Equal opportunity dissent?
Editor: To paraphrase Woodstock’s anthem, “Where have all the bumper stickers gone?” the ones that say, “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism!”
In this era of HOPE and CHANGE, dissent is considered treason. Nancy Pelosi calls it un-American. Bill Clinton speaks of dissent in the same breath with the Oklahoma City bombing. Never mind tea party gatherings require no barricades, no riot cops and no paddy wagons standing by. No one is hanged in effigy.
Beth Hadley’s rambling piece claims dissenters are manipulated by unnamed “Republican leaders.” That would be a good trick considering tea partiers are a disparate group of intergenerational conservatives, Republicans, Independents and disenchanted Democrats. If anything guides tea partiers, it’s the spirit of Patrick Henry.
As for Hadley’s clichéd accusations, I suggest she inform herself of the headlong rush of this administration to a crisis we now witness in Greece.
June England
Sonoma
Sparkles speaks out
Editor: I’d like to express my gratitude to all the Sonoma Valley families and my friends who have supported me throughout the years at the Tuesday night Farmers Market where I entertain children with balloon sculptures and face painting. It warms my heart every year at our costume parade to see little ones dressed up with smiles on their faces.
There has been some confusion and concern, though. Some of my fans think I have been ousted from the market due to the continuous negative publicity. I am happy to say we are still going strong with service to Sonoma Valley families.
I can joyfully say that we are now located on the back side of the City Hall building.
Dyani Bachelder
aka Sparkles of Balloonatrix
Sonoma
Reader Opinion
Editor: We own Aztec Dahlias, a local farm growing dahlia tubers, plants and flowers. Last year we were permitted to be in the Friday market, but not Tuesday’s. After speaking to city council about the unfair market practices last fall, we now find our application denied as stated in a letter from the Farmers Market’s management dated April 22.
There are several points where I disagree with the market’s decision, most coming directly from their own denial letter. Paragraph two states “Chartered by the State…to be a Certified Farmers’ Market, small local farmers have first preference.” Aztec Dahlias is both certified and a local grower, having two locations, one on Watmaugh Road in Sonoma, and the other in Petaluma. According to the board’s letter we should at least have priority over other flower sellers who are not located within the city of Sonoma.
Paragraph three states “All vendors who are not certified are installed for the purpose of enhancing the Market for certified farmers and the Sonoma Public. Farmers’ Market experience has shown that duplication of non-agricultural products serves neither the vendors nor the public for reasons of competitiveness.” Again, Aztec Dahlias is a certified grower who produces a quality agricultural product. Their letter only addresses duplication of non-agricultural products as duplication in agricultural products was clearly permitted as various vendors sold the same fruits or vegetables.
Paragraph four affirms “Local vendors have preference, especially if they have demonstrated reliability, plus faithfulness to the Certified Farmers’ Market principles defined by the State of California.” Our certified grower certificate proves we are a local grower to the city of Sonoma. We have demonstrated reliability and faithfulness to the certified market principles during our attendance at not only the Sonoma market and at the other markets where we participate.
Paragraph five asks questions: “Is market space available?” They have checked “NO.” This simply is not true. We already had space last year at the Friday market, so are not taking a new space. The decision was made to allow more vendors on Tuesday night by including the sides and back of City Hall. I have attended two Tuesday markets this season the new areas are wide open. As a local grower, we should be given the highest preference according to the statements made in the market’s own letter and included in guidelines on their market Web site.
“Is the product Unique?” It was left blank, but the answer is clearly “YES.” There is no other vendor at either market selling dahlia tubers, plants, nor solid dahlia bouquets. Of the current flower sellers, one is not local to Sonoma and Mr. Hernandez – who is a board member – does sell flowers, and sells only mixed bouquets.
As a local grower with prior experience following the guidelines of the Sonoma market and also those defined by the state and offering a unique product as well as meeting all other guidelines mentioned both in their letter and their Web site guidelines, I formally request an appeal to this decision and ask the help of the city council in this discriminatory decision so we can be allowed entry into both the Friday and Tuesday markets for the 2010 season.
Jamie & Rosa O’Brien
Aztec Dahlias