More on the Community First Committee as written by Gary Goss

The Community First Committee, chaired by Gail Jonas, will ask the members of the city council to set up an official committee to look into a requirement that community impact reports be filed for large developments. Community impact reports differ from town to town (San Diego, San Jose, Petaluma, for example), so that they can meet local needs. That's why we are asking our council members to shape the requirement.

If we had had a community impact report on Saggio Hills, we might have had a more focused and quicker discussion.

Note that CIRs are much shorter and less expensive than Environmental Impact Reports. They look at whether change will help or hurt a town. I'll give one example. Let's say that Home Depot decides it would like to build a megastore in Healdsburg. Will the sales and taxes generated by Home Depot add to the taxes provided by the existing stores in town, or will the sales and taxes at Home Depot come at the expense of the older stores, adding no new income to the town? 

If you are free, come to the meeting of the City Council at 6 on Monday, September 21.  Our presentation will have to be brief (those are the rules), and you should be able to leave by 6:30. 

Community First and Community Impact Reports

Healdsburg is a wonderful community—vibrant, perfect location, wonderful people. And then we had Saggio Hills, and whether one came down for the project or against, most who were involved do believe the process was painful and a, to be hoped, once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, out of the painful, and yet to be resolved Saggio Hills affair, arose a new community organization—Community First.

Self-described as, “A diverse group of community members committed to smart, sustainable, equitable development,” the committee is striving toward a Community Impact Report (CIR) ordinance for the city of Healdsburg. Leading communities already adopting CIRs are such diverse places as Bennington, Vermont, and San Diego, California. Locally, Petaluma has already adopted a CIR ordinance and Sebastopol, as well as Healdsburg, are in the process of exploring this option.

A CIR is an informational report that provides an early, transparent look at large developments within a community. They typically cover a fiscal assessment (costs and benefits to public agencies and the impact on current businesses); an employment assessment (number, type, wages/benefits of both temporary and permanent jobs created by a development); an affordable housing assessment; a neighborhood needs assessment (child care, parks, impacts on schools and medical facilities); and a smart growth assessment (pedestrian friendly, green spaces, and mass transit availability).

Community Impact Reports are not required of existing businesses and they will not apply to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Certain “triggers” would provide impetus to start the process. Those triggers would be set by the City of Healdsburg, should they adopt a CIR ordinance, and could be such things as the special study areas, a certain amount of Planning Department hours, square footage, as well as other possible conditions.

A CIR is a short “balance sheet” by which to weigh the benefits and costs of a particular project, in order to build consensus, cooperation, and compromise, and a manner by which to avoid costly litigation. A CIR does not mandate changes to proposed projects and is performed by an independent consultant, chosen by the city, and paid for by the developer.

Prepared at the beginning the development process, and only about thirty pages long, it uncovers questions and concerns early enough for valuable and timely input by the community, thereby saving the developer time and money. In addition, when the community is satisfied with a project, they can become goodwill ambassadors for a development company by “selling” it to the community at large.

Community Impact Reports are proving beneficial to developers by promoting constructive public input in a timely manner and avoids confrontation by disgruntled opposition. CIRs provide complete information regarding jobs and the economic base, as well as impact on infrastructure to policy-makers. For active community members, they encourage a discussion on broader benefits, including jobs, housing, and the impact on education. For all residents, a CIR reveals information regarding wages and number of employment opportunities. Well-planned projects can provide significant public benefits and good paying jobs that will help reduce poverty and its associated public costs, such as health care and social-service programs. Existing businesses will have questions answered early on whether or how a proposed project will affect them.

Members of the committee are the first to point out that the city will actually write the ordinance, with input from members of the committee, as well as local business leaders. Community First will present their proposal to the city council on September 21, and ask for the city council to agendize it for further consideration.

For further information on the committee, including membership, please contact Gail Jonas, gail@GailJonas.com, or Ann Carranza, positivelyann@sbcglobal.net

Remembering Smith Robinson: Part Two (Photos)

Smith Robinson is as close to a hero as I have. I have been lucky to borrow from Clarence Ruonavaara (my not so secret source for all things past) several original newspaper articles about Smitty that I will be posting in the next day or so. But meanwhile, here is a brief mention from the July 18, 1963 edition of the Healdsburg Tribune entitled "City to Pay Homage to Smith Robinson":

"No other person in Sonoma County of this era can compare in fame to this man who had been written up in Time and Reader's Digest, and was on Ralph Edward's 'This is Your Life'... in addition to a myriad of articles in local newspapers and magazines.

