Rohnert Park
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8/29/2006
Rohnert Park is a nice small city to live in. It has changed from how it was when we first moved here. The weather is generally good (though we have grown less tolerant of how cold the winters get (30's too often) which are still warm compared to back east, but cold when compared to Southern California). The city is generally full of good people, good families, lots of sports, and events on the weekends, festivals nearby, wineries, etc. However, the city of Rohnert Park, and the county of Sonoma has slowly grown to a totally "politically correct" environment - which will appeal to many, but is a turn off to us. If you are familiar with the term NIMBY (not in my back yard), it is the central theme of Sonoma County. Too many people feel that "OK, i have moved here, so now let's close the doors". Don't build any new houes (because it will get too crowded). Don't widen the freeway (because it will bring too many people). Don't bring in new businesses (because "big businss" is somehow viewed as evil.). The reality is that the the people have already moved here, and it is already crowded. It is truly easier and quicker to drive the freeways in Los Angeles, then it is in Sonoma County. Part of why i joinged this forum (Sperlings), is that we are looking to move. We want to live in an area where people appreciate local business, and realize that some growth is ok, and needed, because businesses are the places that people get jobs. We want to move to an area where it is ok to widen a road if it gets congested. To us, it is far better to have cars moving on 5 lanes of freeway, then to sit still in 2 lanes. For several years now, it has officially been more inportant to protect some snail (that only comes out at night, and during storms), then it is to bulid houses and new businesses. Even the local liberal newspaper (Press Democrat) concedes that the protection of the snail is killing jobs, and people are moving away. Oh, guess we will be next.
Jon | Rohnert Park, CA