5th District Supervisor Race 2016: Noreen Evans vs Lynda Hopkins

[scamperwillow]

...Furthermore it does not address Tom Lynch's claim "retroactive [pension] increase in 2003" that Noreen supported.

God Barry where are you getting this thing that Noreen supported some action by the board of supervisors in 2003?? She wasn't on the board then and had nothing to do with it. I really can't believe you are buying into this rumor mongering.

[Shepherd]

These comments by Dan are certainly among the best on this thread. They are rational and persuasive--a good example of how to influence opinion, rather than merely attack a person.

I agree with Ted—strongly—that civility on both sides of the 5th District would benefit all of us in West County. ...

[photolite]

Goat, good discussion and observation on the gravel/bypass connection. As stated, the impacts of a bypass would be huge and radiate out from it in all directions. It would irrevocably alter Sebastopol, but perhaps that became inevitable with the arrival of the Barlow.

We can carry the gravel dilemma even further with consideration of the general infrastructure projects so long overdue, roads in particular. This will require a lot of gravel. Rossman made observations that problematic accumulation of such in the lower RR provides some of this. I'm sure there are many opinions about where the gravel is to come from, when needed, and if trucking it in from afar, further wearing and tearing our roads while pumping noxious diesel fumes into our air, is preferable to mining it close to home.

I was surprised by your experience of hearing about this West County "population wave" that Hopkins supporters expect. This is actually the first time I have heard of this. My impression of Hopkins proposal regarding fast track 2nd units in West County is that it would: a. legitimize something that has long been discreetly practiced, and b. provide at least a modicum of affordable housing in a region that could easily become homogenized to "rustic upscale", at the exclusion of any who haven't gotten in early or aren't well heeled. The thought of it bringing in scads of new people doesn't strike me as likely. What strikes me as more likely is that the region, promoted by Regional Parks, and facilitated by Evans, becomes overrun by urbanites in search of a wilderness experience, and consequently diminishing that which they seek by sheer volume of visitors. You needn't look too far to find lots of precedents for that.

... A Sebastopol bypass will kill a hell of a lot of critters who thrive along the Laguna and there will be one hell of a fight when they go to build it. And when it does finally get built if we dramatically increase the population of West County businesses in Sebastopol will be crying and going out of business for couple of decades just like merchants in Cloverdale.....

[Goat Rock Ukulele]

I don't think we can talk about making every country home into a potential condo without talking about a Sebastopol bypass. Those converstions need to take place at the same time. I don't believe you can have the former without the latter. I'm not as worried about tourists and urbanites seeking outdoor experience. They tend to be like gamblers at a casino. The come mostly on the weekends when West County traffic is light, drop thier money and leave. What more could we ask of them?

[photolite]

Hmm. It strikes me that we may recognize some of the same dynamics at work but disagree largely on scope.

I haven't heard any suggestion that "every country home" be "condo-ized" before now. I read Hopkins' proposal as more a liberalization of policy and code regarding the production of some 2nd units, but never have I interpreted anything suggesting wholesale conversion of our towns and villages. If this is what you believe, I understand your bypass position. I, too, would have to agree with it, if I envisioned such a population escalation.

Regarding tourism, if you ever have lived in a serious tourist town, by which I mean population can easily triple, or quadruple, for 4 or more months a year, I think you'd likely agree that impacts can be far more dramatic than your casual description suggests.

We both are concerned with growth, development and environmental degradation, preservation of our rural lives and population growth, but we seem to see the perceived threats arriving from different quarters.

I don't think we can talk about making every country home into a potential condo without talking about a Sebastopol bypass...

[rossmen]

Sebastopol bypasses have been discussed off and on for more than forty years, no real plans yet and not for the foreseeable future. Yet, the county did resurface irwin! One of the many unofficial bypasses.

Let's write about a bypass that is planned, around forestville with a roundabout at 116 and mirabel. Its all about gravel (the county gets most of its gravel from the two quarries just north of forestville). Has either candidate indicated if they will carry this like carrillo or table it? You might think hopkins would support it, but she does live in the town where these plans, and quarries are deeply unpopular.

[Goat Rock Ukulele]

We really need numbers from those who favor the country condo idea.
First we need to know how may buildable lots are unbuilt in the West County right now
Then we need to know how many parcels as we now stand are eligible for granny units (under current rules).
Then we need a traffic study
Then a water study as the many areas in West County are water scarce.

