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Letters To The Editor

Yes on I is SMART

The “no” on Measure I information I’ve seen in the media gives an incomplete picture of the need for continued funding for the SMART train as an integral part of the North Bay transportation system. Discussion of funding SMART must address the role of greenhouse... Continue

Recycling: Problems and solutions

Reader Opinion by Maggie Bedord It is likely that you are aware that trash disposal has become an enormous problem.  Oceans are polluted with waste which is killing sea life and polluting our food. China has stopped taking our recyclables and landfills are overflowing and... Continue

The case for Accessory Dwelling Units

I have spent most of my 90 years in the pursuit of protecting our natural environment. Larry Barnett is an ally, who has done wonderful work on the Urban Growth Boundary. He is an involved citizen, dedicated long-term mayor, and knowledgeable planner, but I believe... Continue

Urban growth boundary ordinance needs language changes

Sonoma’s 20-year-old urban growth boundary (UGB) is up for renewal. The current language is said to allow annexing land at the city edge for affordable housing, 50-80% of area median income (AMI). (In Sonoma today, 80% AMI is $86,400 for a family of four— teachers,... Continue

State budget is just more of the same

With all the breaking national news, many taxpayers have little bandwidth in their attention span to focus on the state budget. Moreover, the state budget process can be indecipherable even for political insiders. But taxpayers should be paying attention for the simple reason that it’s... Continue

Thoughts of a supposed ‘coastal elite’

I have been watching a CNN series on the 70s on Netflix that came out in 2015.  There is a segment on Watergate and Nixon’s resignation. Never once in this pre-Trump era coverage did I hear that congress was trying to undo the will of... Continue

Community group releases independent review of SV Hospital  

In 2007, the undersigned were members of the Sonoma Valley Health Care Coalition, a volunteer citizens group formed by the opposing factions in a divisive community dispute over a parcel tax measure needed to sustain our local hospital.   After numerous community meetings, it became clear... Continue

Is undergrounding the answer?

I would like an objective and comprehensive study to determine if in the long run, undergrounding power lines is cost effective. If the payback period were let’s say 20 years, would this work? If this question were asked in 2016, probably not. However, with the... Continue

Parking? Cars are the real problem

The issue of parking has come up recently; folks are concerned about providing parking for higher density housing on Donald Street, the lack of parking on the Plaza, and whether there would be enough parking if the Cheese Factory is expanded. To reduce greenhouse gas... Continue