Marin Democratic Party / Endorsement Questionnaire

By David Weinsoff

Endorsement Given: Questions and answers provided to the Marin Democratic Party for their endorsement.

2. The central quality I believe I have brought to my work on the Town Council, and the one that I trust the Fairfax community believes qualifies me to continue in service to them, is a fundamental respect for our diverse range of opinions on the central issues of concern to us all. I was elected to the Town Council four years ago when the rough-and-tumble of our Council's work interfered with the challenges of governing a small town. I have worked collaboratively with all of my Council colleagues to ensure our economic recovery from the great flood of December 2005 through the extraordinarily trying economic times of the past year have been undertaken consistent with our community's collective core values.

3. The central challenge facing the Fairfax Town Council over the coming four years (and I fear beyond) will be the responsiblity of providing essential services - public safety, infrastructure, social programs - at a time of diminishing financial resources. The Fairfax community has been extremely generous in providing the Town with "Measure F," a $125 per dwelling and business tax. Measure F, which is on the ballot for renewal in November as "Measure I," would extend this source of revenue for another 5 year period. Combined with our property tax and limited sales tax, the Council will have to ensure our excellent police and fire services are fully funded; our public works projects focus on maintaining the infrastructure of our roads, stormdrains, and pubic buildings; and that we identify enough revenue to continue support for programs targeting the well-being of our seniors and young people. In the past four years we have met this responsibliity by keeping a firm grip on public spending, budgeting wisely, and hiring a very talented team of municipal employees. As state and county grant funding becomes ever more scarce, our Town Council and Town staff will continue to identify innovative ways to meet our fiscal and social obligations in a way that ensures that Fairfax forever maintains its small-town character.