Page 34 - Sonoma County Gazette November 2018

A Vision for Healdsburg
The residents of Healdsburg have a vision for the future of their City. I believe I know what that vision is, after knocking on over 1,500 doors and speaking with hundreds of my neighbors. They see a City where residents and tourists co-exist, where housing is at least obtainable, where children fill our schools and the fabric of our small town flourishes.
How do we get to this somewhat idealized version of our future? An American Institute of Architects team came to Healdsburg in August to
help us figure this out through their Sustainable Design Assessment Team
– SDAT. I had the honor of working with a small but dedicated committee
of visionaries, to help secure one of only nine such studies conducted nationwide this year. While the final report is due this month, we were given a presentation of their preliminary recommendations.
They confirmed many of the issues I have focused on over
the last several years and in my City Council campaign:
• The City should focus its efforts on affordable housing for our
lowest earners as well as our “missing middle” families. We need a comprehensive plan looking at all factors including a Housing Land Trust, the use of Measure S funds, a housing bond, in-lieu fees, inclusionary housing, ADUs and the use of City-owned properties for building. I support Measure P—the GMO amendment which will allow 50 additional units of middle-income rental housing to be built each year.
• We need to build neighborhoods, not just developments. The City needs an over-arching citizen-driven master planning process that outlines what we want developed, perhaps even detailed to the block level in some areas.
• The number of hotel rooms is about to double. We need to push “pause” on future such development. Every new hotel room has
an incremental impact on the livability of Healdsburg in terms of traffic, parking, and overall resources. This will mean updating the City’s general plan now, not later.
• We need an economic development team to focus on bringing new businesses to Healdsburg
that pay at a level such that our residents can afford to live and thrive in our City. SDAT found that 5,000 people per day commute out of Healdsburg.
• We need to connect our neighborhoods, as well
as take advantage of our Russian River resources. For example, the City’s upgrade of Badger Park’s river access should be tied to the County’s plan for a new Memorial Beach Park. We also need to look at connecting our City’s neighborhoods from East to West, not just our traditional North/ South focus.
• I also support the SDAT report’s recommendation that we involve the arts into all of our design and development efforts. Our City’s thriving arts community is a resource we should tap to make our community truly world-class.
I have religiously attended Council and Commission meetings over the last five years to understand the issues and contribute to our great community. We should be meeting common goals as a Council. I believe we can build issue-based alliances on the Council that work for all perspectives in solving our toughest problems and challenges, but also put Residents First! I look forward to the honor and opportunity to serve our community.
—Tim Meinken, Candidate for Healdsburg City Council
As fall settles in, nighttime comes earlier and evenings become cooler we hunker down into the month of November. Fall weather never keeps Windsor residents from having fun.
Come join us for Windsor’s 8th annual Day of the Dead celebration. Friday Nov. 2 from 5-8 pm on the Windsor Town Green. Paint some sugar skulls, eat some fantastic street food, listen to great music, Dance, Low-rider car exhibit, Giant puppets in a candle-lit procession. Alcohol-free family event. 100%
We have a bunch of fun actives for all ages.
of profits after expenses support the Bloco Novo Youth Drum and Dance program. For more information: email: windsormuertos@gmail.com
The Windsor Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Center is participating in the Mixer Holiday Party & Fundraiser for Green Dog Rescue Project on Tuesday November 13th sponsored by Accent Printing and Poppy Bank. Come mix, mingle and be merry! Maybe put in some bids in the live and silent auctions. RSVP to mac@accentprinting.com
Windsor Farmers Market: Come rain or shine. The Windsor Farmers Market is the place to shop for Holiday gifts this year through December 9th. Special local artists are being brought in for your Holiday gift shopping. These local artists and crafters offer everything from jewelry, quilts, yard art and pottery, to appliqued jean jackets for kids, wine barrel furniture, custom signs and shirts, whimsical hot pads and much more added weekly. Shop early because many of these vendors offer custom orders so that you can get just what you want. Be assured that these handmade items are made by the artist and/or their families.
Windsor Grange 410: Windsor Grange will be having a Thanksgiving Potluck dinner with a cameo appearance by Senator Mike McGuire. Get acquainted with the Grange and enjoy a small group visit with the Senator. He will have information about what is happening in our area and will have time for a few questions.
34 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 11/18
The Grange meets on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. Dinner starts at 7:00 but come any time after 6:30. Cost of admission? One potluck dish. The Grange is at 9161 Starr Rd, Windsor.
Windsor Regional Library: Día de los muertos Storytime and Movie, Friday, November 2 at 4pm
Learn about Día de los muertos (Day of the Dead) through stories and songs for children ages 3 - 8 and their families, all children will receive a free book. After storytime, at 5pm Windsor Día de los muertos will kick off with a movie in the forum room and festivities on the Windsor Town Green.
Native American Heritage Month: Storytime with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Thursday, November 15 at 11:00am presented by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (FIGR). The storytime is centered around the theme of animals in California Indian stories, including work from FIGR Tribal Citizens, wherein the lifeways of California Indian people are represented. A thematically linked arts and crafts activity will take place following the reading of the book to support visual literacy and build self-esteem. For ages 3-6 years.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge with the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center, Friday, November 16 at 4:00pm. Celebrate Native American Heritage Month! Come learn the art of basketmaking with California Indian Museum and Cultural Center staff; presentation will also include artifacts, baskets, images, tools, and more. Topics of conversation will include Native American cultural practices, traditional lifeways, traditional foods/medicines, storytelling, and the impacts of colonization. Basketmaking is limited to 40 participants, please register online. Ages 7 and up.
And make sure to mark your calendar for Tuesday November
6th to vote if you are a Windsor registered resident. You can either vote absentee ballot (if you have signed up for it) or go to Windsor Civic Center - Council Chambers, 9291 Old Redwood Hwy, Windsor CA 95492
How is that for fun actives in Windsor? See you back here in December to find our more fun things to do in Windsor. - Lorene and Gayle