Marin Democratic Party Questionnaire

By Barbara Coler

Responses to Questionnaire

Responses from: Barbara Coler, Fairfax Councilmember & Candidate for Fairfax Town Council - 14 Ace Court, Fairfax, CA 94930 (415) 450-7860 barbaracoler@gmail.com

How long have you been a registered Democrat and what made you decide to register as Democrat? If you have ever registered in another party, which party was it? I have been registered as a Democrat since I was 21 (the law changed later to allow 18-year olds to vote). My family have always been Democrats, from my maternal & paternal grandparents (since they came to this country), my aunts, uncles, cousins, my parents & my sister. I have always been a registered Democrat. I firmly believe in the Democratic Party principles and will remain a Democrat.

What qualifies you to serve in the office which you seek? I currently serve on the Fairfax Town Council. I am a scientist with a long term commitment to protection of public health and the environment. I have Bachelor's and Master's degrees in biological sciences. I have decades of public service + I formerly lead statewide hazardous waste site cleanup and permitting programs for Cal/EPA (Department of Toxic Substances Control, DTSC) and, for the last nearly 5 years I enforced air quality laws and regulations for the nine Bay Area counties for the BAAQMD - Air District (just retired). I was also involved in major climate change initiatives for the District and the state. I have drafted and negotiated numerous types of legislation for statewide programs. I testified in Congress (Senate EQ Committee) on behalf of the then Governor and the National Governor's Association for 2 days on "Superfund" matters. I have lived 24 years in Marin County with 17+ in Fairfax. Prior to my Council appointment, I served on both the Fairfax Planning Commission and the Open Space Committee. For the last several years, I have also volunteered as an election poll officer, as a Chief Inspector for 2 precincts in Fairfax. I am an Incumbent on the Fairfax Town Council. Several community leaders have already stepped up to endorse me, most notably District Supervisor Katie Rice (see attached list). There are three incumbents (including myself) running for the three 4 year terms in addition to Mr. Christopher Lang. As the only non-incumbent in the race, Mr. Lang's viability is significantly weak, considering he has run for Fairfax Town Council in each of the last three elections and has never garnered more than 532 votes (out of over 5,400 voters). My education, and my many years of public service with state and local government has given me not only a good understanding of how government works, but also the ability to understand what doesn't work and how to get things done.

What are major issues facing the jurisdiction and how would you deal with them?

• Maintaining and Improving our Aging Infrastructure + We can achieve this goal by implementing critical disaster and other hazard mitigation projects in the near term. Ensuring that we have adequate lighting, roads, pedestrian walkways and other projects conducted which may pose safety concerns for our residents. We must proactively plan for the future by identifying needed public works projects, funding and grant opportunities.
• Living within our Budget + To do so, we will: seek opportunities to increase revenue while preserving our small town qualities by attracting businesses which complement and enhance existing businesses; identify and obtain grant funding; and increase revenue without overburdening residents. We should reduce revenue expenditures only when we are assured services will not be negatively impacted. My highest priority is ensuring we achieve long term economic vitality and that we provide high quality, locally-controlled public services to all Fairfaxians.
• Supporting and Enhancing our Environmental Sustainability Ethics + We can achieve this by preserving and acquiring open space, providing biking and adequate pedestrian trails and promoting other low carbon modes of transport (telecommuting, encouraging use of internet tools, buses and other non-single occupant commuting). We must adopt a climate change plan and promote zero waste by living by our motto "reduce, recycle & reuse."
• Protecting our Ridgelines and Open Space + Fairfax is defined by its vast open space and beautiful ridgelines. We must protect our open space, our ridgelines, wildlife corridors, ecology and the visual landscape. We must preserve and protect our biological and cultural resources. We must prevent any development or construction on our ridgelines and open space or any projects which could mar or otherwise impact our visual landscape. We will continue to acquire open space and preserve our existing open space for our Town.

Elected Officials & Candidates:  Katie Rice, Marin County Supervisor, District 2  Frank Egger, Director Ross Valley Sanitary District & Former Fairfax Mayor  John Reed, Mayor of Fairfax  Larry Bragman, Fairfax Councilmember  Mary Ann Maggiore, Former Fairfax Mayor  Lew Tremaine, Former Fairfax Mayor  Niccolo Caldararo, Former Fairfax Vice Mayor  Ryan O'Neil, Former Fairfax Councilmember  Pamela Meigs (RN), Director Ross Valley Sanitary District  Marnie Glickman, Candidate, Las Gallinas Sanitary District Boards & Commissions:  Laura Kerlein, Fairfax Planning Commissioner  Peter Lacques, Former Fairfax Planning Commissioner  Mimi Newton, Chair, Fairfax Open Space Committee  Ruth Horn, Fairfax Open Space Committee  Susan Adams, Air Quality Attorney & Fairfax Open Space Committee  Nancy Rogers, Fairfax Open Space Committee  Ted Pugh, Chair, Fairfax General Plan Implementation Committee  Cassidy DeBaker, Fairfax General Plan Implementation Committee  Bruce Ackerman, Fairfax General Plan Implementation Committee Labor/Non-Profits/Community Advocacy:  Susan Goldsborough, Executive Director, Families for Clean Air  Jean Berensmeir, San Geronimo Valley Community Advocate  Marin Professional Firefighters (Local 1775)  Max Perrey, Member, California Democratic Party Central Committee & 2012 Delegate, Democratic National Convention Community Members (partial list):  Valeri Hood  Bert Bartsch  Denise Ferry  Helen Fauss  Carol McCrae  Jane Richardson Mack  Jessica Green  Mary Jo Rice, Associate Director Marine Mammal Project, Earth Island Institute  Jim Rice, Retired Tamalpais Union High School District Teacher