Healdsburgers

Lightly edited, here’s a plea for a good cause from Lorraine Plass, Cdr, American Legion Veterans:

I’d like you to post a note about the Healdsburg Fourth of July celebration. We’re the 501(c)19 Non-Profit group of all volunteers who for no salary have taken on the task of running a fireworks program for the 4th of July, since the City banned fireworks 20 years ago. This is our 19th year and we could use folks to mail in a couple of bucks.  (Just think - if everyone in Healdsburg sent in $2.00, we’d have 3/4 of it paid). I’m short about $6,500 just to finish paying off the bill, which is COD on the 4th. If you can lend a hand, I’d appreciate passing the word on through even your own personal emails to friends throughout the City.

Address for donations:

American Legion Veterans
P.O. Box 208
Healdsburg, CA 95448

You’ll also find collection jars at many businesses throughout town, and of course you may donate at the event itself. But the most bang for the buck is to donate before the event. It’s always a great event, and a great cause. Please dig deep for this excellent community event.

The San Francisco Chronicle’s Jon Bonné reviews our gem just south of the Plaza, El Sombrero, and comes to the same conclusion most Healdsburgers have: good food at great prices. The Hat is a welcome, authentic, friendly respite from the fancy shops and tasting rooms that ring the Plaza.

Via the Healdsburg Town Meeting blog:

The Healdsburg City Council will hold a public hearing at 7:00 PM on Wednesday April 16 to receive public comments on the Saggio Hills Final EIR. The Council is not expected to take action on the EIR at this time.

City staff have published two documents. The first includes responses to comments received on the Saggio Hills Final EIR following its preparation. The second includes corrections and revisions to the Saggio Hills Draft EIR and Final EIR.

The City of Healdsburg will soon be putting a little extra zap in our electric bills. According to a recent letter from the City, electric rates will be rising from 15% to 30%, depending on the kind of customer. This will be the first increase since July 2001.

Healdsburg is unusual in Sonoma County in that we have our own municipal electric utility, rather than being in thrall to the whims and tender mercies of PG&E. This is usually a good thing, because we have been insulated (no pun intended) from the vagaries of the overall electric market forces. For example, a few years ago when Enron engineered the fake electricity crisis and much of California suffered rolling blackouts, we rode it out with little effect. We occasionally have some electrical events that are unique to us, such as the scheduled blackouts last year when the City needed to upgrade our power substation.

The City Council will be holding a hearing in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 7PM on Monday, April 14 to discuss the intended rate increase, and discuss plans to phase in the increases over time. If you’re interested in how your bill will be going up (and who isn’t?), we’ll see you there.

Hi all. Things have ben pretty dead around here of late, mainly because for two months I’ve had the Never-Get-Over cold that’s been going around. I’m slowly getting better, and I’m talking to a few people about contributing to the site. If you’re interested in writing for Healdsburgers, please email me.

From friend of the blog, Hank Skewis: Tomorrow night (Feb. 12th) is a public hearing on the revised development agreement between Saggio Hills and the city. If you have something to say, this is as good a place to say it as any. City Hall, 7 PM.