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Post by jgaffney on May 28, 2008 15:45:42 GMT -5
Those of us who live in Santa Rosa or Rohnert Park know about the race for 3rd District Supervisor. Tim Smith, the elder, is retiring after 20 years on the board, and there's a cast of characters running for the open seat.
The only candidates who are really serious contenders, IMO, are Sharon Wright, the former mayor of Santa Rosa, and Tim Smith, the junior, and one-time mayor of Rohnert Park. I can't help but wonder if Tim Smith, the junior, is counting on a lot of voters being confused and voting for him because he has the same name as the outgoing, and much more highly qualified, incumbent.
DISCLOSURE:
I am helping Sharon Wright in her bid to become the next 3rd District Supervisor because I believe she is the best candidate. I am familiar with her tenure on the Santa Rosa City Council and the Sonoma County Transportation Authority. I am also familiar with Tim Smith, the junior, and his tenure on the Rohnert Park City Council. Tim Smith, the junior, is one of the main reasons why I decided to work on Sharon Wright's campaign.
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Post by The Big Dog on May 28, 2008 16:08:55 GMT -5
I don't have a dog in this hunt, since I live in the 2nd district, but based on my own reading and personal memory banks I'd have to support Sharon Wright as well. 20 years with a Smith on the board is enough for a while. Besides, much of what comes out of RP city government has an odor to it.
Call me out if you must, but if you wade in the cesspool that is RP politics, you're going to come away smelly.
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Post by The New Guy on May 28, 2008 22:02:09 GMT -5
i think i'll vote for that guy who stenciled his name on those plywood signs around RP and Penngrove. this guy apparently won't let little things like lack of funds stand in his way of making things happen.
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Post by saintjoeeric on Jun 2, 2008 1:28:29 GMT -5
I don't have a dog in this hunt, since I live in the 2nd district, but based on my own reading and personal memory banks I'd have to support Sharon Wright as well. 20 years with a Smith on the board is enough for a while. Besides, much of what comes out of RP city government has an odor to it. I have the misfortune of living in the 5th District, and one of the only candidates for 5th District supervisor who seems to have his head screwed on halfway straight is Guy Smith, who as far as I know is not related to either Tim Smith. I'll take this Smith over Rue Furch and Maddy Hirchfield in particular any time.  |
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Post by jbfrenchhorn on Jun 2, 2008 2:50:10 GMT -5
Hello jgaffney and everyone. Some of you may know me as Jeffrey from the new PD forum. This is my first post here.
Jgaffney, I live in the 3rd District too, and will probably be voting for Wright on Tuesday. Could you explain some of the differences between Wright and Smith and Zane? (Jacobi is pretty much out of the question for me.) How is Wright superior? Is it mainly experience, or are there big issues on which they differ?
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Post by jgaffney on Jun 2, 2008 14:37:36 GMT -5
Why I will vote against Tim Smith, the junior, in any race he's in: - When you read the campaign literature from Tim Smith, the junior, does it say anywhere that he is a lawyer? Why is he ashamed of that?
- Tim Smith, the junior, was on the RP City Council when they made the decision on the new City Hall. In spite of the fact that many people who participated in the City Center process in 2000, when Tim Smith, the junior, was not on the City Council, stated that they wanted a municipal presence on City Hall Drive that they could be proud of, Tim Smith, the junior, led the decision to hide City Hall drive on a side street. Why did Tim Smith, the junior, totally ignore the wishes of his constituents? Is he ashamed of government that he has to hide the government building on a side street, rather than make it a presence that will add prestige to the community?
- In a debate about a measure to make nightclubs and bars pay for alcohol education for their employees, a measure that was strongly supported by the community, Tim Smith, the junior, stated in his decision that he didn't really favor the measure but he could see opinion going against him, so he would vote yes. What kind of a principaled stand is that?
Why I will vote for Sharon Wright: - Sharon's service on the Santa Rosa City Council demonstrates her ability to work in a government environment and actually accomplish something. Sharon worked for both the Geysers Outfall project and the funding for the Highway 101 expansion.
- Sharon sees government as the instrument to facilitate your life, not regulate it. This is a very basic difference between progressives and conservatives - do you see government as the "be-all, end-all" or as a "necessary evil"?
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Post by jbfrenchhorn on Jun 2, 2008 15:05:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. Do you know if Smith supported the RP Council's "no contest" resolution with regard to the casino?
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