Due to a lack of other candidates, the Sonoma City Council voted 3-2 on Aug. 20 to forego putting the race on the Nov. 4 ballot and appoint sole candidates Laurie Gallian and Joanne Sanders – who is also Sonoma’s current mayor – to the panel’s two open seats.
Last week, the Sun published answers to the first two of five questions about their political philosophies. Here are the others; their replies have been edited only for space considerations.
3. Do you have any specific plans or proposals to introduce during the upcoming term?
Gallian:
I will pursue greenhouse gas-reduction efforts that save energy and the atmosphere as the source of a new green job market. We need a green building ordinance with mandatory compliance standards.
I want to create a youth council to develop answers to address and resolve life issues with their peers in the Valley. It is important to have this voice heard in resolving larger issues dealing with education, jobs and social equity. They would have responsibility and accountability in making a plan for action. This youth council would coordinate with other agencies to resolve issues in the community.
I would like to bring up the issue of healthier communities. In the absence of a formalized funding structure for recreational activities for youth, families and seniors, I would propose a coordination of government, private and nonprofit in a coalition that would develop, coordinate and facilitate recreational opportunities respective of the diverse community.
Sanders:
• Lease the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building from the County and work with the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau and veteran community leaders to create a convention center.
• Boys and Girls Club Annex at the Community Center.
• First-time buyer home loan program.
• WiFi on the Plaza.
• High tech library.
• A crosswalk or traffic light at Seventh Street West and West Napa Street.
• “Rebranding” Sonoma County Transit’s local line to coincide more with the way people live in Sonoma – including more continuous and local service.
• A police officer directing traffic in front of Sonoma Plaza during big local events.
4. Hypothetical: Some civic-minded individual has just added $1 million to the General Fund, with no strings attached. How should the money be spent?
Gallian:
The above programs (see question 3) would be a worthy start. Please provide contact information for this benefactor.
Sanders:
A public swimming pool suitable for competitive events.
5. Many citizens feel disenfranchised from, or dissatisfied with, representative government on a national level. Does the City Council have a role in addressing this?
Gallian:
Yes. We all have the right to express ourselves and to petition our government for redress of grievances. Citizens have a civic duty, through their government, to address issues of national concern. This can surely begin at the local level, and we as local leaders have the responsibility to assess that issue and weigh in. Part of being a national citizen is to give voice to issues through local representatives who can then rally grassroots pressure to move that concern up the chain.
Sanders:
Yes, by being accessible to the residents of Sonoma and adhering to the nonpartisan stringency associated with serving in local government.
