Candidate for
Council Member; City of Cotati

Cotati is changing. It's no longer made up of a homogenous population. Its politics reflect a diversity that represents both local, regional, and global perspectives and challenges. We're no longer just a farming village, a remote small town, a countercultural enclave, a freeway-off-ramp suburb, or an university village. We are all of these and more. And we continue to evolve.

In recent years, cultural, economic, and demographic changes have led to both invigorating debates and divisive factionalism. The latter need not be. As citizens, we are capable of ennobling civic discourse that takes us beyond narrow concerns and allows us to honestly confront our differences without allowing them to harm the well being of the community. As Cotatians we best honor our small town values by manifesting them in our communal life and politics, in our compassion for others, and in our willingness to come together for the welfare of all.

We need leadership that can unify Cotati and make city government more responsive to its citizens. We need leadership that can align our collective values with policy actions appropriate to the 21st century challenges facing Cotati. I offer that leadership. Together, we can meet the challenges. We can:

• Protect and increase low-cost housing for workers, the elderly, and the disabled,
• Increase traffic calming measures for pedestrian safety,
• Promote kid-safe neighborhoods,
• Protect local and regional open spaces and habitats,
• Enhance police presence at times of greatest demand,
• Reform our budgetary structures and strategies to insure a continuing and ample reserve,
• Improve the relationships between city hall, businesses, and citizens,
• And transform civic discourse to improve citizen involvement.