If all this is done then we need to decide if we will recend or not current fire codes for new dwellings and especially condos. Current codes require all new dwellings to have active fire suppression. Condos need firewalls etc

After we get all these numbers and a bunch more then and only then should we the people of West County have a vote on the issue with all the pros and cons clearly laid on the table.

We should be thinking not 5 or 10 years ahead but 20, 50 or 75 years into the future.

[scamperwillow]

I heard there was some sort of an informal poll at the picnic today about who is voting for whom. Anyone know how that went? Sorry i couldn't be there, had another event.

[kane]

"Serious tourism" may take many forms; to me it means we will no longer attempt a trip out to Bodega Bay on a weekend for fear of traffic backup and congestion. This is a real-life impact on our quality of life. Who is promoting this traffic? Is the Sonoma County Tourism Board also at work promoting increased funding for road repairs? Yes, it's great that touristas come short-term and drop their wads of $$ here, but who benefits from that +$, and who pays the price -qol ?

[riverosprey]

Some people have no shame, can we keep our public servants out of the line of fire, and not slander them? I don't think any of our public servants from either camp, should have their integrity questioned, especially Susan Upchurch. (This from Susan Upchurch's Facebook page):

---

Susan Upchurch
Sunday, October 9, 2016 at 11:19pm (from FB)

First someone came by my home tonight to tell me that politically motivated people were spreading rumors that I am growing cannabis illegally at my home. I gave them a tour of my large garage, which would be the only possible place that I could run such an operation on my property, as I have free range goats in the back and the front is open to public view. How ridiculous!

Then I see this post from Lisa Maldonado [ on WaccoBB - See quote below]. Lisa is a union boss. The below is complete slander. I work more than full time at my county job, as do all of my co-workers. It's a 7 day a week, evening, and weekend job.
First f***ing Omar Medina and his "more of the same" video - then this.

I am volunteering to help Lynda Hopkins for Supervisor in her bid for the Fifth District seat. I am not being paid to do this work, and I am not short changing the tax payers who are getting the full attention that they deserve from my role. I am volunteering for Lynda in my free time, when I am not in the office. This is complete nonsense and really, really makes me angry. Anyone in our office can attest to the fact that I am there every day, and work plenty of extra time. I will add that for the first 5 years that I held this job, I worked an average 60-70 hours per week due to short staffing. We now have clerical support - and we are really lucky to have one of the best in Irene - and that is a huge relief.

My husband David spends his free time scrubbing 1% off of our campaign signs and replacing stolen signs. He isn't paid either.

As a 32 year resident of the 5th district, I cared about and was deeply involved in my community well before I entered public service. I certainly do not think that it is OK for Evans to move into our district - having never, ever lived west of 101 or in an unincorporated area - to run to represent our community. She stated at a forum that she supports District elections for Santa Rosa - what good are they if people can move in to run who have never lived in the District? Further, she has mislead people and overstated her accomplishments.

This is more of the same - utter slander - and makes me fired up to see Lynda Hopkins as our next Supervisor

So? Current Efren Carrillo District Director Susan Upchurch is working for Lynda Hopkins officially as her Campaign Treasurer . She is NOT on leave and is still being paid by taxpayers to campaign for someone whom she hopes will be her new boss. Is this ok with you? It seems that hypocrisy is a hallmark of the Hopkins campaign. They attack unions and workers as "thugs and vandals' who have defaced their signs with no evidence to support this charge, all the while, whining and crying that they are 'victims' of negative campaigning.

And they attack Noreen's donors while the Hopkins' own campaign is using public tax dollars to pay the salary of Efren Carrillo's current assistant working for Lynda's campaign. I guess that Ms Hopkins learned these republican dirty tricks from her republican campaign consultant, Rob Muelrath.

[photolite]

Amid the well reasoned posts by many Evans supporters there is a liberal sprinkling of hate speech by an energetic minority epitomized by Lisa's frequent outbursts. Open, even contentious, dialogue is welcomed but posts like her attacks on Susan Upchurch, and Tom Lynch, allege motives, or behaviors, that are clearly false, and only serve to escalate divisions.

When she writes to Tom,

"I find your manner and words, replete with mansplaining" and "you are ill suited to lecture me on the subject just because you are a white man and I am a Mexican woman"

she attempts to wrap herself in the flag of minority victimization while in fact she dances on the edge of racism and sexism. Tom may at times be verbose, but a review of Tom's posts reveal nothing deserving of such a public chastisement.

