Confederate flag displays at Sonoma Raceway

It has been brought to my attention by a number of members of our branch in addition to community members expressing concern around the visible displays of confederate flags on site. I recall Sonoma Raceway pledging a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with the... Continue

Insurrectionists on the ballot

If we’ve learned anything from the January 6th hearings so far, it’s that Trump and his allies will go to any lengths to gain and stay in power. The hearings have proven that they planned, promoted, and paid for a months-long criminal conspiracy to overturn... Continue

California’s budget substance is as bad as the process

While California's “budget bill” is constitutionally mandated to be enacted by June 15, it only passed by that date for one reason — so the legislators could continue to receive their paychecks. Moreover, since the enactment of the budget, there have been two so-called “junior... Continue

County’s law enforcement unions are ‘committed to oversight and reform’

The Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association (“SCLEA”) and Deputy Sheriffs’ Association (“DSA”) have never opposed strengthening law enforcement oversight. The voters’ adoption of Measure P sent a strong message that the County’s residents want enhanced oversight measures. This is a message SCLEA and the DSA... Continue

Kaniv needs us

Kaniv, Sonoma's Ukrainian sister city, needs us more than ever. We were very generous in the first shock of Russia’s barbaric attack, but their need is continuous and growing. The devastation wrought by the Russians is horrific and frequently targets civilians. Putin has announced that... Continue

It’s time to reform the Supreme Court

When Donald Trump was in office, he and Mitch McConnell made three lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court. McConnell went so far as to defy Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s dying wish—that the next president appoint her replacement—by packing the Court with Amy Coney Barrett just eight... Continue

Where did the school bond money go?

To: Sonoma Valley Unified School District Superintendent Adrian Palazuelos. [There are] “tough decisions” forthcoming to avoid such issues as the adjustment of staffing levels, the diminishing enrollment etc. as you plan for the future of SVUSD. I cannot help but reflect on the 2016 School... Continue

Sonoma, plan before you annex

I am writing express my opposition to the potential annexation by Sonoma of six current County plots in and around the City of Sonoma. I am a member of the CAPS group ( Community Alliance for Planning Sonoma) whose mission is to focus on sound... Continue

Suburbia’s ugly legacy

Local residents often object to nearby high density housing development because it will change the “character” of their community. Yet we don’t appreciate how we came to live in homogeneous upper-middle class neighborhoods. I feel lucky that are able to own a home in beautiful... Continue

Protect SDC open space

The main ask from the protesters at the Sonoma Development Center (SDC) was for the state to immediately transfer all the open space lands to parks for protection in perpetuity. I know, I was there holding a sign. Everyone supports the open space protection--county, state,... Continue

Letters To The Editor