News | Government

Mayor Pro Tem Ken Brown's Winter Office Hours Begin Dec. 4

Got a beef with City Hall? Need to vent? Maybe you have a new idea or a question. Stop by the City Council Office to meet with Brown on Tuesdays.

Posted by Julie Pendray (Editor), November 29, 2012 at 02:39 am

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Sonoma Mayor Pro Tem Ken Brown will resume his winter office hours on Tuesdays beginning Dec. 4.

Residents may stop in at City Hall to discuss issues with him.

Hours will be from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the City Council office. No appointment is needed. Brown also may be contacted at 707-938-8623 or by email at ken@bearflagsocialclub.com .

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PROPOSED HOTEL'S "LIVING WAGE" IS A RED HERRING

The inclusion of a living wage and labor's blessing, while generally laudable is nothing more…

Opinion May 25, 2013 at 07:39 am

3 2 Recommend sal nero

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sal nero May 25, 2013 at 11:06 am

I wonder if all of the Cubans groveling for 25 years at feet of Darius, his politician buddies and…Read More Sonoma superstar friends were getting a "Living Wage?" I kind of doubt it !

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sal nero May 25, 2013 at 07:51 am

As i have said for a long time and someone else recently commented "what happens if the hotel…Read More is sold?" What happens to the living wage guaranty ? What happens if an Indian Tribe buys in? Doesn't the land become "Sovereign Nation" land that they can do anything with? CASINO ? What happens when Darius buys the Hammett properties and controls both sides of the street, in other words the whole block? Sorry but I don't trust someone with a development track record and legal track record like this. Its a siren's song, all of this living wage talk.

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Ralph Hutchinson May 24, 2013 at 09:41 am

The thought of decent wages for the working class at the hotel is nice. But I wonder how the Protect…Read More Sonoma Chamber of Commerce Right wingers think about welcoming in the Unions to Sonoma? Interesting play Darius. Can you get Station Casinos your buddies dealing with the Rohnert Park Casino to pay living wages? Hey Ben Boyce, didn't you organize a Petaluma Hotel (I think it was a larger one too) either living wage or full on Union recently? Is that the master plan? Again the MAIN ISSUE DARIUS is the traffic and the impact on the Historical Plaza and quality of life. You keep hitting the cosmetic exterior, labor but you don't address the size and impact to the Plaza. The longer you react piecemeal like this, the angrier the towns people will grow at your arrogance and selfishness and disrespect for their values and morals. People are seeing how you buy off people. This move was for Ben Boyce (funny about the coordination of Ben Boyce's Op-Ed piece and the story at the IT both released together almost seems like you guys were lock step on that project) since you already had Mayor Ken Brown in your pocket and we all know the relationship between the Mayor and Ben Boyce living wage advocate. Problem is they and the cronies you hang with don't control the town, the people do. And when you wake the sleeping giant in the People, Sonoma is like no other little town. They get politically active. Sad the volume of turncoats coming out for this dance. Money makes people do things they ordinarily wouldn't do and we're seeing that here. The Candy Man evidently makes a big impact on some of the shallow and easily turned.

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Ralph Hutchinson May 24, 2013 at 09:25 am

Local historical societies deemed these Lynch buildings to be historic and there is a mural also…Read More designated historical. It also comes down to the main point which is traffic and the Gucci-ization of the Plaza that Sonoman's don't want to see happen. Barry, if you knew the town you lived in you wouoldn't have had to drive by for a look. Darius Anderson has lived in Sonoma Valley for about a decade I believe I read and talk about a guy that has no clue about a town and its character and what its people value, WOW. Cows Not Casinos was round #1 of his defeat. His Kenwood winery got shot down, and now his #3 defeat will be his Chateau French style hotel...well he originally proposed that silly idea that had nothing to do with Sonoma now he tried to claim Jack London has something to do with Sonoma but frankly thats Glen Ellen and Oakland more over.

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sal nero May 24, 2013 at 08:31 am

Barry- Every building you've mentioned is of historical significance. In addressing your premise…Read More that some buildings aren't historic or attractive you seem to argue that this is the case with the Index-Tribune Building. IT IS NOT. That is why before Robert Lynch passed a commemorative plaque was placed on the front of the building for all posterity. After a careful recitation of the I-T's history it reads "Dedicated June 8, 2003 By The Native Sons Of The Golden West" and was affixed to the front of the building for public notice and review of the building's historical significance. I'm sure the Sons of TGW wouldn't appreciate having their chains yanked in such an egregious manner. Why else would the Lynchs have allowed this in 2003 if not for its perceived historic import? Incidentally, 2003 is the same year Bill Lynch wrote his scathing Op-Ed about the horror of Darius Anderson's proposed Sonoma Indian Casino. Now he reports to him so its no surprise he now doesn't give a damn about the placement of the historic plaque signifying the importance of that building. Now that his father has passed he gave in and sold out to Darius. GO READ THE PLAQUE ! Bolling and Lynch look at it every day. Would Lynch now claim its not historic???

