RoundUp: Eye of the Tiger
Analy Band plays at the Warriors Game, Little Caesars, the West County EIFD and more
The Analy High School Band, led by director Casey Jones, played during halftime at the Warriors/Suns game on Nov. 4. They played “Eye of the Tiger,” which is the Analy HS anthem, among other songs. “The kids had a great experience and hope to be invited again next year,” wrote Erin Lane, a parent of one of the students. Her son, Morgan, plays percussion/ bells/ xylophone/ marimba—everything except drums.
The Warriors won! So did Casey and the Analy Band.
What’s with Little Caesars Pizza near CVS? Isn’t that a violation of the city’s formula business ban?
Several readers wrote us asking why Little Caesars was granted a permit to locate in a downtown location despite the city’s ban on formula businesses. On its website on Oct. 22, the city acknowledged that it had made an error in granting the permit:
“Upon review, the City of Sebastopol acknowledges that administrative approvals occurred in error during the processing and issuance of permits related to the Little Caesars project. Due to this error, permits were issued for a business that may not have otherwise been approved for this location under current zoning regulations. Following legal review, it has been determined that the business will be allowed to operate at this location.”
We asked Interim City Manager Mary Gourley how this happened. Noting that the Little Caesar’s property was indeed in the area covered by the formula business ban, she wrote, “It was an oversight on City staff’s part regarding the formula business ordinance when the approval was granted by the City. It was later brought to City management that this business had a sign announcing Little Ceasar’s. After review, it was determined that the business made substantial improvements to the building with the reliance upon the approval and therefore the City was unable to revoke the permit.”
The Press Democrat’s Amie Windsor did a fine story on this controversy, which you can read here.
The final Sebastopol Walk?
Yesterday‘s final Sebastopol Walk of the year had a gratifying turnout. Thanks to Sebastopol Walks co-founder Sarah Gurney for the photo.
Sebastopol EIFD on hold, while West County EIFD moves forward
You may recall that last year, in the depths of its economic woes, the city of Sebastopol was considering forming an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) with the county. An EIFD is a special kind of financing district that captures a percentage of the increase in property taxes that result from rising property values and uses it to fund infrastructure improvements within the district.
After researching the matter, the county decided it would be wiser to form two EIFDs: one for Sebastopol and one for West County. The one for Sebastopol is “currently on hold because the city doesn’t have the staff capacity to move forward with it,” 5th District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins said, but the West County EIFD is moving forward. If you live in west county, you can be a part of deciding how this funding gets spent. Hopkins explained how in her recent newsletter:
In October, the Board of Supervisors adopted a Resolution of Intention to create the West Sonoma County Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) — a mouthful of a name, but in short, an EIFD is a financing tool that, without raising taxes, captures a portion of tax revenue growth and specifies that the funds return to West County to support needed infrastructure investments. Think safe roads, broadband, parks, and wildfire mitigation — all the pieces that create a more resilient, equitable, and thriving community.
Now, it’s time for the next step — and you might be part of it.
The County is currently accepting applications for two Public Member seats on the governing board of this new district — officially known as the Public Financing Authority (PFA). The PFA will be responsible for reviewing, adopting, and implementing the Infrastructure Financing Plan — making sure projects reflect local priorities and get across the finish line with transparency, community input, and a strong sense of public purpose.
If you care deeply about the future of West County and want to have seat at the table, you are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by Friday, Dec. 12, 2025.
As one of two public members on a five-person board (alongside three members of the Board of Supervisors), your voice will help guide how we reinvest a portion of local property tax growth back into our community. No new taxes. No added burden to property owners. Just smart, forward-thinking stewardship of local resources.
Whether your passion is infrastructure, environmental justice, community engagement, or economic development — this is your chance to help shape long-term investments in our collective future.
Ready to step up? Know someone who should?
Learn more about the project and apply here.
Submit your essay to the 2nd Annual Sebastopol Times Personal Essay Contest
It’s a good time to curl up by the fire and write your personal essay for our 2nd Annual Essay Contest. We were so impressed and moved by the essays people submitted last year—you can read them here—that we’ve decided to make this an annual event.
Your essay can have a holiday or New Year’s theme or be about something completely different. Send your essay to sebastopoltimes@gmail.com by 5 pm on Monday, Dec. 15.
There are only three rules:
The essay must be more personal than political. (You may be horrified or thrilled about the reign of Donald Trump, but this isn’t the place for that.)
The essay must be between 500-1,500 words.
You can’t have AI write it.
This essay contest is open to people of all ages.
We will choose our favorites and publish them during Christmas week, Dec. 22-28.
Feel free to contact us with questions at sebastopoltimes@gmail.com.
Looking forward to seeing your personal essays!
The Big Picture
In honor of Thanksgiving week, we offer you this photo that Larry Robinson took earlier this month on the Joe Rodota Trail.
Sebastopol Police Logs, Nov. 10-16
The following are crimes excerpted from Sebastopol Police Department daily crime log entries and listed at the time the alleged violation was reported.
TUESDAY
1:20 p.m. Inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or companion (felony). No location reported. Suspect arrested.
THURSDAY
9:18 a.m. Petty theft by someone with two or more prior convictions and violation of probation (felonies) at Sebastopol Avenue. Pending further investigation.
12:09 p.m. Obtaining more than $400 under false pretenses, theft of more than $950 from an elderly dependent adult under false pretenses and getting credit using another’s identification under false pretenses (felonies) at Hansen Lane. Pending further investigation.
FRIDAY
9:58 a.m. Possession of unlawful paraphernalia and a controlled substance (misdemeanors) at Gravenstein Highway North. Suspect arrested.
10:24 a.m. Violation of a court order involving domestic violence, possession of unlawful paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance (misdemeanors) at Bodega Avenue. Suspect arrested.
SATURDAY
9:36 p.m. Disorderly conduct involving an intoxicating drug with alcohol, obstructing a public officer, possession of a controlled substance (misdemeanors), possession of a controlled substance in prison with drug equipment violations (felony) and obstructing an executive officer (felony) at Petaluma Avenue. Suspect arrested.
SUNDAY
8:19 a.m. Shoplifting (felony) at McKinley Street. Investigation suspended, leads exhausted.
10:11 p.m. Child abuse with the possibility of great bodily injury or death with non-violent family offenses (felony) at Petaluma Avenue and McKinley Street. Referred to District Attorney for review.
OTHER POLICE ACTION
The Sebastopol Police Department also recorded 126 events requiring police action during the period, such as lost animals, assisting citizens, parking violations, foot patrol, traffic hazards and reckless driving.
The Week of Nov. 18-22
Why did you become a paid subscriber to the Sebastopol Times?
You may have noticed that our little subscription pleas, like the one below, feature quotes from readers about why they became paid subscribers. Tell us why you subscribed to the Sebastopol Times and we’ll feature your quote! And thanks to the 16 people who responded to Dale’s letter earlier this week to become paid subscribers. Your kind words and your paid subscriptions keep us going. Send your quotes to sebastopoltimes@gmail.com
Thanks to Sarah Gurney for taking the photo of the large group of walkers at our final Sebastopol Walks walk. And thank you Laura for writing about our walks to make people aware. You helped to get us there yesterday.
What a wonderful walk! I’m so hopeful that somehow the walks will continue in the coming year!