Letters to the Editor 8-13-15

Lytton
Editor:
As a new resident of Windsor, I have been monitoring the seemingly endless anti-Lytton development rants on a private website “Nextdoor” as well as reading The Windsor Times and Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports on the proposed development with bemused interest.

 Both the PD and Windsor Times have published balanced, straight-forward articles over the two years detailing ongoing negotiations between the tribe and county over the 1,300 acres purchased by the tribe. Solid reporting.

 The county has agreed to a development of 350 homes, a 200-room hotel, a spa and resort and a winery on nearby property owned by the Lytton Tribe. The acreage is outside Windsor, but fear and loathing in Windsor is abundant. 

In return for granting an extension of water treatment from Windsor, the tribe has offered to build a fine pool and aquatic center near the high school so students will no longer need to be bussed to Healdsburg for swim meets. These pools will also be a fine addition for residents as well. I find the posts on Nextdoor irrational and paranoid. Some have stirred fears of property valuation losses; Windsor school problems; public safety issues and other ugly comments and innuendo that are beneath a progressive town in a progressive county. 

Similar attacks on George Lucas and his Sky Walker Ranch in Marin County were also raised not long ago. Lucas wanted to build a non-polluting, employment friendly movie studio on his property and NIMBY Marin County residents objected. They said the area was not zoned for such a commercial venture and Lucas pulled out only to say he would build low income housing there to get even. The tribe has repeatedly said no casino would be built on their land and as anyone who has been to River Rock recently can attest – the casino business is a broken business model here. 

The Lyttons merely want to diversify their San Pablo casino earnings and sending these millions to beautiful Sonoma County to build a resort and winery with housing seems like a no brainer. Windsor can benefit handily from this investment. 

Dave Heventhal
Windsor
Thank you
Editor:
On July 21, classical music came to the Windsor.  The event was free and open to the public!  This event was made possible by California Summer Music and the Raven Theater Windsor.  California Summer Music is an incredibly fine summer music camp held at Sonoma State University that pulls students from all over the U.S. and the world.  Windsor was the recipient of one of their community outreach performances.  And the Raven Theater Windsor, our 1+ year old performing arts venue here in Windsor, supported this music event and provided the venue.  Thank you both!
Joella Olsen
Windsor Advocates for Music