Despite decades of robust, tourist-based growth, the City of Sonoma is, inexplicably and perennially, short of money. No major civic improvements have been made. No new parks, recreational facilities, or public improvements have been initiated or undertaken by city government. The hotel-room tax has tripled... Continue
Editorials
When the Portrait of Sonoma County report was published in 2014, it presented an unvarnished analysis of the dire circumstances which many of our Valley's residents endure. The areas in which people were underserved included housing, food, access to health care, and mental health care.... Continue
Sonoma’s Plaza is a treasure, a nationally recognized historical landmark. It’s not just the tree-studded, eight acres of green that’s historic, but the entirety of streets and buildings that surround it. The Plaza remains the heart and soul of the community, a magnet to visitors... Continue
As if the past several years have not been tough enough – dealing with a global pandemic, three City Council resignations, staffing problems, and truncated business hours – the City of Sonoma now must deal with the recent and unexpected departure of City Manager Garrett... Continue
First District Supervisor Susan Gorin, in her advocacy for a specific site plan for the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) that reflects the vision and concerns of the citizens of the Valley, has committed to making the SDC process a democratic one. The Supervisor opened her... Continue
America is among the most technologically advanced countries in the world. The computer revolution began here, and the US continues to lead with creativity, innovation, and invention. We used to lead in a wide number of other categories, like education, healthcare, job opportunity, and the... Continue
We all prefer simple solutions and explanations for serious problems, but our world is increasingly complex, and so are its problems and solutions. As the anniversary of the Capitol riots reminded us, a significant portion of the population prefers conspiracy theories and alternative facts over... Continue
All across America newspapers are struggling. Those that remain independent have turned to digital media to boost revenues, but user subscriptions – either for print or digital access – don’t replace the advertising newspapers traditionally rely upon. Hedge fund acquisitions of small newspaper chains have... Continue
We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change the fate of our Valley, throwing our support behind a creative, future-looking proposal for the 945-acre campus of the former Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC). A plan that provides sufficient, truly affordable housing for workers, young people and others... Continue
We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change the fate of our Valley. We can support a creative, future-looking proposal for the development of the 945-acre campus of the former Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC). It can provide sufficient truly affordable housing, arguably our single greatest need.... Continue