Supervisors should stay neutral

Editor: Over the last few election cycles I’ve seen a trend that I think is a mistake and is adding to the divisiveness in local politics: local elected officials who are not up for re-election endorsing in the open seats on their boards and city councils.

Over the last several months I have talked with former councilmembers and a former county supervisor, who agree this used to be uncommon and is taking local government on a negative path. It’s a practice of which I, as a local elected official and a former candidate, have refused to participate. Sitting members of local elected bodies should remain above the fray with the attitude that they will welcome and work with whoever wins. Human nature being what it is, if the candidate a sitting member didn’t endorse wins, the relationship starts out negative.

I am especially concerned about how the County Board of Supervisors will get along after the 4th district election. The sitting supervisors are getting involved in the candidates’ campaigns at a level that appears unprecedented. Common sense, and a couple examples in other areas of Sonoma County, indicates constituents are not well served by such behavior. I will continue to be a voice against this practice. I invite other local elected officials to join me.

Gina Cuclis
Sonoma County Board of Education
The Springs