Hate, parks and water — this week’s tidbits
Don’t you hate hate speech? A few weeks ago, antisemitic propaganda was spread through several Sonoma Valley neighborhoods. Anonymous flyers, dropped by night. The vile message prompted outrage, and a unified response — see page 5… The Sun is what we call a hyper-local community paper: school news, local business, a new building, a nonprofit grant. National coverage? Read the New York Times. Controversy in Napa? Not us. But, alas, the pervasive bigotry and racism in the air can’t be ignored. That a national, if not global, rise of overt hate has become a local story is alarming, and sad. More thoughts in our editorial.
Another example is the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, which shut off its microphone to public comments after getting increasingly Zoom bombed with foul, hateful comments – anonymous, of course. The Board responded by mandating that public comments could only be made in person, during the live meeting. The policy didn’t last long; in fact, neither did the next meeting, where a conspiracy theorist was so disruptive that the chambers were cleared, twice, and the meeting ultimately adjourned early. This particular hater (and there were several) was identified by the Press Democrat as John Loe; The Sun staff has knowledge of his dark rhetoric as well. Recognize the name? It’s on two yet-to-open cannabis dispensaries, one in Glen Ellen, the other along the highway in Schellville. The Use Permit meetings for those will be lively, no doubt.
The City of Sonoma is paying more attention to its parks, a goal that emerged with the formation of a Recreation Task Force. A big Parks Assessment survey took a long look at the 17 parks, and how best to spend the dedicated Measure M funds (quarter-cent) and other general fund dollars to “enhance the infrastructure of the City’s parks and provide an enjoyable experience for the community.” Prioritized were Olson Park, where upgrades are being prepped, and the creation of a brand new park at 5th Street West and MacArthur. Not the big construction site at the south east corner, but the little parcel at the north east corner. (The long-empty lot had been used lately as a staging area for the Patten Street Bridge project). That park is a ways off. The third job on the priority list is Sonoma Valley Oaks Park, a pocket greenery at 400 Engler St. The City wants to spruce that acre up, perhaps adding a playground. On October 21 at 11am, staff will host a field trip there, taking public input in a live meeting at the site. A refreshing change. Think of it as Zoom with better scenery.
Water rates within the city are going up. Sonoma – which runs its own water department apart from the County, don’t ask me why – is raising rates by five percent, effective December 1. The increase will “support replacing aging pipelines and installing advanced water meters, vital steps to maintain service reliability.” So, it’s not just going down the drain… Coincidentally and meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, that would make it harder for utilities to shut off water services of customers who can’t pay their bill. “Access to water is a fundamental right,” said Sen. Dodd. The measure enhances protection of people who are struggling financially, he said. “It will allow them to continue using water for drinking, cooking and necessities such as washing clothes while they get caught up on missed payments.”
Beloved librarian Clare O’Brien is retiring soon. The Sonoma branch will celebrate her long career with an open house on Tuesday, October 24, 3-7pm. In the meantime, staff is collecting notes of thanks and good luck for her. There’s a form and a collection box near the front desk. Speak up and speak from the heart. You will not be ‘shushed.’
