Petaluma Opinion

• The case for SMART

  By JACK C. SWEARENGEN

  Monday February 8, 2010 3:00 am

  

  Charting a path to recovery from today's difficult economy suggests good reasons why nearly 70 percent of voters gave SMART the go-ahead in 2008.

• Time to end Dutra’s magic show

  By DAVID KELLER

  Thursday February 4, 2010 5:44 pm

  

  Most people reading this column have experienced a “con” at a carnival or fair. The shell game, or hide-the-ball, is one of the most common magic tricks. A ball is hidden under one of three shells or cups, which are then shuffled skillfully by the dealer. The player gambles that they can spot where the ball is hidden.

• The benefits of the Target project

  By RYAN NICKELSON

  Thursday February 4, 2010 5:41 pm

  Given the recent articles and letters in the media regarding Regency Centers and the East Washington Place (Target) project, I would like to take this opportunity to articulate the community, economic and infrastructure benefits the project will provide to the city of Petaluma.

• COTS thanks community

  Thursday February 4, 2010 3:00 am

  Editor: As I do every year, I’m writing to thank our community for the phenomenal support they provided to COTS and our clients over the holiday season. As is the case every year, I am surprised and humbled by your generosity, but it’s especially moving during these very tough economic times.

• Council should be ashamed

  Thursday February 4, 2010 3:00 am

  Editor: Petalumans were excited in 2004 with the thought of a Target in their town. This prospect would bring much-needed revenue and jobs for so many without jobs. Now, there is disorganization and lack of decision-making by some of the City Council, and they are pulling the rest down. Those who see the light can’t get this passed with Glass, Barrett, and Renée placing roadblocks.

• Regency at fault for delays

  Wednesday February 3, 2010 6:21 pm

  Editor: Many things about the proposed East Washington Place development just don’t make sense to me.
  At the Jan. 4 City Council meeting, Regency had their first opportunity to address the Council about their project. Instead of spending their time wisely by discussing the relevant EIR and vesting tentative map, they talked about design issues that were not on the agenda. Why?

• Project is out of scale

  Wednesday February 3, 2010 6:19 pm

  Editor: I live one block away from Regency’s proposed East Washington Place Development and I have several objections to the plan. First of all, the proposed big-box development is totally out of scale and out of character with our neighborhood.

• Wanting to shop locally

  Wednesday February 3, 2010 6:17 pm

  Editor: Our city is in dire straits. We urge the City Council to vote for East Washington Place, as we need the revenues to keep our city services going strong.

• Taxpayers deserve the full story about SMART funds

  By MIKE ARNOLD

  Monday February 1, 2010 5:50 pm

  

  SMART is in deep financial trouble. It does not have the funds to build the system to Cloverdale as was promised to the voters in 2008. It may not have funds to even build to Santa Rosa. Yet the agency continues to understate the size of its financial hole and the difficulty it will have in reducing it.

• Facts about domestic violence

  By JANE COHILL

  Monday February 1, 2010 12:01 am

  

  Sonoma County suffered its first domestic violence homicide of 2010 with the murder of Buapha Mullennix of Petaluma. This case, and The Press Democrat's coverage of it, provides an opportunity for our community to learn about domestic violence, how to identify these terrible crimes and more importantly how to intervene if we suspect that a family member, friend, neighbor or co-worker is being abused by their partner.

• Regency's words vs. their actions

  By PAUL FRANCIS

  Thursday January 28, 2010 3:00 am

  

  Petaluma is at a crossroads, with the controversial Target big-box project being touted by some as the salvation of the city's future, and others as an albatross not worthy of our community.

• Stop delaying the project

  Thursday January 28, 2010 3:00 am

  Editor: Petaluma’s City Council roadblocks for Target are increasing my carbon footprint. Stop delaying the project and forcing Petalumans to shop out of town. We want to spend our money here!