Resolutions in Support of Proposition 21

Greetings!

Recently, Petaluma and Sebastopol city staff are attempting to place resolutions of support for the Proposition on their upcoming city council agendas.

Here are two resolutions we forwarded to them. The first was constructed from materials from the state campaign, and from text from the resolution passed in August by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. The second comes from text included in the resolution adopted by the Sonoma City Council in February of this year.



Resolution of Support for Proposition 21, State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010

Whereas, every year, California’s 278 state parks attract millions of tourists, who spend $4.32 billion annually in park- related expenditures. A recent study found that state park visitors spend an average of $57.63 in neighboring communities each visit. Visitors generate so much local economic activity that every dollar spent on state parks creates another $2.35 for California’s treasury, and

Whereas, with a new dedicated revenue stream in place, more than $130 million of General Fund dollars – that provide a portion of overall state park funding – will now be available for other vital needs that impact local government services and funding, including education, health care, social services and public safety, and

Whereas, in addition to the economic benefit of increased tourism, local communities benefit greatly from the assets of the California state park system. The state parks give local residents a place to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, as well as learn about the state’s history, culture and natural resources. A state park nearby means that families, schools and others have a year-round playground and classroom to explore. Yet without a reliable source of funding, these important resources could be lost forever, and

Whereas, Prop. 21 provides grants to local government agencies that administer/manage state parks so that those agencies will continue to receive the day-use fees they currently collect. With this protection, local agencies will be able to continue to keep the state parks in their community open to the public. Sonoma County would directly benefit from a portion of this funding this funding for local entities managing state park units could reimburse County Regional Parks for operating the Stillwater Cove Unit, adjacent to Stillwater Cove Regional Park, and the access to the McCormick addition to Sugarloaf State Park, adjacent to Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, and

Whereas, Prop. 21 will provide dedicated funding to local public agencies and conservancies for parks and wildlife conservation efforts. The allocation for state conservancies could help fund management of Wildlife Conservation Board owned properties managed by Regional Parks, such as Steelhead Beach or Hudeman Slough. Wildlife conservation grants could help fund local park and open space acquisition projects. The new source of State Parks funding would lift the freeze on acquisitions. The state would be positioned to accept property previously acquired by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District and intended for transfer to the State, including the Carrington Ranch, Calabazas Creek, Poff, and Montini properties.
Additionally, the District and other local conservation entities could again partner with the state to pursue acquisitions of land to enhance recreational opportunities in Sonoma County, and

Whereas, supporters of Prop 21 include The Nature Conservancy, local elected officials throughout California, Public Health Institute, California Action for Healthy Kids, California State Conference of the NAACP, California Teachers Association, California Federation of Teachers, Sierra Club California, Audubon California, Save the Redwoods League, Peninsula Open Space Trust, California Travel Industry Association, California Lodging Industry Association, The Trust for Public Land, California State Lifeguard Association and the California State Parks Foundation.

Therefore, be it resolved that the City of Sebastopol supports the passage of Proposition 21, State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010.


Resolution

WHEREAS, California’s parks, once considered the best in the nation, are falling apart because of chronic underfunding. Roofs and sewage systems leak, restrooms are not cleaned regularly, bridges have collapsed, trails are washed out, campgrounds and visitor centers are shuttered and buildings and structures throughout the system are badly deteriorated; and

WHEREAS, Twice in the past two years, state parks were on the brink of being shut down; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 60 state parks will be shut down part‐time or their hours of operation reduced because of this year’s budget cuts, and more park closure proposals and budget cuts are expected next year; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of scenic acres are closed to the public because of reductions in park rangers, and crime has more than doubled. Destruction and vandalism of the parks themselves has grown fourfold, and beachgoers are often unprotected because of decreases in lifeguards; and

WHEREAS, The State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund would provide a stable, reliable and adequate source of funding for the state park system, for wildlife conservation and for increased and equitable access to those resources for all Californians; and

WHEREAS, Funding for the Trust Fund would come from an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge on all California cars, motorcycles and recreational vehicles that would be collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles as part of the annual vehicle license fee; and

WHEREAS, California vehicles subject to the State Park Access Pass surcharge and all occupants of those vehicles would receive free day use admission to all state parks throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, Every year, there are nearly 80 million visits to state parks, where the abundance of outdoor activities entices visitors to exercise and lead healthier lifestyles; and

WHEREAS, Parks contribute to public health by protecting forests and natural areas that are sources of clean air and water and by combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gases; and

WHEREAS, Parks protect the state’s wide diversity of plants and animals, preserve an unparalleled collection of historic and cultural assets and provide exciting educational opportunities for young and old alike;

WHEREAS, The State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund would protect California’s 278 state parks so that all Californians can enjoy their benefits;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the (___________) supports the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we, the (___________) do(es) hereby adopt this resolution this, the ____day of ____, 2010.

Annadel State Park Celebration - Prop 21 Promotion

Greetings!

Yesterday, Coastalk California and Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods shared a booth at Celebrate Annadel State Park 2010 to promote Proposition 21 amongst those who love and use one of our local treasures. While mostly preaching to the choir, many were introduced to the organizations and were made familiar with the ballot proposition.

Here are some photos of the event.

http://picasaweb.google.com/GFearon/CelebrateAnnadel2010#

Sonoma County Proposition 21 Supporters

Sonoma County Prop 21 Endorsements
(Mendocino, Humboldt, Marin and Napa too)


Press Democrat Editorial on October 1st

Business, Hospitality and Tourism Organizations
Russian River Chamber of Commerce
Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce
Santa Rosa Convention and Visitors Bureau
Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce
Humboldt County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce
Visit Mendocino County, Inc.

