LETTERS from Gazette Readers - June 2017
THANK YOU Readers,
Guess what…..Tierno is getting adopted next week.
A sweet couple came in to meet him this week, filled out the paperwork and will be taking him home next week..
The woman said that they had recently lost their kitty. Then last week, when they were moving something off the counter, the paper fell onto the floor open to a picture of Tierno and they knew it was a sign and they had to meet him and take him home, not caring about his pre-existing medical conditions.
Thank you for publishing the pictures of our kitties and helping them get adopted (and constantly reminding me to get you pictures). His adoption is 100% because of what you do for us.
-Shannon Carr, Forgotten Felines
Deputies Overtime Pay
As a new Sonoma County homeowner, I was pleased to read the April 15 headline story in thePress Democrat. It confirmed my observation that Sonoma Sheriffs are highly dedicated peace officers.
Deputy Turney essentially works an extra 1.25 jobs keeping peace, covering the Sonoma Sheriff shortage. How exhausting! That six of the top ten paid County employees are Deputies is remarkable and clear devotion to duty and public service.
The story quietly lauds Turney, doing justice to his humble and modest personality. Most would have accepted the opportunity to comment.
Keep up the good work Sonoma Deputies and Press Democrat.
-Christopher Patrick Murphy Berkheimer, Guerneville
Response to TOT OpEd by SOS Roads on Gazette website
This letter is in response to incorrect information presented in the May 9th SonomaCountyGazette.com OpEd,“Transient Occupancy Tax can Help Fix Our Roads.”by SOS Roads volunteers by Michael Troy and Craig S. Harrison.
In this article, the authors state that “75 percent of the revenue has been spent on advertising to lure tourists to Sonoma County or to support events that visitors, as well as residents, might enjoy.” This statement is just plain wrong.
The Board of Supervisors is committed to using Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue to fund local community priorities while also supporting the tourism industry, which is responsible for bringing millions of dollars in local spending and creates nearly 20,000 jobs in Sonoma County.
In FY 2016-17, the Board of Supervisors dedicated 75% of Sonoma County’s Transient Occupancy Tax revenue to the Advertising Program, in line with our Board’s policy. The other 25% goes into the General Fund and is used to fund a host of local county services, including roads infrastructure and improvements.
Of the funds dedicated to the Advertising Program, about 25% have been used to promote local cultural and arts events and to fund marketing and efforts by local Chambers of Commerce and Visitors Centers. It’s important to note that these funds are used by many small non-profits to help make their local events to make them a success, in addition to the funds that are dedicated to the County’s designated marketing organization, Sonoma County Tourism. While these organizations have the goal of increasing tourism and enhancing this sector of our local economy, they also are deeply interested in providing events and activities that benefit the local community as well.
Less widely known, and arguably even more critical, is the fact that the lions share of the remaining available funds are used for a wide range of needs that directly benefit the community or mitigate the impacts of tourism. The Program funds a large portion of our beautiful local Regional Parks network and our Economic Development Board, which supports local business and economic growth and Creative Sonoma, whose mission is to support and enhance the arts community here in Sonoma County. Advertising Program also funds everything from agricultural promotion, veterans’ halls marketing and building upgrades, workforce development and scholarships, historical commissions, homeless services, and public safety grants that allow local fire districts to purchase critical life-saving equipment. And last year, we dedicated $1 million of TOT to support workforce housing initiatives.
The list goes on, but one thing is for sure, our Board prioritizes creating balance in how TOT funds are used to support a wide variety of local needs. In light of Measure L passing last November, and with anticipated new revenue of nearly $5 million going into the new fiscal year, our Board has a great opportunity to dedicate these new funds to further enhance services and programs within the Advertising Program, and to fund other critical needs of our community, such as emergency services, affordable housing and roads. We are listening to your concerns and are committed to representing your priorities through our budgeting process with these funds.