Councilmember's Column (October 26 - November 1)

On my Mind
Tomorrow is Election Day and for those who haven’t already mailed in your ballots, I sure hope you make it out to the polls and encourage others to do the same. For many people, tomorrow is just another day, but for all the candidates for the Novato Fire Protection District, Novato School Board District, and the Novato City Council, it is a day that we have been working towards for several months now.

Campaigning is no easy task and while our views on various issues may align and differ, there is one common thread that we all share and that is a genuine desire to help shape our community. I have the utmost respect for all of my colleagues who have put themselves in the public eye. You make yourself very vulnerable when running for public office. Whether it is opening up to community meetings and candidate forums or becoming a target by the media or in online forums, the process certainly is not for the faint of heart. Candidates also have to publish all of their financial interests and also become subject to public records requests if elected. Essentially, your life becomes an open book. Even given all that, we have strong fields of candidates for the School Board, Fire Board, and City Council and that is a good thing for Novato. While uncontested elections might be less stressful, they aren’t great for democracy. Kudos to all who have thrown their hat in the ring.

Around Town
San Marin Halloween Parade – Great turnout on Saturday for the annual costume parade in San Marin. Special thanks to the parade organizers, volunteers, and the Police and Fire Departments for all lending a hand. Pictures.

The Week Ahead
Tuesday (November 3)
Election Day – Be sure to Vote
(No Council Meeting this week due to the election)

Wednesday (November 4)
Design Review Commission Meeting – 7:30PM (City Hall)

Thursday (November 5)
Economic Development Advisory Commission – 3:00PM (City Offices)