Page 6 - Sonoma County Gazette October 2018

OPINIONS encouraging you to VOTE for what YOU believe is GOOD for YOUR Community
Vote to improve our parks!
YES on Measure M
For City and Regional
The Southeast Greenway Campaign urges you to vote yes on Measure M on the November 6th ballot. If passed with two thirds of the vote, Measure M would generate approximately $11.5 million annually for our county and city parks.
Both our county and city parks
face increasing costs to operate and maintain existing parks, to protect our natural resources, to reduce wildfire risk, and to open new parks for public use. The parks also face a growing demand for recreation, health, safety and education programs for people of all ages.
Voters in Sonoma County will be asked in the November 6 general election to consider a one-eighth cent sales tax (0.125%) to support Sonoma County Regional Parks and city park systems for 10 years. The tax would apply to all areas of Sonoma County. A 0.125% tax would add 3¢ to the cost of a $25 restaurant meal and 6¢ to the cost of a $50 gift card.
Our Sonoma County parks offer abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Measure M will strengthen and expand our park systems for the decade ahead.
Learn more and sign up to
help pass Measure M at:
When you crave a walk among trees or down by the river because you’ve been cooped up indoors for too long, THIS is where you go to get respite from being trapped indoors.
to be frustrated. Its too little too late. Should people vote yes on it? If the point it to make a point to demand their government do more about housing, than definitely vote yes, especially if that’s all there is to vote on, but if effective change is what is wanted, there will be disappointment. Measure 10 is one of those difficult voter questions where we have to ask “how do we let our leaders hear that we want change, without having to vote for laws that hurt us?” I don’t want to discourage people from their only voting voice but it’s a shame that this is the only thing on the ballot for such and important issue.
Angela Conte
Wake Up Petaluma
Parks in Sonoma County
When stress has you tied into knots, THIS is where you go to breathe in deep the air purified by trees.
What are the needs?
parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Volunteers for Sonoma County Parks for ALL
We, as human beings and animals, NEED parks to relieve stress, clean air, take walks with friends, play with our children...RELAX.
How would we benefit?
For more information, contact me at 833-6288, Dave at 539-8847, and visit our website: billanddavehikes.com tWe have been leading free monthly hikes in Sonoma County for over 18 years.
Rent control doesn’t solve housing problems and it too often complicates the housing market for everyone- even renters because there has never been a rent control law that is airtight enough to keep landlords from finding ways around it that hurts renters in them long run. It only sounds good to voters who need help right now so they go for it and those running for office can use its feel good sentimentality to get votes too. What is good about it is taking it’s control out of the hands of the state allowing local municipalities to use it freely for their own purposes; and sometimes its temporary use is productive
With so much at stake, I
am particularly concerned about Petaluma’s mayoral. I am compelled to speak out about my very strong preference. Make no mistake, there are two very different candidates competing for this seat.
Individual cities will determine how best to prioritize their funding projects. Here in Santa Rosa, we might look forward to restoring
the park in the damaged Coffey Park neighborhood and opening the planned Kawana Springs and Roseland Creek Community Parks.
Bill Myers & Dave Chalk Kenwood
One candidate, Mike Harris, is
a thinly veiled former Republican (former Bush/Cheney Delegate, pro Corporate Personhood), an opponent of the assault weapons ban, supporter of the forever Sales Tax Measure
Q and an opponent of key local environmental issues.
sonomacountyparksforall.org
When you crave the song of birds instead of the roar of traffic - THIS is where you get away so you can hear them twittering among branches.
Learn more about our Parks at
What is the ballot measure?
The money would be divided
2/3 to our county parks and 1/3 to the parks/rec programs in the nine incorporated cities in Sonoma County.
Parks also provide OPEN
SPACES to rest our eyes...break up communities so we are not all one
big parking/shopping/housing development.
We NEED our parks and we NEED
Bill & Dave Hikes Endorse Measure M
Whether it’s a small park in your neighborhod or a large park with hiking trails into the forest...this TINY TAX on your purchases...and the purcahses of tourists coming to visit our home...will help keep our parks maintained when we need them.
Dave and I have endorsed Measure M on the ballot this November, a 1/8 cent sales tax for 10 years to support Sonoma County Regional Parks and the City Parks in Sonoma County.
Petaluma has a particularly crucial election approaching that will most definitely determine whether our city remains a livable one or whether we will be sold out to developers keen
If you would also like to
endorse Measure M, go to sonomacountyparksforall.org/view- endorsements to join us.
to cash in on the town’s burgeoning popularity and proxomity to The City.
Bill & Dave Hikes are sponsored by Sonoma County Regional Parks, California State Parks, Jack London Park Partners, Team Sugarloaf, the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, and Valley of the Moon Natural History Association.
That’s what this tiny tax is about.
to keep them maintained.
With November’s elections, Petaluma will see not only the mayoral change of guard but also a there are 3 seats in our City Council to be decided and, close on the heels, a new City Manager. This election could be a game-changer to the quality of life that Petalumans so highly value.
Please VOTE YES on measure M!
Vesta Copestakes, Forestville
If adopted by Sonoma County Voters, two-thirds of the funds collected would be spent on Sonoma County Regional Parks and one-third would be shared by Sonoma County’s cities to maintain and improve city parks. The measure would require that revenue not be used to reduce existing funding for parks and recreation.
Is Voting Yes on Measure
10 the Right Choice?
Greater resources would also
be available for future parks and
open space such as the Southeast Greenway. Sonoma County Regional Parks will use the funds to maintain parks, trails and open spaces, reduce the risk of future wildfires, protect wildlife habitats and fisheries, open new parks, and improve access
to Regional Parks for all county residents.
The last time we voted on funding maintenance for our parks we came SO CLOSE! The Measure has been re- written to fund both City and County Parks for upgrades and maintenance - which we NEED!
but requires a very smart and knowledgeable government system to use it efficiently. Does it move the dial in the right direction to make a point that people are tired of the housing situation and want productive change from government? Yes, but that’s all
it does is make a point that people
are fed up while not solving any of the problems that are causing them
My choice is clear and strong: Teresa Barrett.
6 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 10/18
Petaluma. OPINION cont’d on page 8
YES - Parks for ALL
- Measure M
When you take your kids to
play with others in the park with playgrounds and yu want clean restrooms - it’s THIS MONEY that allows you to have a decent park to share family time.
In the 25 years that I’ve lived in Petaluma, I’ve watched Teresa in action through her 12 years serving on City Council. In that time, she has shown tremendous dedication and tireless determination and she has acquired the experience and qualifications to be the next Mayor of