Carl Bunch | Feb 16, 2015 on: The WDO

NVR 2/14/15: Napa County to explore the price of wine success

Gary. That is a wonderful article regarding winery expansion and development on the front page of the Register this morning. The increasing number of local citizens who are voicing their oppostion to the rampant development of Napa County, particularly its so-called "Agriculture" emphasis (stated another way: it's approval of winery/hospitality centers) is starting to get traction with the public as evidenced by the frequent opinion letters to the editor of the newspaper.

I am really pleased and gratified by the effort now being engaged in by you and the Mt. Veeder Stewardship Council which has warranted special mention in the Register's news articles on this subject. You and the Council are to be congratulated for the important work you're doing on behalf of the residents of the entire County.

Marge and I saw the documentary film on the effects of the Russian River devastation caused by declining watersheds, habitat and overdevelpment by the moneyed interests in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. Everyone in Northern California, including the schools and their student populations should see this film. We saw it Thursday in Santa Rosa since we had a schedule conflict on March 4 when the movie is being shown at no charge at the Cameo Theater in St. Helena. Hopefully, as many people as possible will be able to see it. It's culture transforming. At each showing so far, in a number of theaters in the affected counties, the audiences have filled the theaters. I believe reservations to attend are required.

We talked with the film's director/co-producer, Bill Sorensen, and he paid special tribute to Pat Damery, a resident of the Mt. Veeder area as being an importantant voice in the film's effort to ameliorate the rampant overdevelopment of our agricutural land.

Again, Gary, congratulations to you and the Mt. Veeder Stewardship Council for your important work in this regard.