LETTERS from Gazette READERS about APRIL 2018 articles

More Shooting in Sonoma

I agree totally with Kathy Byrne about that Wing & Barrel Ranch. OMG that is disgusting and sickening and I hope they are not going to be successful. Would like more information about that. To kill birds and drink OMG and individuals pay $75K to join and organizations $145K, what kind of organizations?? I have an idea of what types and I don't like it. Our own little killing fields in beautiful Sonoma! Please say NO! ~ Judy Mikeska

Cannabis fact-checking

The letters in your April issue illustrate some serious confusion regarding cultivation of cannabis. For example, Rachel Zierdt threw out a figure of her neighbor using 38 million gallons of water a year. You really should be vetting these letters a bit harder before publishing them. That figure is way off. That is using 105,000 gallons a day! In other words, enough to cover an acre with 4 inches of water every single day!! Not possible.

Cannabis Farms in Rural Neighborhoods - April 10 BOS meeting

The meeting will be held in the Board of Supervisors Chambers: 575 Administration Drive, Room 102A, Santa Rosa

PRINT a copy of your talk, it does not need to be identical, and give it to the clerk after speaking so you can get your complaint on the record. This step is important so you go on written record as to your position. You will have, at the maximum, 3 minutes but expect only 1-2 minutes to speak. We suggest you practice and time you talk so you know what you can effectively leave out if your speaking time is cut down from 3 to 1-2 minutes.

We hope to see you there. www.sosneighborhoods.com

Sustainability? Fake News?

Jane Colman, Santa Rosa

I would love to know...

Jude Mariah

Hi Jude, Thank you for your input on my article in the April issue. I understand your skepticism surrounding the wine industry and the apparent damage it does to our environment. But we also must give credit where it is due. Wine has put Sonoma County on the map as a tourist destination, and whether you think that’s good or bad, it does generate revenue. All those tourists are paying taxes while they’re here, which does contribute towards road improvement, public services, human services, education, and environmental advancements. These tourists are also patronizing other businesses like restaurants, hotels, and shops, most of which are owned by locals and all of whom employ locals. The wine industry itself directly employs 7,830 people in Sonoma County, who make an average of $16.34/hour. There are many ways that we can criticize the wine industry, and many ways in which they can improve their business and farming practices, but to say that they offer no benefit to Sonoma County at all would be inaccurate. My hope is that we can find a balance. Ideally, our place on the map as a wine destination would remain, but in such a way that is environmentally sustainable and not so financially top heavy. Encouraging more winegrowers to become more biodynamic, and supporting the ones who already are, would be the first step in moving the process along towards a more sustainable future. Thank you again for your response. ~ Aleta Parseghian

Grape Cultivation

I wanted to thank you for your well written and researched article on grape cultivation. I've been a local anti-pesticide advocate in Sonoma County for several years (focusing mainly on getting pesticides out of schools and parks) and have started to slowly educate myself on the status quo in grape growing. I went to Pam Strayers talk in Sebastopol a couple weeks ago (perhaps you were there?) and was very glad to see your well-timed article in the Gazette. I've been working on Sonoma County Conservation Action's Toxic Free Future campaign and could see some of those efforts focused on grape growing/worker's rights in the future. I know there are a handful of other nonprofits that would also be interested in working on this issue. Keep me in mind if you decide to pursue this work further.

Thanks again! Megan Kaun