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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Sonoma County and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
salary and pension,
public education,
commercial development
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. Please comment on executive pay and pension packages for public entities, particularly in the context of the Smart Train Agency, which has offered to pay both the employer and the employee portions of the pension payments. Do you agree or disagree with this action, and if you disagree, what can and/or will you do about it?
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Answer from Tom Rouse:
This should not and cannot happen. It has been proven time and time again by both public and private entities, that pension plans like these are not sustainable. It is time to recreate how public entities provide long term compensation for their employees. Today, most private retirement plans are done through participation in 401k style plans. In many of these, the employer contributes a portion of what the participant contributes. Participants must live with the ebb and flow of the market. Public employees must be asked to do the same. We must live with the commitments we've made, but it's time to change the plans for new hires.
Answer from Steve Barbose:
I do not think it is appropriate or financially sustainable for public entities to pay both the empoyee and employer contributions for pensions. This is something that I would like to see addressed in future labor negotiations.
Answer from Mike Gillaspie:
To begin with, Sonoma County needs commuter rail as envisioned by SMART. It is important to our quality of life, our economy, our environment, and our future. But tax revenue has slumped, construction costs have risen, and so the project is now in a $155 million shortfall. So the obvious question is: how do we pay for such an important endeavor in our current economic condition?
I agree with the Grand Jury that the pension plan offered to the SMART agency employees is overly generous in light of the agencies current budget shortfall. It demonstrates an apparent lack of financial responsibility on the part of the SMART agency and its leadership.
I'm in favor of sensible public pensions that help public entities attract and retain the best employees possible. This is an important component of both public and private employee recruitment.
The SMART agency needs leadership that can make difficult and sometimes unpopular fiscal decisions to cut the costs of the project. At the same time, elected officials in Sonoma County (myself included, if elected) must focus on making sound fiscal decisions. One way that I can do that is by promoting public policies that encourage small business growth. Business and economic development will lead to increased public revenues that can help us better afford important projects such as SMART.
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2. What are your goals for public education? As an elected official, what measures could you take to improve the school system?
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Answer from Steve Barbose:
A strong public education system is crucial for our state and country to competitive in the world markets. It is also critical in order to give students from the lower end of the economic spectrum to achieve their potential.
Answer from Tom Rouse:
It's time to start teaching again. Tenure must be reexamined and quality education should be the only goal. Every year, it seems the budgets get smaller and smaller for education, but larger and larger for our prison systems. Putting our resources into education today, may save us from spending on prisons tomorrow. Innovative leaders are essential to guide public schools from the brink. Pay for quality educators, provide quality education.
Answer from Mike Gillaspie:
I'm from a family of educators: my father, brothers, sister, and in-laws. My father was the first person in his or my mother's family to attend college. I strongly considered a career in teaching, and I passionately support teachers and our public education system. Quality and affordable education for everyone is absolutely vital to the success of our economy and our democracy. I also believe we have a moral obligation to provide quality and affordable education to everyone, because education can provide the tools that allow a person from any economic background to succeed in our society. I have a four-year old daughter who will start kindergarten next year, so I also have an additional personal interest in the educational system in Sonoma County.
As an elected official in the City of Sonoma, I will support community programs that help kids and their families. An example is the Boys and Girls Club of Sonoma Valley, an organization that is vital to our community. The Community Center is another organization providing vital services. I also will encourage parents to take part in the children's education, by supporting volunteer efforts in schools and participation in school sponsored events. I also support a community swimming pool, which will benefit children in our community. Whenever possible, I will support funding school programs that benefit kids, improve education, and expand access to educational opportunities.
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3. Please comment on commercial development in your district, particularly vis a vis differences and conflicts between city and county agencies.
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Answer from Steve Barbose:
Commercial development in Sonoma is constrained by the Urban Growth Boundary. We don't really have conflicts with public agencies.
Answer from Mike Gillaspie:
The City of Sonoma depends on the strong County economy. City services, such as transportation and water supply, are connected to the economic health and public operations of the County. School districts, fire, and police services are shared by County organizations and the City of Sonoma.
We need a strong working relationship between members of our City Council and County public officials to maintain the high quality of these services.
In the City of Sonoma, we are concerned with how our public infrastructure, such as water, waste management, and roads, can support future commercial development. We also want development that minimizes impact to our open spaces and environment, especially in terms of the reduction of carbon emission.
Answer from Tom Rouse:
Sonoma is a unique place. Commercial development centers around the wine industry and the services that surround that industry. Tourism is a key element to our success. I believe our city and county work well together to work toward that common goal.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. Candidates may not refer to any other candidates in their answers.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