What I find most discouraging is that so many other Noreen supporters express "gratitude" to her posts, which further encourages her outrageous expressions.

Some people have no shame, can we keep our public servants out of the line of fire, and not slander them? I don't think any of our public servants from either camp, should have their integrity questioned, especially Susan Upchurch. (This from Susan Upchurch's Facebook page): ...

[photolite]

I've never been aware of the SCT promoting the sort of agenda with the potential to produce an extreme tourism boom, but I've surely seen Regional Parks pursue such an agenda, although it appears shelved for the moment.

"Serious tourism" may take many forms; ... Who is promoting this traffic? Is the Sonoma County Tourism Board also at work promoting increased funding for road repairs?...

[beshiva]

don't know why your wasting time down here in the boonies, why aren't you working for Trump! he needs people like you to rip the working folks up a little more.

WHOAAAAA THERE LISA!!! ...

[beshiva]

'your voting early and (often) for lynda- what does that even mean...
that sounds like voter fraud-lol
or is that election fraud :)

...I AM VOTING EARLY AND OFTEN FOR LYNDA HOPKINS!!!

[Barry]

'your voting early and (often) for lynda- what does that even mean...
that sounds like voter fraud-lol
or is that election fraud :)

From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vote_early_and_vote_often

Vote early and vote often is a generally tongue-in-cheek phrase used in relation to elections and the voting process. Though rarely considered a serious suggestion, the phrase theoretically encourages corrupt electoral activity, but is used mostly to suggest the occurrence of such corruption.

The phrase had its origins in the United States in the mid-19th century, and had an early appearance in Britain when a newspaper re-printed correspondence from an American solicitor. The phrase, however, did not find widespread use until the early 1900s when it was used in relation to the activities of organized crime figures in Chicago.

[podfish]

....
The phrase had its origins in the United States in the mid-19th century...The phrase, however, did not find widespread use until the early 1900s when it was used in relation to the activities of organized crime figures in Chicago.

and we also liked to keep deceased relatives on the electoral rolls in memoriam... those were the good old days.

[Barry]

The PD published three good articles on the Supervisor raise yesterday, including a photo of your humble moderator on the front page of the print edition:

Pretty funny that it came out on the day of our 10th Annual WaccoBB picnic!

The articles are well-worth a read.

Here are links to the articles on the PD website along with some highlights:


Noreen Evans stakes out return to Sonoma County politics with second bid for Board of Supervisors

See full article here

Excerpts:
...
“We could see the board turn directions,” said David McCuan, a Sonoma State University political scientist. “It comes down to one candidate who is untested and a bit Pollyannaish in terms of what she can expect when she gets into office, and another who can seem divisive and combative because of her experience and her stance on controversial issues.”

Those who know Evans and support her candidacy see strength in her reputation as a liberal firebrand unafraid to pick a fight. On the Santa Rosa City Council, where she was first elected in 1996, she established a political identity as a champion for union rights, strong environmental protections and a robust social safety net.

Supports progressive causes

In her subsequent 10 years in the state Legislature — six years in the Assembly before she was termed out and four in the Senate — she burnished her reputation as a supporter of progressive causes, including gay and women’s rights. She advocated for park funding and coastal protection, as well as laws to combat climate change, strengthen consumer financial protections and assist homeowners facing foreclosure.

“She was one of the strong women who provided leadership — her brand of politics was how to get things done, especially around issues of social justice and the environment,” said Tom Ammiano, a longtime activist for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights whose six years in the Assembly overlapped with Evans’ tenure in both houses.
Her years in Sacramento were marked as well by high-profile political defeats, including a failed proposal to fund higher education by taxing crude oil extraction in California, and legislation that would have required labeling on food that contains genetically modified organisms. She also unsuccessfully sought new taxes on sugary beverages and tobacco in an attempt to shore up revenue and stave off budget cuts during the height of the recession.

Evans was stripped of her post as chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2014, and some of her former colleagues in the Legislature said she fell short in leadership in her role as chairwoman of a budget committee, a position she held from 2008 to 2010.

One fellow Democratic legislator at the time called Evans a crusader for preserving the social safety net but faulted her for not doing more to prevent the tough budget cuts.

