An important election year for the Springs

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 11 for an opportunity to engage in a community dialogue with Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas. The Sonoma Valley Grange and I are hosting Sheriff Freitas at a community meeting to discuss local public safety and law enforcement issues. The meeting is 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Grange Hall, 18627 Highway 12. It’s free and open to the public.

Four running to represent the Springs in the State Assembly

This year voters in the Springs will choose a new state Assemblymember. Our current representative, Mariko Yamada of Davis, is termed out at the end of this year. Legislative redistricting in 2012 split Sonoma Valley into two assembly districts, with the dividing line roughly through El Verano. Residents of Boyes Hot Springs north through Kenwood are in Assembly District #4, which includes the City of Rohnert Park, all of Napa, Yolo and Lake counties, and parts of Solano and Colusa counties.

Four candidates, two from Napa County and two from the city of Davis, all Democrats, want to be our next Assemblymember. The primary election is June 3, of which the top two finishers will advance to a run-off in November.

Here’s an introduction to each candidate including their endorsements by Sonoma County elected officials:

Bill Dodd, billdodd.com: Fourth term Napa County Supervisor, who ran unopposed in his last two elections. A former registered Republican who says the party no longer represents his values. Endorsed by: Sonoma County Supervisors Shirlee Zane and David Rabbitt, Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas, Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters Bill Rousseau, all five members of the Rohnert Park City Council and Santa Rosa Mayor Scott Bartley (although Santa Rosa is not in this district).

Matt Pope, pope2014.com: A Napa County Planning Commissioner, lives in American Canyon and is a district representative for State Senator Noreen Evans of Santa Rosa. Has never held elected office. Endorsed by Senator Evans and outgoing 4th District Assemblymember Mariko Yamada.

Joe Krovoza, joekrovoza.org: The Mayor of Davis since 2011, he’s been on the Davis City Council since 2010. An attorney, works for UC Davis directing the external relations units of the Institute of Transportation Studies and the campus’s Energy Efficiency Center. No endorsements from current Sonoma County elected officials.

Dan Wolk, danwolk.org: Vice Mayor of Davis has been on the Davis City Council since 2011. Is the Deputy County Counsel for Solano County and the son of our State Senator Lois Wolk of Davis. Endorsed by Sonoma County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector David Sundstrom and Petaluma City Councilman Mike Healy (although Petaluma isn’t in the district).

I believe one’s perspective is shaped by where you live and how long you’ve lived there. Sonoma and Napa Counties may be wine industry rivals, but we have more in common than does Sonoma County with the City of Davis. So my preference is to see someone from Napa County in our assembly seat. Besides, it’s been 34 years since Napa County had someone in the State Legislature. It’s time it got a turn.