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For the inaugural year of WatchSonomaCounty.com, readers weighed in on hundreds of topics. Many revolved around the primary and general elections, but the usual stream of news surrounding local public policy also provided plenty of fodder.
Since the end of the year is the traditional time to make such lists, here were the 10 most-read stories on WatchSonomaCounty. (With links back to the original stories in case you want to continue – or view – the lengthy discussions prompted by each story.)
1. Firefighters boycott winemaker who criticized pensions, pay
North Bay firefighters launched an online war with Napa Valley winery owner Dario Sattui after he criticized their wages and benefits
2. Is the Press Democrat out of touch with voters?
To answer that question, Watch Sonoma County went back and examined the PD’s track record for its endorsements over the last eight years.
3. Mighty Midget proposed as new Petaluma attraction
The possibility of having a decommissioned World War II gunboat floating in the Petaluma River as a history lesson and tourist attraction had some shaking their heads in disbelief.
4. Argus-Courier cartoonist suspended for campaign work
Steve Rustad, freelance editorial cartoonist for the Argus-Courier, was suspended by the Petaluma newspaper for creating the artwork used in four independent campaign mailers opposing Petaluma Mayor Pam Torliatt.
5. LemMon mailer hits Broderick over marital dispute
The race for Sonoma County Superior Court judge included a campaign mailer from candidate John LemMon that delved into his opponent’s 12-year-old divorce and a temporary restraining order filed by his ex-wife.
6. Woolsey demands resignation over Social Security remarks
Rep. Lynn Woolsey called on former Sen. Alan Simpson to resign as co-chairman of President Obama’s fiscal commission after he compared the Social Security system to a “milk cow with 310 million tits.”
7. Did you see that campaign mailer?
With the arrival of absentee ballots comes another rite of spring: the campaign mailer. A look at what was sent around.
8. County considers limits on wine tasting rooms
Wine tasting along the wine roads of Sonoma County would get new scrutiny as a result of a county planning commission effort to curb the hours that tasting rooms remain open into late afternoon.
9. Passalacqua accused of ‘bald-faced lie’
Sonoma County district attorney candidate Jill Ravitch sought to refute an accusation made repeatedly by the two-term incumbent, Stephan Passalacqua, involving a 2008 Mendocino County case.
Nearly 1,200 city and county workers in Sonoma County were paid more than $100,000 last year, a plateau that is reached by a higher percentage of workers in the public sector than their counterparts in the private sector, according to a Press Democrat analysis of local government salaries.
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What does this list say about our readers? About our coverage? Are there stories that were under-reported and should have been on this list? Or some that were over-played? Weigh in with your comments.
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@PD Staff:
Have you considered how many of your followers have dropped out/lost interest in the forums?
I know the Torliat/sanctuary issue has received a lot of recent attention, but it seems to be just another case of post-election recriminations. Much like the Bob Blanchard election a few years back where his detractors were up in arms over the money he spent on his campaign and sought campaign finance reform in the aftermath. Both cases are more of the sour grapes variety than real news.
Yes. You can draw your own conclusions as to what that says about comments on web articles.
-WSC staff
Thanks for your response WSC!
Topic #7 had only 10 comments yet had more views than the sanctuary article with 75 comments?
@Surprised:
The Torliatt/sanctuary story was #11 on the list.
-WSC staff
I am shocked the Torliatt/Rabbitt election and/or the sanctuary issue did not make this list. I recall one article had 75 comments!