Like every city in Sonoma County, the City of Sonoma utilizes the City Manager form of government. City managers hold the top administrative position in each city, an organizational model similar to corporations where a Board of Directors (the City Council) employs a CEO (City... Continue
Editorials
The addition of Logan Harvey to Sonoma's City Council has shifted the council's center of gravity to a more pro-government stance. Former council member Gary Edwards was reliably right-of-center, often arguing that "market forces" are more dynamic and workable than government planned solutions. He consistently... Continue
The minimum wage in Sonoma, and Sonoma County, needs to rise faster and considerably higher than it is on track to do. The California minimum wage is currently $10.50; $11.00 for employers of 26 or more. This will rise to between $11.00, and $12.00 for... Continue
There will be representation for the Springs, and soon. First District Supervisor Susan Gorin is determined to bring to the Board of Supervisors a proposal to establish a Springs Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), representing Boyes Hot Springs, Fetters Hot Springs, Agua Caliente and El Verano... Continue
With the re-election of Rachel Hundley (coming in first) and Logan Harvey's victory (coming in second), a potentially powerful new majority (with Amy Harrington) has been created on Sonoma's City Council. Perhaps now, matters of funding affordable housing, ensuring that development is properly scaled to... Continue
An increase in Sonoma's Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT - commonly called the Hotel Tax) is on the ballot this November, an increase of 2% from 10% to 12%. This is still below Healdsburg's or San Francisco's 14%, and it's long overdue; Sonoma's TOT has not... Continue
Submerged under the daily tidal wave of national and international news about politics, climate change, jobs, trade and so forth, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Between the media intrusion into our lives and the challenges of earning a living, sometimes it's difficult to bring attention... Continue
You still see a few of the signs around the valley, “The love in the air…” And there are many tangible signs of this. Sonoma’s army of volunteers is alive and well, driving for FISH or Meals on Wheels, sweating at Rotary projects, working in... Continue
Many of us grew up under the banner of the 3Rs, "Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic." Underlying this quaint phrase sat the notion that school was about education, first and foremost. For many teachers and students education remains the highest priority, but increasingly it is being... Continue
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