Elections June 3rd, Sonoma County

[Mike Peterson]

I support the following candidates in the Sonoma County June 3 elections:

Carole Midgen for State Senator
Wes Chesbro for State Assembly, 1st Dist.
Jared Huffman for State Assembly, 6th Dist.
Noreen Evans for State Assembly, 7th Dist.
Lynn Woolsey for the House

I don't know anything about the candidates for County Supervisor:
Will Pier
Valerie Brown
David Reber
Lawrence Wiesner

And I don't know anything about the two state measures, 98 and 99:

Measure 98, eminent domain. Limits on government authority. Initiative constitutional amendment.

And Measure 99, eminent domain. Limits on government acquisition of owner-occupied residence. Initiative constitutional amendment.

Anyone have any insights. I'm looking more for facts than opinions but anything will help.

Thanks,

Mike

[daynurse]

Thought I'd add what I know about 98 and 99.

98 is an effort to remove Rent Control for mobile home owners who pay rent for the space their homes sit on.

99 is the effort of those same home owners to preserve Rent Control they already have by law.

[Mike Peterson]

Thank you, Peggy,

So 99 doesn't protect renters at all? I want people to be able to hang on to their rent control but not if it's against renters' interests or if it only benefits landlords. It's not 100% clear to me.

What I'm wondering now is what if both propositions win? Do they contradict each other? If so, how would our state government juggle the apparently contradictory laws?

Thanks again,

Mike

Thought I'd add what I know about 98 and 99.

98 is an effort to remove Rent Control for mobile home owners who pay rent for the space their homes sit on.

99 is the effort of those same home owners to preserve Rent Control they already have by law.

[daynurse]

If 99 has 1 more vote than 98, then 98 is void.

Rent Control would be GONE all over California if 98 passes and 99 doesn't.

From Official Ballot on 98: "EMINENT DOMAIN......Prohibits rent control and similar measures"

Measure 98 is being paid for by WMA, an organization of park owners, as well as by apartment owners. WMA contributed $250,000 to get this on the ballot.

Measure 99 was introduced by GSMOL (Golden State Mobile Owners League) in order to negate the effects of the first measure.

It's important to get word around.

Peggy

[Mike Peterson]

So you are in favor of prop 99?

Thanks again,

Mike

If 99 has 1 more vote than 98, then 98 is void.

Rent Control would be GONE all over California if 98 passes and 99 doesn't.

From Official Ballot on 98: "EMINENT DOMAIN......Prohibits rent control and similar measures"

Measure 98 is being paid for by WMA, an organization of park owners, as well as by apartment owners. WMA contributed $250,000 to get this on the ballot.

Measure 99 was introduced by GSMOL (Golden State Mobile Owners League) in order to negate the effects of the first measure.

It's important to get word around.

Peggy

[daynurse]

Yes, definitely vote for 99.

No on 98, YES on 99!!!

Peggy

[Valley Oak]

I will cast my vote in favor of prop 99 and against 98.

Edward

Yes, definitely vote for 99.

No on 98, YES on 99!!!

Peggy

[djreber]

I support the following candidates in the Sonoma County June 3 elections:

Carole Midgen for State Senator
Wes Chesbro for State Assembly, 1st Dist.
Jared Huffman for State Assembly, 6th Dist.
Noreen Evans for State Assembly, 7th Dist.
Lynn Woolsey for the House

I don't know anything about the candidates for County Supervisor:
Will Pier
Valerie Brown
David Reber
Lawrence Wiesner

And I don't know anything about the two state measures, 98 and 99:

Measure 98, eminent domain. Limits on government authority. Initiative constitutional amendment.

And Measure 99, eminent domain. Limits on government acquisition of owner-occupied residence. Initiative constitutional amendment.

Anyone have any insights. I'm looking more for facts than opinions but anything will help.

Thanks,

Mike

To learn about all of the candidates for 1st District supervisor, please visit my web site www.davereber.com. On the left of the home page, click "Meet the Candidates." It will take you to a page of links for the web sites (and any other web presence) of all candidates for the 1st District, as well as a series of videos of Q&A from recent candidate debates. Although I certainly want people to vote for me, I want the votes to be informed, and I am the only one running who provides a means for one-stop candidate comparison.

David Reber

[weffers]

https://www.sonomacountygazette.net/...200804_030.pdf

for more on 5th district county candidates

[Valley Oak]

This is some information I learned from the League of Women Voters' website about two of the candidates (Valerie Brown & David Reber) who are running for district 1.

The other two candidates are Will Pier (endorsed by the Progressive Democrats of Sonoma County) and Lawrence Wiesner, CPA, Republican.

Although the electoral laws do not permit local candidates for public office to declare their party affiliation, it is easy to research their ideological associations and careers on the Internet (they are public figures and are, for the most part, relatively transparent).

Unless there are good reasons for me not to do so, I will probably vote for Brown. My second choice would be Pier. If I had to choose a third candidate then that might be Reber. My fourth and last choice (if someone put a gun to my head) would be Wiesner.

