League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Sonoma County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Sarah Glade Gurney Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Sebastopol

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Sonoma County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. Should WiFi and Smart Meters be restricted in Sebastopol? Should they be allowed at all and if so, where?

I adhere to the precautionary principle and believe that investigation and research should first demonstrate that these practices are safe, reliable, and secure. Concerns about administrative errors, job loss, increased costs, potential hazards, breach of privacy, and health risks must be adequately and convincingly addressed by independent professional sources.

2. Do you favor limiting growth or do you favor more growth? Please explain your answer.

I support our Urban Growth Boundary. It directs growth to available, key sites within our City and protects us with a surrounding green-belt. The properties that the City owns and currently uses as single-story, daytime car storage, present tremendous opportunity for the City to direct development to meet our community's priority needs. These needs were the result of six Town Hall meetings held this past year.

3. Do you want to build more housing for medium income people?

I have three top housing needs. First, I want the City to promote the building of moderate income level affordable housing, a category in which we are lacking. Second, I see the need for smaller scale housing in town, for first-time buyers and/or homeowners seeking to downsize and move into town nearer to services, community activities, and a walkable area in the event they no longer drive. Third, I see an opportunity for an assisted living facility, so that our elders can remain in town rather than be forced to relocate.

4. Would you like to see two way traffic returned to downtown Sebastopol?

No. When I moved here 32 years ago, our main streets were two-way. It was very difficult to get across these streets, to make any left-hand turn in the downtown area, and to move easily through town due to left-hand turners stopping traffic lanes, hence the decision to go to one-way. I want to address the safety and flow issues in the one-way system. Our pedestrians, bicyclists, and shoppers need a friendlier, more enjoyable atmosphere, with ease of travel and parking.

5. What measures would you suggest to help boost our local economy?

I support our Economic Development Coordinator, Business Out- reach Committee, Business Incubator, and Chamber of Commerce, in the efforts to improve service delivery, build successes, and enhance revenues. I will pursue improvements to our urban core and South Gravenstein areas, including our signage system. I will establish our Cittaslow Committee, to unify our business efforts, create economies of effort and money, and build synergy. I want to develop the City's lots to populate downtown with lively business and residents.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. Candidates may not refer to any other candidates in their answers.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 30, 2010 08:16
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