Occ Seb Virtual Candidates Forum: Q3: Where do you bank?

[Barry]

Question 3. Where is your checking/savings account?

Exchange Bank

My campaign account will be with Redwood credit Union

Sonoma Bank – a local bank, of course!





Kathleen Shaffer - Did not participate

Bank of the West

I bank with a nationally-based bank because I need access to ATMs (without paying fees) while traveling across the United States. I attempted to do this with a small, local bank, but it didn’t work for me. I loathe big banks as much as anybody, but when I need cash in Timbuktu at 2 a.m., well……

[dominus]

By joining a credit union, one gains access to a large network across the country as well.

[photolite]

Re Mr. Jacob's reply: Sonoma Bank IS NOT a local bank. It is owned by Sterling Financial Corp. of Spokane Wash. Go Local "outed" this bank years ago for shipping 90% of its deposits out of the region. Names and words may feel good but please do your diligence if you expect "local" support. Your money is not supporting our community. So much for Main St. over Wall St.

Re Mr. Eder's reply: Answer the question.

Re Ms. Austin's reply: I don't appreciate your choice but at least respect your honesty.

Question 3. Where is your checking/savings account?

Exchange Bank

My campaign account will be with Redwood credit Union

Sonoma Bank – a local bank, of course!





Kathleen Shaffer - Did not participate

Bank of the West

I bank with a nationally-based bank because I need access to ATMs (without paying fees) while traveling across the United States. I attempted to do this with a small, local bank, but it didn’t work for me. I loathe big banks as much as anybody, but when I need cash in Timbuktu at 2 a.m., well……

[Peace Voyager]

In the photo here; taken by John Werner, at the LWV forum @ the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center; notice how Robert Jacobs is the only one paying attention to what is being said. This is rather revealing.

Sebastopol would do very well with myself and any other candidate serving together; though I know Robert and I are what Sebastopol needs to balance the current City Council with the true demographics our town has evolved into.

I mean no disrespect to the other candidates. It's just that there are already 3 rather center types on the current Council; but the City of Sebastopol is too conservative for most West County folks. Gaining 2 left of center points of view is what fits our majority. This would enable Sebastopol to stand firm when it really counts.

I may be the only one who will stand strong for the important core value issues that the EMF Safety Network works for. I'm likely the only one who will work to correct the dangerous federal laws tying the hands of state and local government; draining our funding, while increasing taxes and endlessly raising rates.

No one else is going to stop the dysfunction of our government; we are left to fix it ourselves. Determining the common good of the majority can be tough, but it's the only way to serve ourselves fairly.

If the majority's not willing to insist elected officials and candidates actually live by their pledge to uphold and defend the Constitution, then you can consider your Rights already lost.

If you allow them to allow the Lobbyist for the 1% to continue to "legalize" all the harm they do to: you and your family, our planet and fellow humans; then the real "Terrorist" have won.

Now that our Due Process is lost; how's your candidate going to get your Rights back? The federal elected officials are clearly unwilling to stand for the 99%.

Think that doesn't matter in Sebastopol's system of government? Just wait for the next emergency, water or sewer pipe failure and see our budget reserves dip to negative.

A tax hike will not solve all the coming challenges. If a town like Sebastopol cannot be bold and innovative; America is really lost.

Wouldn't you rather have the outcome where the cities and states stand up to the Federal government for what's best for the 99%?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if Sebastopol were to lead our progressive big sisters like Berkeley, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz; along with our fellow progressive cities and counties like Humbolt, and Medocino, Arcata, Fairfax, etc., etc.?

Get the picture? Business as usual in every elected office will not work anymore. All of you are the keys for the solutions, from the far left to the far right.

I suggest voting for yourselves first, your personal favorite; then give the second vote to Sebastopol. I stand for Sebastopol's 99%. I started my listening tour during the last city council election and never stopped taking the pulse from every side of our major issues. By not taking endorsements, it means I'm free to work for the true majority.

When the 99% takes the effort to let their opinion be known, our town can often adapt to suit us better. This is why it benefits us all if we get most everyone involved in Occupy Sebastopol in some way. Also to have the monthly Town Hall General Assembly at an additional City Council meeting.

Now that our General Plan is undergoing an upgrade; this is another reason for the City Council, Public and advisers such as SSU and the Core Project, etc., to meet officially while it's in process to get the best results long before it's voted on.

I've had the benefit of being both an observer and participant in city and county government, without being part of the special interest, party line or bureaucratic machinery. The keen insights I've gained from my front row observance help me utilize my out of the box solutionist skills.

When you seek the agreement of the 99%; win-win-win-win is the always the objective. This becomes the best interest of the City; when our residents and visitors, our local economy, and everyone's habitat is mutually respected; all needs fully vetted.

Sebastopol's best interest has been rather compromised with the current line up. It pains me to see our social and environmental values get so diluted over the last several years.

As the realist idealist; I know this new Occupy City Hall model won't always work; and will require adaptive features. What do we have to gain in trying, versus what do we have to lose?

You know. That's why Sebastopol's so well loved, so unique, why you call it home, or enjoy when you work, shop, learn and play here. How many other cities are Deep Green Americana with so much concentrated richly diverse culture per square mile?

I hope you will help me preserve that for us, for all generations to experience and share.

In case, you're new to the area; I didn't just join this club. As far back as 2002, I was leading the charge to enlighten not just the choir, but government + the masses in the economic, human health and environmental benefits of incorporating the new definition of Sustainability; and being able to see through "Green washing".

I was one of the core team to Occupy Sebastopol in peace, for peace. I worked with others to win the cooperation of the City to officially build a better template for free speech and assembly; without the violence and property damage seen elsewhere.

I continue to look for ways to help Occupy Sebastopol evolve into a place of beauty, and serve several critical functions.

I'm the one who wants this City to add Sister Cities in areas of conflict, so we can bring a new kind of diplomacy for our international challenges.

Shop local, of course I do; not because it "looks good" or is trendy; because it is good. So many local businesses go the extra mile in terms of: quality, customer service, and community service; it's a privilege to share my income with them.

Being mindful of the impacts of both global and local choices, by citizens and their elected representatives; can best be achieved if all cities harness the positive inertia of Occupy partnerships; in conjunction with regional and national government.

Will you stand up to Occupy the White House for a Department of Peace? Will you ask the City, and Occupy Sebastopol to lobby for this?

You can trust me to vote for this; and so much more to improve and protect the quality of our lives; through systematic decreases in that which fuels our discontent; and exponential increases in the quantity of our joyfulness.

I'd bet you'll find when you help paint the picture of what that looks like; you're more likely to be happy with the results. If We The People work in concert with our municipalities and local businesses; we can more than survive the transistion upon us. We grow stronger, safer and happier collectively implementing our brightest ideas into actions which helps us thrive.

Patriots for Peace unite!

Yours truly,

Colleen Fernald