Answers to Novato Advance Questions

By Donald L. "Don" (Stahl) Ricco, Jr.

I provided the following answers to questions I received from the Novato Advance.

How should the city respond to SMART and freight trains? We should approve and support SMART and the freight trains! SMART is necessary for reducing traffic on the highways and reducing the pollution in our environment. We do need to ensure that the train connects to the Larkspur ferries and that enough bus and shuttle connections are included in the plan.

What's the economic outlook for Novato? The current economic outlook is not so good. Many of our city programs are underfunded and we need to keep our budget balanced and keep our numbers in the black. All of our city services need to be fully funded!

What are three of the biggest issues facing Novato? 1. Novato needs more affordable housing for new families and for our senior citizens. 2. Novato needs more public transportation and more access to it. 3. Novato needs to be a city that is a destination rather than a place we all sleep. We need to create reasons for Novatans to shop, dine, and play here in our city and really make this town the "Place to Be!"

How will the city and the council attract new business to Novato? The city and the council need to work with the business community to create a buzz about the wonderful places we already have here. Our town is one half hour away from everything and we need to promote that. We could make Novato a place that visitors to the Bay Area want to stay for convenience and comfort. We need to reopen the old Novato Theatre and convince surrounding businesses to stay open longer hours. And we need to educate the public that we have a lot of great stores and by shopping in Novato they will keep their tax dollars at home!