PD Editorial: Solid record

For many years, Rohnert Park was a city divided.

Bitter disagreements, primarily over development, festered between elections as control of the City Council whipsawed back and forth and successive city managers were shown the door.

The past four years stand in sharp contrast. A new council majority emerged from the warring factions and set aside old differences to build a record of accomplishment.

Rohnert Park has become an example of what local government can achieve. Much of the credit goes to Mayor Jake Mackenzie, Councilman Tim Smith and Councilwoman Vicki Vidak-Martinez, who came from different corners to form a new majority after the 2004 election.

The slow-growth movement produced Mackenzie and Smith. Vidak-Martinez was elected with support from development interests. But they share a commitment to fiscal restraint and government transparency. Their record includes successes on finance, economic development and responsible city management.

Rohnert Park, more than any other city in Sonoma County, is addressing the crippling effect of rising health care costs. The council negotiated a contract with police and firefighters that reduces the city's long-term unfunded liability $30 million by creating a two-tiered retirement system that retains Cadillac benefits for existing employees and retirees, while offering lower, but still generous, benefits for new recruits.

On economic development, the council worked with Codding Enterprises to create Sonoma Mountain Village, which combines housing, commercial space and a small-business incubator on the former Agilent Technologies campus. The green-friendly development puts Rohnert Park in position to attract a new generation of entrepreneurs.

The council also promoted Steve Donley, a creative city manager who is untainted by local political wars and has the respect of his peers. Donley orchestrated the purchase and renovation of an existing building as a cost-effective way to replace Rohnert Park's aging City Hall. He also is building a staff team needed to fulfill the city's visions of a new University District and redevelopment of the stadium area.

These are impressive achievements, and they build on the general plan that Mackenzie and Vidak-Martinez helped craft in the 1990s.

Four others are running for council. John Borba, an attorney, is active in civic organizations. So is Gina Belforte, who owns a carpet-cleaning business. Joe Callinan, a planning commissioner, comes from one of the first families to move into Rohnert Park. Dawna Gallagher served on the council in the 1990s.

Borba, Belforte and Callinan focus on budget concerns and economic development. Gallagher is campaigning as an advocate of Measure L, an ill-advised initiative to roll back sewer rates in Rohnert Park.

None of them offers a compelling argument for unseating council members who have served their constituents well. The Press Democrat recommends Mackenzie, Smith and Vidak-Martinez for Rohnert Park City Council.