Should Sebastopol have an election???

[Barry]

I've been running into "Madam Mayor", Sarah Gurney, that is, Mayor of Sebastopol, lately. She shared with me that she was thinking about taking a poll on WaccoBB to see if people think Sebastopol should hold an election even though all three incumbents are running for reelection and there are no challengers. Not holding the election would save the city $6-$7,000

She was concerned that there was no way to tell where people lived, etc. I suggested that it could just be considered a straw poll, a sense of the (WaCCO) community. It could also be an interesting discussion

So what do you guys think??? Should Sebastopol still hold the election (Please vote in the poll!)

And for that matter why do you think nobody else is running???

And what would you do if you were Mayor and you had all the real world opportunities (community leadership and development, such as the North East plan) and constraints (such as budgets, environmental concerns, providing housing, community development, transportation, etc…) ??? Any armchair community leaders out there?

I invite you to respond publicly and share your thoughts!

[Helen Shane]

People have had lots of time to ponder if they are ready, willing and able to spend the next four years preparing for and attending two meetings a month at council meetings, attending and preparing for numerous other regional meetings representing Sebasopol; listening to and talking with any one who had an idea or opinion or question or criticism about what's happening in Sebastopol, West County, Sonoma County, the state, the state of the world, etc., etc. etc.

And what would you do if you were Mayor and you have a life and personal reponsibilities and had all the real world opportunities and responsibilities attached to (community leadership and development, such as the North East plan) and constraints (such as budgets, environmental concerns, providing housing, community development, transportation, etc…)

My opinion is that people are, in general, okay with or approve of the present council, or are too busy or lazy to do anything about it.

If you're wondering if I think there should be an election, the answer is an emphatic NOOOOOOOO>

Helen Shane
:giggle:

[erinsheff]

No.

Erin

[lilmatty]

You might get a better turn out for an online election. :D:

And it might turn out to be a non partisan election for a change.

[Barry]

I've been running into "Madam Mayor", Sarah Gurney, that is, Mayor of Sebastopol, lately. She shared with me that she was thinking about taking a poll on WaccoBB to see if people think Sebastopol should hold an election even though all three incumbents are running for reelection and there are no challengers. Not holding the election would save the city $6-$7,000

She was concerned that there was no way to tell where people lived, etc. I suggested that it could just be considered a straw poll, a sense of the (WaCCO) community. It could also be an interesting discussion

So what do you guys think??? Should Sebastopol still hold the election (Please vote in the poll!)

And for that matter why do you think nobody else is running???

And what would you do if you were Mayor and you had all the real world opportunities (community leadership and development, such as the North East plan) and constraints (such as budgets, environmental concerns, providing housing, community development, transportation, etc…) ??? Any armchair community leaders out there?

I invite you to respond publicly and share your thoughts! Let me add a couple of things:

If you are reading this in your Digest or Email, there is a Poll attached to this post online. Click on the link below to take you to this thread. You are welcome to just punch your choice or post your comments or both!

I have amended the poll to include options for both Sebastopol residents and other (dis)interested parties. So everybody is welcome to vote!:woohoo:

[iaim2xl]

About the Sebastopol election... NO! If no one else is interested in running, why in the world should we spend the money or waste the time (which is probably NOT included in the estimated $6,000-$7,000 savings for skipping the election).

I've been involved in small communities enough to know that the people who step up and take on the work and responsibility are precious few. That's probably why our incumbents are running unopposed. If there are challengers, then sure, hold the election. Otherwise, we are wasting time and money on an absolutely pointless exercise. Let's spend the resources elsewhere.

[Zeno Swijtink]

Of course, there should be an election.

Elections are an important part of civic life in a democracy, and are an
occasion for candidates to discuss their vision of the future, and for
voters
to express their opinion about the people running for office.

This remains true even when the incumbants run unopposed. One can
always express ones displeasure with the offerings by voting for a write-in
candidate or handing in a (partially) blank ballot.

Zeno

[lilmatty]

Most important question: Why is there no one running against the incumbents? Why the low turnout to vote int he last election?

Perhaps the village residents are happy with their potholes, curbside weeds, lack of housing, downtown congestion, etc. while the current council writes letters to George Bush (as if).

