Sierra Club Questionnaire

By Valerie K. Brown

Question 1: Basis for Candidacy. Please describe the reasons you decided to run.

I believe my experience as a policy maker and community advocate, coupled with my knowledge of the district make me a strong voice for issues we care most about + preserving the environment and our quality of life in Sonoma County. In August 2002, I was appointed by Governor Gray Davis to fill Mike Cale's vacated seat on the board. I collected 4000+ signatures to qualify for the ballot and won my election in November. In the year I have served on the board I have derived great satisfaction in working on issues of importance to the county as well as those specific to the First District. Certainly my legislative budget background and work as the Chair of the State Governmental Organization Committee provide me a unique understanding of how the current dismal fiscal trends are going to continue to impact county programs and services.

Question 2: Identify Core Constituents and community leaders you expect will support you.

Support has come from all sectors, Mayor of Sonoma, Chamber of Commerce board members, Ecology Center board members, leaders of non-profits and veteran's groups. Working with a vast and diverse constituency has brought many people to the table. Active problem solving has been the goal + support has come from those who have worked directly and indirectly with me throughout the last year.

Question 3: If elected to the Board of Supervisors, what will be your priorities?

Currently before the board is our General Plan Update. One of my issues has been to begin the process of monitoring our ground water supplies, through well-monitoring and groundwater surveys. Although both are costly practices, I believe we come much closer to achieving data for future decisions by beginning now to collect information.

Question 4: Please tell us of your past civic and/or personal actions that demonstrate your involvement and support for environmental protection.

My involvement in the siting of a casino on Highway 37 and Lakeville Highway began the process of developing a coalition of support from Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressional members Lynn Woolsey and Mike Thompson and Assemblymember Joe Nation, and 4 counties with resolutions to support preserving land surrounded by public trust land. I am pleased that this work with environmentalists and elected officials has led to the turning over of 1600 acres to the Sonoma Land Trust to raise funds for purchase of that property to be protected in perpetuity.

Questions 5: What Sonoma County natural resources/systems do you consider in need of protection? What environmental issues would you become actively involved with once elected? What activities would you undertake to ensure that these goals are accomplished?

Water....water....water.....

Questions 6: Sierra Club's Sonoma Group Executive Committee has identified land use and water issues as two of our highest conservation priorities. Please describe how you think the County General Plan update should address environmental sustainability, land use and water concerns.

I have already addressed water + with regard to land use I believe the General Plan provides an excellent framework for land use and am comfortable with the process involving CAC development of future changes instead of a staff driven document.

Question 7: What do you consider to be the most serious threats presented by the proposed casino outside Rohnert Park, and what strategy are you pursing to counter those threats?

At this juncture, the only thing I can do is make sure that dollars are dedicated to active mitigation of the increased costs of transportation, water, sewer and housing. The federal government failed to give local governments a way to fight casino development + through my active work with the CSAC Indian Gaming Task Force we have forwarded an agenda requiring judicially enforceable agreements that protect local government from having to use their resources to pay for the negative impacts. I have worked at the federal and state level to correct poor policy decisions and believe it will probably take an initiative to change California's policy.

Question 8: Do you support the Citizen's Advisory Committee recommendation that the General Plan be modified to prevent conversion of RRD forestlands to other uses? (This is the option known as "Option 3" in the PRMD staff reports.)

I have don't have a position on this issue.

Question 9: What is your position on converting existing agricultural zoned land outside of urban areas for large-scale development? Comments about the proposed hotel/resort developments in the Kenwood area are requested)

The only proposed development in Kenwood is one designed for property already designated K zoning. The developers are asking to increase the number of rooms in the Inn from 36 to 50 rooms and to decrease the number of houses from 14 to 11. Without having seen the total report + I am pleased with a number of things regarding this project: 1) Putting the oak savanna into permanent open space, and 2) building a trail with access to Hood Mountain complete with separate parking for those accessing the trail. I am not opposed to increasing the units + unless there are mitigating circumstances which cannot be resolved. The county General Plan suggests 50 as a number, which can be accommodated. As for converting land from Ag for large-scale development I am opposed.

Question 10: How do you plan to fund your campaign?

I have a campaign account from 2001 and have continued to raise funds.

Question 11: Why is a Sierra Club endorsement important to you?

I am a member of the Sierra Club and have enjoyed its support throughout my terms of office at the state level. I support and appreciate the value of the efforts of the Sierra Club to protect the environment. I would be honored to be endorsed.

Questions 12: If we endorse you, what are the most effective ways we can help you get elected?

By letting your members know I am your candidate.