three colorful panels. The rst panel represents community, the second panel is a picture of a painting from an original picture of Lopez in four phases from the clear vision of his life to the last picture
which was faded. It was the third panel that caused some controversy among attendees. Several members of the community felt because the issue still has not been resolved, felt it inappropriate to have a law enforcement o cer included in the mural. Uribe acknowledged it was a sensitive area and agreed to meet with those concerned to explore how it can be resolved.
Tourists bring money and jobs but it also brings many more people. If you are willing to work, you can nd a job in any of the retail, restaurant, winery and service industries that are madly hiring.
It truly was a heartfelt event with presentations from former Sonoma County 5th District Supervisor Efren Carrillo and his successor, Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, Santa Rosa Mayor Chris Coursey, and former task force member and President of the Latino Democratic Club, Caroline Buenlos, and artist Uribe.
Healdsburg has not backed o in trying to attract tourists here and is actively bringing travel journalists and social in uencers to the area. One hope is to bolster shoulder and low seasons when we could use a few more restaurant and winery patrons.
I want to encourage those reading this column to visit the mural and email me at elaine@womensspaces.com and let me know what your thoughts are or write a letter to the editor.
This issue is a hot one but follow the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce, the City Council and the Healdsburg Tourism Coalition to get all sides of the story. They all have facebook pages and email sign ups.
Courtyard Square Update
To date the response to the Square has been positive with most people enjoying that cars do not go through the square and is a work in progress according to Stephen Bittmer, Supervising Engineer of the project. He reports that once the funding is available a new fountain will be installed and will
be contracted on the south side of the square at the third street intersection. At present the panels created by artist Rita Asawa which surrounded the old fountain are now in storage waiting for the new fountain to be built. Art is an important feature of the square and Tara Thompson, art coordinator for the city of Santa Rosa is excited about the decorative towers that have LED lights that change colors and the added etchings from Luther Burbank.
The WOW program includes training in professional cooking, sustainable farming, and life skills, developing their appreciation of high-quality food prepared by chefs and food service professionals. The program is speci cally for young from 16-24 who have faced major challenges in their lives.
The Healdsburg Tribune will be sending out twice weekly updates on local news so make sure to get your email to them. Go on the facebook page or website and get the local news when it happens!
Leah Gold is the new City Council Representative elected in a special election after the resignation of Eric Zeidrich. Leah campaigned hard and was seen everywhere, especially at the Parade throwing out gold Mardi Grad beads...genius. Congratulations to Leah and many thanks to the years of service by Gary Plass.
Visiting Chef Dinners at Worth Our Weight (WOW)
It is possible to support students and the program on the on the third Thursday of the month and experience what the WOW apprentices can do
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under the guidance of a celebrity Visiting Chef from Sonoma County. The next dinner is scheduled for July 20 and will feature Olenka Orjeda, a Santa Rosa Chef who will be preparing Peruvian style food. The apprentices operate the WOW Cafe for Sunday Brunch 8am – 2pm. For further information visit their website at worthourweight.org/.
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” ― Marie Skłodowska Curie, born Maria Salomea Skłodowska, November 7, 1867-July 4, 1934, was a Polish and naturalized-French physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. .
Elaine B. Holtz is producer/Host of “Women’s Spaces” on KBBF 89.1FM Monday 11-am-noon and repeats at 11pm to midnight Visit her website at: womensspaces.com Become a fan on FB. The show is streaming on kbbf-fm.or
Something to think about