“Noreen presided over some of the worst budget times this state has ever seen, and it was balanced almost entirely on cuts, gimmicks and borrowing,” said the legislator, who spoke on condition of anonymity to more candidly discuss the political environment inside the Capitol at the time. Evans was “jaded and lazy in her job and she deferred almost entirely to staff,” the legislator said.

“She alienated a lot of her colleagues during her time, and frankly it seemed like she just chose not to do the work,” the legislator said.

Evans countered that her work chairing the budget committee was her “biggest achievement.”

“At the time, we needed a two-thirds vote to pass a budget, so every year our Republican friends would present us a list of demands,” Evans said. “They wanted to close state parks, slash funding for schools and reduce funding for social services like rural health care and food stamps. I called it hostage taking — it was my job to say ‘no.’” “There was a lot of chaos in the Capitol during those years,” Evans said. “I left because 10 years was enough. Remember that I served most of my time under Governor (Arnold) Schwarzenegger, who did his best to punish the Legislature.”

...

Backed by unions

While Evans has sought to tie Hopkins to some of the business, development and real estate interests funding her campaign, Hopkins and her allies have noted that a big share of Evans’ financial support comes from unions that represent county employees with a stake in the board’s decisions on pay and pension spending.

“It’s interesting that someone is attacking me for my campaign contributors and not holding themselves to the same high standards,” Hopkins said.

“I have found consistently in this race that my opponent holds me to a higher standard than she holds herself.”
Evans countered, saying the difference is that she has repeatedly taken positions that diverge with the desires of special interests that have contributed to her campaigns.

As an example, she cited her support for a 2012 bill that would have mandated overtime pay for farmworkers, which failed that year but passed this year and was recently signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown. In the campaign that preceded her vote, Evans received money from the wine industry, which opposed the legislation.

“Yes I’ve taken money from some of those groups like the wine industry, but the difference is I have a record of standing up to those same interests,” Evans said. “Voters can see I’ve championed any number of policies that have supported low-income and middle- class folks. Unlike my opponent, they don’t have to ask where my values lie — they can see it.”

Hopkins supporters say that record shows someone rigid in her ways. Hopkins’ appeal is that she is more open minded, they say.

“It’s a breath of fresh air bringing in someone who isn’t a career politician,” said John Azevedo, president of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, which has endorsed Hopkins. “She’s totally blunt, and I see that as a strength. I think she’ll come in and listen to everybody and try and build consensus.”

But Evans said she is proud of her career in public office and will continue to run on the strength of her experience.

See full article here

[Shepherd]

It's called humor. We need a lot more of it on this thread, rather than bashing either candidate or their supporters.

'your voting early and (often) for lynda- what does that even mean...

[Barry]

From protester to political newcomer, Lynda Hopkins eyes seat on Sonoma County Board of Supervisors

see full article here
...
Excerpts:

To her critics, however, Hopkins is an untested novice with no record to show how she will address and vote on a range of county issues, from divisive land-use proposals including winery development and marijuana regulation, to county spending on roads and employee pensions.

“Maybe Lynda can take $300,000-plus for her campaign and not be influenced by those who gave it to her when she gets into office, but she would be one of the only ones I’ve ever seen who could do that,” said Mike Reilly, who held the west county seat for 12 years prior to Carrillo’s 2008 election. Reilly and his predecessor, Ernie Carpenter, have both endorsed Evans. Carrillo has endorsed Hopkins.

“There is a strong environmental ethic in the 5th District and in order to represent this area well, you’ve got to be able to stand up to other supervisors when it matters,” Reilly said. “Noreen has shown that she can be tough, and she’s got a proven, progressive track record.”
...
Hopkins said Foggy River Farm, situated on land owned by her husband’s family, takes in about $150,000 to $200,000 a year, supporting two full-time and two part-time employees. They sell produce at three farmers markets and about 85 people pay to participate in their community- supported agriculture program.

...
“When push comes to shove, the dilemma this November is going for a leap of faith with Lynda Hopkins, or the experienced candidate with NoreenEvans, who has liabilities associated with her,” said David McCuan, a Sonoma State University political scientist. “Lynda is a political novice, but that could be offset by her energy to run in a year that is fraught with peril for those with experience.

“Noreen, on the other hand, knows the players, she’s been through the historic battles over land use and quality of life issues and she understands how Sacramento has changed the landscape of county government over the past 20 years.”

