Leaf blowers; city agenda; Snape update and more
Like the yard debris blown from one house back to another, the issue of leaf blowers is once again swirling around Sonoma City Hall. In 2013, a movement to ban the gas-powered tools was quashed with a 3-2 council. But now that the council has three members who did not participate in that vote, Councilmember Laurie Gallian, who said she getting a lot off email support for a ban, feels its time to revisit the issue. The council kicked it around Monday night, ultimately asking city staff to return in May with ideas about how to proceed… Last time out, David Cook voted against a ban, and Gallian voted for it. But both, along with Madolyn Agrimonti and Rachel Hundley, said the issue is definitely worth another look. Councilmember Gary Edwards, who said he didn’t feel the level of public complaint (noise, pollution, etc.) merited a ban, sounds like a certain ‘no’ if it comes to a vote.
Will a letter to the Board of Supervisors put some teeth into Sonoma’s opposition to adding fluoride to its drinking water? It’s a County decision – Sonoma gets about 95 percent of its water the Sonoma County Water Agency – but by a 3-2 vote, the council decided to oppose fluoridation with a formal letter. Far more effective than paying for fluoride, it argues, would be providing more access to affordable dental care and nutritional education.
Is fluoride a city priority, or is it the water it’s in we should be worried about? Leaf blowers, tasting rooms, new city motto… what should the city council be focusing on? You can be part of the process. The council’s 2015 Goal Setting Workshop on March 25, 2015, and the public is invited to submitting up to three suggested goals for council consideration and inclusion in their discussions. Those interested may submit their proposed goals by either emailing City Manager Carol Giovanatto directly ([email protected]) or the Suggestion Box at sonomacity.org. Please title your email ‘2015 Council Goals-Public) Input must be received no later than Monday, March 18.
The Arizona-based garbage company Republic Services will take over the county dump on April 1, a $650 million, 25-year deal approved by unanimous Board of Supervisors vote. The move to privatize the operation gets the government out of the trash business, literally if not metaphorically. Customers will see an initial increase of about three percent, likely more when the company stockholders want to see a return on that $650 mil. Oh well, there’s always some fine print to bury that in.
Alan Rickman is directing, and, with Kate Winslet, starring in the film “A Little Chaos,” which will open the Sonoma International Film Festival on March 25. The British actor was the villain in “Die Hard,” the dandy in “Sense and Sensibility, the wine promoter in the locally-angled “Bottle Shock, and dozens more roles. He was also, of course, Professor Snape in all the Harry Potter movies. Might he return in JK Rowling’s next film series? “God knows. I’m very much dead in the Harry Potter series,” he remarked. “That would have to be one serious magic pill, but never say never!
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Leaf Blowers are replacements for brooms, many residents like myself have Suction Machines which look like Kawn Mowers, these should be used, while the leaves should je made into composting instead of filling Land Fills.
Living 4 homes outside City Limits, i am amazed by the Litter thst is left by Taco Bell, McDonalds and the other Retails Stores that come before Verano Ave and the Bike Paths.
Residents on my street have to already ask kids to stop littering our yards, Leaf Blowers are not the problem here.. Peoples respects for other residents are what we are missing.