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This time a Letter: First the background,
then the point.
The Background: In 1963 I
was 20 and transferring from Santa Rosa JC to San Jose State Univ. as a
Home Economics major. it was very proper and I was asked to leave class
occasionally for wearing jeans. After BA, MA & a stint in NY, I
married, moved to Marin and joined the first N.Calif. chapter of
the National Organization for Women -- along with Barbara Boxer, Grace
Hughes (took over Marin Airporter from her dad) and many other women at the
time who were opening doors. At 29 I ran as a recall candidate for the
Tamalpais Fire District (a large special fire district in Marin) in order
to keep our local Fire Chief from requiring firefighters to carry
handguns. I won and was there for 6 years. During those years, in and out
of the FD, people stood up in large public meetings and asked me point
blank why I didn't have children. It was then. So I learned a lot about
local politics and being female in them, how beliefs are acquired and what
different people do with them once acquired. I went on to run in local
elections for the NVC Board in Napa County and served there for 12 years.
The Point: Fast forward
to now and how does this apply? I've learned that women in local politics
are people in politics -- there's little difference between how they arrive
at their beliefs and how men do. Women are the sum of their experiences,
fears and accomplishments just like men. Both find comfort in supportive
environments and seek approval alike. Women just don't jump in as often --
the US culture doesn't lay out the welcome mat or give them the time in the
day.
In this election here, while I very much support
women running for office -- heaven knows! -- and while I think that Nevero
is quite polished in her dialogue, her administration seems to reflect a
style of power that I would expect from a background in the oil industry,
Boston and culturally, eastern Europe (she is second generation). All three
influences share a style of power that is strongly top down. The operable
clich could be: 'it is better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission'.
In the 2 years she has been Mayor too many decisions have had to be
reversed (i.e. forgiveness sought) because too many times getting
permission from the citizens was not seriously considered before the
Council voted.
This election is not about voting for a given
candidate, female or male. If you live here, this election is about voting
for yourselves, for St. Helena's citizens and the candidates who will reach
out to local people before the Council votes, not ask for forgiveness after
the vote. While I rarely mention names in this newsletter and try to
keep the focus on issues that directly affect local people, during election
season it is it about exactly that and the names become the offices sought.
Therefore: While Nevero
and her Council may learn to be more inclusive in office, it hasn't
happened yet -- witness City Hall, the Small Winery Ordinance, no new
General Plan and their "the market rules" belief, to name a few
missed opportunities. Understanding and effecting the true purpose of
fair governance is not the same as understanding the 'might is right' power
thing, which is where political newcomers often get stalled. Using the
three criteria of professional experience, previous location of formative
years and cultural background, it is time to vote for wise candidates who
have had longer and more credible education, experience and understanding
in the democratic ideals of 'by and for the people'. They are Galbraith for
Mayor and Dohring for Council.
On other subjects:
1. Fair Political Practices Commission Guidelines for
Local Gifts Fact Sheet,
2. The Planning Commission meeting on
October 21 will deal with the General Plan again. It is literally
Truth-Time for the present administration. Let's see what we get, the real
thing or another faked pass.
3. And for humorous vignettes of Mr.
Sculatti's theories, check this video!
Sandy
P.S. Forward this if you feel so inspired!
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