Hopkins has drawn a large share of her financial support from the county’s wine industry, farming, construction and real estate interests, many of whom backed Carrillo and James Gore, who was elected to the north county supervisor seat two years ago.
...

She has put forward a number of priorities in her campaign, proposing the creation of tent villages on vacant government land across the county to provide temporary shelter for homeless people, as well as a tax on sugary beverages to fund universal preschool and scaling back fees to increase development of affordable housing.
She has also gained support for creating so-called community improvement districts in lower Russian River towns and along the coast to allow those unincorporated communities to have greater representation — a spinoff of the county’s former redevelopment areas — and retain a portion of hotel bed tax revenue to invest in services such as road repairs and emergency response. “I think Lynda is a very sharp individual with an ability to look at a wide range of issues, and adapt accordingly,” said Charlie Bone, a retired coastal deputy for the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and president of the Bodega Bay Fire Protection District board, speaking about his personal preference. “Noreen Evans’ strong point is her experience, which is undeniable. But what I look at is potential and common sense.”
...
“When I look at the problems we’re facing, two things that come to mind are climate change and pensions,” Hopkins said. “These are things that are going to inhibit future generations’ ability to live and thrive in Sonoma County.”

see full article here

[Richard Nichols]

Well Sheperd, you did bash Noreen supporters regarding the 1% tagging. Not appreciated.

It's called humor. We need a lot more of it on this thread, rather than bashing either candidate or their supporters.

[Barry]

Sonoma County 5th District issues: housing, wine, pensions
See full article here

Excerpts:

Housing affordability.
Neighborhood concerns about Sonoma County’s expanding wine industry.
Rising taxpayer costs for county employee pensions.
...
Lynda Hopkins, a political newcomer and candidate for the 5th District seat held by Efren Carrillo, says she wants to bring fresh ideas to the table. Yet she doesn’t believe, ultimately, that she and her opponent, Noreen Evans, would diverge on the most hotly contested votes.

“I honestly don’t see Noreen and myself voting differently on Tuesdays,” Hopkins said. “I see the way we spend our other six days of the week being more of the difference. I really consider myself more of a community organizer.”

However, Evans, a former state legislator and Santa Rosa councilwoman, ticked off a list of high-profile initiatives that could put daylight between the two candidates were they both voting on them today. They include proposals to spur affordable housing development, tighten winery regulations, upgrade county roads and reign in county pension costs.
...

“It’s a tough call,” said Deb Johnson, president of the Russian River Chamber of Commerce. “It’s not like the past two or three election cycles, when we all mostly knew who we were going to vote for. This year, we’re all just asking one another ‘What are you going to do?’” The two candidates have offered ambitious ideas on how to address some of the county’s most pressing problems, such as repairing its degraded road network, as well as launching new programs to assist low-income and middle-class families.

Evans wants to tax marijuana cultivation and use the revenue to fix roads and build new housing. Hopkins wants to seek a 1-cent per-ounce tax on sugary beverages to pay for early childhood education and childcare.

The Board of Supervisors next year is expected to take up potential new limits on winery development and special events at wineries, seen as a critical revenue stream for boutique businesses but an increasing nuisance for some rural residents.

Hopkins and Evans both said they support strengthening regulations for wineries, including perhaps limiting events, to address traffic and noise concerns in areas heavily visited by tourists, such as in Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Valley and along Westside Road.

Evans said she would allocate funding to hire additional code enforcement officers to police events on nights and weekends, and said she would work to protect future winery development or vineyard planting in coastal areas.
“I’m not opposed to wineries, but the problem becomes when they start cutting down our forests and start impacting our rural neighborhoods and roads that aren’t designed to carry big tour buses,” Evans said.

Hopkins, who has taken the larger share of money from wine industry members, said she supports additional code enforcement officers, but appears to favor a more restrained approach to regulation, saying the county should “start small and scale up if needed.”

She said she’d focus on spacing out winery events, as well as other draws such as bicycle events, by appointing a task force comprised of business and wine interests as well as rural residents.

“I believe in regulation,” she said. “I’m not suggesting any anarchy — deregulation of agriculture — but it’s more how do you craft intelligent regulations rather than punish people who are doing things incorrectly, rather than overly burdening some of these really small business owners who are struggling to make ends meet?”
Vintners have voiced support for Hopkins’ approach.
...

