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By KEVIN McCALLUM
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Mike McGuire.
Sonoma County Supervisors Efren Carrillo and Mike McGuire said Tuesday they don’t believe Santa Rosa City Hall fairly represents the city’s residents.
Both supervisors, who represent parts of west Santa Rosa, spoke outside the City Council chambers at a rally in favor of district elections.
Carrillo, who grew up in Roseland, pointed to a map showing that 87 percent of City Council members over the last 30 years have lived east of Highway 101.
“If you look at that map, that map is telling,” Carrillo said. “That just doesn’t show representation, it doesn’t show fairness, and it doesn’t show that we’re allowing our communities to empower themselves.”
McGuire said the map shows “City Hall is not created equal” and that “we are close to crossing the line of having a city of haves and have-nots.”
If Measure Q passes, the city would be divided into seven districts, with one council member from each.
Advocates say it would increase accountability of elected officials and lower the cost of elections, while opponents say the current system is fine and district elections would reduce people’s chances to vote by 85 percent.
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2 important practices would reflect true democratic values here.
of course the practice of districts implemented would help ensure fairness in representation and……..
one term participation because public office is not a career but an opportunity to serve the greater good..
J.R.WIRTH :
I wouldn’t say its “about have-nots” trying to get more from the East siders.
I would say its “about the East siders trying to keep their good old boy network in full operation.”
The best way to ensure everyone has a say in how government operates is to ensure every politician bows to the voters in his DISTRICT.
DISTRICT ELECTIONS are the key to breaking the backbone of the long running corruption and good old boy network in Sonoma County.
This is about the “have-nots” angling for more milk from the east Santa Rosa teet. East Santa Rosa is already the milk cow for the entire city. If they need money on that side of town maybe they should sell those cars up on blocks in their front yards and smoke less weed. They have money for rims though, they always have money for rims.