‘A travesty’ — Bicycle Coalition red hot as Sonoma Council reconsiders Broadway restriping plan

[caption id="attachment_116613" align="aligncenter" width="420"] The City Council had voted 3-1 to for a plan featuring bikes lanes next to the sidewalks, then parking lanes surrounding three lanes of traffic. (City of Sonoma)[/caption] By Eris Weaver, executive director, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition The special meeting that... Continue

SDC plan at odds with state’s goals for open space, climate change

After years of protecting open space and wildlands through UGBs and Community Separators, Sonoma Valley finds that more and more housing developments are being proposed in unincorporated rural areas. The State has a policy of transit oriented development to reduce greenhouse gasses through the reduction of vehicle miles... Continue

Setting aside all the political bah humbug

A little-known fact about Howard Jarvis is that, long before achieving fame as the author of Proposition 13, he ran for the United States Senate in 1962. According to those who knew him, he promised that, if elected, he would put a big sign on... Continue

Sonoma’s history should reflect the full, brutal truth

I recently explored the exhibits and historical displays at the Sonoma Mission and Sonoma State Historic Park. Although they were interesting, the displays state that “Indian labor” was used at the Mission, but to fail to explain that this was more akin to slavery than... Continue

County Human Rights Commission stands with NAACP in Sheriff flap

As founding director of Sonoma County's Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach as well as Chair of the Commission on Human Rights, Jerry Threet has distinguished himself by demonstrating a deep commitment to the upholding of human rights and fighting racism. Therefore, the Commission... Continue

The danger of storing LPG rail cars along Sonoma’s 8th Street East

To: Director Mansourian, Director Rabbitt, Director Gorrin, Director Fudge and Senator McGuire Thank you for taking up the important matter of whether or not SMART will continue the practice of storing, in the winter season, 5 million gallons of potentially explosive LPG in 160 rail... Continue

SDC plan is shallow and unimaginative

The following are my comments about the draft SDC plan. Overall, there seems to be little evidence that the local community’s concerns have been incorporated into the three alternatives. There have been statements made by some of the Board that the plan takes into consideration... Continue

SV Hospital CEO on Covid: ‘not out of the woods yet’

I would first like to thank our community for your support of Measure F. The funding the parcel tax provides the hospital is critical to our ability to continue serving Valley residents. We are grateful for your extending the parcel tax and want to add... Continue

The importance of supporting Veterans

Now more than ever, Veterans need the support of their communities. From the close-knit groups of families and friends who can be there for them during difficult times, to the broader collection of elected officials and leaders who are policy creators and decision makers on... Continue

DeNova Homes and the ‘affordable housing’ dilemma

We notice with displeasure (but no surprise) that, as part of the city requirement to provide affordable housing in their developments, DeNova Homes is offering two units of a duplex (3br, 2ba, 1,300 sqft) for nearly $3,000 a month each. With work-from-home wealthy driving up... Continue

Letters To The Editor