Letters to the Editor 11-12-15

Tipping point
EDITOR: No one can deny the positive economic impact of tourism, jobs and taxes that our wine industry contributes to the community.
But we have reached a tipping point. The zoning protections for rural, agricultural lands are increasingly being ignored in favor of highly intensive winery event center developments – leading to the inappropriate commercialization of ag lands. Heavy traffic on narrow country roads, drawdown of water aquifers and impacts to the welfare of adjacent property owners are increasing.
There is a shortsighted approval process permitting more and more event centers, commercial kitchens and on-going food service on agricultural lands. The impacts of this un-even playing field hurts other businesses, such as smaller wineries, and restaurants. Once agricultural lands are dotted with urban-scale buildings and highly intensive uses, rural character will be lost forever.
Concerned residents should attend the public workshop on Monday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m., Glaser Center, Santa Rosa to hear the county’s proposed new ordinances for winery event centers.
This will be the last opportunity for public comment. By Jan. 2016, the regulations will be written, and it may be too late to protect ag lands for future generations.
Jim Sullivan
Occidental
Thanks, community
EDITOR: Sebastopol World Friends would like to thank our community for a wonderful Friendship Dinner on Nov. 7. We had an astounding turnout and spirited participation, and we consider that the event was a great success.
We would like to thank, in particular, the guests who came, our donors and sponsors, our amazing entertainers, all the supporters and volunteers who helped us and the current families and students in our programs.  
This success signals not only our community’s interest in the cultures of Japan and Ukraine, but more generally our shared commitment to grassroots diplomacy and connection between peoples.  
It is that awareness, involvement and support on the part of the community that makes our work possible.  We cannot do it without you.  We thank you once again for supporting the Friendship Dinner and contributing toward our mission of building World Peace, One Friend at a Time.
Abigail Evans
Chair, Sebastopol World Friends Board of Directors
Sebastopol