REDWOOD NEEDLES Presented by the Sierra Club Redwood Chapter Newsletter, The REDWOOD NEEDLES Return to Article Menu Windsor Recall and UGB Election By Peter Ashcroft, Sonoma Group Delegate to the Chapter One of the most pressing environmental issues we face in Sonoma County is that of urban sprawl. The town of Windsor itself seemingly exploded overnight, with only belated consideration given to such infrastructure elements as schools, local shopping, and parks. In an effort to slow urban sprawl, several communities (Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Healdsburg, and Rohnert Park) passed Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) initiatives in 1996. Windsor too will place the issue before the voters on January 6, 1998. UGBs will not in themselves solve long term land use planning problems; they are admittedly only a stopgap measure. Nevertheless, they are one important step in the direction of more orderly growth and efficient use of those areas already within city boundaries. In 1994 and 1996, three Windsor City Council members were elected on platforms of orderly growth rather than the sprawl that had characterized expansion of Windsor in the past. These three council members (Mayor Sam Salmon, Mayor Pro Tem Lynn Morehouse, and Deborah Fudge) have now been targeted for recall. As was the case in their original elections, these three candidates are again officially endorsed by the Sierra Club at the local and national levels. The basis of the campaign against the sitting council members are largely vague allegations of "having not lived up to campaign promises," and "mismanaging the town." Unfortunately, these kind of nebulous accusations are difficult to refute precisely because they are so poorly defined. One of the few specific criticisms that has been articulated relates to the decision not to extend the town sewer service two miles beyond the city limits to the proposed Shiloh Meadows golf course development in the hills above town. The council members were courageous to oppose this financially risky project that would have spurred excessive growth. Nevertheless, recall advocates have exploited the decision to make unsubstantiated claims about dire financial consequences for the town. Because campaign finance disclosure laws are so easily circumvented, it is not clear who is bankrolling the recall campaign. It is clear though that the campaign is well funded and very well organized. The level of organization is demonstrated by the speed with which recall advocates were able to gather the number of signatures required to force the recall election. Moreover, the recall forces need only displace one of the three council members in order to regain a pro-development majority on the city council. It is no coincidence that the UGB initiative and the recall vote will be on the same ballot; they are two manifestations of the same issue. This election will shape the future of Windsor most directly, but the repercussions will be felt throughout Sonoma County. For that reason, it is essential that we all do what we can to support an agenda of orderly and controlled growth rather than sprawl. What you can do: If you live in Windsor, be sure to vote. Educate your neighbors about the issue, and urge them to vote as well. If you or someone you know can volunteer to help fight the recall, call 838-1439. If you are able to help with the UGB campaign, call 837-8656. With the election so close, the need for volunteers is critical. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. The Press Democrat, the Windsor Times, and the Independent are all appropriate. Return to Article Menu Last updated on 12/6/97 Comments or suggestions? Drop us a line at heyneedles@aol.com