Public school funding Editor: Educational spending is a highly charged topic at all levels. Maybe this rather simple example will help explain a fiscal problem public schools encounter frequently: Mrs. Smith is feeling generous after finding an additional $2000 in the family budget. She tells... Continue

Hope for the future Editor: I’d like to believe, along with my ten year old son who suggested it, that the person who took his bicycle (almost new, matte black with gold lettering, Specialized Hard Rock Sport mountain bike) on Saturday, January 31, from the... Continue

Appreciates Sonoma Valley Hospital Editor: Recently, I experienced the services at Sonoma Valley Hospital for a very minor surgery. Even though minor, it seemed to require, in addition to a surgeon and an anesthesiologist, the assistance of some eight nurses, nurses aids and student nurses.... Continue

Readers speak out on affordable housing Editor: California law requires that 20 percent of the funds received by the Community Development Agency be used exclusively for low-income housing development and support.  Moreover, of all housing categories required by the state, Sonoma is deficient in housing... Continue

Do you care? Editor: Last November voters overwhelmingly approved Measure P, which authorized the Sonoma Valley Health Care District to sell $35 million of general obligation bonds for specific uses. It now appears that the district did not fully understand the requirements to gain approval... Continue

Cows not a threat Editor: About cows on the Montini property. I am an artist and have gone out painting where cows are, and cows are very curious and will sometimes come over to see what you are doing, seemingly to critique your painting! So... Continue

Stick to the planEditor: A recent letter writer’s view (see Jan. 2 “Letters to the Editor”) of the issue of the cows and Montini Ranch seems to have been “lost in translation.” The issues are not whether the Montini family made millions, the backyard views... Continue

Thanks good samaritan Editor: Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful young lady who ran after me in the Maxwell Village parking lot, with my wallet I had left on the counter at Rite Aid. She declined a reward, but I will make a donation to a... Continue

Valley issues focus of meeting Editor: Last month, Supervisor Valerie Brown and I decided that it would be beneficial to have a community meeting to discuss general issues in Sonoma Valley, including current crime issues, gangs and a recent sexual assault case that has concerned... Continue