Op-Ed Opinion Essay

Local activists and elected leaders will gather for a town hall exploring the need for - and challenges facing - the Green New Deal, an ambitious proposal that would attempt to tackle the nation's most pressing problems - including climate change, income inequality and failing infrastructure - all at once.

Recently Donald Trump and the Republicans called for eliminating the "Death Tax", the estate tax on the extremely rich after they die. I don't understand their logic at all. When better to tax someone than when they're dead? 

Have you ever thought of preserving your family history? Do you wish you'd asked your parents more about their life? Do you want to leave a record of your life experiences for your family, grandchildren and great grandchildren? Do you want to meet an interesting group of men and women who have decided to do just that? Then you should consider joining our class.

Last year, China tightened its regulations on the kinds of recycled goods it accepts. As a result, a lot of our recycling will be turned away from recycling facilities and added to landfills. With that in mind, let's review our local recycling regulations!

A flood victim reflects on abruptly hearing that she would need to completely empty her home immediately. Now.

On April 16, the Board of Supervisors will decide whether to direct Permit Sonoma to address the severe compatibility problems with cannabis cultivation in rural neighborhoods. In order to solve this contentious question, the supervisors need to acknowledge the fundamental problem.

It was refreshing to see newspaper items in March concerning Rep. Ilhan Omar and the nationwide dialogue she has started over basic justice issues in the Israeli-Palestine conflict that has gone on for over seven decades. However, the conservation in the national media missed a few crucial points.

Two new proposed gas stations in the county have raised concerns about the environmental impact of the stations.  

On March 6th, as Chair of Russian River Watershed Protection Committee, I received an email and pictures from one of our supporters and a resident of the Vacation Beach area, expressing her concern about a raw sewage spill near her house (close to the Vacation Beach Pump Station).

UPDATE: The Marathon has been postponed for now. Representatives from the marathon will be at the meeting on Sunday, March 31st as planned.

The 13.8-mile marathon, has not met with local praise and support because the plan disrupts the only road for access to residences and businesses at the tail end of tourist season. The original plan called for shutting off the entire highway and that has been revised to closing sections at a time as the runners make their way down the coast.

According to early results of the March 5 special election, voters in the Palm Drive Health Care District resoundingly passed Measure A. It is important to be clear on what precisely voters approved. In the District's haste to call the special election, I am afraid the process was bungled, resulting in widespread confusion about what was being voted on - whether Resolution 18-10, passed unanimously by the District Board on December 7, or Resolution 19-01, adopted on a 4-1 vote of the District Board on February 4. 

My community work this past year is dedicated to two career firefighters: Charlie Rice, RIP March 29, 2018 and his widow, Shellie Rice, of Napa.  I was asked to help stop the invasion of 60+ Verizon 5G cell towers in the city of Napa, with one tower to be installed in front of the Rice’s home on Franklin Street. I soon discovered that the 5G roll over was also happening in the cities of Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol & Petaluma. More recently, the telecom industry has headed for Marin County. They have already been installed in Sacramento.  

It seems every day brings a new spate of federal, state, hospital and clinic restrictions on the opioids needed by millions of chronic pain patients to be functional human beings. Some are seeing their doses cut back. Others are cut off completely.

Instead of eliminating the so-called "Death Tax", the United States should eliminate all taxes except estate taxes on the wealthiest individuals among us.

I feel it’s important for people to be informed. I am quite aware of how conservative news outlets report the Women’s Marches as “anti-abortion protests”... “the election”..or “women’s rights.” Its easy enough to criticize & say “what rights have you lost?” It’s not about “lost rights.”

When bleeding can be controlled or stopped, it is baffling why so many die from the loss of it during tragedies such as the Sandy Hook shooting. While learning the skills needed to slow blood loss is not a solution for the acts of violent, radical individuals, knowledgable citizens could help reduce the casualties at such events with a little extra knowledge.  

University tries very hard to get students involved with sustainability. With the way the campus is going with its efforts, there will be many other changes and programs to keep the school on a positive track towards a healthier campus for the environment. If all of the students on campus get involved with the practices that are being shown, there could be a positive and dramatic change in the community.

While money won't buy you happiness, a recent scandal revealed that cash will probably buy you a ticket to a fancy college. But will the students whose parents took advantage of the system be kicked out of college? One Sonoma State student argues that such students should be forced to reapply.

In 2018, Californians overwhelmingly voted, for the second time, to protect farm animals from cruel and inhumane conditions. Numerous pieces of legislation have been passed at both the state and local level to protect companion animals from mistreatment and discrimination. Now, a proposal to ban the sale and production of fur in the state is working its way through the legislative process.

Young adult years are extremely important for brain development, but teenagers who are mesmerized by social media won't grow into healthy adults. For the sake of the next generation, it is important to shield children and teenagers from excessive phone and social media use, a Sonoma State student writes.

Despite the historically high number of women running for president, female presidential candidates are being judged and criticized on the basis of "likability" rather than whether they are qualified to serve as president. With such high stakes, we need to change the way we talk about, one Sonoma State student writes.

While using a plastic drinking straw at a restaurant may seem like an insignificant act, the cost adds up quickly. Every day, 500 million straws are used in the United States. While some states are beginning to crack down on unnecessary straw use, more needs to be done. Corporations and individuals need to continue switching to reusable and biodegradable straws, one Sonoma State student argues.