Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear

A year ago, we went public with a number of predictions for 2006 on local issues of some importance. After a careful, biased evaluation, we’re pleased to announce that … we were right!
Well, not entirely – read on for a review and some new predictions, too, for the next 12 months:
• We predicted Steve Barbose would run for the Sonoma City Council. He did, and he won. (Congratulations, Steve.)
• We predicted Ken Brown would run for county supervisor. He didn’t, though he did win re-election to the city council. (Congratulations, Ken.)
• We predicted Camerino Hawing would be re-elected to the school board, and he was. (Congratulations, Cam.)
• We predicted Whole Foods would move into the Ralphs store location, and that store now looks to open its doors as early as this spring.
• We predicted that Jeff Gordon would win the NASCAR Nextel Cup Dodge/SaveMart 350 at Infineon Raceway in June. He did! We predict that, not only will Jeff win the race again in 2007 (now the Toyota/SaveMart 350), but that he will win the overall Nextel Cup championship, too, for a record fifth time.
• We predicted that local voters would approve a $130 million property tax to fund construction of a new Sonoma Valley Medical Center on Fifth Street West at Leveroni Road. Oops! This vital issue is still the topic of considerable discussion, but we predict that the daunting task of getting a 67 percent vote to approve such a tax proposal will encourage the community, and its representatives, to pursue the Cirrus proposal to build a new community hospital with private funding.
• We predicted that CommonBond Foundation would raise more than $2 million in donations toward the new Sonoma Community Swim Center on Broadway. That project is still in process and fundraising in the private sector has yet to start, so we’re simply reiterating this prediction for the new year.
• We predicted that the Sonoma Valley High School Boosters Club would continue to fund sports, drama, music, forensics, and all other extra-curricular activities for our students. Thanks to the generosity of many local families, this has come true, and we predict it will again, under the leadership of Barbara Clementino and other volunteers.
• We predicted that we would succumb to pride, envy, anger, greed, sloth, gluttony, and lust, which unfortunately but not surprisingly proved true, and that we would strive to forgive ourselves and others, which fortunately did prove true. This prediction is regrettably easy to renew.
• We predicted the Dragons boys varsity basketball team would repeat as Sonoma County League champions. Our hopes may have been dashed, but we confidently predict this year that the Lady Dragons girls varsity basketball team will have a winning season, under coach Sil Coccia.
• We predict that SVTV28 will capture the hearts and imagination of viewers wanting to see local government in action, to admire the work of our high school students in film, photography, and leadership, and to follow local events and news.
• We predict that Father Ochoa will not return to the United States to face the felony misconduct charges.
• We predict that some new sidewalks will be installed in the Springs area.
And finally, a prediction in which we have the utmost confidence:
•We predict that every day the Sun will rise in the sky, as does the Sonoma Valley Sun on the Internet.