I know that it’s too late to turn the “town” clock back to 1972 when Petaluma’s population was 26,100; let alone 1858, when “our town” was declared a “Chartered City” by the California State Legislature on April 12th. If you read the lead article (p.1) in today’s Press Democrat (1/29), you know what I’m referring to.
Windsor, Sonoma County’s 4th largest city (26,011) still considers itself a “Town,” even though it was chartered in 1992 and considered a city by the League Of California Cities, the state, and the federal government. Some of the quotes from Clark Mason’s article reflect the thoughts of its citizens:
“We correct people when they say city.” (Because of the sense of community it conveys.)
“Part of what’s appealing – is that down-home, old-town feeling that’s harking back to the bygone era when you knew people’s name, customer’s names, and the names of the kids your kid played with-You looked out for each other.”
Evidently, being called a “town” is what citizens of Windsor want. They decided it would make more sense to incorporate in order to manage growth and services more effectively and efficiently.; but they also wanted to keep the image of a “town,” not a city. It certainly sounds “homier,” doesn’t it? Hmmm, why didn’t we think of that?
Citizens of Petaluma in 2007, what do you think about our “city” – our “town” – our “sense of community?” Speak up, and add your thoughts and comments to this blog. After all, this is Our Petaluma.