Page 33 - Sonoma County Gazette January 2017

Keeping the Faith
Every day the news churns out something worse about what is happening
in Washington before the new pres is even inaugurated. Meanwhile, here in peaceful Sonoma Valley, people are coming together. Whether for spiritual inspiration, political action, or those much-needed warm-and-toasty winter parties, people are seeking sustenance and a renewed sense of connection. What to do? How to survive this bleak new era? What about friends and neighbors who might be suddenly and summarily deported, here today and gone tomorrow leaving abandoned families behind.
How will we respond?
Heads Up! Changes are coming!
The Mid-Pen housing project creating sixty (60) affordable units is near completion. At post time 700 applicants for housing in the pastel colored walls facing Highway 12 know where they stand and await knowledge if they have been selected or rejected. Hopefully the Mid-Pen lottery system will favor local residents in need. The opening will be in January or February.
On the Horizon for 2017... How will the many plans and programs on the drawing board affect Springs residents? Will property values be affected? What demographic shifts in population might be anticipated? It’s in everyone’s interest to attend meetings called to discuss the many proposals. As Bryant McGill commented, “Proceed toward ‘success’ with extreme caution.”
Mid-Pen Affordable Housing Part II – Mid-Pen Housing plans call for forty (40) units of Senior Affordable housing adjacent to the nearly completed “Fetters Apartments.” Mid-Pen has submitted its application to the California Low Income Housing Tax Credit Commission. If approved in March, ground breaking will be late summer.
The Vailetti Property Between Fetters and Flowery School... is rumored to become a shopping center. It will be interesting to see plans for access to a shopping center adjacent to a housing development and an elementary school driveway. However, a market will be beneficial to residents of the northern Springs. Watch for an announcement of plans at this important location.
Everything on this ne afternoon seems normal. Except: Trump.
In the near term....Mid-Pen Affordable Housing Development....
Sonoma’s two key income streams – wine and tourism – depend on our Latino workers; but the pain goes deeper than that. What about the human rights of people who have struggled to survive, obstructed by a byzantine immigration system that the Republicans would not let Obama revise? To every story there’s a backstory, to every bit of black-and-white propaganda siphoned out of Washington, there’s a complex human situation. Remember welfare queens getting rich on the hard earned tax dollars of good (say, white) working people? Few worried about their tax dollars going to Raytheon and Boeing. We need weapons to bully and bludgeon the world...it’s called “defense.”
Coffee house chatter centers on additional traffic to be created once the new residents settle into their new digs. Also, neighbors voice questions about how one parking space per residence will suffice. Whatever the answers are, sixty families will find new housing. That’s a boon to the neighborhood. A bike path segment is complete from the apartments to Flowery School. Time for critiques is over; the new housing program is nearly complete!
A growing consensus is emerging. We can act locally. We can become
more resilient by building our networks and relationships. Together we can strengthen our local economy and support city and state policies that a rm our beliefs in a fairer, more just society. We can think with our hearts. When so much is uncertain, there’s one thing we know: these are the times that will try our souls. We can face the challenge by living according to our highest values, our deepest truths. May this be the beginning of a new era when the ashes of the ensuing chaos give rise to the vision we’ve cherished all along.
What then are we here in peaceful, a uent Sonoma going to do? Immediately, the community sprang into action to nd ways to protect
out Latino neighbors who happen to also be the workers for the two main industries that keep tra c rolling through town, namely tourism and wine making. Latinos do the lion’s share of the work that sustains those income streams, without which this town and much of the county will quickly sink into the quietly depressed state that swung in when the apple market declined in the early 80s in deference to the Washington State apple.
Springs Specific Plan – Six months ago the County announced an agreement with the De Novo Planning Group of the southbay and a local committee of fifteen (15) as advisors to reshape the Highway 12 corridor. The County wrote the “Plan is intended to guide development and gradually shape the area into a more vibrant and sustainable pedestrian-oriented community with a focus on active transportation and enhanced transit opportunities.”
But it’s more than that. It’s a human rights issue, and Latinos are not the only minority being targeted by the Trumpsters.
The plan is to change or modify land use, transport circulation, modify design, and develop facilities in a band from El Verano to Agua Caliente. This endeavor includes plans for beautification, plazas, and bike paths. Look for a report from either De Novo or one or more of the Commissioners. The Commissioners are Mia Cabrera, Richard Dale, Teresita Fernandez, Patricio Galindo, Maite Iturri, Scott Johnson, Rich Lee, Cathy Shepherd, Michael Ross, Rick Ruiz, Gary Saperstein, Pedro Serrano, Yuliana Camerena, and Ryan Lely.
The declaration
The sanctuary movement
The equity and diversity task force
La Luz meetings. El Verano meetings.
Environmental groups have come together to support those e orts and
fortify their e ectiveness in relation to climate change – PraxisPeace, Transition Sonoma Valley, EarthCare at the Congregational Church, are redrawing their boundaries. There’s an intensity and fervor that we haven’t seen around here until the election.
Seems like a report from either the County and/or De Novo is in order. This project will bring major changes. The proposals need public airing and review before they become a fait accompli.
But while some groups are talking of outright resistance to speci c policies, all of these things amount to damage control at this stage of the game. We are not in a position to stop Washington from going completely berserk.
The Trumpster’s threat and undocumented residents! At a recent El Verano School meeting discussion centered on the role of law enforcement in the event of a President Trump attempt to remove undocumented residents in the Springs (and Sonoma County). The Sheriff announced they will follow current policy that says unless a person is involved in illegal behavior his office will not assist federal authorities in the deportation of residents.
The bigger picture? When there’s a “perfect storm” it’s the time to hunker down and build community...to stay home, conserve resources, invite people over to dinner, share tools. To practice and strengthen the lifestyle we uphold and demonstrate the principles of compassion, caring, sharing we preach
Sup. Susan Gorin introduced Jerry Threet, a new County officer leading
an organization (IOLERO) that will provide residents with the opportunity to register complaints about law enforcement. Threet will investigate and report to the sheriff, supervisors, and public when charges are made. Mr. Threet is
an ombudsman who serves to ameliorate charges and differences between
law enforcement and citizens. IOLERO stands for Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach. For more information visit sonomacounty. ca.gov/IOLERO. Those wishing to speak with Jerry Threet may contact him at 707-565-1534 or Jerry.Threet@sonoma-county.org.
Local control of policy helps. TSV the city council clean energy policy is a step. Governor Brown etc. Building stronger local economy, preparing for tighter purse springs, growing our own food, supporting our farmers.
The society we have envisioned, the civil rights we have fought for generations to obtain, the respect for diversity...the beliefs we have championed, have not been diminished, cannot be abandoned now. “These are the times that try men’s [sic] souls” – we have to step up to the challenge and pay attention
Trump’s plans may back re and we want to be strong to savor the chaos that might result – and the real opportunity to create a better society...
Happy New Year!
“Chaos should be regarded as extremely good news.” – Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
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