Press "Enter" to skip to content

Board Walk

How does our county budget benefit our community?

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has approved a $2.26 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2022/2023, which began July 1.  To give a broad overview, though this is certainly not comprehensive, among the funding allocated: $5.5 million to increase General Fund reserves; $2.8 million to... Continue

Disparity of mental health services in Sonoma Valley 

At the onset of the first COVID-19 lockdown, physical health was top of mind. Knowing so little about the novel coronavirus, and witnessing waves of devastation across the globe, then in our county, we wondered: How do we stay healthy? How do we protect families... Continue

New directions for Health Action Sonoma County

The last two years have demonstrated the overwhelming disparities in health outcomes in our county, with the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on our Latinx and BIPOC community. The pandemic exposed the interconnectivity of our health, living conditions, income, work environments – the social determinants of... Continue

Our two years of COVID 19 

March 2020 feels like a lifetime ago. COVID-19 has warped our sense of time, and though there are firm event markers – among them Sonoma County’s first Shelter in Place order almost exactly two years ago – the experience as a whole has been incredibly... Continue

Year-end reflections and looking ahead to 2022

It is hard to believe that it is already December. As many do at this time of year, I am reflecting on the ups and downs of the past twelve months, the significant progress made on pressing county issues, and the ongoing work and challenges... Continue

Sonoma Developmental Center – what’s happening, what’s next

Over the past several years, I have heard from countless constituents, in my district and across the county and region, sharing their ideas and eagerly awaiting updates on the land-use planning process for the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC). After much anticipation, an update is coming... Continue

Homelessness in Sonoma Valley — an update

Homelessness is not a new issue for the Sonoma Valley; indeed, there have been countless meetings both public and behind the scenes about how exactly to provide shelter, food and services to our unhoused and housing insecure residents in Sonoma and the surrounding areas, and... Continue

Climate action at the County level

As the Caldor Fire threatens South Lake Tahoe and Hurricane Ida batters the South and East, I am increasingly, constantly, and inescapably reminded that climate change is here. Under the weight of such devastation, it can at times feel futile to do climate action work.... Continue

Why are we having so many Recall Elections?

On September 14, Sonoma County voters will cast their votes on two recall elections facing the state and the county: those of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch. And for those living in the West County, there may be a... Continue

Stepping back out into the First District 

Like many who are fully vaccinated, I am slowly but surely (and safely) returning to in-person events and community gatherings, even though I am increasingly concerned by the resurgence of COVID, especially among those who remain unvaccinated.  I have found Zoom to be a very... Continue