Sonoma’s minimum wage is a poverty wage

On September third of last year, City Council voted to direct staff to solicit proposals for a minimum wage study to look at the issues and impact of an ordinance to increase the minimum wage for all workers in the City, which is currently a... Continue

Same sex marriage and the Bible

I love being married to a woman. In fact I love it so much, I've done it twice. My first marriage lasted 16 years and rewarded me with a wonderful daughter and son. My second marriage is in its 36th year and has rewarded me... Continue

Mail ballots now available

As of today, mail ballots for June 2 Special Election, to be held June 2 are now available from the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office. Voters who wish to vote in this election by mail must submit a personally signed request for the ballot... Continue

Group forms to ban leaf blowers

When a ban on gas leaf blowers narrowly missed passing in 2013, many people lost hope that anything would change. This year they had another chance to speak up, Councilmembers listened, and the issue was reopened for consideration. Some residents formed Sonoma Neighbors Against Leaf... Continue

Sonoma tree fight; SDC politics; Bruce Cohn on the radio and more

Regarding the issue of cutting down oak trees on Broadway, irony is in full bloom. At the April 21 meeting at which the council postponed the fate of the oaks pending an actual plan and budget, the panel, as a separate agenda item, formally recognized... Continue

Meeting topic: Shaping SDC’s future

Members of the Sonoma Developmental Center Coalition believe that the best hope for “saving” the Center is not to fight for the status quo, but to develop an entirely new vision for how the facility can serve a host of community needs and still provide... Continue

Council minds temper, appoints planning commissioner

‏After a lengthy discussion about naming a new member of the Sonoma Planning Commission, including disagreements over the interview and selection process, the selection of retired fireman Mike Coleman was eventually ratified by a 3-2 vote. Councilmembers Gary Edwards and Rachel Hundley were the dissenting... Continue

Council deafness on Broadway Oaks

Last night’s City Council consideration of a proposal to remove Broadway’s oak trees was notable less for its action than the conduct of the City Council. Though only four could participate, Gary Edwards having stepped-down due to the proximity of property he owns to the subject... Continue

Sun Q&A: Sonoma Restorative Justice volunteer Martina Lutz Schneider

Under the Sun: Sonoma Restorative Justice volunteer Martina Lutz Schneider It's a long journey from a farm outside of Hamburg to Sonoma. Tell us when and how you came to Sonoma. I moved to Sonoma in 2000. We had two young sons and bought a... Continue

Did Sonoma councilmembers violate disclosure law?

Members of the Sonoma City Council may have violated a state disclosure law when, prior to voting to award a $250,000 contract to the Chamber of Commerce, they apparently failed to announce they were members of that organization. The April 6 decision created the Sonoma... Continue