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The Sonoma City Council approved putting the SONOMWOOD sign up again during the Sonoma International Film Festival.
The 50-foot-long, 10-foot-tall SONOMAWOOD sign, that stirred both applause and disapproval during last year’s Sonoma International Film Festival, is coming back to the Plaza.
On Monday, the City Council voted unanimously to ignore the recommendation of the Community Services and Environment Commission (CSEC) and approve re-installation of the giant letters that make affectionate reference to the iconic sign overlooking Hollywood.
Created by seven students at the Creekside Continuation High School, under the supervision of veteran Creekside teacher Walt Williams, the installation was allowed to skirt Plaza guidelines when the council chose to interpret it as public art and not as a sign advertising the film festival.
Said Councilmember Steve Barbose, “It indicates that we have a sense of humor about ourselves and we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”
Agreed Mayor Ken Brown, “I think it’s important for a city to have a sense of humor – they’ve got me for a mayor.” He added on a more serious note, “It’s a really big deal” to allow young people to participate in the festival.
CSEC members had frowned on the return of the letters because the assembled sign exceeds the city’s special event policy “with regard to its size, location and the number of days it would be displayed.”
The CSEC also objected because the installation “obstructs views of City Hall.”
None of those objections resonated with council members who voted 5-0 to bring back the signage and even agreed to wave the $500 Plaza rental fee in lieu of any city contribution of financial support for the festival.
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There isn't much one can do or say about the council approval of this absolutely ridiculous sign other than its another stupid attempt at being cute without any intelligent thought.
My opinion: Sonoma is not Hollywood. Sonoma is a small town that has become popular to "outsiders" who are conspicuous consumers of water, land,and resources. I am embarrassed that the mayor of Sonoma supports a sign that is tantamount to a mockery of our little town. If there had to be a sign placed at the Plaza, it should be one that is a reflection of OUR town; OUR history, OUR goals. The SONOMAWOOD sign is not in any way a reflection of our town. It is not eveb a result of a unanimous people's choice! I see that sign as a not so veiled invitation to those who ensconce themselves in our community by: buying up land for more vines;over use of our precious water resource; and bilking our labor force by paying extremely low wages, to continue their economic pillaging of our town.
No. This town is NOT "SONOMAWOOD". This is the town of SONOMA, home of Mission Sonoma, home of The Bear Flag Rebellion, and home to folks who are proud to be living in one of the few remaining small towns of California.
Congratulations to Rhonda Torre for expressing so wisely my feelings and probably that of many others.
The first time I saw that sign I could not imagine what Sonomawood meant. After being told what it meant I thought it was utterly ridiculous. Then we get additional pumping by being told that it was created as a project by students which apparently makes it acceptable. The whole idea is stupid and the continued pushing of Sonoma just for making money through sales tax revenue and income for dilletante stores is ludicrous and if the city council wants to really gain plaudits they ought to resign in masse and give somebody with common sense a chance to administer the city without grandiose ideas. "They're all doin' it" is not an acceptable form of reasoning in my opinion.
I'm all for being progressive, but this is tacky. Is no one here more creative than this?