Affordable housing in Sonoma Valley? An SDC ‘village’ is not the answer

Former publisher/editor of the Sonoma Index-Tribune, Bill Lynch, thinks it a wonderful idea that the Sonoma Developmental Center become a new village, a new town in the heart of Sonoma Valley. I do not, for the following reasons. Perhaps Mr. Lynch, who often waxes nostalgic... Continue

Sonoma Mountain Preservation group weighs in on SDC

(The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors) has an opportunity to think big with SDC on January 25 by focusing on climate-resilient and democracy-supporting decisions. Rather than proceeding with a Specific Plan and EIR for urban housing infill and hotel, designed to pay for the State’s... Continue

Taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize the Cannabis Industry

Recently, the cannabis industry has been lobbying the State and County for tax reductions. They claim the recent drop in prices make cultivation and manufacturing taxes unaffordable. Before granting tax relief, let’s review how the industry arrived at this point, the real problem and if... Continue

Area advisory panel demands new SDC plan

The North Sonoma Valley Municipal Advisory Council (NSVMAC), an official but non-binding panel that reports to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, rejects the current plans for the Sonoma Developmental Center. "None of the current alternatives reflect the many environmental constraints on the site, nor... Continue

‘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

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