Against permit – not against Emmy
Editor: Many opinions, articles and letters have recently implied that the neighbors of Emmy’s have something personal against her and her having success in a new business. This is not true. What we do question is the wisdom of granting a permit for a “restaurant with live music” in that location. While the term “nightclub” is no longer being used for the permit for 691 Broadway, the American Heritage Dictionary defines “nightclub” as: “an establishment that stays open late at night and provides food, drink and entertainment.” Emmy proposes that her establishment be open only to those 21 and older from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Many people may not realize that, once granted, a conditional use permit stays with the location in perpetuity. Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack is in the midst of a quiet, residential neighborhood of hundreds. Just because it is located on Broadway does not change that. It is not part of the downtown area of Sonoma. There is opposition to a late night live music/entertainment venue in this location because the area is primarily residential, especially at night, and because the use would be permanent, regardless of ownership. This is precisely why we are against the permit – we are not against Emmy.
On June 1st of this year an article appeared in the newspaper of a neighbor city to Sonoma detailing the growing number and severity of incidents requiring law enforcement intervention outside of establishments that serve alcohol and offer late night entertainment. To quote from that article: “it draws from the Police Department resources at a time when we don’t have extra resources…” I think we in Sonoma have the same limited police resources that would be stretched by an establishment that can accommodate up to 180 people at a time, serving alcohol 365 days of the year. Insufficient parking behind 691 Broadway means overflow into what is now a quiet, residential neighborhood. Undoubtedly some of those people leaving at 1:30 a.m. will be intoxicated and noisy as they come to get their cars.
Kassandra Miller
Sonoma
Teachers can’t teach skills, too
Editor: Your editorial of 6/12, “Testing Proficiency,” begs a response from someone who actually works in education. The problem with high stakes testing isn’t just that it ignores the “whole child,” including his need for artistic creativity and self-expression. No, it is that the relentless demands of test preparation leave teachers little time to teach children how to write coherently, to speak intelligently, to listen and share ideas with others, to create and organize a project and bring it to conclusion, even to develop legible handwriting. None of these skills can yet be measured by a fill-in-the-bubble test, yet I defy any employer to say that they aren’t useful on the job.
Randall Cook
Sonoma
Vet for Governor
Editor: Maybe your veterinarian should stick to medicine and not try out for the late night show circuit. His humor clinks or rather clunks with the sound of client’s spare change.
If he is running for political office maybe he should declare his candidacy. All hormones aside.
BJ Krupp
Sonoma
High school non-profit summary
Editor: Kudos to the Sonoma Valley High School Honors Economics Class of 2009 and sincere appreciation to The Sonoma Teaching Project, Community Studies Program; Junior Achievement of Northern California, Inc.; the Sonoma Index Tribune and the Sonoma Valley Sun for the outstanding product they produced on behalf of 29 community organizations and schools.
The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation was fortunate to be included in the project and as Executive Director I was interviewed for the article. The students I met were well informed in advance of our meeting and took the assignment seriously. The directory is comprehensive and gives valuable insight into the network of support provided by community organizations in our valley.
The efforts of these students has provided a valuable resource for Sonoma Valley families and heightened visibility for the community organizations featured in “Reaching Out … Sonoma Valley Non-Profits.”
Fran Meininger,
Executive Director
Sonoma Valley
Education Foundation
Editor: I want to compliment the Sonoma High School class for the very professional and well done insert on Sonoma non-profits. With the exception that they left out two very important non-profits that work to maintain the historic character of Sonoma Valley.
The Sonoma League for Historic Preservation has been devoted to the stewardship of Sonoma’s architectural heritage for 40 years and has guarded the historic integrity of buildings and neighborhoods through its many programs designed to maintain the distinct visual character we have come to know and enjoy.
The Sonoma Historical Society is dedicated to the collection, preservation and dissemination of the historic heritage of the “Valley of the Moon.”
Both these non-profits provide important service to our community in the areas of history, civic participation, and education to the people of Sonoma Valley and deserve to be included in any non-profit directory Also several more preservation non-profits were left out, including the Sonoma/Petaluma State Parks Association, Valley of the Moon Natural History Association and the Sonoma Land Trust. Thank you.
Patricia Cullinan
Sonoma League for Historic Preservation