Local Insights From a Yountville Citizen

The As I See It section takes readers a step deeper into the latest happenings in the Valley by providing context, insight, and perspective from The Yountvillian Editor and long-time local, Jeff Durham.

This section is aimed towards cultivated community conversations where members can share their thoughts on each topic. We want to give our readers more than just the facts from each article, but also provide additional context and conversation around these topics.

AGREE OR DISAGREE, LET'S TALK ABOUT IT
  • As I See It

    You Learn

    Yountville Town staff held a Zoom candidate orientation for the candidates in this fall’s Mayoral and Town Council Member elections. All the Yountville candidates participated
  • As I See It

    Local News

    Sharon Stensaas, owner and editor of the Yountville Sun, is retiring and looking for new owners. As I have stated from day one of The Yountvillian, I strongly
  • As I See It

    Let The

    Democrats of Napa Valley Endorsement Meeting was a Zoom meeting held on August 15 for all candidates in Napa Valley. As I always say, “All
  • As I See It

    Yountville TOT

    UPDATED August 9: There was a miscalculation in last week’s TOT report. Most numbers stayed the same, and the two changes are: town-wide occupancy for
  • As I See It

    TOT Collection

    You know the drill by now: another month of record TOT (transit occupancy tax) collection with overall occupancy lagging previous years and ADR (average daily
  • As I See It

    The Legacy

    “One could only learn from the past and move on through the present to make a better future.” “The future belongs to those who learn
  • As I See It

    Kellerville CA…

    It appears that the lessee and TKRG (Thomas Keller Restaurant Group) did not come to an agreement for Ciccio. The restaurant remains closed for, as
  • As I See It

    Kellerville CA…

    And it now appears Ciccio will be opening with new operators. Go on, guess I’ll wait. The list is really short. For those of you
  • As I See It

    Kellerville CA…

    As a follow-up to last week’s thoughts on Keller’s businesses in Yountville, Mr. Keller has announced that the Regiis Ova Caviar & Champagne Lounge in
  • As I See It

    Kellerville CA

    As our Town was filled with love for local businessman Thomas Keller at last week’s Local’s Appreciation Party for Appreciating the Chef, some interesting details are starting
  • As I See It

    Guess Who

    April TOT (transit occupancy tax or bed tax) numbers are in, and occupancy is finally catching up to previous years. For all hotel rooms, the
  • As I See It

    June Is

    The Town of Yountville is raising the Pride Flag tomorrow at 11 am at Town Hall. Come by and show your support and say thank
  • As I See It

    This Is

    Residents often ask me why the Town of Yountville helps fund our local chamber. In the budget for 2022/2023, there is a bit over $300,000
  • As I See It

    Things That

    Yountville Chamber of Commerce 2022 Business of the Year for Ranch Market, Too Let’s continue this theme and share the details on Yountville Chamber’s Business
  • 2022 Election News | As I See It

    Dunbar Provides

    I support the extensive experience that John Dunbar will bring for Napa County District 3 Supervisor when I cast my ballot. With discussions throughout Napa
  • As I See It

    TOT March

    Once again, the smaller hotels (62 rooms) far exceeded the larger hotels (393 rooms) in the occupancy category, 72% vs. 52%. ADR (average daily rate)
  • As I See It

    SF Chronicle

    Fresh on the heels of our conversation about February 2022 TOT and the WSJ article we shared, the SF Chronicle is getting in on the
  • As I See It

    Wall Street

    Fresh on the heels of our conversation last week about February 2022 TOT, it is interesting that a publication that caters to the travelers who
  • As I See It

    Campaign Contributions

    April 26, 2022 Campaign Contributions (cont.) A letter to the editor in the Yountville Sun was also part of the Public Comment at the Council meeting. The
  • As I See It

    Sensational Headlines/Trigger

    I believe it’s time to address the discussions taking place in our Town. I keep seeing and hearing the word divisive thrown around quite a bit lately.
  • Latest News | This Week

    Town Council

    NOTE: there are two ways to stream the Council meetings. First, go to the main page of Meetings and Agendas, find the date you want
  • Latest News | This Week

    Town of

    Sometimes the best meetings are not recorded. So, listening to the discussion at the Yountville Town Council Workshop yesterday, more precisely, the item on Council
  • Latest News | This Week

    Steven Rogers,

    New Council, a new Mayor, and now a new Town Manager for 2023. Steven Rogers, Yountville’s Town Manager for the past 15 years, announced his
  • Latest News | This Week

    George C.

    The cemetery will join the more than 3,100 participating locations across the country to remember, honor, and teach on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, at 9
  • Town Council | Town Meetings

    Town Council

    Last week the Yountville Sun’s title for the Town Council meeting that discussed how to distribute over $5.7M in Unassigned Fund Balance included the term
  • 2022 Election News | This Week

    Joe T.

    Less than three weeks until the 2022 elections, and Joe Tagliaboschi has entered the Yountville Town Council race as a write-in candidate. As Joe shared
  • As I See It

    You Learn

    Yountville Town staff held a Zoom candidate orientation for the candidates in this fall’s Mayoral and Town Council Member elections. All the Yountville candidates participated
  • As I See It

    Local News

    Sharon Stensaas, owner and editor of the Yountville Sun, is retiring and looking for new owners. As I have stated from day one of The Yountvillian, I strongly
  • As I See It

    Let The

    Democrats of Napa Valley Endorsement Meeting was a Zoom meeting held on August 15 for all candidates in Napa Valley. As I always say, “All
  • Latest News | This Week

    New Water

    California is in a severe drought, and the Town has implemented mandatory Phase 2 water restrictions to help conserve water. For the Town, conserving water
  • As I See It

    Yountville TOT

    UPDATED August 9: There was a miscalculation in last week’s TOT report. Most numbers stayed the same, and the two changes are: town-wide occupancy for
  • Town Council | Town Meetings

    Town Council

    Update August 2: As a follow-up to these Meeting Notes, I will note that based on the Sun front page article with the table showing
  • As I See It

    TOT Collection

    You know the drill by now: another month of record TOT (transit occupancy tax) collection with overall occupancy lagging previous years and ADR (average daily
  • Latest News | Local Government and Politics

    Yountville Town

    At the June 21, 2022, council meeting, the Town Council unanimously approved the $20.2 million “all funds” budget, which includes: General Fund budgets, Capital Improvement
  • As I See It

    The Legacy

    “One could only learn from the past and move on through the present to make a better future.” “The future belongs to those who learn
  • As I See It

    Kellerville CA…

    It appears that the lessee and TKRG (Thomas Keller Restaurant Group) did not come to an agreement for Ciccio. The restaurant remains closed for, as
  • As I See It

    Kellerville CA…

    And it now appears Ciccio will be opening with new operators. Go on, guess I’ll wait. The list is really short. For those of you
  • 2022 Election News | This Week

    Town of

    The voters of Yountville will be voting for two Councilmembers and a Mayor. Our current Mayor, John Dunbar, will not be seeking another term, and
  • As I See It

    Kellerville CA…

    As a follow-up to last week’s thoughts on Keller’s businesses in Yountville, Mr. Keller has announced that the Regiis Ova Caviar & Champagne Lounge in
  • Latest News | Local Government and Politics

    Water Wasters’

    The Town of Yountville purchases water from the State (CalVet/Veterans Home Rector Reservoir). The Veterans Home has notified the Town that for the second year

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