Thank you so much for this. Exposure of the elephant in the room (and its implications) is long overdue. Local voters, I believe, are starting to understand the need for a shift in leadership away from the candidates endorsed, for example, by the farm bureau (which has led the charge toward the monoculture we are seeing now) and are favoring those with a more balanced approach that will really protect our agricultural heritage while not sacrificing so much of the natural beauty that surrounds us and support a sustainable future. We saw that in the last election and hope to see it in the next. Information like this helps create an informed electorate, one of the most important aspects of local journalism. Thank you for filling the void.
This series of articles by Tim Carl is excellent. He presents a realistic, non-predudicial look at what is happening in the Napa Valley. Personally, as a resident for 33 years here, I am sickened by what has happened to this valley. Everything revolves around luxury, which is, to me, not a sustainable model for anything. Residents' concerns are ignored, while the local government puts more dollars into their own pockets. We need to take extremely good care of the environment also, or else there will be no economy to debate. Thanks.
Tim hits the nail on the head. It's an old adage that tourism destroys what it craves. Virtually every social ill we face is either caused by or exacerbated by too many people, from our horrible traffic to water woes and loss of open space. It sounds simple- more development means more money- except for one problem. Demand for services will always outstrip revenue. The bigger we get, the bigger we have to get.
As you note, much has changed since the year 1960, both in The Valley and in California in general. It is hard to imagine how we can regain what we have lost. The Ag Preserve was a good idea with unintended consequences. I think if we could diversify the agriculture produced that would be a good start. No money in it? Look at the Farmer’s Market and the Silverado Strawberry stand. Napa used to be a place where folks from other places came to buy their fruit and produce. We could be that again if it became fashionable to do so. It could be another facet to the visit to the Valley.
Like Larry's Produce on Wooden Valley Road on the way to Fairfield. People travel from all over the Bay Area (as some of us at Lake Berryessa do) to get the the wide array of produce he offers.
Excellent article and series. Your publication focuses on the "Napa Valley", a small part of Napa County. Most of the rest of us Napa County residents care little about the "wine culture" and alcohol farming. The title of my next article in the Lake Berryessa News may be, "Napa Valley" - The Landlocked Cruise Ship With Nowhere To Go".
Great survey. Like many, I'm concerned about the future of the County. I question the need for more hotel rooms. I'd like to see more affordable housing built in the County to reduce the number of people traveling a distance by car to jobs in the County. I'd like to see better rapport between the wine industry and local citizens. Yes, we have a monoculture and it's not going away as long as Napa is producing world class wines. As a long time board member of Napa Farmers Market I'd like to see a permanent home on the horizon that would inc;lude a structure such as the one in Davis. I love our County but it's future has to focus on its citizens as much if not more than tourism.
The lack of affordable housing for young families has contributed to declining public school enrollment resulting in school closures. The aforementioned Yountville Elementary is just one of the schools that has been closed. Coupled with declining student achievement and attendance, the future of our local hometown community feels bleak. I love the music and entertainment venues that have developed over the past few decades and I will not jump on the bandwagon with those who hate everything about the Napa of today. As a 4th generation Napan, I love living here and I'm thankful every day. I wish I had something brilliant to offer in the form of a solution.
Another insightful article from Tim. Thanks!! Why stop doing what we do best--produce great wines! Th soil and climate are perfect for it. The problem seems to be catering to the luxury market. Businesses have priced themselves into a less desirable destination than, say, Paso Robles. If there is a war or other economic catastrophe, Napa Valley will be in trouble. As far as soaring real estate prices, sellers of family properties are very happy to cash in. A generational shift is going on, as local kids grow up, live elsewhere and sell their parents' home for big bucks. One sibling can't afford to buy the others out. What is the solution? Maybe Tim will tell us in his next article.
I greatly appreciate these thoughtful articles shining a light on our one crop economy. You have the statistics to strengthen your perspectives; I, as a resident, have been painfully frustrated and aware of the direction Napa Valley has taken without the benefit of statistics. Look at our pothole streets, encroaching businesses into residential neighborhoods, turnover of new businesses resulting in vacant store fronts, tasting rooms on top of tasting rooms, tourists everywhere crowding out residents from parking, shopping for average priced goods for your home. Look at the price of a simple hamburger or hot dog anywhere in Napa. Shocking! All those tourist taxes and income are not making the lives of residents luxurious.
