No on Measure A
The Sonoma County Growers Alliance (SCGA) has closely studied Measure A, the Sonoma County Cannabis Business Tax, weighing benefits and concerns. It is with great disappointment that the Sonoma County Growers Alliance Board of Directors found itself in opposition to Measure A. We want to explain how our board came to this decision, and offer our support to work to craft future policy that has the best interest of the community and local economy in mind.
Let’s Book It
It’s Women’s History Month! (Odd that this celebration is in March, which was named for Mars, the Roman god of war.) The 2017 theme: “Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business”. Your library has many materials recounting significant moments in women’s history and the contributions of great leaders who helped advance the rights and opportunities for women. One highly recommended video: “Iron Jawed Angels” with Hilary Swank.
Cannabis Country: A voice of caution in cannabis conundrum
Marijuana seems to be almost everywhere in Sonoma County and not always where it ought to be. High school and even middle school kids smoke before, after and in-between classes. On highways and country lanes, drivers too stoned to adhere to the basic rules of the road jeopardize their lives and the lives of others.
Cityscape
Over the past two years the Healdsburg City Council has demonstrated its commitment to identifying lower cost housing solutions that allow our residents to live more affordably in our community. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), often referred to as second units, in-law units or granny flats are additional living quarters built on single-family lots that are independent of the single family residence.
Confusing cannabis vote
Marijuana continues to be in the local news just as we promised last year that it would. The latest news is next week’s special election to create a “cannabis business tax” in the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County. The single ballot item is called Measure A.
A developer’s dream
A developer's dream if I ever saw one. At [the Feb. 15] Windsor Council meeting it was decided development impact fees for sewer and water would be decreased from $19,500 to $13,200 per new dwelling unit with granny or auxiliary units fees for these services reduced to -0-. This is basically a 1/3 reduction. Significant work went into the analysis and the reductions have their benefits to the Town in terms reducing certain limitations on how the impact fees may be spent. I failed to support the new methodology and reduction as Council was advised our capital reserves for our sewer treatment is very minimal at $171,000. I am alarmed that these reductions go into effect on the verge of 800 to 1,000 new units coming forward and the demands of new housing on our current system will be unfairly passed on to you, the existing rate payers. I understand Windsor's reclaimed water needs include storage ponds and recycled water connection to the Airport Business Center among others. I cannot see how these infrastructure needs can be met with these reductions.
Arts & Entertainment
‘Angels’ lands at Raven Performing Arts
:Every Sunday matinee we do a post-show discussion with the audience, so they get a chance to make comments and ask questions of the actors. We saw there were a lot of people who were quite moved and quite touched by the play. So the opening weekend could not have gone better, as far as I’m concerned," said director Steven David Martin.
