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Letters To The Editor

Downtown hotel would have negative impact on environment

Prior to the release of the EIR paperwork filed this year, the hotel's impact on the Sonoma community and the environment in general was only addressed theoretically because Measure B voters were unaware of specific aspects of the project including proposed mitigation of the problems... Continue

OK to say ‘Springs?’

Over the years, I too have come across resistance to the use of the term “The Springs.” Usually, those objecting are not old enough to know that it has been in use for decades. I found an article in the IT from 1938 in which... Continue

Protecting the Russian River Watershed, for fish and people

By Supervisor James Gores In response to "Under the influence...", published in the February 19, 2016 edition of the Sonoma Valley Sun; disappointed that the article contains incorrect information and assertions. The author highlighted the Emergency Order regulation sent out by the State Water Resources... Continue

Considering the Closure of a Developmental Center

On February 23, SDC Parent Hospital Association President Kathleen Miller delivered these remarks to a California State subcommittee --- Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I have been asked to explain the service gaps for developmental center movers and specifically for Sonoma Developmental Center... Continue

Don’t know Jack?

Writing about Jack London, as Cecelia Tichi did in The Sun (“Why Jack London Still Matters,” 2/04/16), reminds me of the parable of the blind men and the elephant. One blind man feels the truck and describes it. Another feels the tail and explains what... Continue

R is for residential

The R1 zoning designation was originally meant to mean “Residential” – defined as a place where people RESIDE. Sonoma County decided not to rezone our neighborhoods, which would have required an open, democratic, hearing process. Instead they simply redefined what R1 means. So now life... Continue

Housing group’s open letter to Sonoma council

Dear Council Members: At your January 20 meeting, we heard loud and clear that every one of you wants to make affordable housing a priority. That’s great. Now how do we do that? For nearly eight months, our members have appeared at almost every City Council... Continue

Neighbor says pool effort ignores seniors

I live next door to the proposed site of the (Verano Avenue) pool. Right on the property line, to be exact, and have gone to the community meetings that they have held. The feeling that I’ve gotten is that they don’t know what they are... Continue

Vacation rentals: No

I am concerned about the Supes (except Susan Gorin) selling us out for fad-fueled dollars that will go away when fashions change.
 I remember well the empty resorts in Northern California when Hawaii became the rage – driving out genuine community members in favor of... Continue

Vacation rentals: Yes

(Enough with the) same old NIMBY arguments. I have three vacation rentals in my neighborhood that have never been a problem. Quiet young and old couples park a rental car in an orderly manner in the carport of a nicely fixed up (much better than... Continue