Council race edges toward November

The presidential election isn’t the only political contest piquing early interest – with Sonoma City Councilmember Stanley Cohen’s recent announcement that he would not seek a second term, local eyes are also straining toward November.
“The time has come to be home for dinner more than not,” Cohen told his colleagues at Wednesday’s council meeting. “I will be looking forward to supporting city council candidates who will pick up the banner for affordable housing and social needs, who will be serving the community in its entirety – not the ‘me world’ of a councilmember and their constituency.”
Cohen’s colleagues responded to the news with varying shades of disappointment, praising his dedication and financial acumen. Mayor Joanne Sanders, whose council seat is also up for grabs this November, expressed her understanding and regrets, saying whoever replaces Cohen has “some very, very, very big shoes to fill.”
Cohen and Sanders were elected to the council in November 2004. Asked Thursday about her electoral intentions, Sanders said Cohen’s announcement had her pondering the possibility.
“I’m … weighing the pros and cons of making another four-year commitment,” she said. “I’ve really, really enjoyed being on the city council these last three years. I like it a lot.”
So far, only one potential candidate has started the ball rolling toward Nov. 3. Earlier this year, Laurie Gallian, a member of the Sonoma’s Community Services and Environment Commission, filed papers with the Secretary of State’s office to organize a campaign committee and began soliciting contributions.
Gallian had not yet returned telephone calls by presstime, but Sonoma City Clerk Gay Rainsbarger said that Gallian, Sanders and other prospective office-seekers will have to cool their heels for more than a month.
“On July 14 – not a day before and not a minute before – people can come into my office and obtain papers,” Rainsbarger said, adding that the nomination period will run through August 14. There’s no fee involved unless a candidate chooses to spend $240 to print a statement in the sample ballot.
Rainsbarger said the race is open to any U.S. citizen at least 18 years of age who’s a registered voter and has lived within the Sonoma city limits for at least 30 days prior to filing. She added that Cohen’s departure might mean a variety of faces on the local November ballot.
“When an incumbent does not run,” she said, “we typically have more candidates.”