Solidarity with Dreamers
EDITOR: Los Cien Sonoma County believes that everyone living in the United States is entitled to certain basic rights under the U.S. Constitution, including undocumented immigrants. We stand in solidarity with the 800,000 DREAMERs here today and refuse to permit the politics of hate to define our community or our America.
We call on all Sonoma County Latinos and amigos to stand beside all of our DREAMERs, insuring that they can take their full and rightful place in our community and our country. They deserve nothing less than our full support.
At the same time, we urge federal legislators to enact a bipartisan permanent legislative solution, one that will allow these bright minds to be nurtured and prosper in the America we know and love.
Herman J. Hernandez, chairman of the board, Los Cien Sonoma County
One-sided reporting
EDITOR: Why does your piece (“Another winery, tasting room proposed for Westside Road,” Sept. 7, 2017) not take into consideration the efforts that he (Ramey) will have acquiesced to over the last 3-plus years? It seems you are more concerned with a vocal minority of NIMBY new residents to the community than a 40-plus year resident, who is not only responsible for producing some of the most consistently delicious and well awarded wines coming out of Sonoma County, but also someone who contributes to our tax base as well as employs many local residents.
This property was an eyesore in disrepair before the Rameys purchased it and they want to continue with the improvements. There will be no increase to traffic as stated and the events you refer to would include any business meetings they would conduct on the property, be it visits from three people who could come from their Maine distribution partners or a group of grape growers from the Sonoma Coast and Russian River.
Your job as a journalist is to quote facts that express both sides of a story, which you have failed at miserably. The Rameys have not only put their money where their mouth is and met every request that has been thrown at them but they have done it in a professional manner and not gone around bad mouthing as these 6-8 new residents have.
It’s a wonder that nothing ever gets done in this county in any reasonable amount of time (smart train, courthouse square, etc) please follow up on this article with the Ramey side of the story so your readership will have a complete view of the issue and save the fluff piece for when you cover the food at the county fair or why the Kenwood pillow fights no longer happen.
David Repp, Santa Rosa
Why talk politics across the divide?
EDITOR: Was the November election like a bad dream from which you can’t awaken? Are you wondering how you can make a difference in the 2018 Congressional Elections?
In California, seven districts cast the majority of their votes for Hillary Clinton, at the same time that they elected Republicans to Congress. Greater voter turnout and a more informed electorate could turn these swing districts from Red to Blue in 2018. Groups like Indivisible, Swing Left, Working America and Sister District Project are facilitating volunteer opportunities in districts like these.
If you want to be able to converse with potential swing voters and perhaps even members of your own family — without tempers flaring — Indivisible groups across Sonoma County are co-sponsoring a workshop on Saturday, Sept. 23, with Sharon Ellison, entitled “How to Talk Politics Across the Current Divide.”
For Tickets to How to Talk Politics Across the Current Divide, go to brownpapertickets.com/event/3070522. Tickets are $20; scholarships are available. For more information, email
cn*******@gm***.com
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Pam Browning, Cloverdale
