With all the problems facing our world – climate change, over-population, pandemic disease, political extremism, and the like – we’d think that love, at least, would be appreciated in all its forms. Unfortunately, intolerance and bigotry are still widespread, and in some places, growing. Fortunately,... Continue
Editorials
Goodness knows these past few years have been trying. We all feel the stress and pressure, and although life appears to be closer to normal, challenges remain. At the beginning of the month, firefighters in Napa were confronted by a blaze, dubbed “The Old Fire,”... Continue
In 2020, Sonoma County’s voters overwhelmingly supported Measure P, which garnered 64% of the vote. Measure P called for increased oversight of the Sheriff’s Department through the Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO), the civilian body created in the wake of killings... Continue
Despite a booming economy, real wage growth, historically low unemployment, and the proliferation of mega-billionaires, government never seems to have enough money. Be it our county or local jurisdictions, if not for federal assistance and PG&E settlements, government financial resources are flat at best. The... Continue
Despite decades of robust, tourist-based growth, the City of Sonoma is, inexplicably and perennially, short of money. No major civic improvements have been made. No new parks, recreational facilities, or public improvements have been initiated or undertaken by city government. The hotel-room tax has tripled... Continue
When the Portrait of Sonoma County report was published in 2014, it presented an unvarnished analysis of the dire circumstances which many of our Valley's residents endure. The areas in which people were underserved included housing, food, access to health care, and mental health care.... Continue
Sonoma’s Plaza is a treasure, a nationally recognized historical landmark. It’s not just the tree-studded, eight acres of green that’s historic, but the entirety of streets and buildings that surround it. The Plaza remains the heart and soul of the community, a magnet to visitors... Continue
As if the past several years have not been tough enough – dealing with a global pandemic, three City Council resignations, staffing problems, and truncated business hours – the City of Sonoma now must deal with the recent and unexpected departure of City Manager Garrett... Continue
First District Supervisor Susan Gorin, in her advocacy for a specific site plan for the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) that reflects the vision and concerns of the citizens of the Valley, has committed to making the SDC process a democratic one. The Supervisor opened her... Continue
America is among the most technologically advanced countries in the world. The computer revolution began here, and the US continues to lead with creativity, innovation, and invention. We used to lead in a wide number of other categories, like education, healthcare, job opportunity, and the... Continue