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| Local endorsements Our picks for Congress, State Assembly, Sausalito City Council, Marin Health Care District and the Marin Municipal Water District 6th Congressional District Woolsey is one of the most liberal members of Congress. Her environmental, civil rights, consumer, gun control and pro-choice vote ratings are consistently in the 90-plus percent range and often 100 percent. She is an outspoken foe of the Bush administration on foreign policy and other major issues. While there are reasons to find fault with Woolsey’s performance, particularly in the realm of actual legislative accomplishments, it’s usually clear where she stands on important issues. Hooper is not an unreasonable choice. However, we prefer Woolsey’s clear and sound positions on issues like Iraq, the environment and choice and the fact that she would not vote to re-elect the current Republican leadership in the House, which shares responsibility for much of what is wrong with current U.S. foreign and domestic policies. State Assembly Jared Huffman emerged from a crowded Democratic primary to win his party’s nomination, while Michael Hartnett, an M.D., is the Republican candidate. Hartnett is not a typical Republican candidate and appears to be very different from most of those running for statewide offices. In reviewing their responses to a Pacific Sun questionnaire, we find them to have similar views on many issues. Both Huffman and Hartnett oppose Proposition 90 and support Proposition 89. Huffman opposes Proposition 85, while Harnett talks about how it falls short, but doesn’t take a clear position. Both oppose the death penalty and call for reform of our state prison system. Huffman opposes term limits, and Hartnett would modify them but not throw them out. Huffman supports “civil marriage” for same-sex couples while Hartnett favors “civil unions between same-sex couples with the rights of marriage.” Both saw An Inconvenient Truth, accept global warming as a reality and support measures to address it. Both have thoughtful comments about education. Huffman focuses on the need to produce better educational results in the lowest performing schools in low-income communities. Hartnett calls for strong academic standards, more local control, school choice, more focus on science and math, and outreach to parents. Huffman supports comprehensive healthcare reform, calling for a single-payer system. Physician Hartnett has strong feelings about healthcare and advances a seven-point plan that calls for malpractice reform and more personal responsibility, including health savings accounts an optional prescription drug plan and encouraging, but not requiring, employers to provide health insurance. The choice between the two is not as dramatic as in many partisan races. Huffman has 12 years of experience as a Marin Municipal Water District director and years of advocacy at multiple levels of government representing the Natural Resources Defense Council, in addition to other public interest legal work. Hartnett, who is active in a local taxpayers organization, is running for political office for the first time. Huffman clearly has a big edge in public policy experience and, given his career and experience, seems a more dependable voice for environmental protection. He also has clearer positions in some other important areas. While we appreciate Hartnett’s enlightened positions in many areas, unfortunately for him, his opponent is exceptionally capable, committed to the public interest, and better tested and seasoned in public office. Marin Healthcare The district, which has become known for its internal battles among board members and as a focus for conflict among different factions in the community, recently agreed with Sutter Health, through a stipulated judgment approved by a court, to sever ties by 2010. This action means the district will reassume direct responsibility for the hospital and for the expensive proposition of meeting earthquake safety standards by 2015. The next board will make crucial decisions setting the future course for the hospital as well as important elements of healthcare in Marin. Eight candidates are on the ballot to fill three seats. Two physicians, Larry A. Bedard, an emergency physician, and James A. Clever, who is retired, are running as a slate under the banner “Alliance to Save Our Hospital.” Jennifer Rienks, Kathleen C. Russell, and Jonathan Frieman are also running as a slate affiliated with “Friends of the Marin Healthcare District.” Richard Leon Holland and Lori Wood are not affiliated, and Del Totten has effectively withdrawn from the race. Frieman and Rienks have both run for this board in the past, and Bedard served on the board from ’92 to ’96. Lori Wood is the board’s former secretary. Holland, a new face in Marin, emphasizes his independence and ability to work with everyone. See his Web site at www.rickholland.com for more information. For all of the past divisiveness, the district’s split with Sutter creates a situation where even competing factions generally agree on some basic things: The coming few years will be a transition period. New leadership will be needed for Marin General. A plan that addresses seismic needs, including a bond measure, must be developed quickly. Most candidates support building a new wing rather than retrofitting. There is also general support for Marin General going it alone as an independent hospital. “Friends” say they would never sell or lease. The “Alliance” members are not unequivocal, but also say they support developing an independent hospital if feasible. The stakes are high. Depending on how it is managed and how it is able to survive in a hostile, competitive healthcare environment, Marin General could thrive again as an independent hospital offering a broad range of high-quality care and services, or, at worst, be squeezed out of existence by economics and decisions made by its board. We would like to see board members who reflect different strengths, each complementing the other, who are committed to listening to each other and the community, and who strive to find common ground, rather than blaming each other and emphasizing differences. We think Frieman’s credentials—which include a law degree and a master’s in public administration with a concentration in health administration—and his experience with nonprofits as well as his progressive approach to issues would add a valuable dimension to the board. Holland and his family just moved to Marin in 2004. We find Holland’s international background in ranching, teaching, administration, and environmental work refreshing and think it may provide a basis for creative thinking and a break with past battles. We believe Clever’s medical experience, including his service as a hospital chief of staff, and the fact that he is retired and not affiliated with Marin General, equip him well to serve on the board. We endorse Frieman, Holland and Clever. Marin Municipal Water District Brian Chase, who is 24 