Tom's Plans for San Anselmo

By Tom McInerney

I'm running for Town Council because our town is in need of new leadership, energy, and innovative ideas, and I ask for your support.

San Anselmo threatens to flood nearly every year, has more boarded up storefronts today than after the 2005 flood, and faces significant budgetary challenges. When faced with challenges, our town leaders are often reactive, addressing problems and crises as they arise. To confront our challenges, however, we need energetic and innovative leaders that are proactive and forward-thinking. We need leaders with the foresight to anticipate challenges before they arise and the courage to confront our problems head-on.

My vision for San Anselmo includes a vibrant business community in which business and government leaders work together cooperatively, not as antagonists, to maintain a downtown in which all citizens, including families, seniors, bicyclists, and other citizens come together to create a greater sense of community. My vision for San Anselmo includes an open and accessible government in which all members feel as if they are part of the process and, therefore, stakeholders in the success of our town.

My vision includes a town government that requires that each department create long-range plans, including 2- and 5-year budget plans, so that we engage in true long-term planning for things such a real community center. My vision includes a San Anselmo that maintains the charm of our small town and our wonderful open spaces, while at the same time a town government of the 21st century that has on-line capabilities for registrations and permitting and planning and building ordinances that encourage green building and energy and water conservation.

ENSURING GREATER ACCESSIBILITY TO OUR TOWN GOVERNMENT

For too long San Anselmo town government has had a reputation of being insular and not receptive to new ideas. I am a strong advocate of making our town government more accessible to all citizens, including those with families. Town meetings should be held on Saturday mornings and at other times to encourage greater participation by parents with young children. Town services should be more transparent and available by bringing all our town services on-line. Residents and business owners should be able to apply for building permits and to participate in recreation activities on-line, thru a re-vamped and upgraded website that meets the needs of the community.

As a councilperson I will help lead the effort to develop a more organized volunteer base to better engage our residents and augment city services. I also believe we should increase the number of community events, so parents and other adults, children, and seniors can develop a greater connection to our community.

I am also a strong advocate for increasing the diversity of voices in our local government. Rather than just throwing up our hands and claiming that our budget problems prevent us for doing anything, we need fresh, new ideas to confront many of our chronic problems. I believe we should be looking to a new generation of community members who have never felt connected to our town. To this end, I have strongly advocated for increased gender diversity on our town's commissions. When I joined the Park & Recreation Commission in 2006, it was all-male. I have personally recruited three women for this commission, and believe that our town government is stronger when it truly represents our community.

REVITALIZING OUR DOWNTOWN BUSINESS COMMUNITY

Every month brings a new boarded up business in our downtown. While the weak national economy has certainly contributed to these problems, I also believe our town leaders and business leaders must work collaboratively to create an Economic Task Force, aimed at forging a true partnership with our downtown businesses and creating a forward-thinking marketing plan for our business community. We also need leaders to recruit and retain businesses that truly meet the needs of our residents.

We should streamline the permitting process for businesses and residents and bring our town's permitting capabilities into this century by providing for on-line capabilities. Our town budget needs to designate funding for business development and tourism. I am also open to reexamining our current permitting fee structure so that we can facilitate structural upgrades for our businesses. Our businesses located in flood areas should also be required to have flood gates, and our town leaders should partner with these businesses to make this happen.

ENSURING CLEAN AND SAFE PARKS FOR OUR FAMILIES

As a parent of two young children, I know how important clean, safe outdoor activities are to every person who lives in San Anselmo.

It is for this reason that I joined the San Anselmo Park & Recreation Commission in 2006, and became its chair in 2007. I have advocated for increased funding of youth sports leagues and other recreation services. In the time I have served on the commission, I have led the effort to stem the tide on continuing cuts to our recreation programs, and I also participated in the effort to recruit and hire a new Recreation Director tasked with upgrading the professionalism and customer service-orientation of the department.

As a councilperson, I intend to help lead the effort to develop a long-range plant for a community center, where citizens of all ages can come together for community activities and which could be used for rental use by community and private groups.

WORKING FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FLOOD CONTROL FOR THE ROSS VALLEY

It's my goal to bring environmentally safe and effective flood control to the Ross Valley.

For too long, San Anselmo residents and businesses have lived with the fear that their home or business could be the victim of another flood. It's the responsibility of our elected officials to not just talk about solutions, but rather to actually lead our community into developing and adopting real solutions to prevent future floods and the accompanying devastation to our community.

After the flood I became a volunteer board member of the Flood Mitigation League of Ross Valley. An all-volunteer, non profit organization formed by flood victims and other interested citizens after the December 31, 2005 flood, its primary objective is working for the development of effective flood control systems and infrastructure by ensuring that cities, county, state, and federal agencies take steps to mitigate flooding in the Ross Valley. I have also provided my legal expertise on a pro bono basis to advocate for effective flood mitigation funding throughout the Ross Valley.