Letters to the Editor: I take it all back, Springs Alliance...

County double faulting on Springs

EDITOR: Last week I wrote a letter to Supervisor Susan Gorin asking about the tennis courts at Larson Park in the Springs. The courts there have been in such terrible condition for the last 20 years, so much so that they are unplayable. This leaves the local tennis enthusiasts a huge void in recreation. Last year, Gorin stated that the courts were to be resurfaced soon and that the money had been allocated. Wondering when the project would begin, I again wrote to Gorin, hoping to get an update. She replied that construction should begin sometime in late 2022! From what I understand, the County of Sonoma has an obligation to maintain its recreational facilities. Boyes Springs is one of the lowest income areas in this beautiful valley. Why is it not given the attention given to other areas?

Rich Flaherty, tennis player

Boyes Hot Springs

My bad…

EDITOR: Veronica Napoles' reply to my letter regarding 'no Latinos among the newly elected officers of the Springs Community Alliance' is absolutely correct. I fully agree, 'there is no room for physical stereotyping..., especially in our community.' Veronica, in no way did I intend to diminish your Latinx heritage, and you have my sincere apology for my insensitivity.

Ed Shoop

Sonoma

We demand transparency on SDC

EDITOR: The Greenbelt Alliance has criticized Permit Sonoma's decision to close to the public the meetings of the public advisory team (PAT) working on the Specific Plan for the Sonoma Developmental Center. The Alliance requested that the meetings be open. 'This should be a fully transparent and open process every step of the way,' Greenbelt's North Bay Regional Director wrote to PAT members.

We agree.

Interested parties should not be excluded from the SDC planning process. The PAT will hear important details and analyses about the SDC that all of us should be able to access; and the PAT's deliberations will be richer and better grounded if the public has the 3-minute opportunities to speak that the Brown Act provides for every other public body. Brown Act agendas and minutes will be important aspects of regularly communicating with the public.

Occasional mass meetings for community input will not be enough.

We also share with Greenbelt a particular interest 'in ensuring a low-profile, low-impact climate-resilient community with ample low-emissions public transit and limiting any new pavement or roads in order to preserve the wildlife corridor and the long-term habitat values of the SDC lands.' And we agree that 'any housing needs to be fully affordable and designed in innovative ways that enhances the environment and reduces climate impacts.'

Dave Ransom, facilitator

Sonoma Valley Housing Group

Let's shake the tree, see what falls…

EDITOR: In front of each of our Sonoma public elementary schools is a lovely Cork Oak tree.

Does anyone know who was the person responsible for these beautiful trees? What is the story? It's all about a little more of our Sonoma Valley history.

Ann Young

Sonoma