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

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

September, 1897 -- DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’ Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus? VIRGINIA O’HANLON 115... Continue

To house or not to house?

That is the question coming before Sonoma’s City Council on December 6 on an appeal by Kenwood Development over its planned hotel on West Napa Street. At issue is not the Planning Commission’s approval of the hotel itself, but the commission’s requirement that Kenwood pay... Continue

Zoom-bombed by the haters

At its most recent meeting, the Sonoma City Council had to grapple with Zoom-bombing, ill-intentioned members of the public using Zoom to spew hate speech. Over 10 speakers Zoom-bombed the meeting, one of them claiming the Mayor’s home address as his own. By law, public... Continue

Why do you live here?

What do you like about living in Sonoma? What would you like to change? These two questions are at the heart of Sonoma’s General Plan 2045 Update, a process that’s just beginning and will take the better part of two years to complete. Now’s the... Continue

Editorials