Future development was cited as the most important issue in the City Council campaign in an Argus-Courier online poll Sept. 25, 2008.
Seven of the 27 respondents (25.9 percent) cited future development as the biggest issue, followed by the city budget (14.8 percent). Four other choices ” the local economy, the water supply, public safety and maintaining/updating infrastructure ” each got three votes (11.1 percent).
Asked if they have decided which candidates they plan to vote for, 51.9 percent of respondents said they have made up their minds, while 48.1 percent said they have not decided.
Six candidates are running for three seats: incumbents Karen Nau and Samantha Freitas and challengers Spence F. Burton, David Glass, Mike Healy and Tiffany Renée.
Here are comments by those who responded to the survey.
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“I’m most worried about future growth. Sounds like the old Kenilworth site is going to be set up for a strip mall without expanding the East Washington Street overpass and interchange. If you can’t put in something better than the Town Village in Corta Madera or the Irvine Spectrum in Irvine, then we don’t want it.”
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“Any candidate who tries to promote the Rainier crosstown connector ” run away from them!”
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“At the recent City Council candidates forum, I heard a couple of them make statements that I know not to be true. First of all, this is a downright shame. Second, I sincerely hope that the media picks up on those falsehoods and lets the public know the truth.”
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“I’ll vote for the candidates who support the Target center. Petaluma desperately needs the tax revenue to improve our streets and provide basic services. I’m tired of donating all of my tax money to Rohnert Park through my frequent shopping trips up there. It’s no surprise that Rohnert Park has a gorgeous library and streets, considering all the leakage of tax revenue from Petaluma. By the way, when I drive all that way, I usually buy lunch, fill up my gas tank and so on. Bye bye, Petaluma tax revenue!”
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“I think we have made some bad decisions choosing our City Council representatives. I’m hoping people look at intelligence and at those in touch with the huge issues facing our culture.”
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“Like all politicians, everyone of them will tell you what you want to hear, but things aren’t going to change. It is so sad, but reality rears its ugly head.”
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“Why do you only let me vote for one issue? I feel that there are (others that are) very important.”
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“I hope everyone can see whose big signs are sitting perched above giant parcels awaiting approvals for development. This is because these candidates are receiving contributions and support from the development folks. Which candidates are running to represent the community’s will? Look to the signs on your friends’ yards!”