From: Jim Leddy <Jim.Leddy>
Date: Thu, May 3, 2012 at 8:07 AM
Sonoma County pensions to cost millions more
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
By BRETT WILKISON A 42 percent spike in unfunded pension promises could further drive up taxpayer contributions to Sonoma County’s retirement fund, with costs jumping by a third next year and going up by millions more each year through 2017.
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Sonoma County health clinics receive $8 million in federal grants
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
By RANDI ROSSMANN Three Sonoma County health clinics will receive more than $8 million in federal money to build facilities and improve services to uninsured and low-income patients in Sonoma County, including dental aid. Santa Rosa Community Health …
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Southern California tribe won’t oppose Rohnert Park casino
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
By JEREMY HAY SACRAMENTO — The Sonoma County Indian tribe that wants to open a casino adjacent to Rohnert Park secured some significant — if not exactly enthusiastic — support Wednesday from a Southern California tribe that runs one of the state’s …
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Tribe Leader Presents “New and Novel” Argument for Rohnert Park Casino
Patch.com
The compact requires the tribe to funnel $100 million into Sonoma County in its first seven years of operation, with more after that. The money would offset impacts on the environment, criminal justice and social service systems and traffic, …
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Supervisor Zane, challenger Smith face off at Rohnert Park forum
Candidates spar over county woes
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
He likened Sonoma County to the frog that isn’t smart enough to jump out of the slowly heating pan of water. “I’m here basically tonight to tell you taxpayers, voters and residents of Sonoma County ‘It’s time to jump!’” Smith said.
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3rd District supervisor candidates spar over county woes 33 min ago
Carpenter, Carrillo go head to head in Graton: 5th forum turns cockfight over Preservation Ranch
GRATON — Grapevines and asphalt may decide the outcome of the 5th District Supervisor’s race judging from a scrappy candidates’ forum held in Graton last week.
A primary race unlike any other
By JANELLE WETZSTEIN, ARGUS-COURIER STAFF
Wednesday May 2, 2012 10:40 am
This year’s election features new voting districts and an open primary congressional race.
Three Federal Agents Shot In Sonoma County
CBS Local
PETALUMA (CBS13) – Three federal agents have been shot during an operation in Sonoma County Thursday morning. Three special agents with ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) were shot while executing high risk federal warrants related to an …
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SMART Sells $200M in Bonds to Fund Construction
Patch.com
Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit announced that it successfully sold $199172032 million in bonds to fund construction of a train and pathway linking Marin and Sonoma Counties. By Patch Staff A new poll by the North Bay Leadership Council shows 58% would …
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elections office gearing up for June contest
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
(From right) Clerks Rachel Hart, Shirley Fitzgerald, Linda Worthington, and Chris Aldrich put together absentee ballots for the June 5th primary election at the Sonoma County Registrar Of Voters Office in Santa Rosa on Tuesday, May 1, 2012.
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Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District bond sale closes
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
SMART has also recently purchased 6.6 acres at Airport Boulevard in Santa Rosa for a maintenance facility and for a future station to serve the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. Service is scheduled to begin in late 2015 or early 2016 from …
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County moves ahead with next phase of coast trail project: Coastal Prairie Trail construction to begin in late summer Comments (0)
Paul Kelley Hired By SoCo Open Space District
KSRO
Former Sonoma County supervisor Paul Kelley has signed an 8-month contract to be a consultant for the county’s Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. Kelley will be the middle man between the district and farming interests.
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No decision on proposed sales tax
The Healdsburg City Council has delayed making a decision on a proposed citywide half-cent sales tax citing the need for more information and better public outreach. Comments (0)
American Canyon council, supervisors hold historic joint meeting
Napa Valley Register
On June 8, Ross said, the federal court would be considering a motion by the group to revoke the status of Napa and Sonoma counties as participants in the case. While reiterating that the resolution wouldn’t cost the city money, Ross emphasized that …
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Retirement administrator selected for Mendocino County
Ukiah Daily Journal
Andersen was the county’s first retirement administrator after 25 years as assistant administrative officer and chief administrative officer in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, with 21 of those working years in Mendocino County. At a closed-door meeting …
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Supervisors want to send road tax to voters
PETER JENSEN | Posted: Tuesday, May 1, 2012 10:33 pm | (7) Comments
Burn permits required as dry season begins in Sonoma, other counties
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
By RANDI ROSSMANN It’s the start of the dry season and burn permits now are required for open fires in Sonoma and several other counties. Residents planning any type of open burning, such as debris piles, outside of cities and in rural hills and …
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Rohnert Park casino talk continues in Sacramento
Petaluma Argus Courier
Jerry Brown told the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization that the compact was designed to maximize the benefit to the tribe, Sonoma County and the state. “It reflects Gov. Brown’s commitment to work with counties, communities and tribes,” …
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Sonoma County Sets Economic Forum for May 12
Patch.com
The Sonoma County Human Rights Commission is sponsoring a community forum focusing on the issues affecting the local economy from 1 to 3 pm Saturday, May 12, at the Friedman Center in Santa Rosa. Highlighted by guest speaker Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, …
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Marin pension board alters meetings to encourage public participation
By Nels Johnson
Marin Independent Journalmarinij.com
Posted: 05/02/2012 11:41:11 AM PDT
County of Marin Explores Less Costly ‘Hybrid’ Pension Program
Only one county officially endorsed Governor Brown’s 12-point pension reform plan. And now that it has stalled, Marin County is going at it alone.
