Opinions were divided on a new policy the Boy Scouts of America is considering that would lift its decades-old ban on openly gay scouts. The policy would keep in place a ban on gay troop leaders. About 36 percent said they disapproved because they wanted to see the rules stay as they are; 44 percent said they disapproved because they thought gay adults should be allowed to participate too, 14 percent approved, and 6 percent weren’t sure. Here are some… Read More »

The overwhelming majority of those responding to the Argus-Courier’s online poll said that they or someone they knew found it too expensive to live in Petaluma. About 76 percent found it too expensive, while only 22 percent said it was not too expensive. About 1 percent weren’t sure. Here were some of the comments. —— “Almost everyone I know finds Petaluma very expensive, particularly the westside/downtown areas. For my family, the quality of life and unique charm make it worthwhile,… Read More »

The majority, or 60 percent, of those responding to this week’s online poll said that Sonoma County should not get into the business of providing power through the Sonoma County Clean Power Agency, which the supervisors approved moving ahead with on Tuesday, April 23. About 34 percent thought it should, and 5.7 percent weren’t sure. Here were some of the comments. —— “All they are doing is trying to take a piece of the pie. Anybody who thinks that they… Read More »

(This post is from a poll originally printed in the Argus-Courier on April 11.) A large majority of those responding to this week’s online poll said they loved the downtown mural that is going up on the southern wall of the Phoenix Theater. About 74 percent said they approved, while 18 percent disliked it. About 8 percent weren’t sure. Here were some of the comments. —— “I love, love, love it and only hope this is just the beginning! Petaluma… Read More »

Most of those responding to the Argus-Courier’s online poll this week said that they thought bringing drug-sniffing dogs onto school campuses as a deterrant to drug use was a good idea. About 23 percent disapproved, while 6.5 percent weren’t sure. Here are some of the comments —— “Anything it takes to protect my kids. Sooner the better. —— “A very negative solution to a problem needing positive ideas through education against drug use.” —— “Dogs should also be used at… Read More »

Most of those responding to this week’s online poll said that they believed the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds should remain as they are. About 57 percent believed that the grounds should be kept as they are, while 19 percent thought some of the space should be reserved for the fair and the rest developed for another purpose. About 24.5 percent thought the entire area should be developed and the fairgrounds moved. Here were some of the comments. —— “The fairgrounds are part… Read More »

About 70.5 percent of those responding to this week’s online poll disapproved of Bishop Robert Vasa requiring all teachers under his diocese to sign a ‘morals’ addendum. About 23 percent approved, and 6.5 percent weren’t sure. (Editor’s note: after this poll was launched, Bishop Robert Vasa relented in his request that all teachers sign the “morals” addendum, but said that they would still need to sign some version of the addendum by 2015.) Here were some of the comments. ——… Read More »

A small majority of those responding to an Argus-Courier online poll said that they did not think schools should give individuals or businesses the right to name school facilities if they made a large donation to the facility. About 54 percent disapproved, while nearly 37 percent approved. About 9 percent weren’t sure. Here were some of the comments. —— “Does everything have to have a price?” —— “I think it’s only okay if the name is of someone who has… Read More »

The majority of those responding to this week’s Argus-Courier online poll opposed the county adding fluoride to its drinking water supply. About 75 percent disapproved of the proposed move. Here were some of the comments. —— “Absolutely not! As a person with a thyroid condition I’m not supposed to have fluoride. And my daughter is allergic to it. How completely ignorant and unfair to add something to the water that many people can’t have. It’s much easier to get fluoride… Read More »

The vast majority of those responding to an Argus-Courier online poll thought that the Petaluma Fire Department should share management duties with the Rancho Adobe Fire Department if it would save both departments money and allow Petaluma to apply for grants to replace its aging fire vehicles. About 79 percent thought this was a good idea, while 18.4 percent thought it was not. About 2.6 percent weren’t sure. Here were some of the comments. —— “The biggest problems with the… Read More »