Candidate for
Council Member; City of Petaluma

It is very difficult to summarize my entire Political Philosophy in words that will do it justice. I would urge everyone who visits this page to not only visit my Official Campaign Webpage at: http://spenceburton.org BUT also to take the time to browse my Personal Webpage (that has been online for many, many years): http://spenceburton.com to get a broader view of my Philosophy. The following is a brief summary.

• Expand our tax base, without destroying our "small town" charm. In the Post Prop 13 era, the only way to really increase revenues to pay for current and projected expenses is the expansion of our sales tax base. This does not mean massive new shopping centers, but it would involve promoting our current businesses and building a "Buy Petaluma" loyalty among our residents. New stores that would increase our tax base, without seriously affecting our current businesses and environment, should be encouraged! Big ticket stores like Fry's Electronics or similar don't generate as much traffic as some stores do.

• Increase Services. New growth, via user and building fees, should fully cover any and all expenses involved, including projected future expenses for expanded police/fire protection and our schools. Currently, according to our Police Chief, we are 9 Officers down from what our staffing should be in a city our size! This is NOT ACCEPTABLE! No wonder gangs are being talked about more every day in Petaluma. Expanded opportunities for our youth to play and grow work hand-in-hand with responsive and responsible police enforcement.Temporary school structures should be just that, temporary! If new construction cannot pay fully for the needed expansion of services, then we must look at raising those fees OR reject the project!

• Common Sense Slow Growth. I would continue to promote "infill" throughout the city where it was not in conflict with the existing design and "feel" of a particular section or street in the City. Generally, I would be opposed to placing a large condo or apartment complex in a long established single home neighborhood. While I would not be opposed to a "neighborhood" shopping center (if the residents desired one in their area), I would not look favorably on a massive regional shopping center where it would significantly impact on traffic, congestion and safety. The location and access to the new proposed Kenilworth Shopping Center is still a major concern of mine. For 2 years now I have been saying that it MUST have a southern entrance otherwise East Washington Street will soon be East Washington "Parking Lot!"

• Downtown. I would do all in my power to continue to strengthen the Downtown area, and to promote it as the "Place to Go!" If elected I will try to find out what really happened when over 3 Million dollars over budget was spent without prior approval! No heads rolled! Why not? Taxpayer/redevelopement money will have to be used to close that gap. As your Council Member I pledge to do my very best to make sure this NEVER happens again! I support the use of hotel occupancy tax (TOT) money for cultural aspects of our community, including: the Cinnabar Theatre and all its programs, etc.

• SRJC. I encourage the expansion of the Petaluma Campus of the Santa Rosa Junior College, so that more of our citizens can take advantage of the types of course work it offers.