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Editor, Index-Tribune:
The majority of Sonoma residents are sick and tired of hearing a select few complain about change, progress and improvements coming to our beautiful town. Anyone with an ounce of intelligence would know living within a few blocks of the Plaza, the commercial center of our community, comes with noise and traffic.
There are plenty of quiet neighborhoods in Sonoma. If you don’t like the activity, you should have not moved so close to the square in the first place. We saw a similar battle between a resident who lives on First Street East and the Sonoma Dance Academy. This resident, who actually lives in mixed-use zoning, complained about the noise and the Sonoma Dance Academy was forced to close. The children of our community lost a vital social and artistic outlet. What happened to the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few?
How silly is it that some residents choose to complain about a nice, new hotel, a beautiful building that blends architecturally with the Plaza? “Wouldn’t this bring rich people to town?” one foolish resident asked at a meeting regarding the hotel.
Affluent people spend money in our community, dollars that we so desperately need to make our community a better place for us all. Would you rather we bring more poor people to town?
Whether you like it or not, Sonoma is a San Francisco suburb that will continue to change and grow. If you want “Sonoma, the way it used to be,” it’s called Ukiah. I will gladly buy you a one-way bus ticket.
Dana Adams
Sonoma
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I agree with Dana! There are plenty of towns north that don't have people visiting them or much sense of a community. Pack your bags and move north. Sonoma can remain the charming town that caters to locals and tourists, but without a quality hotel on or near the square why would people with $$$ come for more than a few hours. Look at the Napa Valley towns and all the first class resorts opening. Sonoma is closer to SF and has the best square. Time to upgrade what surrounds the square so people want to stay and spend more $$$. This is ultimately the best way for a town to thrive. Tract developments and strip malls won't do it! Sonoma should be one of the top destinations locations in the wine country. It is time she lives up to these standards. Why this city allows Peets Coffee and Ben and Jerry on or near the square is insane. What about Williams Sonoma? If they were to make an exception, Williams Sonoma should be it. By having a first class resort with fine dining and shops hopefully we can avoid the anywhere USA look Sonoma is sadly becoming..