Read more.
New Marin pension computer system passes acid test
Marin Independent-Journal
About $700000 went to retirees living in Sonoma, and $200000 to those living in Contra Costa County. In all, payments totaling $5.7 million went to retirees living in California counties. Checks totaling $164000 when to retirees in Oregon.
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Sonoma County health clinics receive $9 million in federal grants
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
By RANDI ROSSMANN Sonoma County health clinics will receive more than $9 million in federal money to build and improve facilities and services in Sonoma County. Santa Rosa Community Health Centers will get $2.8 million and use it to improve dental …
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Food Gardening Workshops in June, July at Tolay Lake
Patch.com
Sonoma County Regional Parks have some classes for you to help navigate the grow-your-own movement. Take advantage of all the opportunities and gifts nature has given you. Williamson Parks If you are you interested in growing more healthy food for …
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Sonoma County Libraries to Consider Fee Increases
Patch.com
By Karina Ioffee The Sonoma County Library Commission — which governs public libraries in Sonoma County including Petaluma Regional Library– will discuss possible increases in library fines and fees at its May 7 meeting. The topic is on the agenda …
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Public Schools Week is back in Sonoma County
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
About 24 districts are participating in the events, including Santa Rosa City Schools, Cotati-Rohnert Park, Windsor, West Sonoma County and Mark West. Live student performances of dance, song and theater are scheduled for noon to 6 pm Sunday, …
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Public Schools Week is back and highlighting student work
Santa Rosa Press Democrat (blog)
After a hiatus of two decades, a long list of Sonoma County school districts have resurrected the weeklong showcase of student work, education highlights and performances. A kickoff reception is scheduled from 4 pm to 5:30 pm Friday.
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Congressional candidates debate Thursday in Ukiah
Willits News
The Sonoma County Farm Bureau endorsed Lawson two weeks ago. Lawson’s perspective has drawn some criticism in the last couple of weeks, after an anonymous website called "Who Is Stacy Lawson?" began drawing attention to her series of blog posts on the …
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PD Editorial: Mark Bramfitt best fit in 1st
EDITOR: We disagree with columnist Pete Golis that rural residents in Sonoma County must accept the deterioration of our road system into dirt and gravel (“Learning to embrace potholes,” Sunday).
Most of the candidates in the 1st Supervisorial District have plans that will begin to solve this problem. In particular, Sonoma Mayor Joanne Sanders advocates reducing the amount spent on county wages and benefits by at least 10 percent, which would generate $50 million for roads. While changing the county’s budgeting priorities may challenge the imagination of some, Mendocino County recently implemented 10 percent reductions. Given Sanders’ success in fiscal management in Sonoma, we believe she should be given a chance to succeed on the board of supervisors.
SOSroads is working with Supervisors Shirlee Zane and David Rabbitt on the ad hoc road committee. They seem to be committed to reallocating funds for some immediate improvements while developing a long-term solution. If Sanders were to join them, we believe we can succeed.
SOSroads will try to get Golis’ pothole fixed, even if he is content to sit back and accept the status quo.
CRAIG S. HARRISON
SOSroads
Santa Rosa
Blaming pensioners
EDITOR: Almost each day I hear complaints of the lack of public services in our towns. Potholes, no street lighting, slow police response, no one to take care of daily city business because everyone is laid off. Why? Let’s blame the retirees and their “wealth.” It’s those pensions, the greedy unions or overpaid teachers.
Since the wealthy have been given huge tax breaks and the government coffers are empty, it doesn’t take a genius to see what the problem is. But let’s blame those who still have a dollar or two so we all can be equally poor while our rich overlords get all the benefits while the rest of us are fee’d to death. That’s what we are left with, fees and fines. We have been leveled to third world standards.
When I hear the cheering for the loss of unions, public servants and teachers it makes me sick and ashamed of how low our self-respect has gotten.
BRUCE MALLON
Petaluma
Water at risk
EDITOR: How is it that a governor can abrogate an environmental impact report? The Graton tribe’s EIR shows that it will be taking water from an already over-pumped aquifer. As this is done, the casino’s well and local wells will have to be deepened. This will be troublesome and costly. If the aquifer is pumped dry, where will anyone get water?
J. PAT GEIS
Santa Rosa
Jim Leddy
Community and Government Affairs Manager
County of Sonoma
575 Administration Drive
Suite 104A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 565-2190 office
(707) 529-4510 cell
(707) 565-3778 fax
Jim.Leddy
EMPIRE REPORT 