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bob edwards May 24, 2013 at 08:08 am

You drove around the Plaza on the way to the gym just to examine what really gives our town…Read More character?? Had to be a pretty quick examination. Now, if you had parked the car and RUN around the Plaza . . .

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Publisher and Editor BOLLING coyly plays hide & seek to…

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sal nero May 23, 2013 at 01:11 pm

Yes, Bolling has signed on for the whole enchilada. After all, he even moderated the "fake…Read More concern for SDC" shenanigans at Ramekins for the Hotel Index-Tribune late last year. Their feigned outrage about the abuse was ginned up sensationalism to oust the rest of the patients. Yes, Mr. Bolling was the face of that charade with the help of Bronstein and the Sonoma Media partners. Don't those people have enough money ??? Helping to kick out the developmentally disabled is about as low as it gets !

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Ralph Hutchinson May 23, 2013 at 10:03 am

Smear campaign of the Index Tribune partnering with California Watch (relying on their connections…Read More of Bronstein and Falk former Chronicle people now partners or colleagues with Darius) and using Darius Anderson's Ramekins to host a bashing session to try to smear, embarrass, knock the SDC down and out so they can walk in and pick up the pieces to profit personally on the backs of innocent development patients. CLASS ACT Darius...you show a lot of character and compassion. But you LACK in Sonoma Valley values. Thats why your projects will not be accepted and ultimately its a rejection of you.

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Ralph Hutchinson May 23, 2013 at 09:56 am

Bolling declared recently in a Sonoma VIP meeting that Darius Anderson his boss WAS in fact…Read More interested in developing SDC. He laughed off the idea of putting a casino at the SDC location new development but failed to realize he CONFIRMED the most important piece...that Darius DOES want to gain control of SDC and the surrounding land and develop it to profit personally. WAY TO GO BOLLING...while you were swatting the flies (laughing about the casino), we're are bagging the elephants (confirming Darius' selfish intentions to KICK OUT innocent SDC patients for $$$). We'll be watching you two.

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Ralph Hutchinson May 22, 2013 at 03:43 pm

Mayor Ken Brown followed his crony Steve Page of Infineon Raceway into the fray of the Measure C…Read More Hospital Eminent Domain snatch and he's following Darius Anderson Mr. "Cows Not Casinos" from his 2003 defeat. Will Ken pull out before he crashes and burns? All indications show he's stuck in the tractor beam of payoffs and gifts from The Candy Man Darius Anderson. I think we've lost him...For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

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Ralph Hutchinson May 22, 2013 at 08:49 am

Sonoma City Mayor Ken Brown. Perhaps the headline should clarify for those who aren't in tune with…Read More Ken. He is famous like Madonna, Prince and others with just their first name but...he's on his way out I suspect after this blunder so close to Measure C Hospital Eminent Domain failure on the Leveroni Road Dairy Farm takeover led by his crony Steve Page of Infineon Raceway. And to think the dynamic duo are teaming up again with their new sidekick Darius Anderson who himself is 0-1 with Cows Not Casinos. What a bunch of "losers" backing causes with a snowballs chance in Hell. When will these cronies learn the People still control Sonoma Valley. We haven't all sold out to the elitists.

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Ralph Hutchinson May 22, 2013 at 08:42 am

We've blogged his conflicts of interest, how many City Council or Mayors have a radio show platform…Read More to dispense their agenda? Ken has Gary Magnani the American Legion Commander on the show regularly and Gary is a card carrying founding member of Protect Sonoma? Ken took Gary to the Darius party at his Kenwood Ranch for Dianne Feinstein according to Kathleen Hill's gossip column so we know Ken and Gary are "toadies" for Darius taking his gifts. Ken already said in the Press Democrat he wouldn't be supporting the Preserving Sonoma initiative in not so many words. This is a big deal in Sonoma. Bill Hammet needs a Hail Mary as owner/operator of the radio and TV stations. He is under immense pressure by the banks who already foreclosed on the real estate to make major changes to the operations. Ken Brown is a "Franchise Player" with Good Morning Sonoma and Stan Pappas and many of the others in and around the show "beholden" to him for favors and doing Ken favors in exchange for coverage and Council favors. I mean think about it, Ken was at the healm the last 7+ years and the radio has been tanking, why would you keep the guy in that took the radio station down? Gotta fire the Leadership and get a new coach. I can't figure out why the Heck you keep around somebody like that though that's gonna be bad blood infecting anything new you try a recipe for disaster. In the corporate world you cut clean. Hammet is a good guy but this is another example of his weak leadership from a business perspective. He probably felt sorry for Ken since he pays him in the neighborhood of $10,000 a year out of the Common Bond fund as disclosed on Ken's political paperwork. Not to worry, My prediction....Darius and Bolling get Ken a paid column at the Index Tribune and he becomes an official spokesman for the Hotel while sitting as Mayor. Its ok cause under the ETHICS RULES OF DARIUS....everything is peachy keen and conflicts of interest are fine as long as you line the personal pockets of your owners. Pay to Play. Cows Not Casinos.