[scamperwillow]

Hi Barry,
I don't see any way to vote in this poll. there is no link at the bottom as you said.
MArty

[Barry]

Hi Barry,
I don't see any way to vote in this poll. there is no link at the bottom as you said.
MArtyThat was because it was closed (over). However, I just re-opened for another 3 weeks. Please try again!

Anybody else want to vote??

["Mad" Miles]

Hey Politiwaccos!

I haven't voted in this poll because none of the choices fit me. I don't live in Sebastopol (any more, and even when I did, my dad's place is outside of the city limits) so I can't vote in any city election. But I am definitely not apathetic towards politics, as anyone who has read my stuff on this board can attest. There is no poll option for someone in my position.

As for not holding an uncontested election, what is the law on this? Isn't Sebastopol required to hold city council elections, no matter who is running? Whoever mentioned the possibility of write-in candidates made a good point.

And in answer to why the positions are uncontested, as an uncontrite member of the Green Party, perhaps the council majority has been doing such a great job, no one is motivated to oppose them? I'd like to think so!

"Mad" Miles

[Barry]

Hey Politiwaccos!

I haven't voted in this poll because none of the choices fit me. {snip}Thanks for pointing that out, Miles!

I have now added another choice (which I will try to remember to include in all future polls):



None of the Above! (Please post your comments!)
There you go, Miles, and thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! :thanks:


Isn't Sebastopol required to hold city council elections, no matter who is running?My understanding is that there is a new State Law that allows the city to decide whether or not to hold an election in this case.

Its a tricky call to make, which is why I think Mayor Guerny was interested in taking a straw (non-binding) poll on WaccoBB.net. It could be an easy way for the city to save sizable chunk of our bucks, if it is in the greater public interest and that's seemingly what the public wants.

The only problem is that there's no free & easy way of taking the pulse of the community. That's where I think WaccoBB.net can come, for what it is worth!
And at the moment, with just 14 votes including mine and a few comments, it's not worth a lot! :tear:



Come on guys, this could be fun!


:dance1: PLEASE VOTE!! :dance1:



And it couldn't be any easier! If you as seeing this in the Digest, just click on "Website/Reply (https://www.waccobb.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11556)" link below and then select your choice!

I guess this is the first Get Out the Vote drive on WaccoBB.net! Instead of all those petitions we all sign with hundreds or thousands of signatures for some issue far away from home, here's a chance to make your voice heard and help the city, for which many of us depend on for civic services, regardless if you are a citizen or not.

There are surprisingly few votes cast in Sebastopol General elections, and even fewer people choose to speak in front of the council about many issues. So, in my experience, council members give serious consideration when people weigh in on an issue.

[Helen Shane]

In the case where there is no contest, and the incumbents whose terms are up all file to run again, the council may vote to "elect only those on the ballot" (themselves) or to hold an election where write ins may be voted for; write in votes would be counted only for those write ins who accepted nomination before the election. That's the law. I think the council did the right thing.


Hey Politiwaccos!

I haven't voted in this poll because none of the choices fit me. I don't live in Sebastopol (any more, and even when I did, my dad's place is outside of the city limits) so I can't vote in any city election. But I am definitely not apathetic towards politics, as anyone who has read my stuff on this board can attest. There is no poll option for someone in my position.

As for not holding an uncontested election, what is the law on this? Isn't Sebastopol required to hold city council elections, no matter who is running? Whoever mentioned the possibility of write-in candidates made a good point.

And in answer to why the positions are uncontested, as an uncontrite member of the Green Party, perhaps the council majority has been doing such a great job, no one is motivated to oppose them? I'd like to think so!

"Mad" Miles

[Casey Morrigan]

It sure is tempting to want to save $6000 or $7000 for the city! But my paranoid self would sure hate to get in the habit of incumbents' saying, "gosh, no opponents, and nothin' up my sleeve, Rocky!" and cancelling elections.

