PD Editorial: Picks for SR Council

<p>Santa Rosa is no longer heading into an economically challenging time. It's there. Unfortunately, it also finds itself led by a divided City Council.</p><p>This split was never more apparent than in the 3-3 vote on Aug. 26 to turn down a 9.5 percent pay increase for police dispatchers. Mayor John Sawyer, Jane Bender and Carol Dean -- all of whom are up for re-election -- voted against the pay raise while Susan Gorin, Veronica Jacobi and Lee Pierce voted in favor. Among them, only Pierce faces re-election on Nov. 4.</p><p>It was a difficult decision. But the wisdom of blocking the raise has only become more evident as the city's projected budget deficit has swelled from $8.5 million to $10.5 million, triggering more debate about salary freezes, pay cuts and program reductions. This election will determine who controls the council and whether and how those choices get made.</p><p>Voters don't have it easy given the unprecedented number of candidates. There are 15 in all seeking five council seats. (For our recommendation in the race for the open two-year seat, see below.)</p><p>Among the 11 candidates for four four-year seats, we recommend Mayor John Sawyer and Councilman Lee Pierce and challengers Ernesto Olivares and Gary Wysocky.</p><p>As with Bender, Sawyer, owner of Sawyer's News, has shown the kind of fiscal discipline that the coming days will require. His experience and leadership will be critical, particularly when it comes to economic development, protecting public safety and revitalizing downtown.</p><p>While we did not agree with Pierce on some of his votes, including the pay raise, he has shown himself to be a hard-working public servant and a voice for under-represented residents. His four years of experience on the council also will be vital.</p><p>Among the challengers, Olivares stands out due to his 29 years as a Santa Rosa police officer, and, most recently, as a lieutenant in charge of gang prevention efforts. Olivares, who plans to retire by the end of the year, is widely respected for his problem-solving abilities, his work overseeing Measure O funds and his community involvement. He also would become the first Latino to sit on the City Council in Santa Rosa.</p><p>For the final seat, we found ourselves divided between Michael Allen, a staff worker for state Sen. Pat Wiggins, and Gary Wysocky, a certified public accountant, bicycling advocate and president of the Junior College Neighborhood Association.</p><p>Allen, who has degrees in nursing and law, comes with a reputation as a patient listener, problem solver and mediator. As a former countywide general manager for the Service Employees International Union and a former president of the North Bay Labor Council, he also is well versed on contract issues. But his close ties to unions and his commitments to such well-meaning but expensive initiatives as a living-wage ordinance could put him in conflict with the city's best interests.</p><p>In the end, we give the nod to Wysocky based on his background as a finance professional and his history as a strong advocate for bicycling. The City Council would benefit from keeping this a high priority, even during a time of austerity.</p><p>As for incumbent Carol Dean, we think she has been a strong and capable City Council member. We would endorse her, as we did in 2000, but when she was appointed to fill this seat two years ago she made a pledge not to run in 2008. We believe she should have honored her promise not to run.</p><p>The Press Democrat recommends John Sawyer, Lee Pierce, Ernesto Olivares and Gary Wysocky.</p>