Thank you so much for this. Exposure of the elephant in the room (and its implications) is long overdue. Local voters, I believe, are starting to understand the need for a shift in leadership away from the candidates endorsed, for example, by the farm bureau (which has led the charge toward the monoculture we are seeing now) and are favoring those with a more balanced approach that will really protect our agricultural heritage while not sacrificing so much of the natural beauty that surrounds us and support a sustainable future. We saw that in the last election and hope to see it in the next. Information like this helps create an informed electorate, one of the most important aspects of local journalism. Thank you for filling the void.
This series of articles by Tim Carl is excellent. He presents a realistic, non-predudicial look at what is happening in the Napa Valley. Personally, as a resident for 33 years here, I am sickened by what has happened to this valley. Everything revolves around luxury, which is, to me, not a sustainable model for anything. Residents' concerns are ignored, while the local government puts more dollars into their own pockets. We need to take extremely good care of the environment also, or else there will be no economy to debate. Thanks.
When an investment group from New Jersey has more sway on what happens on a particular street than the people who live there, you have a problem.
Tim hits the nail on the head. It's an old adage that tourism destroys what it craves. Virtually every social ill we face is either caused by or exacerbated by too many people, from our horrible traffic to water woes and loss of open space. It sounds simple- more development means more money- except for one problem. Demand for services will always outstrip revenue. The bigger we get, the bigger we have to get.
As you note, much has changed since the year 1960, both in The Valley and in California in general. It is hard to imagine how we can regain what we have lost. The Ag Preserve was a good idea with unintended consequences. I think if we could diversify the agriculture produced that would be a good start. No money in it? Look at the Farmer’s Market and the Silverado Strawberry stand. Napa used to be a place where folks from other places came to buy their fruit and produce. We could be that again if it became fashionable to do so. It could be another facet to the visit to the Valley.
Like Larry's Produce on Wooden Valley Road on the way to Fairfield. People travel from all over the Bay Area (as some of us at Lake Berryessa do) to get the the wide array of produce he offers.
Excellent article and series. Your publication focuses on the "Napa Valley", a small part of Napa County. Most of the rest of us Napa County residents care little about the "wine culture" and alcohol farming. The title of my next article in the Lake Berryessa News may be, "Napa Valley" - The Landlocked Cruise Ship With Nowhere To Go".
Great survey. Like many, I'm concerned about the future of the County. I question the need for more hotel rooms. I'd like to see more affordable housing built in the County to reduce the number of people traveling a distance by car to jobs in the County. I'd like to see better rapport between the wine industry and local citizens. Yes, we have a monoculture and it's not going away as long as Napa is producing world class wines. As a long time board member of Napa Farmers Market I'd like to see a permanent home on the horizon that would inc;lude a structure such as the one in Davis. I love our County but it's future has to focus on its citizens as much if not more than tourism.
The lack of affordable housing for young families has contributed to declining public school enrollment resulting in school closures. The aforementioned Yountville Elementary is just one of the schools that has been closed. Coupled with declining student achievement and attendance, the future of our local hometown community feels bleak. I love the music and entertainment venues that have developed over the past few decades and I will not jump on the bandwagon with those who hate everything about the Napa of today. As a 4th generation Napan, I love living here and I'm thankful every day. I wish I had something brilliant to offer in the form of a solution.
Another insightful article from Tim. Thanks!! Why stop doing what we do best--produce great wines! Th soil and climate are perfect for it. The problem seems to be catering to the luxury market. Businesses have priced themselves into a less desirable destination than, say, Paso Robles. If there is a war or other economic catastrophe, Napa Valley will be in trouble. As far as soaring real estate prices, sellers of family properties are very happy to cash in. A generational shift is going on, as local kids grow up, live elsewhere and sell their parents' home for big bucks. One sibling can't afford to buy the others out. What is the solution? Maybe Tim will tell us in his next article.
I greatly appreciate these thoughtful articles shining a light on our one crop economy. You have the statistics to strengthen your perspectives; I, as a resident, have been painfully frustrated and aware of the direction Napa Valley has taken without the benefit of statistics. Look at our pothole streets, encroaching businesses into residential neighborhoods, turnover of new businesses resulting in vacant store fronts, tasting rooms on top of tasting rooms, tourists everywhere crowding out residents from parking, shopping for average priced goods for your home. Look at the price of a simple hamburger or hot dog anywhere in Napa. Shocking! All those tourist taxes and income are not making the lives of residents luxurious.