Born and Raised

I have a friend I know through work. He is a talented artisan, a veterinarian, a Texan and a conservative. We like each other a lot and enjoy our debates about politics. We agree on a few things but for the most part, we are head to head! His name is Chris also, which makes this a little confusing. Point is, that though it may be impossible to talk to most members of the opposition, it’s beneficial to know someone I can talk with who doesn’t agree with me. I think these conversations help keep me authentic, sharp and informed about the other’s views. So, after Trumps tax bill passed, I posted on Facebook:  “Class warfare anyone?” Chris was right on it… Chris, your comments about the tax bill were as expected, but have you studied the actual provisions much? I honestly cannot see where anyone other than those paying more than $10,000 a year in state and local taxes would pay more. Even Democrats admit that a lower corporate tax rate will help the economy and boost job g

Dear Healdsburg City Council Members, As you know, in late January the City Council will be considering public demand for limits to hotel construction downtown. A ban on hotels near the plaza, establishment of a zone requiring Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) downtown, limits on room number and/or requirements for downstairs retail are all up for discussion. I am asking that before you accept any of the positions that leave the door open for however many more hotels downtown, that you ask yourself these questions: 1) If you support a position moving forward (CUP's or other) that lands us in the future with "too many hotels downtown" (however you define it) will you be able to say that you really did your best to preserve balance between tourist and resident interests, and preserve 'small town charm', as you promised to do in your election campaign? 2) Do you confidently understand what the impacts on retail diversity, livability and the

I have been a proponent for limiting (okay, banning) new hotels in the downtown area. During the debate, two opposing positions have emerged. One is to create zoning that would stiffen the approval process (via conditional use permits, or CUPs) for new hotels. This would give the City leeway to demand from developers features that would benefit the city. It would also increase public input into the process. The second is to allow new hotels downtown openly as we do now, but insist on retail space downstairs.  Most of what we could ask of larger developments (a convention center, low income housing etc) is not tenable downtown and so I came to the opinion that CUPs were just a way to keep the door open for more and more hotels. And until recently, I was under the false impression that CUPs could not specify the exact kind of retail that would be included. If in fact this is true, then this idea is worth discussing. If I had to narrow down our anti-hotel argument to its strong

I've been taken to task for using the pejorative term 'greedy developer' in the context of Healdsburg's conversation about limiting new hotels downtown. After some reflection, I have to admit that this is a propagandist's ploy and an over-generalization and I should have avoided it. Nonetheless, greed is very much at play in the future of Healdsburg. By virtue of their wealth, some individuals will have a much stronger say in what our town looks like down the road than most of us will. There is, of course, a philosophical divide about the role of government; in town, nationally and elsewhere. Some believe the government should primarily serve to open and support the influence of entrepreneurs (sometimes regardless of their size). They want hands off of business so that the wealth expanding magic of free enterprise can do its work. On the other hand, many count on government to represent the majority of citizens who do not have the financial means to directly inf

Here is the text of my contribution to the public comments section of the recent work session held by the City Council on Hotel C.U.Ps (conditional use permits) on 12/4/17. The Healdsburg General Plan says, “Downtown, including Healdsburg’s plaza at the heart of the community, is the City’s primary activity node and center of commerce, serving residents and visitors as well as the surrounding region. Efforts to enhance the downtown’s pedestrian orientation, collection of unique, locally-owned businesses and its historic character and charm will continue . Residential uses will continue to be allowed in the downtown to promote its vitality “ Healdsburg is counting on you to uphold this guiding principle and guard our downtown against outside interests that would turn it into nothing more than a tourist playground. Clearly, an excess of hotels, tasting rooms or any other indication of encroaching commercial monoculture, bear strongly against these oft-repeated goals -which,