Page 3 - Sonoma County Gazette June 2017

THANK YOU Readers,
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Thank you,
Shannon Carr, Forgotten Felines
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 e orts by local Chambers of Commerce and Visitors Centers. It’s important to note that these funds are used by many small non-pro ts 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 bene t the local community as well.
Deputies Overtime Pay
As a new Sonoma County homeowner, I was pleased to read the April 15 headline story in the Press Democrat. It confirmed my observation that Sonoma Sheriffs are highly dedicated peace officers.
Deputy Turney essentially works an extra1.25jobskeepingpeace,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.
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 bene t 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
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.
LETTERS cont’d on page 4
In this article, the authors state that “75 percent of the revenue has been
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