PROVEN LEADERSHIP is protecting our environment for future generations.

Throughout my time on the Board I have always been committed to the protection of our open space, environment and natural resources. 

• Protecting Water Resources
  Protecting water resources stands out as a major policy issue facing our County. Currently, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is working on a General Plan update and under my leadership, it will include a new water element for assessing water resources.We can be proud that Sonoma Valley is in the forefront of groundwater study and will be used as a model for all of Sonoma County. This approach is essential to sustaining our groundwater for future generations.

• Protecting Open Space
  In looking to the future, one of the most important ways in which we can protect our open space and environment is by purchasing property to protect in a public land trust.
  
  When the Federated Indians of the Graton Rancheria bought 1600 acres on the bay for commercial development, I held a Town Hall Meeting in Sonoma and joined forces with the community in a COWS NOT CASINOS campaign. We developed a coalition of support from Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressional members Mike Thompson and Lynn Woolsey, and four counties with resolutions to support preserving land surrounded by public trust land. The Open Space District, of which the Board of Supervisors has oversight, approved the purchase of over 70,000 acres of land that is now protected. This work has led to turning more than 1600 acres of land to the Sonoma Land Trust. I was also a strong advocate for preauthorizing Open Space Measure F from which we were finally able to acquire the Montini property which is such a scenic backdrop to Sonoma.
  
  
• Climate Protection
  AB32 is legislation that requires cities and counties to put in place climate protection measures to reduce green house gases to a 1990 standard by 2020.  Sonoma County joined with all 9 city jurisdictions to reduce  our green house gases 25% below the 1990 standard by 2015. As a member of the Sonoma County Transportation Authority we have been engaged in a comprehensive transportation plan to achieve these goals. I invite you to a public hearing on April 22nd at the Sonoma Community Center.  It is one way we can all be involved in preserving our quality of life in Sonoma.

Economy

PROVEN LEADERSHIP is essential at this time of great fiscal change.

In this slowing economy it is more important than ever to have a Supervisor that knows and understands how these fiscal trends are going to continue to impact county programs and services. I have a unique understanding of how we must look at the challenges ahead and find innovative solutions for positive outcomes because of my:

• Legislative budget background and work as the Chair of the State Governmental Organization Committee
• Tenure on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
• Experience on the Sonoma City Council

Our County faces a huge loss in revenues due to the massive budget cuts from the State, cuts in Health and Human Services, Public Works, and Public Safety.

55% of County revenues come from the State with much of it being passed through from the Federal government.

I have been fortunate enough to be a member of and work with governmental organizations at the State and Federal levels to ensure the voice of the First District is heard. I will continue to fight to keep our County’s fair share of vital revenue so we can fund critical social and economic programs. It is not enough to complain about reducing revenues — we need to be on the front line, at the table, to make sure the revenues are returned to Sonoma County to maintain our programs and services.

Finding the solution will not be easy but my main goal as Supervisor is to actively problem solve with the vast and diverse constituency of the First District to find a balance between budget cuts and the fiscal needs within county programs and services.

Public Safety

PROVEN LEADERSHIP is caring deeply about the people of Sonoma County and working together to protect our quality of life.

• The presence of gangs, drugs, and crime in our neighborhoods and near our homes is unacceptable. Every person should feel safe in his or her own neighborhood. I have dedicated myself to working with the County Sheriff’s Department, local Police Departments, non-profits, and faith-based organizations to rid our cities and neighborhoods of gangs, drugs, and crime. 

• I have been working with officials from local, state, and federal governments to acquire more funding for public safety programs to allow our public safety departments to do their jobs more effectively and expand our police forces. There is no question we would all be well served with more officers in the field and more drug prevention and mental health programs to deal with non-violent offenders.

Agriculture

PROVEN LEADERSHIP is a commitment to protect the agriculture and open space that are the very heart of Sonoma County.

Groundwater and water resources are important to us all. In order to make sure we had diverse input from the agricultural industry on this issue, I helped develop an advisory group with farmers, grape growers, wine makers, and other agricultural leaders to create a model groundwater plan to monitor groundwater supplies. This will be accomplished through voluntary participation instead of through regulations coming from the County and will include the results of voluntary well-monitoring and groundwater surveys.

 

Roads and Transportation

PROVEN LEADERSHIP is getting the job done.

I understand what it’s like to sit in terrible traffic or the frustration of driving along a poorly maintained road.  That is why I have consistently worked to gain the necessary funding for projects to reduce traffic congestion and fix our streets and roads.

Here is some of our road work accomplishments:

• Seismically replacing and widening the Riverside Drive Bridge over
  Sonoma Creek, now called the Ig Vella Bridge.
• Added a traffic signal at Warm Springs and Highway 12.
• Installed a traffic signal on Napa Road at Eighth Street East.
• Placed painted traffic stripes and centerline markers to Arnold Drive, Lovall Valley Road, Napa Road, Old Winery Road, Riverside Drive, Trinity Road, Watmaugh Road, Wood Valley Road.
• Road surfacing on Adobe Road, Arnold Drive, Mark West Springs Road, Napa Road, and Petaluma Hill Road as part of the Countywide Overlay Contract.
• Established a link with the Governor’s Office to assist with installing a traffic signal at Highway 12 and Warm Springs Road.
• Added stop signs at Hill/Arnold and Agua Caliente/Arnold for improved safety on Arnold Drive.
• Replaced the Grange Road Bridge in Bennett Valley.

Projects we are working on

• Installing sidewalks and road improvements on Hwy 12 thru the Springs.
• Installing a traffic signal at Agua Caliente and Hwy 12.
• Installing a traffic signal at Madrone and Hwy 12.
• Installing a traffic signal at Arnold Drive and Agua Caliente.
• Seismically replace the Boyes Blvd bridge.
• Repair of slide on Sonoma Mountain Road.
• Future road surfacing at Porter Creek Road and Sonoma Mountain Road.

While I am very proud of the accomplishments we have made and will make in the near future, this is not the only answer. I have been working to promote the use of alternate methods of transportation as well. As a member of the Sonoma County Transportation Authority and the Sonoma/Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) II Board I am a strong advocate for improved methods of public transportation such as bus and rail.