Both candidates say addressing the housing crisis is their top priority, though their ideas on how to address it differ. Hopkins’ housing strategy focuses on streamlining the permitting process for new development and creating other incentives for developers to build new units. Her proposals include developing a program to allow homeowners to convert empty bedrooms into rental units and lowering permit fees for developers seeking to build apartments.

To address homelessness, Hopkins wants to erect temporary tent villages on county-owned land, and convert county-owned buildings into permanent housing sites, including the 117-acre former county hospital and health care complex on Chanate Road in Santa Rosa.

“It’s getting harder and harder to ignore that the new face of homelessness in Sonoma County is working men and women and families,” Hopkins said. “So let’s get people in some place safe, then we’ll have a coordinated entry point for social services and we can work on long-term solutions.”

Hopkins also voiced support for developing a program to use shipping containers and tiny houses to shelter homeless people — the latter effort already underway in the county — as well as seeking a tax increase to fund new housing development and emergency financial assistance for renters.

“If were a supervisor and I were going to ask anyone for money this November, it would be to address the affordable housing crisis and do something like the (Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District) but instead of open space, for affordable housing,” she said.

Evans said she would require developers to include on-site affordable housing in all new residential and commercial developments, expressing strong support for so-called inclusionary zoning laws intended to prevent segregating neighborhoods by race and class. She has also argued strongly in favor of rent control and other tenant protections since the beginning of her campaign, a position Hopkins did not initially endorse but now does.
...
Evans said she, too, supports temporary shelter sites for homeless people, as well as expanded social services, including mental health care and substance abuse treatment. She advocated for the county to declare a year-round state of emergency on homelessness to provide additional shelter sites and perhaps, help the county qualify for additional state and federal funding.

Evans also wants to invest a portion of the county’s $2.3 billion in pension assets to build workforce housing projects.
“It’s being done elsewhere and we can do it here,” Evans said. “The benefit would be twofold — we would get to build workforce housing locally and we earn income for county employee pensions.”

On the issue of rising pension costs for Sonoma County government workers, Evans said she would, through collective bargaining, seek greater contributions for upper-level management and she would dedicate tax revenue to pay down taxpayer pension costs, though she characterized the county’s pension costs as largely manageable.
“My opponent describes it as a crisis, but there is a plan to pay it off over time,” said Evans, who has taken a large share of her contributions from organized labor groups and been criticized for being too cozy with public employee unions. “Some people would like to do that faster.”

Hopkins favors seeking greater employee contributions toward retirement plans, and said the county should consider adopting a plan with greater shared risk, whereby employee contributions would fluctuate with the rise and fall of pension fund assets. Hopkins has a grimmer assessment of the county’s retirement spending, up more than 500 percent since 2000. “If I had to sum it up in two words, it would be ‘We’re screwed,’” Hopkins said in August at a campaign event in Bodega Bay.

Hopkins has faced heavy criticism lodged by Evans and her supporters about the campaign cash she has taken from development interests, including Napa- based Syar Industries, which for years has run a major gravel mining operation on upper Russian River near Geyserville. The company has no current proposal to expand.

“It’s a concern for anyone who cares about the river that these gravel miners want to come back,” said Ernie Carpenter, an Evans supporter and former county supervisor who represented west county for 16 years on the board. “It only takes a 3-2 vote and you can pretty much change anything.”

Hopkins said extracting gravel from the banks of the Russian River, however, could actually help restore it to a more natural state and help endangered fish species recover — an idea supported by some biologists and river advocates.

“Today, the river is stuck in a straitjacket,” said Don McEnhill, executive director of the nonprofit Russian Riverkeeper. “Most mining prior to today was done in a way that was very harmful for the river, but we are open to gravel mining if it can help the river spread out to bring down the natural floodplain.”

See full article here

[Barry]

I heard there was some sort of an informal poll at the picnic today about who is voting for whom. Anyone know how that went? Sorry i couldn't be there, had another event.

Yes, at the end of our community circle, I asked for a show of hands for undecided, Lynda and then Noreen. I'd say Noreen supporters outnumbered Lynda's by about 3 to 1. Maybe 15% indicated they were undecided.

[Shepherd]

Dear Neighbor Richard,
For me, it depends on the tone and intention. It was not my intention "to bash Noreen supporters." It is one thing to raise questions about who did the 1% tagging, which is not clear, at least to me. Either side may have done it. The dirty politics are certainly not only on one side. It has not been a clean campaign.

