Meet Petaluma City Council Candidate Dennis Pocekay

PETALUMA, CA — Petaluma City Council candidate Dennis Pocekay makes his case to voters ahead of the November election in a Q&A with Patch:

Age (as of Election Day)

71

Town/City of Residence

Petaluma

Office Sought

Petaluma City Council

Party affiliation

Democrat

Family

I am married to Donna Norquist, age 67, and my children are Sean, 31, and Gina, 29.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

1970 BS/Engineering CalTech, Pasadena, CA
1971 MS/Applied Mechanics Stanford University, Stanford, CA
1973 Trainee in Epidemiology Creighton University, Omaha, NE
1976 MD Creighton University, Omaha, NE
1989 MPH University of California, Berkeley, CA

Occupation

Physician, 1977-present
Substitute teacher, PCS 2010-2017
Assistant Clinical Professor of Public Health Sciences, UCD 2011-2019

Campaign website

PocekayforCouncil2020.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

No previous elected office held; appointments include:
2011-13 City of Petaluma Youth Commission
2013-16 Stakeholder Advisory Group, Sonoma County Climate Action 2020
2020 Ad Hoc Committee on Equity, Petaluma Climate Action Commission

The single most pressing issue facing our (state, district, community, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

People who work in Petaluma should be able to live in Petaluma; for the foreseeable future, 50% of new units need to be affordable.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Our current City Council favors developers who want to build market rate housing, often in environmentally sensitive areas. This results in harm to our environment, increased traffic congestion and it endangers the very things that make Petaluma a unique place to live. The Council has lost sight of the fact that we often find ourselves saying goodbye to our friends and family who can no longer afford to live here. The current beneficiaries of development in Petaluma are developers, rather than we who live and work here.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

See above. And while experience does have value, it also means you have a track record. Voting to authorize development in environmentally sensitive areas demonstrates a lack of commitment to dealing with climate disruption. Failure to address our affordability crisis demonstrates a lack of commitment to affordable housing. The current council has been in office 8 years and more, yet our problems remain the same. Our next City Council will make decisions that will shape life in Petaluma for decades to come. Some will tell you that this is not a time for change. I believe that now is the time for new voices with new ideas. Petaluma needs a city council that is not beholden to special interests, values transparency, is proactive and recognizes that we need new solutions to old problems.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

We can’t debate the climate emergency any longer. I will defend your right to a healthy future by fully funding and staffing our Climate Action Commission. Once on the Council I will insist that all council decisions clearly state the impact on the climate and transparently explain, when necessary, why a more environmentally friendly choice was not made.

Racism is also a public health emergency. As a council member I will insist on people of color being placed at the center of discussions related to understanding racial injustice in our town. We should also institute civilian oversight of the police. The public trust demands it and the health of our community requires it.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a physician with advanced degrees in engineering and public health, I am experienced in synthesizing large amounts of complex information towards practical solutions. And I have frequently dealt with crises that require thoughtful and immediate response.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

Having Petaluma recognized as a healthy, inclusive, and sustainable community.

Why should voters trust you?

The current presidential race is a stark reminder that values matter. As a husband, parent, physician, educator, and community volunteer I have demonstrated my commitment to transparency, respect, fairness, and community.

When I think about our city, the fact is that the voices that get listened to the most by our current council are those of developers. I am running because I hear your voices…. The voices that say you are doing harm when you approve of building in the flood plain. The voices that say, you are doing harm because my children will have to move because housing is too expensive. The voices that say, you are doing harm because I work in your stores and restaurants and I can’t afford to live here.

As a physician I learned that the most important thing is to “do no harm.”

As we talk about the challenges Petaluma faces, listen closely and think about which candidate will hear your voice.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

Petaluma must increase revenue in order to avoid bankruptcy in the near future. The current council has placed a sales tax increase on the ballot in the upcoming election. If I had been on the council when this decision was made, I would have sought other forms of revenue. However, since the council was unanimous in voting for this solution, I am reluctantly supporting its passage. The council has no higher responsibility than a full accounting to the public for how it uses your tax dollars. I believe the new council must early on declare its priorities for the spending of any new revenue.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

NO

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

My Mom said to me, many times, "Just because everyone else jumps off a cliff, are you going to do it, too."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My wife and I moved to Petaluma 26 years ago because we fell in love with this town. We were charmed by the opportunity to intermingle with folks from all walks of life. We enjoyed the eclectic funkiness of downtown and the ability to patronize small businesses. We eagerly joined in the annual celebrations that surround the Sonoma-Marin Fair and Butter & Eggs Day. The river provided a place of calm and a precious respite from our busy professional lives. This was a wonderful place to raise our two children.