By now, finding oneself inching forward on a clogged road is becoming normal. At times, Highway 12 from Siesta Way past Verano Avenue, and from W Napa Street to the Plaza, is backed-up bumper-to-bumper. There are only so many cars that our Valley’s two-lane roads... Continue
Editorials
It’s back to school, and we’re wondering what the new school year will bring. The disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic still reverberate; teacher departures, district leadership changes, student behavioral issues, and a learning deficit all loom large in what’s to come. We were heartened to... Continue
As the air was filled with the acrid smell of smoke recently and the sight of the hills was obscured by grayness, we were all reminded of the dangers of fire season. Although the controlled burn near Sears Point was announced in advance, the thick... Continue
State and local jurisdictions are spending gobs of time and money on accelerating the pace of creation of affordable housing. While not specifically mandating affordability, new state laws allow single-family lot splits, the building of ADUs by right, housing on commercial parcels, and shortened paths... Continue
Government is not a business, and generally that’s a good thing. Business in America is about earning a profit, accumulating wealth, and gaining influence over public opinion. When conducted ethically, business can benefit society; when conducted corruptly, it produces harm. The mission of government is... Continue
Transparent this, transparent that; it seems as if labeling the public process as transparent is government’s order of the day. The fact is, the workings of government are more opaque than ever. A representative government means we elect leaders to whom we give the responsibility... Continue
For the first time in its history, the City of Sonoma has enacted land-use legislation that mandates the construction of housing when commercial development is built on parcels over one-half acre in size. In such cases, the housing square footage built must be equal to... Continue
Two major institutions – the Sonoma Valley School District and the City of Sonoma – have finally hired new administrative leadership; in the case of the District, a Superintendent, and in the case of the City, a permanent City Manager. It’s about time. For far... Continue
Nearly a hundred people recently gathered for the 20-year celebration of the Overlook Trail, the popular and picturesque hiking trail above Sonoma’s historic Mountain Cemetery. It’s a local treasure that almost never was. A legacy of the dedicated efforts of dozens of local residents, and... Continue
The State of California recently announced that it had selected the team to redevelop the SDC campus, two firms which together will transform roughly 180 acres of the existing campus into housing, retail elements, and a hotel. But is it a done deal? When The... Continue