years old and describes himself as a self-employed water treatment consultant, grew up in San Anselmo. He returned to Marin after earning a B.S. at the University of Southern California and gaining some work experience. He wants to serve his community and says he would provide younger leadership that would be useful in attracting new, younger workers to MMWD. While he made an effective and professional presentation in his interview with the Sun, unfortunately for him, he is facing two opponents with vastly more experience and knowledge in areas relevant to this position. We hope he involves himself deeply in his community and continues to gain experience for future public service. David Behar has a résumé tailor-made for the position. He works in the Water Enterprise division of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which is responsible for storing, treating and delivering water to 2.4 million customers, planning for future supplies and managing resources of the affected watersheds. He was formerly executive director of the Bay Institute and consulted and managed programs for organizations such as Cal Trout, Pacific Rivers Council and Natural Resources Defense Council. He has a long, impressive endorsement list ranging from area environmentalists, local elected officials, the Sierra Club and Marin Democratic Party to the Marin Builders Association and Marin Realtors Political Action Committee. Behar says he will work for increased conservation and recycling; reduce our dependence on diversions from the Russian River; evaluate desalination with a careful eye to need, cost and environmental impacts; find nontoxic strategies to control invasive vegetation on Mt. Tam to protect against wildfires while promoting biodiversity—and do all this while balancing the budget and keeping water rates fair and reasonable. Behar is clearly very bright and confident. His confidence has sometimes been perceived as abrasive and can come across as arrogance. Frank Egger served on the Fairfax Town Council for 39 years, longest of any councilmember in the state, and has fought many environmental battles over those years for causes such as banning pesticide use and preserving wild lands, rivers and the coast. He’s also been active in social justice and a variety of other progressive efforts. He has a much smaller list of endorsing environmentalists and organizations including the Green Party of Marin, Marin Peace & Justice Coalition and Social Justice Center of Marin. The Sierra Club, which has endorsed him in the past, is endorsing Behar. Egger has been a dependable crusader for strong environmental positions. We respect his service and his commitment. His refusal to compromise whatever he sees as his principles, while generally commendable, can be a problem in working with others. He says he would be a minority voice on the MMWD board and flatly opposes desalinization while his two opponents say they need more analysis before making a decision. We like his strong commitment to conservation and recycling and his creative new ideas, but we question whether he is the best possible advocate for many of his own positions. David Behar is exceptionally well qualified for this position and has strong environmental credentials as well. We are somewhat concerned about the undercurrent of comment regarding his sometimes abrasive personality. However, the large majority of local leaders who are familiar with both Behar and Egger have endorsed Behar, including respected incumbent Jared Huffman. We believe Behar has the knowledge, skills and perspective to serve Marin well in this position and, in doing so, to look for practical and environmentally sound ways of solving problems. Sausalito City Council, two at large The only incumbent, Dennis Scremin, has a background in human services management and direct counseling services. He makes a case that he has used his skills to resolve conflict and bring the Council and community together. In 2002, Sausalito voters, with the community sharply divided, defeated a ballot measure proposing construction of a new public safety facility for police and fire. The building was desperately needed because of seismic problems and generally non-functional buildings. With Scremin’s involvement, the current Council brought the community together around a relocated and redesigned project resulting in 81 percent voter approval of the revised measure. As mayor, Scremin worked to bring the Tour of California to Sausalito, and wants to do more outreach in the future to promote the event. He also says that he is proud of his fiscally responsible approach to managing the city’s finances and savings set aside during his term as mayor. Herb Weiner is a retired small businessperson who operated service stations and car washes in Sausalito and a number of other local communities. He is a former Chamber of Commerce and Rotary president and has been an active volunteer in many local organizations and events. He says he wants to maintain and preserve what Sausalito has and make City Hall more user friendly. He believes he learned a lot from listening to his customers and that he has a knack for acting based on common sense. Jonathan Leone came within less than 200 votes of being elected in the 2004 City Council election. He has an MBA from Dartmouth and cites experience in business, management and finance including commercial lending for real estate projects. He has served on the Sausalito Telecommunications and Waste and Recycling commissions as well as the Sausalito Planning Commission, the latter for six years, including two years as chair. In his campaign he places the greatest emphasis on preserving Sausalito’s environment and historic heritage. He campaigned very actively for the August bond measure and has detailed knowledge and ideas concerning every Sausalito land-use issue. We believe Scremin has made many positive contributions to Sausalito as a councilmember and mayor and see no reason to end his service. Leone has the skills and knowledge to serve on the council and also seems to have a particular passion for protecting what is so special about Sausalito. Weiner is likable, knows and loves his community and has much to contribute. When asked about specifics he, more frequently than the other two, talks about using common sense rather than providing a more detailed response. We hope that the council and community provide plenty of opportunity for Weiner to continue to make valuable contributions to the city he loves. More ‘Sun’ Endorsements: |
More ‘Sun’ Endorsements: Statewide Offices State Propostions & Measures Our Endorsements: SUN ENDORSEMENTS U.S. Senate Governor Lt. Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Controller Treasurer Insurance Commissioner State Board of Equalization Congress, 6th District State Assembly, 6th District Marin County Supervisor, District 5 Marin Healthcare District Board MMWD Sausalito City Council Proposition 1A YES Measure R (SMART) YES |
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