Editorial: Going to the ballot?

October 12, 2015

‏Historically, Sonoma's city government has placed measures on the ballot infrequently, and almost exclusively for matters of revenue or taxes; for instance, to raise the Transient Occupancy Tax or increase the sales tax. Only rarely, and then in cases of annexations (Maxwell Village Shopping Center),... Continue

Editorial: Another failure to lead

October 6, 2015

The Sonoma City Council has once again failed to exercise leadership, this time on the issue of leaf blowers. After months of dithering, debate and delays the final result of this week’s meeting was... let the voters decide. This is not what council members are elected... Continue

Do we need leaders?

October 1, 2015

The opportunity to choose our political leaders is the heart of democracy. To be sure, this is not the only way a society can be organized politically, and like any other political system democracy has its plusses and minuses. For most of western history monarchy... Continue

Can government enter the 21st Century?

September 17, 2015

Perhaps a better way to phrase our editorial question is: Can government leave the 18th Century? It was during the 1700s that many of the conventions and methods used by democratic government were developed and refined, and many of those were borrowed from even earlier... Continue

Ban Leaf Blowers?

September 7, 2015

On September 9th the Sonoma City Council will meet to consider its ban on leaf blowers. When a straw-vote was taken a while back there appeared to be three votes in favor of a ban, but if history teaches us anything about the leaf-blower issue,... Continue

A time for evolution

September 3, 2015

We hear considerable talk from politicians and so-called experts about the need to ‘grow our economy.’ Call us contrarian but more than grow, we believe our Valley’s economy needs to evolve. Growing the same wine/tourism industry that is putting unsustainable pressure on our environment and... Continue

The City of Boyes Hot Springs?

August 28, 2015

If the recent activity surrounding Rico Martin's facade and painting projects in Boyes Hot Springs is any indication, a community is arising with interest in investing in its own future. Between the long-delayed street and sidewalk improvements to the upcoming affordable housing project, The Springs,... Continue

Enforcing vacation rental laws

August 5, 2015

In 1999 the City of Sonoma passed an ordinance prohibiting the use of homes in residential zones as short-term vacation rentals. Exceptions were made for historic homes in the historic overlay zone and, as noted in this edition of The Sun, some uses were "grandfathered"... Continue

Guest Opinion: Will Sonoma County Join the Fight for $15?

July 31, 2015

by Martin J. Bennett North Bay Jobs with Justice The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors could give final approval to a Living Wage Ordinance on August 11th. However, the broad coalition of labor, faith, environmental and community organizations that initiated the living wage campaign has... Continue

Living in Cornucopia

July 23, 2015

Here at The Sun we spend a fair amount of time watching government, commenting on public issues, evaluating changes and, frankly, criticizing. The role of a serious newspaper includes asking difficult questions and holding the powerful and public officials accountable. Freedom of the press means... Continue

Editorials