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Ralph Hutchinson May 21, 2013 at 11:49 am

Flights, fight tickets, rooms and food in exchange for votes? More examples of quality ethics like…Read More those practices creeping into Sonoma Valley courtesy of Darius Anderson and his Pay to Play tactics.

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Ralph Hutchinson May 18, 2013 at 08:51 pm

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Ralph Hutchinson May 17, 2013 at 11:37 am

What kind of conflicts of interest are present with Nancy Simpson? She is on the County Landmarks,…Read More formerly affiliated with Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau and Wendy Peterson? Are all these agencies and bureaus interlocked some receiving TOT tax revenues, and all standing to benefit from anything Darius Anderson can build?

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Ralph Hutchinson May 17, 2013 at 11:32 am

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sal nero May 15, 2013 at 08:11 pm

The Sonoma Sun's website (but not SunFMTV) has been down for hours. What's happening ?

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Ralph Hutchinson May 15, 2013 at 03:25 pm

Did Darius Anderso agree to buyout The Patch and have the archives and comments removed as part of…Read More this new software update? Afterall "Cows Not Casinos", Measure A Rosewood Hillside hotel, and Measure C Hospital Eminent Domain would be better if the People of Sonoma forgot all about it and let his hotel venture fly easier.

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sal nero May 15, 2013 at 03:20 pm

When Bolling "lost" his comments on Sonoma Valley Bank and then the whole archive he…Read More blamed a glitch yet they have never been restored. That has benefitted the Hotel Index-Tribune and allowed a cover up of key historical dates and facts. Please hurry and restore the Patch's missing blogs and comments ASAP so that the confidence the Sonoma Patch has attained is not damaged. Thanks

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The comments to various articles and blogs are also completely missing. Please restore asap.

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I write about the issue of the BRACA test, because I am someone who developed breast cancer, and who…Read More needed the test. Even though I already had breast cancer, the decision of whether to have a bilateral mastectomy (rather than just a removal of the cancer with a "lumpectomy" or the removal of only one, effected, breast) was dependent upon the results of that test. If I had a genetic marker that indicated I was likely to develop more breast cancers, there would be no reason to avoid having both breasts removed at once. Even though my doctors recognized the importance of getting this test done before surgical decisions were made, the insurance company was resistant to providing coverage for the test. There were many heated phone conversations with the insurance company, and many letters of documentation before I was finally allowed to have the test. The basic test for BRAC I and BRAC II (the 2 main genes identified) cost $3,000. However, there are even more specialized tests for the smaller BRAC genes (rare genes that are less common) that cost thousands of dollars extra, and would have been helpful because of my family history. I was not able to fight with the insurance company for permission to obtain those extra tests, since I was already weak and ill from the chemotherapy, at that time. It is not reasonable or acceptable for women to have to fight to get necessary tests performed, because of excessive charging for those tests, and resistance of the medical insurance companies to provide coverage to obtain them. This situation needs to be changed. I hope that Angelina Jolie's story will bring attention to this issue, and will help our Supreme Court to recognize the unfairness in allowing a company to lay claim on a "patent" of our genes. The main research to provide the exact mapping of our genes was provided by the "Human Genome Project", which was primarily paid for by the US taxpayers, via that extensive NIH study. The Myriad company did some further research to refine knowledge on the BRACA genes; but they should not be allowed a total patent which blocks all other US labs from performing tests on that same part of our DNA. That is unreasonable in terms of the amount of profit they are claiming, and unfair to US humans who should be able to claim ownership of their own DNA.

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Dee Baucher May 18, 2013 at 08:50 am

I am not used to Hollywood-types having the type of integrity and honesty, that Ms. Jolie displayed…Read More with her NY Times revelation. I commend her for having the courage to act proactively with surgical removal of her breasts, in addition to the planned removal of her ovaries. She lost her beloved mother to the disease, and she clearly understands the devastation that would befall her own children (if she were to develop the types of cancers that her genetic makeup render her vulnerable to). I agree with her decision, and hope that I would have the same strength, if confronted with the genetic evidence that she was able to have documented with the BRACA testing. Unfortunately, many women who would benefit in the same way, from advance knowledge about their genetic vulnerability to those cancers, are denied the ability to get the tests. The company that "owns" the test, by virtue of their assertion that they "own the patent" on that identified portion of our DNA, charge $3,000.00 for the test. That cost is too high for most women in the US to easily afford, and our health insurance typically refuses to cover the test for most women. There is currently a case before the US Supreme Court challenging the idea of a medical company owning our genes. Many of us are hopeful that the court will halt this company from claiming this patent, so that laboratories all over the country can provide the test to us inexpensively, and therefore it will be available to all who should have it. The costs for the type of very sophisticated plastic surgery/ breast reconstruction that Ms. Jolie underwent, are also extremely high. It is doubtful that insurance or Obamacare will provide coverage for that type of costly prophylactic surgery. Those are battles that women will need to fight in the future, when more women become informed about their personal risks and choices.

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