We are writing to let you know about several initiatives on the November
ballot that directly relate to the mission and programs of the Occidental
Arts and Ecology Center. As we spend a lot of time diving into the minutiae
of these open space, land use, transportation, energy and campaign finance
issues, we thought you might be interested in our point of view.

Summary of OAEC's Recommendations:

* YES! on Sonoma County Measures F and R
* YES! on State Propositions 84, 87 and 89
* NO! on State Proposition 90

Brief Explanation of OAEC's Recommendations:

* Vote YES on Sonoma County Measure F for funding of the Open Space and
Agricultural Preservation District. Measure F will renew funding for this
best-in-the-nation program for preserving open space, agricultural land,
critical watershed and habitat. Creates parks and public access to open
space.

* Vote YES on Sonoma County Measure R for funding the SMART Train. It will
reduce North Bay auto traffic and carbon emissions, and will create bicycle
paths. This is a complicated one, but we feel we need to say yes to
transportation alternatives.

* Vote YES on state Proposition 84 for funding Water Quality and Supply,
and Natural Resources Protections. California needs more investment in our
water and natural resources. Prop 84 will fund wildlife and habitat
protection, flood control, river system restoration, local and regional
parks, and many other public and environmental benefits.

* Vote YES on Proposition 87 for funding Alternative Energy Research and
Production Incentives. Taxes oil corporations ~4% to create revenues to fund
essential new research into renewable energy for California.

* Vote YES on Proposition 89 for Corporate Campaign Contribution and
Expenditure Limits, and for Public Financing of Political Campaigns. To
achieve the potential of democratic self-governance, we need to get
corporate money out of politics. This is a great start.

* Vote NO on Proposition 90, which would require state and local governments
to waive laws that protect wildlife habitat, farmlands and neighborhoods, or
else compensate developers for the alleged financial impact. Prop 90 would
raise taxes by forcing the state to defend against frivolous lawsuits from
developers or pay to settle these claims. A wide range of organizations,
from environmental and consumer groups to the Farm Bureau, oppose this one.

Thanks for voting on November 7!!