[Magick]

Dear Community, It is important to note that the decision to cancel the election was already made. The meeting was publicly noticed on the website e-mail list and bulletin board at city Hall three days before the meeting as required. It was printed in the Press Democrat five days before the election, again, as legally required.
The meeting took place at the "convenient" hour of 8am on Tueday, August 22.
At this meeting the 3 Council members that were up for election were reinstated.
The three people are Democrat Linda Kelley, Green Larry Robinson, and Democrat Sarah Gurney.
Sarah Gurney was appointed to the Council approximately 2 years ago to replace Bob Andersen. So she will now be on the Council for another 4 years without ever going through the electoral process.
In response to the question about why no one was running against them, I would ask people to contemplate why no Republicans are running. Could it be that their interests are already being served by the present Council?
Although the general policies of the Council are "green" those of us who regularly attend meetings have seen the Council refuse to stop the Laguna Vista Project even though for over 5 years literally hundreds of people have spoken out against it.
In 2002 1500 people signed a petition to prevent this huge development originally proposed at 185 units that would create a traffic nightmare, cover delicate wetlands, (95% of wetlands have been destroyed in California) and take up a large portion of our water supply when private wells are going dry.
It would also disturb the peace and quite of the affordable housing Fircrest.mobile home park adjacent to the land.
This Council, also, in disregard for our general plan, is supporting a huge development in the flood plain of the Northeast Area with buildings 3 and 4 stories high.
All 3 Greens have said they will support the application of herbicides in the Laguna even though Larry Robinson authored the Pesticide Free Zone, Craig Litwin ran on a no pesticides platform and Sam Pierce as a Green should be upholidng the party platform opposing these toxic chemicals.
Yes, this Council voted to impeach George Bush but have they extended themselves publicly in any way to make this happen? Does the Senate, House or White House know?
$315,000 has been spent on an out of town consultant to "sell" the public on the North east plan, $ 48,000 has been spent on a branding study, again by out-of- town consultants, and aprox, 40,000 on a marketing study.
It seems to me an election for 6-7000 dollars so that the public to hear and question candidates and have the write-in option would have been the most democratic path to walk at a minimal expense.
I did put out an e-mail calling for candidates and I appreciate all the people who requested that I run.
I prefer to let my voice be heard in other ways, through public comment, writing for publication and other forms of activism.
Yours in Truth, Magick

[scamperwillow]

Trust me the Republicans do NOT think their interests are being served by the current council. They just feel it is impossible for them to be heard by such a green community. Interpret that as you will. to me, it means our council is doing a great job. Still we should continue to attend meetings, research what is happening and express our opinions at every opportunity. I feel that our current council is very open to that and I also have learned that by working WITH them, a lot more can be accomplished than by attacking and alienating them.
Marty Roberts

[Blue Haven Studio]

While the election has already been cancelled, I feel it is interesting to comment and consider the future possibilities.

I think the comment below made some excellent points. Anyone who knows anything about business or efficiency realizes that it is more cost effective to have cancelled this election since the parties are unopposed. Politics and the running of a city are in fact a business. The Mayor did something she obviously thought was going to benefit her city and the citizens in it. This is $6-7,000 that can help deal with those potholes and other issues some posters were compalining about. Did you ever think of the possibility the Mayor and other elected officials (yes, you elected them in the first place) was trying to be responsible to her citizens, not a power monger?

On the other hand, there is a danger in forming a habit of no elections for any reason. Perhaps there needs to be a little (just a little) money spent to inform the citizens that it is an election year and that all interested persons need to get their "rears in gear". We're talking about a way that actually reaches the majority in a visible way. Many people don't read a paper anymore.Perhaps there just needs to be a new standardized way of doing things. It used to be the newspaper. That's what everyone turned to. Now it's the internet more and more or the TV. You can look up the obits or headlines online now. But, which site? Everyone has their favorites. What's the answer? I don't know.

In the meantime, the city politics is only what it's citizens make it.





About the Sebastopol election... NO! If no one else is interested in running, why in the world should we spend the money or waste the time (which is probably NOT included in the estimated $6,000-$7,000 savings for skipping the election).

I've been involved in small communities enough to know that the people who step up and take on the work and responsibility are precious few. That's probably why our incumbents are running unopposed. If there are challengers, then sure, hold the election. Otherwise, we are wasting time and money on an absolutely pointless exercise. Let's spend the resources elsewhere.

[Barry]

...Perhaps there needs to be a little (just a little) money spent to inform the citizens that it is an election year and that all interested persons need to get their "rears in gear". We're talking about a way that actually reaches the majority in a visible way. Many people don't read a paper anymore.Perhaps there just needs to be a new standardized way of doing things. It used to be the newspaper. That's what everyone turned to. Now it's the internet more and more or the TV. You can look up the obits or headlines online now. But, which site? Everyone has their favorites. What's the answer? I don't know.
I have addressed this point in another thread called On using WaccoBB.net for community Polls (https://www.waccobb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12067). Please join me there!