The SDC debacle: Now what?

The campus of the Sonoma Developmental Center is a unique and, we believe, historic resource. And yet, it’s being sold like a common spec plot to development interests who plan to demolish most of the structures that define the place, that give it character and... Continue

Loving what they hate

Here at the Sonoma Valley Sun newspaper we receive all sorts of comments about the articles we publish online. Most are thoughtful, well-written and respectful, but others are not. The latter follow a simple formula: rants filled with complaint, ridicule, name-calling, bigotry, ugliness and threats.... Continue

Patriotism in 2024

Things are pretty crazy in America right now. Talk of civil war is bubbling up on the internet, the upcoming election feels daunting, and democracy itself seems to be fraying not only at the edges but squarely at the middle. Congress, particularly the House of... Continue

There’s no place like home

People have lived here for a very long time. Western and Asian cultures are recent arrivals; for countless centuries America’s indigenous tribes enjoyed this rich and verdant territory. From Anishinaabe, Pomo, and Algonquin tribes to Ohlones and Coast Miwoks, for at least 10,000 years people... Continue

Mission Impossible?

Small town newspapers are failing all across America. The proliferation of online media has irrevocably altered the newspaper business, resulting in failure of small publications and accelerated industry consolidation into the hands of national and multi-national corporations. Nonetheless, we at the Sonoma Valley Sun newspaper... Continue

The Sun also rises…in June

We are pleased to announce that the Sonoma Valley Sun will continue to be published and printed twice monthly, beginning June 1, 2024. With the love and support of Val Robichaud’s family, we have reorganized the business under new ownership; two Sun newspaper veterans each... Continue

The Sun will come out…tomorrow

Since the untimely death of Sun publisher Val Robichaud, we at The Sun have been been considering how to go forward. Our website SonomaSun.com is still up and running, but production of a printed paper has been suspended until a new business plan is created.... Continue

The creeping dominance of jargon

We don’t know precisely when human language developed, but given our inclination to communicate it probably emerged quite early in our social development. How grunts, whistles, and moans became names, words, and gained meaning is one of those mysteries of mental development we’ll never know... Continue

Editorial: Government as a business enterprise

Government is not a business; its purpose is not to make a profit, but to further the aim of creating a good society. What constitutes a good society is a matter of varying opinion, but in America it usually shows as (a), protecting private property... Continue

With a wink and a nod

The City of Sonoma recently adopted a new policy requiring the disclosure of Ex Parte communications with “interested parties” who have development applications pending before the city. In other words, when council members or commissioners get privately lobbied by applicants, they must publicly report it. ... Continue

Editorials