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Bookmark on Delicious| Development and council |
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ARGUS COURIER : Thursday, Oct 23, 2008 Letter to the Editor By BARRY BUSSEWITZ Editor: Thank you for sharing your thinking on the Petaluma City Council race (Argus-Courier, Oct. 2). However, I wish you had given more attention to your own online poll the same day, which showed development as the top concern of local residents. Petalumans recognize the very large-scale developments you featured on your front page the same day will at a minimum increase traffic by 50,000 cars per day, severely impact police and fire ability to deliver services, and overwhelm the city planning office, which just announced drastic layoffs. Furthermore, these projects are based on obsolete economic models — and Regency wants $10 million dollars of city money to build their shopping center at the old Kenilworth site! We should invest this money in our existing local businesses and enhance our sales tax base to provide the city services that we need. When voters express distrust with the direction of the current council, they mean decisions of the current five-member majority. Samantha Freitas, Karen Nau and previously Mike Healy have voted consistently with a majority whose campaigns are funded by tens of thousands of dollars from large developers, much of it from outside of Petaluma. We need a City Council that protects our interests, not development interests. We need a City Council that applies independent thinking to governing. The voters of Petaluma can see whose huge signs are located on large vacant property — candidates Samantha Freitas, Karen Nau and Mike Healy. I am voting for Tiffany Renée because she has demonstrated the readiness and commitment by her long-time engagement in civic organizations, city committees and City Council meetings. Tiffany Renée is prepared to apply sound thinking and independent integrity to our local government. We need smart development that fits Petaluma, not colossal overkill. David Glass has a tremendous record delivering the quality of projects that are consistent with the long-term values and character of the community we love. I am gratified that he is willing to serve another term on our council. Tiffany Renée and David Glass will restore balance and independence to the council and represent the public’s interest in Petaluma. Barry Bussewitz, Petaluma
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