Sebastappeal By Sarah Glade Gurne — December 2018
Although some absentee and provisional ballots from the November 6th election remain to be counted, it appears that Sebastopol voters have returned the incumbents to Council for another term. Congratulations to my colleagues,
Congratulations to newcomer Vaughan Higginbotham for his strong showing. He took on many of the traditional tasks of a campaign — a brochure, website, signs, candidates’ forums, loads of official paperwork, some walking door-to-door — and garnered an impressive number of votes for a first-time campaigner.
There’s another election in two years. Maybe some more “young” candidates will enter the race? This campaign, there was definite interest in “new blood, “ a “fresh face,” and “youth!” — comments that I heard on the campaign trail, along with “Good for the kid!” when voters congratulated me on my win afterwards.
If you’re a future candidate out there in the wings, don’t wait. Step up now, become known, and create a track record for yourself by demonstrating your skills, values, personality, and effectiveness to our community over the next 24 months. As I wrote last month, a great way to start is to serve on boards or committees. Some Council Members have served on boards, like the Planning Commission or for non-profits.
Meanwhile, remember that there are two relatively “fresh” Council Members at your service: Michael Carnacchi, often called “the bootmaker,” andNeysa Hinton. They were voted in, in 2016, and had no elected or appointed experience when they ran. Engage with them, let them know where you stand and what you’d like them to accomplish.
More election results: Measures Q and R passed by wide margins, offering some financial help to the city coffers. Thank you to Cordelia Hurst, Executive Director of the Community Cultural Center for launching a modest sign effort and to the voters for confidence in the city’s fiscal management and service delivery. Measure M for the parks also passed. Sebastopol’s public spaces will get a financial boost to help with maintenance.
VOTE AGAIN – with Your Holiday Dollars!
Local non-profits appeal for help each holiday season. Consider those who offer you valuable activities and help them out with a generous donation. Our City doesn’t have the band-width to fund and staff traditional services like a Community Center or a Senior Center, or a Parks and Recreation Department so your financial help is critical to our local non-profits.
Support local merchants by shopping for gifts in town. Park once and browse Main Street or ride the free Local Shuttle #24 from the north end to the south end of town and through The Barlow, hopping on and off at leisure.
In between purchases, enjoy a pastry, coffee, meal, or drink. Mathew Carson, the new owner at 116 S. Main Street, invites shoppers to try his place, Mothers Ruin, with its remodeled loungey feel. Open daily at 4 pm, he serves craft cocktails featuring local distillers and breweries. Check out the holiday menu, consider having your holiday party there, or drop in after the Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 6.
Each year the Chamber of Commerce lights the official holiday tree at the City’s Public Park on The Plaza. Festivities start at 5 pm and include hot beverages, popcorn, children’s activities, and seasonal entertainment. Santa arrives via fire truck towards the end of the evening, before 8 pm. Candlelight and carols make memories.
Remember Others and Create Joy this Holiday
Sebastopol has many churches, thrift stores, Friends of the Sebastopol Library, and other organizations that take year-end donations to benefit others, including our own homeless people, our 2017 fire survivors, and the Camp Fire victims.
Make time this busy season to: sort a dresser for hand-me-downs; organize a closet to cull give-aways; look through a book shelf for a good read to pass along; dig through the kitchen cupboards for those unused items. Give them to others who can use them. Share your good fortune.