"Though succumbing at a premature 55 years, Mr. Robinson had lived a fuller life than most, finding that doing for others can be life's richest reward." 

Healdsburg's First Volunteer Fire Department

photo: Members of the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company in front of the New Healdsburg City Hall Circa 1887. Photo courtesy Bob Taylor, former Healdsburg Fire Chief

The Healdsburg Fire Department had its incipience in the year 1858 in the shape of a Hook and Ladder Company, which was established, with Henry D. Lee as Foreman, by a subscription raised among the members. (History of Sonoma County, 1880) The hand pulled Hook and Ladder Company under the direction of Henry Lee was similar to the one shown in the picture. It carried ladders, water buckets hooks for pulling down burning walls and ceilings. The apparatus shown was purchased in 1882 for $325 and was housed in the City Hall on the Matheson St. side where 2 large doors appear on the left side of the picture. The City hall contained two stalls for fire equipment and there was space on the second floor for an office and crews quarters. It was the only Healdsburg Fire Department Station to have a fire pole.

Instructions for Fire Bell: Paste this in Your Hat or Some Other Conspicuous Place

The following fire alarm and signals for meetings have been established by the department

District No. 1 - One tap after rapid ringing. Bounded on the north by North street, east by East street south and west by railway track. District No. 2 - Two slow taps after rapid ringing. Bounded on the north by city limits, south by North street, east by Johnson and East street, west by railway track. District No. 3 – Three slow taps after rapid ringing. Bounded on the north by city limits, south by North street, east by city limits, west by East and Johnson streets. District No. 4 - Four slow taps after rapid ringing. Bounded on the north by North street, south by railway track, east by city limits, and west by East Street

Signals for fireman’s meetings are as follows:

Alert Hose company, two taps of the fire bell.

Rescue Hook and Ladder company, three taps

Alert Chemical Engine, four taps

Department meeting, five taps

(Healdsburg Tribune January 18, 1900)

The fire bell in front of the fire station was used to alert the fireman of a fire or meeting. The above signals were used so that the hand drawn equipment could be brought to the vicinity of the alarm. Either smoke or residents then directed the companies to the scene. The current bell is the second one purchased by the city. The first bell was destroyed in 1881 when the building adjacent to the bell tower caught fire and the fire exposed the tower. The original bell shattered when the tower collapsed and a new bell was purchased in 1882. The second bell served as the fire alarm until 1925 when it was replaced by a siren. (Healdsburg Enterprise August 21, 1925)

 

 

 

Healdsburg and Health Care History

Sometimes I’m reminded how tight a community Healdsburg is when I witness a gathering as part of a U.S. “hot button issue.” We’re making history happen though public action and caring—that warmth and compassionate consideration are apparent when we just show up.

A diverse group of about fifty people, including me, attended a vigil on the Healdsburg Plaza, Wednesday evening September 2, 2009. I was only able to attend for the first half-hour as I had another commitment, but I got a chance to walk and talk to, and record on tape, these friendly, benevolent individuals. The most striking part of this small gathering is that as many people attended to support health care reform and the public option for others—children, grandchildren, spouses, and neighbors—as were there because they were without health care themselves, losing their health care, or were underinsured or “uninsurable.”

Carrying placards that read, “We can’t afford to wait,” “Health Care for All,” and “Americans Deserve Affordable Health Care Now,” the peaceful assembly received mostly positive and enthusiastic support from passing motorists. Some individuals shared their stories, thoughts, and desires for health care reform, reminding me that while there’s suffering among us, we all suffer.

Arlene Dalton has lived in Healdsburg since 1985, and was carrying a sign saying “My grandchildren don’t have health care.” She said, “I’ve been for universal health care for as long as I can remember as a voter and as a citizen, and I’m hoping this time we’ll finally get it right. It should include everybody.

Cynthia Branson’s poignant words spoke to the heart of health care reform and a public option. “I was 19 years old when my mother died of colon cancer because of lack of adequate health care coverage. My brother-in-law has had to put up with extreme pain because he couldn’t afford a hip replacement. It took him two years to save enough money due to lack of health care [coverage].”

The selfless thoughts went on: “I’m concerned with all the young people who have lost their jobs and who can’t get insurance now. My daughter has been laid off and she’s paying for COBRA now. My son has been laid off and he’s paying for COBRA.”

