Columns

The folk tale about a hungry traveler coming to town asking for something to eat, but finding no one willing to offer hospitality, has been told for centuries throughout Europe, Russia, China and even in Native American culture. While no one knows for sure if this tale is true, its enduring message about sharing a meal with others is still relevant today.

One way or another, the current arguments in Congress over our national health care policy will bring new costs, changed services and more uncertainty to our local families, work places and medical institutions. In Washington, D.C. it’s all about politics; here, in our Sonoma County homes, it’s all about coverage, cost and care.

Last November, the world watched with horror as residents of Paradise tried to escape from an oncoming wildfire on clogged roads, some so desperate that they abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot. Government can reduce the risk from wildfires. Our county government should properly enforce the state’s “fire safe” road regulations to stop new development in fire-prone areas and better enable emergency access and evacuation.

As Healdsburg continues to tread forward in the era of COVID-19 and the dialogue of racial injustice weighs heavily in our hearts and minds, our community still faces tension and uncertainty when it comes to reopening our schools, supporting our downtown plaza, housing and food insecurity, health and the protection of our city from fires. I look forward to serving our residents and the city of Healdsburg to make sure that we meet these challenges head-on.

Dog park or wilderness preserve?

Monday, Oct. 22, is the deadline to be sure you are registered to vote in the upcoming Nov. 6 California General Election, which includes city council contests, school board selections, local and state tax measures and voting for a new governor, U.S. senator and other state offices and U.S. congressional races.

Lavender. If you’ve travelled the Mediterranean or California’s wine country, you’ve likely seen fragrant waves of it everywhere.

The traffic sign on Dry Creek Road reminds me farming takes place here every day. And, isn’t it glorious to live in an area that is grounded? Literally grounded, making a living from the earth. If you’ve been on a local road behind a tractor...