Columns

At the library, we will have numerous summer programs that have been popular in recent years, including a visit from some reptiles; a magic show; an exciting presentation about bees; storytelling, singing and dancing with Cascada de Flores; a safari encounter; and African drumming with Onye. ..

The list started a few months ago. He’d casually point to a restaurant and say, “Hmm! Maybe we should go there during summer break.” (The “for chicken strips and French fries” was unspoken, but understood.) Then he’d remember someplace like Epicenter, and add that “we should” to the list, which rapidly took on a life of its own.

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.

When the town has a voter mandated competitive bidding process for our garbage collection, green waste and recycling and we enter into a contract pursuant to that mandate, can the town change the terms of the contract prior to the contract expiration?

If you’ve driven in the south end of town recently, you’ll see that the Healdsburg Avenue Improvements Project, commonly referred to as the roundabout project, is just about complete. All road surfaces have been paved and all pedestrian walkways are in place. Roadway markings and signs are currently being installed. Landscaping is the final major item to be completed; planting will begin soon and is expected to take approximately three weeks to complete.

Are you ready for some football? The NFL television season opened last weekend, and the Friday Night Lights have been flipped on at many (but not all) local high school fields. All across America the sights and sounds of these pigskin rituals are marking the changing of seasons from carefree summer to earnest autumn.

Is it possible that Hollywood, our California state legislature, parts of the U.S. military, the NFL, FOX News, an Alabama U.S. Senate candidate and even the White House all have rising evidence of an embedded culture of sexual harassment and the rest of us don’t?