Andres Rialle from Windsor shared these words, “I was bought out—got early retirement—we lost our health care with the company; we tried to get health care for ourselves, but she’s [his wife] a breast cancer survivor. I went to the doctor once, and they said I had a preexisting condition. I got part time work and through that I got insurance for a little while, but it is going to run out.”

Healdsburg Senior citizen, Maureen Gradek stated “Two out of [my] three grown children cannot afford insurance. They are uninsured.”

Maurice Blout, retired with PERS, “I’ve been a member of Kaiser since 1972. My co-pays are $10.00 a pop, none of my medicines is more than $15.00, though some of them are worth hundreds of dollars. I’ve had numerous operations, a double bypass, it cost me nothing.” Standing vigil was his way to support those who don’t share his fortune. Blout’s final words to me were, “Everybody should have this kind of health care.”

He’s right—and as a community, we do care about what’s right, and we’re making Healdsburg history when we stand up to be counted.

Looking for New Bloggers

 Town Plat, August 10, 1857  

The original March, 1857 version of the map did not have purchasers names in the lots. The 85 lots originally sold for $15 each. West Street is now called Healdsburg Avenue, South Street is now Matheson Street. -- image from Healdsburg Museum

We are looking for more bloggers for the Healdsburg History Blog.

Our goal is to build a real community blog for  networking and sharing interesting information. I have a fair sized e-mail list, but I don't know if you are following the blog unless you actually enroll as a "follower" on the blog. I welcome anyone who wants to become an "author" and post relevant material on the blog. You just need to let me know if you wish to author or send me your blog to post.

What is relevant?

•  historical anecdotes/information/photos

•  current all-Healdsburg volunteer efforts that need promotion

•  links and information about other interesting/relevant Healdsburg websites

•  information/updates/photos on historic homes

•  stories on past/present Healdsburg people of interest

•  memories of the "good old days"

•  community/environmental issues in Healdsburg

•  personal experiences of Healdsburg

•  book reviews/links related to Healdsburg

•  links to your own fiction/non-fiction written about Healdsburg

What is not relevant?

•  self-promotion of your personal cause, business or politics

•  linking to your business unless you run it by the blog Administrator (me)

•  political commentary that is not relevant to Healdsburg

•  bad mouthing anyone in any manner

Remembering Smith Robinson: Part One

From Gaye LeBaron's Notebook (Jan. 1995):

Once upon a time there was 

a most remarkable man

The video is black and white and a little jumpy,

made from a brittle 16mm film. The audio is

scratchy. Crew-cut Bob Warren's commercials

for Hazel Bishop lipstick seem unbelievably primitive

in the eyes of the '90s. Host Ralph Edwards works on

suspense-building as the camera scans the studio

audience.

"It could be you," says Edwards. "Or it could be

YOU!" The camera comes to rest on a handsome black

man in horn-rimmed glasses seated on the aisle. "But, it

is YOU Smith Robinson of Healdsburg, California. 

This is YOUR life!"

• • •

THE YEAR was 1954. And when Edwards suggested,

a few minutes into the program, that there were "about

50 people to a television set in the town of Healdsburg

that night, his estimate was probably low. Healdsburg

had 3,500 souls in those days. And not one of them

didn't know "Smitty."

Smitty's story seems almost like a fairy tale today.

Too good to be true. When you mention his name to

people who have been around a while, there's an

immediate smile and a heartfelt, "What a great guy he

was!"

Robinson's role in the community life of mid-century

Healdsburg had almost nothing to do with the fact that

he was black, or that he and his family were the only

blacks in town. Or, if it was a factor, it was more in his

eagerness to be a credit to his community because of

his race, not in spite of it. People didn't expiate their

guilt by loving Smitty. Rather, he earned the

admiration and, yes, love of an entire town with his

deeds.

There were so many stars in Smitty's crown it's hard

to know where to begin...

Men who were in the military in World War II

remember "Smitty's Scoops," a hometown newsletter

he wrote for all the Healdsburg men who were in the

armed forces. This project began as a personal

letter-writing campaign. Kept out of the service by a

heart condition, Robinson determined that his part in

the war effort would be to write letters to those who

served. He was up to 300 letters a month when he

realized he had taken on more than he could do alone.

When his fellow Rotarians learned of "Smitty's

Scoops," the club became the newsletter sponsor.

"Scoops" endured for almost 20 years - as long as

Smitty wrote them - keeping servicemen in touch with

home.

(Thanks to Clarence Ruonavaara for lending me this 

original article. Many thanks to Lillian Reid, my Production

Assistant for help turning scanned material to blog

material!)