Written by: Marc Albert

Published: 16 November 2021

Food trucks may become part of the Healdsburg vibe in the future, after elected leaders agreed to explore the possibility Monday. 
A final decision is likely months away. City officials vowed to conduct outreach, and consider locations, hours and a cap on vendors.

 

In introducing the concept, vice mayor Osvaldo Jimenez said he is cognizant of, respects and does not want to undermine the financial success of Healdsburg's restaurateurs.

 

 "But I also think it's really important on the other side to make sure that working class families have food options in town and having a designated area on a bi-monthly basis, or whatever frequency council decides, but I think having a place we can sanction as either an event or amend our city ordinance to allow food trucks to come to the community center, that was the goal of my introduction of this topic."

 

Members of the public addressing the council Monday were largely supportive. Equipment, permits, licensing and extreme rents largely prevent all but the best capitalized entrepreneurs from setting up shop. Legalizing food trucks beyond special events and farmer's market days, could be a viable pathway for innovative chefs with more chops than investors.

 

That was among the arguments presented by Healdsburg resident Luisa Lopez, who says the addition of food trucks could bring additional vibrancy and community. 

 

"Low income and disadvantaged communities do not dine downtown, they do not congregate downtown, they only sustain downtown businesses through their hard work happening in the back (of the) house," she said.

 

 Any discussion will likely continue in the new year as to locations, hours and other aspects, along with feedback from restaurant operators and the business community.

 

Councilwoman Ariel Kelley said she is hopeful food trucks can fit in. 

 

"I would love to see us look at a program where we had, we would look at places within the city to actually permit a food truck park that would be a physical location that was always for food trucks, and then also looking at zones within the city that could allow them to operate and wouldn't take away from the downtown businesses."

 

Read more: Healdsburg to weigh loosening food truck restrictions

Written by: Marc Albert

Published: 14 November 2021

 

Under clear skies, with rain-fueled emerald grass again pushing skyward, a two hour media tour of the abandoned Gothic facilities lacked any creepy foreboding.

 

 

Dozens of buildings, from utilitarian mid-century brutalist, to wooden Victorians to a stately, but unreinforced brick hospital dot the main campus, which still has it's own water and sewer infrastructure and once sported a dairy and fruit orchards.

 

 

Surplused by the state, Sonoma County has a lead role in planning the campus' next chapter.

 

 

After initial study, three alternatives have emerged, all variations on a theme. Housing, jobs and re-using existing buildings at different intensities.

 

 

Bradley Dunn, PermitSonoma's policy manager, said recent years have taken a toll.

 

 

"In closing the facility there's obviously (been) a dis-investment in the kind of repair and maintenance on facilities that aren't housing people. The money was spent on taking care of the people rather than taking care of buildings that weren't housing anyone."

  

Financial viability is one of the main drivers of the alternatives.

 

"We can potentially have more resources for things like retrofitting and a re-use of historic buildings, we can have more resources for affordable housing, for community benefits. That's a trade-off we will be looking at and we will be asking the public about. Which is more valuable? Having a hotel and having these other benefits---more preservation of the historic sites, more affordable housing or is it better to not have a hotel and not have as many of those things."

 

 

Read more: A rare look inside as county plots future of nearly 1000 acre Sonoma Developmental Center

Written by: Mark Prell

Published: 13 November 2021

WBCN and the American Revolution filmmaker Bill Lichtenstein and Executive Producer Mitchell Kertzman speak with KRCB Music Director and Morning Music Host Brian Griffith about making the film.

Written by: Marc Albert

Published: 11 November 2021

Sheriff's deputies served a warrant and searched the home of former Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli Wednesday, as an investigation into multiple charges of sexual assault entered a new phase. 

The Sonoma County Sheriff's office did not respond to an interview request from KRCB, but according to the Sheriff's log, a search warrant was served at Foppoli's home in Windsor shortly after 8 a.m.

 

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports investigators, joined by forensic computer experts, left the property two hours later with several bags of presumed evidence.

 

Nine women have come forward, accusing the 39-year-old of groping and sexual assault. Some have accused Foppoli, whose family founded Christopher Creek Winery... of spiking drinks with incapacitating drugs, prior to being assaulted.

 

Foppoli maintains his innocence.

 

Attorney Traci Carrillo, who is representing several of the alleged victims told KRCB that Wednesday's developments suggest an arrest is coming. She said she has concerns that some evidence may have been lost, concealed or destroyed in the months since the allegations emerged, though digital fingerprints are often left behind after such efforts, she added.

  

The Sonoma County District Attorney's office has recused itself from the case, as a staff member at the office is among the alleged victims.

Read more: Foppoli's home searched as investigation moves forward