Edward

League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Sonoma County, CA June 3, 2008 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the IssuesCounty Supervisor; Sonoma County; Supervisorial District 1

The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of Sonoma County and asked of all candidates for this office. See below for questions on SMART, Mental Health, Communication, Sustainability Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest. 1. In your opinion, how would the proposed SMART commuter railroad impact Sonoma County? Answer from David J. Reber: If done properly, a regional transit train will reduce highway traffic and environmental impact. However, SMART is not sufficient - BART is smarter. SMART is a train line from Cloverdale to somewhere short of Corte Madera - this is not a region. The right of way should be given to BART and constructed as part of the BART system, initially connecting to San Francisco via Golden Gate transit, but eventually connecting into the entire BART system - this is truly regional transit, and the only fast, comfortable and safe alternative a significant number of commuters will choose. Answer from Valerie K. Brown: I sit on the SMART board and am working toward a voter initiative on the ballot in November 2008. SMART provides an alternative to driving cars along Highway 101 and will eventually be able to address cargo, taking huge trucks off our roadways - much better for our quality oflife. 2. How can Sonoma County improve mental health services in the county? Answer from Valerie K. Brown: Mental Health Services have been difficult since the federal government decided to mainstream everyone and disregard the complexities of those with mental illness. Sonoma County is vigilant about finding a facility for mental health referrals and working with district hospitals to fill the gap. It is unconscionable that we are incarcerating those with mental disabilities instead of treating them. Answer from David J. Reber: First, by retaining Norton Center as an in-patient emergency mental health facility. Second, by continued political pressure for Medicare reimbursements reflecting today's costs, not 1965 standards when Sonoma County was rural with low living costs. Third, work with Sutter and Memorial Hospitals to develop incentives to attract psychiatrists, one of the critical medical specialties which are insufficiently staffed in Sonoma County because of low federal reimbursement rates and the high cost of living. 3. If elected, how will you keep yourself informed of your constituents' concerns, and your constituents informed of your stances and activities? Answer from David J. Reber: First and foremost, by returning calls within one business day. Anyone who thinks they have a problem serious enough to call their county supoervisor deserves to be heard. I will also attend community meetings, continue my membership in the organizations which I already belong to, stop and chat in the grocery store, and have regular office hours in both Santa Rosa and Sonoma Valley. To the extent possible, I will try to establish a large e-mail base to send updates to residents; I will not use constituent newsletters, as they tend to be self-serving and not cost effective, given the small number of people who actually read them. Answer from Valerie K. Brown: I remain very connected with my constituency, through public meetings, town hall get-togethers and phone calls. Plus I am accessible in the community and find the grocery store and post office are just as valuable for finding out information. We get around 150 calls in my office a month - I believe my constituents feel they are heard and responded to with usable information. 4. How would you balance the need for developing housing and business with environmental stewardship? Answer from David J. Reber: Environmental and economic policies both need to be grounded in facts and common sense; when they are, they do not conflict. Sonoma County will not experience the growth it has in the past 3 decades; the price of housing will reduce population growth to perhaps 2% per year. Enhancing the business environment is as much about how government conducts itself as the specific policies it adopts. I recognize that the private sector is the source of wealth and opportunity, and I recognize that we should all be responsible citizens of the Earth and protect the natural beauty which is Sonoma County. Answer from Valerie K. Brown: In our General Plan 2020 update - we are focusing on "Green" building and environmental planning focusing on energy efficiency and effectiveness. I believe our county is a model for solar energy, water management, and capital building improvements relying on "green" building. Thankfully funding is available to begin and complete projects that otherwise would be very costly. Our belief is if government to focus on environmentally sound building it will bring down the cost to residential builders improving the quality of life for all. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. Candidates' answers are presented as submitted. Word limits for answers were 400 words for all 4 questions. Direct reference to opponents are not permitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.

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Created: May 5, 2008 02:41 PDT
Smart Voter
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund.
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.

To learn about all of the candidates for 1st District supervisor, please visit my web site www.davereber.com. On the left of the home page, click "Meet the Candidates." It will take you to a page of links for the web sites (and any other web presence) of all candidates for the 1st District, as well as a series of videos of Q&A from recent candidate debates. Although I certainly want people to vote for me, I want the votes to be informed, and I am the only one running who provides a means for one-stop candidate comparison.

David Reber

[The Dog Groomer]

I will cast my vote in favor of prop 99 and against 98.

Edward

YES, I am following prop 98 & 99. I say HATE 98 & 99 is FINE.

[lisa m]

In District 3 for the Supervisor's Race I am voting for Shirlee Zane-her website is www.zaneforsupervisor.com. For me the most important thing this election is changing the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. They need folks like Shirlee and Maddy Hirshfield in District 5 who care about health and human services and will counterbalance the business interest and developers who are supporting Sharon Wright. It's time for change on the Board of Supervisors!

[Dynamique]

There are good reasons not to vote for Valerie Brown.

Sonoma County Conservation gives Ms. Brown a "D" for her environmental voting record and an "F" in listening to citizens. Here's the description of her performance from SCCA's report card for 2007-2008:
"Seemingly less concerned about the environment each day. Was vocal for gravel mining this year. Not available to meet with people without persistent requests."

Her conduct with respect to the Graton Rancheria-Stations Casino project and the "chief" of the Graton Rancheria "tribe" is repugnant. I give her an "F" in the good sense category for dumping the project on Rohnert Park and apparently thinking that the problem is now solved since it is not in her district. Her blatant, nauseating kiss-ass routine with Greg Sarris and the Graton "tribe" has earned her the appellation "Valerie Brown-Noser" in certain circles.

First district, please do Sonoma County and the environment a big favor and get rid of Ms. Brown. Will Pier looks like a qualified replacement who has a good head on his shoulders. He's not a career politico or an attorney, just an average guy who wants to do public service for a while -- exactly the type of thing our Founders had in mind when cooking up a representational democracy.

- Kirsten

... Unless there are good reasons for me not to do so, I will probably vote for Brown. My second choice would be Pier. If I had to choose a third candidate then that might be Reber. My fourth and last choice (if someone put a gun to my head) would be Wiesner.