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
Editorials
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
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
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
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
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
In our previous editorial we noted the ways in which the City of Sonoma’s rules are ignored by individuals and businesses alike, who too often take it upon themselves to make up their own rules. They do it without suffering much consequence, largely because of... Continue
People have a love-hate relationship with rules; they love them when they apply to others, but hate them when they apply to themselves. Rules, however, are essential. Every functioning society, no matter how simple or sophisticated, has rules. Rules become laws and regulations when important... Continue
When Governor Brown and the California legislature eliminated redevelopment agencies across the state in 2012, it was the result of two coinciding factors: California was in the midst of a severe budget deficit and redevelopment money was being used inappropriately to line the pockets of... Continue
There is a renter’s affordability crisis facing Sonoma County and Sonoma and judging from the absence of focused action, our government is not adequately responding. Rents have increased 30 percent in the last three years, average county rent is $1,600 per month and the vacancy... Continue