Two supervisors back districts for Santa Rosa council

<p>Sonoma County Supervisors Efren Carrillo and Mike McGuire said Tuesday they don't believe Santa Rosa City Hall fairly represents the city's residents.</p><p>Both supervisors, who represent parts of west Santa Rosa, spoke outside the City Council chambers at a rally in favor of district elections.</p><p>Carrillo, who grew up in Roseland, pointed to a map showing that 87 percent of City Council members over the last 30 years have lived east of Highway 101. </p><p>“If you look at that map, that map is telling,” Carrillo said. “That just doesn't show representation, it doesn't show fairness, and it doesn't show that we're allowing our communities to empower themselves.”</p><p>McGuire said the map shows “City Hall is not created equal” and that “we are close to crossing the line of having a city of haves and have-nots.”</p><p>If Measure Q passes, the city would be divided into seven districts, with one council member from each.</p><p>Advocates say it would increase accountability of elected officials and lower the cost of elections, while opponents say the current system is fine and district elections would reduce people's chances to vote by 85 percent.</p>