The Sonoma Planning Commission and the City Council both had the opportunity to retain two apartments in the Sonoma Court Shops complex near the Plaza as long-term rentals. Both failed to do so, allowing these units to convert to vacation rentals. Why? Apparently, two Councilmembers... Continue
Letters To The Editor
I received a notice from David Goodison, Sonoma City Planning Director, indicating that on Monday, September, 19, the City Council would consider whether to grant the 20269 Broadway affordable project a waiver to the processing restrictions of the Growth Management Ordinance. It read "...the Growth... Continue
Assemblyman Bill Dodd voted “NO” two weeks ago on AB 1066, a bill that will provide farmworkers overtime several years from now. Governor Brown has signed the bill. When you see vineyard workers laboring for hours understand they receive no overtime pay. I’m astounded to... Continue
Dear Parents & Community Members, By now, you may have seen media coverage of the arrest of a former employee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, who resigned from his position at the organization three years ago. I wanted to take this... Continue
Like many progressive-minded folks I was excited about Bernie Sanders’ campaign and I voted for him in the primary. Since then many Bernie supporters have sworn they will never vote for Hillary Clinton and will vote instead for Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate. Unless... Continue
Since 1971, the United States has been off the gold standard. Instead of the value of the dollar being defined in terms of gold, our currency is said to be backed by “The full faith and credit of the United States.” However, listening to politicians,... Continue
Does it make sense to dismiss an issue because, “There are more important things to worry about,” as often is the default position for some Sonoma residents? If I were not a woman I might think there are more important things to worry about than... Continue
Editor: Recently, a member of CALM, the group seeking to retain the city ordinance banning gas-powered leaf blowers, submitted a letter to the editor detailing the multiple health hazards to landscape workers of using leaf blowers, especially the combustion engine versions. This is all scientifically... Continue
As someone who has been living and actively engaged in community affairs in the Springs for 26 years, I’m writing to correct a significant inaccuracy in Susan Gorin’s August 18 column. She claims that the upcoming Springs Festival will be “the first ever.” This is not... Continue
I am confident that many civic-minded citizens are aware that election season is now building toward November 8, the last day to participate. California is one of 26 states, 18 of which lie west of the Mississippi River, that also allow for initiative rights for... Continue