Not Sonoma’s business
Editor: My thanks to the two Sonoma Council members who decided that what happens in Petaluma stays in Petaluma. Our council was elected to govern Sonoma and no more. Yes Petaluma is only 15 or so miles away, but what their council and citizens decide is their business. If Petaluma citizens are for or against Dutra and the council is opposite, let “THEM” vote in a council that reflects their thinking. The three elected leaders who want to make statements seem to be in bed together on all issues (the medical marijuana dispensaries for example). If the three members want a say in all of the county, run for a county office. Perhaps Sonoma needs a change in our elected officials.
Fred Martin
Sonoma
Recusal appropriate
Editor: Steve Barbose’s charge of “rudeness” against fellow Sonoma City Council members Sanders and Sebastiani is simply political grandstanding. As an experienced attorney, Mr. Barbose knows that recusal is highly appropriate conduct under circumstances when a judge, public executive or legislator (including a city council member) believes he does not have jurisdiction to consider, debate and act on a matter brought before him for action. In fact, recusal is not only appropriate, it is the only principled and proper action a council member can take if he or she believes the agenda item is “not proper business for the City of Sonoma.” Recusal requires that member to step down from the dais and leave the hearing room.
Some Sonoma Council members and their political supporters believe that any matter that arguably affects habitat or air quality in Sonoma County is proper business for the Sonoma City Council. Some even believe that any matter involving the possible expenditure of tax monies collected from City of Sonoma residents (but spent elsewhere) is proper business for the Sonoma City Council. Some believe that the conduct of war by the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan, and various foreign policy issues, are all proper topics for hearing and action by the Sonoma City Council. Some believe that the City Council should debate and take positions on various “hot button” issues of the day, including abortion, gay marriage, and the closing of Gitmo. In some other cities, city staff time and public hearings are devoted to considering and debating American foreign policy, drafting resolutions on these topics and conducting public proceedings where each council member expounds at length. Mr. Barbose is one of those who has indicated his intention to pontificate on any and all such subjects, as if the voters of Sonoma elected him to develop a city foreign policy and a complete city statement of position on a myriad of national social issues. It remains to be seen if Mr. Barbose can imagine a topic the Council should not consider, debate and expound about – in his mind, apparently he has jurisdiction over everything and everybody.
Council members Sanders and Sebastiani, on the other hand, have said they will not take up business that is outside the appropriate jurisdiction of the Sonoma City Council. So, there will be more recusals to come. One hopes that Mr. Barbose will be content to share his many opinions on all of these topics with us, while refraining from personal attacks on his fellow Council members who decline to spend limited resources debating, giving speeches, and making resolutions about matters they believe are manifestly “none of our town’s business.”
Fred Peterson
Sonoma
Petaluma says, ‘Thanks’
Editor: As a resident of the County of Sonoma and a resident of the City of Petaluma I want to thank Mayor Ken Brown, Council Member Steve Barbose and Council Member Laurie Gallian. Their recent decision to support the City of Petaluma by writing a letter to the County Supervisors regarding the City of Petaluma’s opposition to the placement of an asphalt plant in our Urban Growth Boundary is a step in the right direction towards county unity. This is an issue that affects each city in this county. If the County Supervisors will ignore the City Council of Petaluma and our urban growth boundary, they will ignore any city. Further, as neighboring cities we are obligated to support each other in many ways and have throughout history. Our Council Members are on county committees together, we support each other when our fire and police departments need help with emergencies; there are many reasons to continue to support one another. Thank you very much Sonoma City Council!
Sheri Chlebowski
Petaluma
Why can’t they behave?
Editor: This will be the second time I attend the Sonoma Valley High graduation ceremony for one of my children. It is unfortunate that I cannot look forward to an enjoyable evening observing the senior students collecting their diplomas and listening to them offering their insights on the state of the world and their futures. I dread this occasion because of a sizeable minority of thoughtless persons who feel they must disrupt the proceedings by making a terrible racket using air horns to punctuate just about anything that occurs during the ceremony. Why the school does not frown on this activity, I can’t understand. It is a time when decorum should be practiced. This is not a football game. Are we unable to show these students the respect they deserve for their application and hard work over these four years? And what are we teaching them about good manners? Please consider requesting that these annoying devices be prohibited during this event. Thank you for your attention.
Georgette Darcy
Sonoma
Give ‘em room!
Editor: This is an open letter to the driver that forced my cyclist husband off the road on Memorial Day: It might be time to give up your license when you make direct eye contact with a cyclist and you STILL hit him as you turn right, into Sonoma Market. You cut him off, hitting his front tire with your SUV and sent him careening onto the adjacent sidewalk, incurring cuts, bruises and a swollen leg. How could you not stop when you saw him lying on the sidewalk, being attended to by good Samaritans?
In my book this is a hit and run. Thank goodness, that aside from some nasty cuts and bruises, Rick is not another Memorial Day Weekend casualty. This letter is meant as a wakeup call to all of us. We need to share the road. Summer is here, and there will be a lot more bikes on the streets. Like it or not, the road belongs to the cyclists too. Thank goodness he was following the rules of the road and was wearing a helmet. So many in our town do not, and it’s such an easy way to protect ourselves.
Jaime Love
Sonoma