PD Editorial: A need for change in Santa Rosa

If it's true that politics is local, then it is also true that all elections are emotional. And this one on Tuesday is no different.

In Santa Rosa, voters are confronted with mixed messages and provoked emotions about whether the current progressive City Council majority should remain in authority or whether it's time for a shift. We believe it's time for a new direction, which is why we have endorsed candidates Jake Ours and Scott Bartley in this election.

But first let's discuss what this election is not about. Some City Council candidates would have voters believe that this election is about "clean water" and protecting Santa Rosa from sprawl. Don't believe it. These are emotional topics for sure, but Santa Rosa's water is clear, pure and safe and there is no decision that will be before the council in the near future that will jeopardize the city's water supply. Nor will there be any issues concerning sprawl. The city has long since passed an urban growth boundary, which should be, and most likely will be, renewed, through Measure O on Tuesday's ballot, and there is no debate among City Council candidates about that. The city has adopted a general plan that protects neighborhoods, preserves open space and requires city-centered development. There is no disagreement about that either.

This election is about setting the right tone and vision for the city and about addressing the staggering economic losses that threaten more closures of fire stations and city centers, reductions of city staff and loss of city services. Since 22 percent of the city's total revenue comes from sales tax revenues and 18 percent come from property tax revenues, there is no getting around the importance of the retail and housing markets on the health of the city budget.

Unfortunately, Santa Rosa is governed by a City Council that is divided and lacks a clear direction. Fair or not, this has contributed to the city's reputation for being difficult to work with for small business owners seeking minor changes to expand here as well as large companies that would like to make Santa Rosa their home. It may be true, as some contend, that the business leaders have long complained about uncertainties in the city planning process and the time it takes to get approval for projects. But given the state of the economy, the stakes are higher now. And reputations matter.

For the record, we do not believe this council race is just about the Lowe's decision. As with many, this newspaper opposed the Lowe's project because of the traffic circulation problems it would have created in the Santa Rosa Avenue area. There were better alternatives available. We believe this election is more about decisions that got less attention but sent equally discouraging messages to those in the community seeking job development.

For example, shortly after the new City Council majority took control in early 2009, the council changed direction in working with developers planning a six-story hotel and 545-space city parking garage on the E Street surface parking lot that formerly housed the White House department store. The council began talking about reducing parking and making other changes. The result? The project fell apart.

Was the project doomed by the economy anyway? Possibly. But it's also true that the city needs to deal fairly and consistently with those who seek permits, whether it's a resident who wants to build a detached garage or a developer who wants to build a mixed-use project downtown.

This is why we have supported Jake Ours, who oversaw the revitalization of downtown San Rafael, and Scott Bartley, a longtime respected Planning Commission member, in this council election. This would assure the city of a council majority that would keep the city on an even keel, protecting both the city's natural spaces and economic environment while establishing Santa Rosa's reputation as a city dedicated to good planning but open to improvement and change.

Santa Rosa needs a council that is more unified and able to make the hard decisions that are in the best interests of the entire community - not any particular special interest, political party or those who protest the loudest at City Council meetings.

We encourage voters to elected Jake Ours and Scott Bartley and to set the city in the right direction by voting yes on Measure P, a quarter-cent sales tax that would prevent deeper and more devastating cuts for the city. The next round is likely to include the elimination of the Senior Center and the closure of another fire station.

On Tuesday, we encourage voters to look past the attempts to manipulate emotions and base their decisions on fact. Of course the challenge is that looking for facts requires more time and energy than responding to emotions provoked by campaign ads and mailers. But local voters have a reputation for taking the time to make the right choice.

Most of all, we encourage locals to vote. If you have an absentee ballot, it's too late to mail it in. Just take it to the county registrar of voters office or drop it off at a polling place. For all others, polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.