Entertainment Organizations
Humboldt Film Commission

Conservation Organizations
Landpaths
Sonoma Land Trust
Sonoma County Conservation Action
Land Trust of Napa County
Mendocino Land Trust
Marin Conservation League
Napa County Regional Park and Open Space
Napa-Solano Audubon Society
Redwood Coast Land Conservancy
Sierra Club Redwood Chapter

Parks Organizations
Sonoma Petaluma State Historic Parks Association
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods
Valley of the Moon Natural History Association
Napa Valley State Parks Association
North Coast Redwood Interpretive Association
Fort Ross Interpretive Association

Coastal and Ocean Organizations
Coastwalk California
Surfrider Foundation, Sonoma Coast

Businesses
Cloverdale Travel *
Point Reyes Seashore Lodge
Tomales Bay Resort

Regional and Local Government
City of Sonoma
County of Sonoma
Supervisor Effren Carrillo
County of Mendocino
Supervisor Susan Adams, County of Marin
Supervisor Judy Arnold
Supervisor Charles McGlashan

State Government Officials
Assemblymember Noreen Evans
Assemblymember Jared Huffman
Assemblymember Wes Chesbro
Senator Pat Wiggins

Business Leaders
Wendy Peterson, Executive Director, Sonoma Valley Coast Chamber
Debra DeGraw, CEO, Mendocino Coast Chamber

Environment Leaders
Gregory Fearon, Board President, Coastwalk California
Ruskin Hartley, Executive Director and Secretary, Save the Redwoods League

City Councils – Sonoma County
(Listed are incumbent non-candidates and candidates, with indications of current support position. )

SONOMA – Supported as Council
Steve Barbose (Incumbent) – Supports
Ken Brown (Incumbent) – Supports
Laurie Gallinan (Incumbent) - no indication yet
August Sebastiani (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Joanne Sanders (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Antoinette Castrone – Supports
Mike Gillaspie – Supports
David Cook - no indication yet
Tom Rouse - no indication yet

SANTA ROSA Resolution of support adopted unanimously on September 28, 2010.
Susan Gorin (Incumbent) – Supports
Veronica Jacobi (Incumbent) – Supports
Marsha DuPre (Incumbent) – Supports
John Sawyer (Incumbent) - Supports
Ernesto Olivares (Incumbent) - No indication, absent from September 28th meeting
Jane Bender (incumbent) - Supports
Gary Wysocky (Incumbent) - Supports
Larry Haenel – Supports
Juan Hernandez - no indication yet
Joanna Schaeffer - no indication yet
Scott Bartley - no indication yet
Jake Ours - no indication yet

PETALUMA
David Rabbitt (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Pam Torliatt (running for supervisor) - no indication yet
Tiffany Renee (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Mike Healy (incumbent) - no indication yet
Teresa Barrett (Incumbent) – Supports
Mike Harris (Incumbent) – Not supporting
Ray Johnson – Supports
Gabe Kearney – Supports
Jason Davies – Supports
Chris Albertson - no indication yet
Karen Nau - no indication yet
Wyatt Bunker - no indication yet
J. Ray Bellefeuille - no indication yet

Mayor
David Glass – Supports
Jeff Mayne – Not supporting
Chris Kilgore - no indication yet
Jezra Johnson Lickter - no indication yet

SEBASTOPOL(Resolution of support on City Council agenda for October 19th)
Sarah Gurney (Incumbent) – Supports
Larry Robinson (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Linda Kelly (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Kathleen Shaffer (Incumbent) - Supports
Guy Wilson (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Ron Basso – Supports
Mike Kyes – Supports
Maureen Shea – Supports
Colleen Shea Fernald – Supports
Patrick Slaytor - no indication yet

HEALDSBURG(Resolution of support not yet calendared)
Jim Wood (Incumbent) – Supports
Eric Ziedrich (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Mike McGuire (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Tom Chambers (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Gary Plass (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Susan Jones – Supports
Rosie Fabian - no indication yet

2-year term
Stephen Babb – Supports
Shaun McCaffery - no indication yet
Loretta Peterson Strong - no indication yet

WINDSOR(Resolution of support not yet calendared)
Robin Goble (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Sam Salmon (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Steve Allen (incumbent) - no indication yet
Debora Fudge (Incumbent) – Supports
Cheryl Scholar (Incumbent) - no indication yet

ROHNERT PARK(Resolution of support not yet calendared)
Jake Mackenzie (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Gina Belforte (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Amie Breeze (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Joseph Callinan (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Pam Stafford (Incumbent) – Supports
Amy Ahanotu – Supports
John Borba – Supports
Carl Leivo – Supports
Roger Schwanke - no indication yet
Jack Rosevear - no indication yet

COTATI(Resolution of support not yet calendared)
Susan Harvey (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Pat Gilardi (Incumbent) – Supports
Mark Landman (Incumbent) – Supports
Janet Orchard (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Robert Coleman-Senghor (Incumbent) - no indication yet
George Barich - no indication yet

CLOVERDALE(Resolution of support not yet calendared)
Jessalee Raymond (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Carol Russell (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Joseph Palla (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Mary Ann Brigham (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Gus Wolter (Incumbent) - no indication yet
Gail Pardini-Plass - no indication yet
Mike Maacks - no indication yet
Robert Dailey - no indication yet