Thompson, Drowty Honored at Healdsburg City Council

Healdsburg residents Matthew Thompson and Denny Drowty were honored Monday night with awards and proclamations from Healdsburg City Council.

Thompson, who with the , received a proclamation and kudos from his colleagues.

"I've been in public service a long time, and I haven't ever come across someone like Matthew, who has shown ownership in all the projects he's worked on," said Assistant City Manager David Mickaelian. "This is very bittersweet."

Mayor Gary Plass said Thompson "has worked with almost all community groups in the city," he said. "And you don't talk to anyone who doesn't have nice things to say about him."

Drowty was presented with the Healdsburg Community Policing Award for helping to

Police Chief Kevin Burke said it was the second of two bank robberies in Healdsburg this year in which citizens were crucial in police being able to arrest suspects. The first, also led to an arrest based on citizens' information.

"If he hadn't done what he did, noticing something suspicious and then documenting the vehicle number, I have no doubt that we would not have apprehended the suspect,"  Burke said of Drowty.

Mayor Gary Plass said Drowty was "a shining example of what Healdsburg is all about" in that he chose to extend himself and come forward to help.

"We all love this city," Drowty said in accepting the award. "Sometimes you're just in the right place at the right time."