Growing Better, Not Bigger

By Eleanor "Ellie" Sluis

The following questionnaire presented by Novato Advance accurately depict my views on Novato's current issues.

1. What¹s your stance on "big box" businesses?

I agree with Novato's surveys and plans that most people do not want the huge stores, which detract from our valuing Novato's small, family friendly town with smaller local businesses. Novato's smaller, local and green businesses provide services, supplies, and volunteers for Novato's sports, festivals, and schools. The smaller businesses also provide more substantial employment to those who live in our community.

2. How should the city respond to SMART and freight trains?

Novato needs to better understand consequential long terms costs, impacts on the environment, the public, and the relationship between trains and demographic changes. It also needs more information regarding costs for providing connecting shuttles and buses. The other issues concern the costs of building parking garages and their locations. The city needs information on alternatives, such as smaller electric cars and fuel efficient buses and shuttles.

3. What's the economic outlook for Novato?

Novato's economic outlook is good. We have a strong base of intelligent workers, families, volunteers, neighbors and strong, local businesses. New commercial growth needs to be directed towards filling in vacancies of our downtown and small shopping malls such as Novato Square, Nave Center, and the old and new Safeway centers. We need to protect and bolster our local businesses.

4. What are three of the biggest issues facing Novato?

Three biggest issues facing Novato are increase in traffic, maintenance of facilities, and overdevelopment. We need to increase bus service, paint and repair the pools and slow down development. Novato's uniqueness is in retaining its small town character, yet finding solutions for these issues with public involvement and cooperation. I would be honored to help our city spend wisely in solving these issues.

5. How will the city and the council attract new business to Novato?

New businesses which support the "Go Green" movement and are small in size want to be part of our wonderful city. When the city goes "Green" with a commercial ordinance and fills in present vacancies, we will become a model city noted for our creative ideas in sustaining our neighborhoods by reducing traffic and improving our unique environment.

6. Public service requires long hours and can be thankless work. Why do you want to be on the council?

I have lived in Novato for 15 years, and seen increases in traffic, lack of adequate bus service, and maintenance of public facilities. There is disregard for public concerns about retaining Novato's neighborhoods' well-being. I will continue working to protect our small town character, improve bus service and public facilities. I will bring a needed balance to the city council.