Letters to the Editor, Aug. 14 - 16

Dispensaries are

inevitable

EDITOR: The Sonoma Valley Cannabis Group (SVCG) strongly condemns the malicious behavior of Jon Early toward Sonoma City Councilman David Cook ('Bullseye Email Raises Alarm at City Hall,' Aug. 7). We cannot stress more firmly that any level of threats or harassment of public officials or citizens is not only out of line, but ultimately counter-productive.

Mr. Early is not an honorable representative of the cannabis industry and its honest, hardworking entrepreneurs and advocates. By his actions, he has also abrogated his right to represent the citizens of Sonoma and the Valley on all cannabis-related matters.

The SVCG leadership never supported Mr. Early's initiative and advised its members and others to forego signing his petition. Many in our group are familiar with numerous questions regarding his past business practices both within and outside of the cannabis industry.

Mr. Early successfully circulated his petition to put his cannabis measure on the November 2018 ballot. Unfortunately, this poorly conceived ordinance took most control away from the city council, prompting the majority to delay putting the measure on the ballot until 2020. Reportedly, Mr. Early was 'gob smacked' by the decision. That Mr. Early believed he was blind-sided shows he had little sense of what motivates the city council, nor did those who advised him.

Gary Edwards, David Cook and Mayor Madolyn Agrimonti have always voted against permitting a dispensary in Sonoma and there was no reason they would vote any differently this time. Meanwhile, council members Amy Harrington and Rachel Hundley continued to support a dispensary, but remained the minority.

Councilmember Hundley made great effort to fashion a competing ordinance that would have been a better fit for the city. The majority of the council should have accepted it, but instead continued to cling to each other in their backward-thinking certainties. Let's be clear. The three council members can't keep avoiding the inevitable. Eventually, there will be a dispensary in this fair city and the 'jewel' that is Sonoma will shine just as bright.

The Sonoma Valley Cannabis Group has worked tirelessly over the past year to persuade the city council of the need for a local medicinal dispensary, to no avail. We now turn our focus to helping elect new council members who understand the issue and will enact Councilmember Hundley's ordinance.

Sonoma Valley Cannabis Group

Sonoma

Let's study Colorado

EDITOR: Like many, I have been following the trials and concerns of what cannabis would mean for our town. I understand the city council wanting to know what agreeing to a dispensary means in reality. However, spending $25,000 to hire analysts to produce a report is a waste of taxpayer money. Why not find a town similar to ours in Colorado. Choose two council members to fly out there on a fact-finding mission to see the effects of cannabis 'in real time.' Then, have these two members report back to the council and public at large. That would cost far less and be far more effective.

Howard Egger-Bovet

Sonoma

Yes on medical cannabis, no on dispensary

EDITOR: Greetings friends, neighbors and council members,

So, to the topic of having a medical cannabis operation in or around our town: Really? There are many things you all could do to help our lovely town square (like no more tasting rooms… please!) and outlying areas, but a medical cannabis operation is not one of them. Having visited two of them in Santa Rosa, my reaction to going inside of them was they are little more than glorified head shops with guards at the front.

I would urge to do the same… visit a couple and then ask yourself, do I really, really, really, want one of these places in Sonoma Valley? Do I really want more stoners and giddy wine tasters walking around than we already have? Full disclosure — I have no issue with the benefits of medical cannabis and am trying a salve form of it for the first time on a bum shoulder, but I was content to drive the few miles to get it.

The owner operator of this operation doesn't give a fig about my health or trying to help me find a better life through cannabis chemistry. His wrapping his plea in the American Flag and Constitution is a phony attempt at making us believe that he is… but, he just wants the money.

Stephen C. Kyle

Sonoma

Words have consequences

EDITOR: Mr. Jon Early's actions and subsequent attempts at explaining away his 'bullseye' message as 'harmless' should not be accepted. Adults have the responsibility to be self-controlled and good citizens. So far, Mr. Early has demonstrated neither quality.

I support the new California legislation that legalized cannabis. I also support local government's responsibility to figure out what that means to each California community.

I had been a supporter and patron of the former Community Cafe and Wine Annex. I will not patronize that business in the future.

Words and actions have consequences, Mr. Early.

Stephen H. Pavy

Sonoma

Coincidences? I think not…

EDITOR: I enjoyed our conversation of a couple of days ago and didn't think to add this spooky tidbit:

July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the birth of our nation, John Adams, second President of the United States, and Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States, died.

July 4, 1831, James Monroe, fifth President of the United States, died.

July 4, 1872, Calvin Coolidge, 29th President of the United States, was born. Mariano Vallejo was also born July 4.

Obama's slogan was 'Yes, we can.' Trump's slogan is, 'Yes, I con.'

Bruce Macdonald

Sonoma

Fair thee not-so-well

EDITOR: Last Friday made a visit to the Sonoma County Fair with my wife. After turkey sandwich and Willie Bird, went to racetrack which turned out to be a big mistake. For the first two races virtually no bets could be made due to system problems. Stood at window for 30 minutes, while agent kept rebooting machine. Supervisors provided no help to agents and no announcements were made to many standing in long lines. Automated betting machines were down also. How many thousands of dollars were lost due to down machines? This went on for first three races and after the fourth we left – couldn't take it anymore. Agent with 37 years of experience told me he had never seen it so bad with regard to technical issues and poor management. Have not seen this noted in any news stories… has it been buried for PR purposes?

Bob Hughes

El Verano