Protect SDC open space

The main ask from the protesters at the Sonoma Development Center (SDC) was for the state to immediately transfer all the open space lands to parks for protection in perpetuity. I know, I was there holding a sign.

Everyone supports the open space protection–county, state, and community– so it is hard to understand why it hasn’t happened. Selling it to a developer to then re-donate back to the parks seems crazy since we the people of California own it already.

Right now, the historic campus is up for sale separately from the open space by the state, for better or worse. It makes perfect sense to transfer the open space now and remove it from the contentious planning process for the campus. We need leadership from Senators McGuire and Dodd and perhaps Governor Newsom to get it done now. Letters to them will help. We know Supervisor Susan Gorin is already on board.

— Teri Shore, Sonoma