It is another thing to demonize someone, as advocates for both candidates have been doing. As you know, I have endorsed and donated to Noreen's campaign, so I think she is clearly the best candidate. I think there may be some in a silent majority who are not responding here who are making their decisions on the basis of the arguments, rather than the demonizing. For example, Dan Gurney, as I mentioned, makes persuasive arguments, which I think help Noreen. I think it is counter-productive to make mean attacks on Lynda or Noreen.

I am also concerned that such dirty politics here on Wacco makes it more difficult for younger people, especially women, to vote or run for office. It is my opinion that the tone of some of these posts dissuade people from getting involved, rather than encourage them to do so.

Both candidates and all of us love Sonoma County and will need to live together, and hopefully vote again in future elections. I am concerned about future candidates and expanding rather than limiting the people who may be willing to run and endure such gauntlets.

I am glad that the Sebastopol City Council elections have not been as vicious on Wacco as these 5th District elections, which I admit are more important.

Well Sheperd, you did bash Noreen supporters regarding the 1% tagging. Not appreciated.

[Icssoma]

thank you for this thoughtful post.
we have to end these divisive & ugly posts on wacco. between the hospital, w. those "feeling the bern", & this supervisor race, we have gone off the rails.
we have to find ways to stop this.
we have to live together, we need to work, build & together. there are so many important things we need to do; protecting the river, addressing the corporations/hedge funds (moneyed corporate interests/hedge funds that the santa rosa city council is bringing in to supply & run our marijuana industry, housing, traffic, local health care options...
does anyone know what the landscaping park will be for the ugly CVS building?
please ask yourself "is this helpful"? does this move the dialog forward? (this is not the place to vent, or attack each other!)
the negative posts are a disservice to each other, & to Wacco as a resource.
(Dan, was that some game last nite! (sports a better place to vent, & now celebrate!) this is West county, & there is life after November 8th. find some place to be & give love.

Dear Neighbor Richard,...

[Dan Gurney]

It is important to remember that your opposition has positive intent.

The other side believes that they're supporting the best candidate. With so much acrimony in national politics, remembering to assume positive intention can be hard! But I'm confident we can do better here in the West County.

Let's try to live up to the "Peacetown" nickname we've given our little town of Sebastopol.

We all chose to live here, and it would be a better place to live—by far—if we can show each other more respect for our differing views. It would be worth the effort, I think.

I want to thank the many people have expressed, both in person and online, their appreciation for my response to Ted's plea for more civil discourse. It was Ted—a voter leaning towards Lynda—who got this particular ball rolling.

So, thank you, Ted.

Dan

[tommy]

A fold out flyer for Lynda Hopkins was left next to my door on Sunday, including a post it note with her phone number.

My understanding is that Lynda is paying JC students to walk west county on her behalf.

Does anyone know if this is accurate?

[Ken Sund]

A fold out flyer for Lynda Hopkins was left next to my door on Sunday, including a post it note with her phone number.

My understanding is that Lynda is paying JC students to walk west county on her behalf.

Does anyone know if this is accurate?

Great question.
If I was her campaign consultant- ("former" republican) Muelrath with over $400,000. at my disposal, I would certainly hire all the paid workers I could to paper the county with her message as well as her giant signs. At last night's town meeting in Sebastopol, Hopkins could not answer the specific question as to whether or not Muelrath was a registered lobbyist. Someone must know if he is or not.

As a volunteer for Noreen Evans, I have noted that Hopkins has giant signs on the vineyards, real estate rental buildings and rental houses in west county but as you visit the neighborhoods, it's Noreen signs which are proudly displayed by homeowners. More residences display Noreen signs than do vineyards or wineries. We volunteers have also taken to hand painting many signs which are also displayed all over.
Ken Sund.

[sohemi]

I drove all around Sebastopol yesterday. The preponderance of signs, in front of homes, were for Noreen, including homemade ones

[margritmy cat]

I have found myself stirred up by all the "talk" about not only this Sonoma county election, but of course, the national picture. There is no end to the words people can use, and we are all manipulated by media. I am voting for Lynda Hopkins.

[photolite]

Based on the support expressed on this thread, I'd say your numbers are consistent with the wacco demographic, which is not necessarily representative of the 5th Dist. demographic.

Yes, at the end of our community circle, I asked for a show of hands for undecided, Lynda and then Noreen. I'd say Noreen supporters outnumbered Lynda's by about 3 to 1. Maybe 15% indicated they were undecided.