The Sonoma City Council recently decided to allocate $2 million of its $2.8 Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) as an incentive to nonprofit housing developers. Philosophically, it’s a good thing... Continue

In August the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection finalized its rules about landscaping around California homes in High-Hazard fire severity zones. The Northern-most section of the City of... Continue

Here in Sonoma Valley we enjoy some of the finest agricultural land in the world. Countless years of rainfall on the mountain ranges surrounding our basin produced alluvial flood plains... Continue

The proposed traffic “circle” on Third Street West was such a hare-brained project it prompts the question, “How did it happen?” It’s not like the residents and neighbors on Third... Continue

Serving on Sonoma’s City Council has always, basically, been a volunteer job. In practical terms, this has meant that those who could share their time in service to the City... Continue

The City of Sonoma adopted its Mobile Home Rent Control Ordinance in 1992, revised it in 1998 and again in 2016. The ordinance regulates rent increases and rental prices after... Continue

When the City of Sonoma succumbed to the perceived threat of litigation due to non-district-based elections for City Council, it was hoped district-based elections would help residents feel, and actually... Continue

As we gather and celebrate our country’s Declaration of Independence this year, we mark 250 years of an experiment in democracy. Our history is filled with irony. Many of our... Continue

On January 16 of this year the Pride flag was unceremoniously taken down from the flag pole at Sonoma Valley High School by a unilateral action of David Bell, the... Continue

Sonoma Valley has some of the finest agricultural land in the world, and it has fed people for thousands of years. Today, agriculture remains a mainstay of our economy and... Continue