Get your
volunteer on
Editor: As a new resident of Sonoma, October 2009, I have been so impressed with the spirit of volunteerism in this town. Everyone I meet is involved in two to three volunteer organizations, and I am trying to do my part. One of the first events in which I participated was the November harvest celebration sponsored by Organizing for America, the successor organization to Obama for America. Volunteer cooks were asked to start at 2 p.m. Perfect for me to unite my double passions of cooking and helping the president succeed in changing America. The 200-plus people in attendance had a grand time, and the bounty from local gardens indicated just why Sonoma was recently chosen as the first American Cittaslow.
All volunteers know an organization only meets its goals when individuals make it happen. That is just as true for the goals of Oorganizing for America, which are the president’s goals. How quickly we forget he told us on Nov. 4, 2009, he could not do it alone. If you believed then, it is time to rededicate yourself. None of us will ever agree with every aspect of the agenda, but there is something in it with which every citizen can agree, whether it be creating good, sustainable jobs, health insurance reform, campaign finance reform, financial institution reform, debt reduction, greater help to our veterans, or alternative energy. Certainly the president and the Congress have strategic roles to play in these changes, but ultimately it is we, the citizens, who have the responsibility to make it happen. So, I urge all my fellow residents of Sonoma to be a part of the solution. Call your Congress people – they pay attention to constituent calls! Volunteer to help the cause which matters most to you. Above all, be involved. It’s up to us not them.
Kate Schertz
Sonoma
More on the Market
Reading the proposal from Fair Bounty reminded me of the Sonoma Valley Vintage Festival and the now defunct event, Salute to the Arts. The proposal used the word wine and wineries over 30 times. The events mentioned above included wine, food, high-quality artisans and entertainment. Those producers paid rent for the whole usage of the Plaza. Because of the similiaries the new market would compete with yearly events. These events have had a lot of foot traffic and cause wear and tear to the Plaza. Imagine having a weekly event and the destruction the lawns will inherit. I remember a few years ago a City Council meeting which was held causing a big stir for the current market to move to the Depot Park so the Plaza could maintain its health.
May I suggest if Fair Bounty wins the proposal they rename their event Wine, Food and Art Gala and hold it on a Friday night to draw the tourists and the party crowd? The proposal states we will attract more tourists for our Tuesday night event by winery marketing. It also states winery vendors will pay $75 per Tuesday – giving small boutique wineries an opportunity to shine.
The city of Sonoma wrote they want to enhance what already exists and a council member said, “We want to reinvent the market.” In these very economically challenged times what is the validity of marketing alcohol beverages in a certified farmers market which is nonprofit?
The new market management fees for vendors, as proposed, will force current vendors to mark up the prices to the public. I have hired local youth, have paid them a good wage for years and higher fees would make this practice impossible.
In the issues of fairness and transparency, how can a new market management justify a request for the first year, the rental fees for the additional space of the parking lot behind City Hall and the Grinstead Amphitheater be waived?
Dyani Bachelder
Sonoma