Letters to the Index-Tribune editor, Jan. 21, 2022

No dogs on the Plaza

EDITOR: The green lawns of the Sonoma Plaza serve as the entertainment and socializing areas for us all, locals and tourists. Children and adults roll and play and eat and drink in the grass and enjoy a clean environment free from dog feces and urine. I was disappointed to hear that the council/committee is considering allowing dogs on the plaza. The current rules are clear and defined: No Dogs.

Just imagine what the signs at every entrance to the Plaza might state: “Dogs Allowed: except on Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. (seasonally), not in the children’s play areas, or within 25 feet of a duck, or at any time when the City Council decides to pass a measure then decides it is a mistake and votes again.” I have probably even overlooked a few other times when the rules would again need to be complicated. Additionally, we all know there will be no official enforcement of these on/off times

Let’s keep the Sonoma Plaza as a pristine environment without doggie bag dispensers all over the place and the possibility of sitting, lying, rolling or dining in what was just a dog’s place of pooing and peeing.

What we have in place now on the historic Plaza works well and everyone knows the simple regulation: No Dogs!

Richard Mabe

Sonoma

Of Broadway bike lanes

EDITOR: After listening to a four-plus hour meeting, I came to the realization that for all the talking about our gateway into our town it came down to how do we stripe Broadway for a bike lane. A bike lane that goes to nowhere. It will service a few blocks. Will it go all the way to the high school? No! Will it go to the middle school? No! Will it go to Napa Road? No!

I watched and listened and watched and listened to the traffic engineer. He presented two options: A and B. But when asked by Vice-Mayor Kelso Barnett can we have a third option and make the roadway the way it was originally with a bike lane and four lanes of traffic his answer was "I was not asked not to talk about that option.“ Well why not? The council voted to reconsider its options. They should have explored all options.

According to the traffic engineer Sonoma has a master bike plan (yes we have one) that calls for a Class 2 bike lane which was the way Broadway was originally striped. No buffers, no bike lane at the curb, no barriers and no 6-inch striped lanes. A simple lane for which the roadway was classified (Class 2).

When asked by Councilmember Sandra Lowe can the bike lane continue to Napa Road, the traffic engineer said it was not in the plans; but you can ride near the curb as there is room there. What kind of answer is that?

Is there any common sense left in this world. Government entities talk things to death and there is never any real answer that makes sense. We are getting answers that fit their political gains. Plain and simple!

In conclusion Broadway will become what California's high-speed rail has become. A road to nowhere.

Dushan Medan

Sonoma

Who mentored you?

EDITOR: Congratulations to the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance for their 25th anniversary, a true treasure of our Valley. As a board member and mentor, I am very proud and grateful to be part of such an important and unique organization.

Every week, over 300 caring adults spend one hour at a school mentoring site interacting and supporting the growth of their mentees. Some spend more based on their time and the need they see in their mentee.

The youth of our Valley are the future leaders of our community. Over 2,000 youth have had mentors over the 25 years. These are the ones that do not have the opportunities that most have and are in need of that extra resource, encouragement and perspective to reach their potential.

I have been very fortunate to have had important and positive impactful mentors in my life. I now feel grateful to have this opportunity to “pay it forward.” It is an opportunity to make a difference in a young person’s life. So, who mentored you?

Currently there are over 50 students on the waiting list for a mentor. Find out how you can “pay it forward” and make a positive difference in a young person’s life by calling 707-938-1990 or emailing info@sonomamentoring.org.

David Parr

Sonoma