Editor, Index-Tribune:
Why is the City Council regulating to punish the seniors of Sonoma Valley?
This Valley has always been known as a “retirement” community” and has treated its seniors fairly. Most seniors live off of a fixed income, often Social Security, and staying in the Valley is their priority; however with an increase on water rates it will make their budgets more difficult. What will the senior citizens of Sonoma do and will they be able to live in Sonoma?
The city’s water metering system is designed to eliminate the need for a person to walk from meter to meter and list its usage manually. Is this saving money and charging fairly? When an individual household has a problem with a bill, the city’s attitude is, “Prove we’re wrong.”
We are paying for this new, unworkable system as it is.
The city says that it is concerned about the water shortage, however let’s look at all the building going on and the amount of people who will be living in these homes. Let’s look at the multi-use building considered for the corner of East MacArthur and Broadway. Are these new businesses and households going to truck in their own water?
To have a water shortage and to continue to build is very shortsighted. Business and agriculture should be charged at the same rate as households. Water usage should be fair for all people and businesses.
If this city wants to show that the city itself is conserving, let’s do away with the lawn in the Plaza. Lawns take a lot of water. Let’s eliminate all private wells within the city limits, which tap into the aquifer. Water is water – let’s save it and use it wisely.
What is wrong with the council members? Do they live in a world where people don’t matter and where natural resources go on forever?
Vickie Bernou
Sonoma
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