The 2010 Election is Over

But Staying Informed Isn't

Jobs and the North Bay's future depend on your vote



Cotati City Council

Next election for Cotati City Council takes place on November 2, 2010

 
 
Cotati is a General Law City with five City Council members elected at-large with overlapping terms.  The Mayor is appointed annually by a majority vote of Council members.  Thre two Councilmembers whose offices will end in 2010 and be on the November 2nd ballot are Pat Gilardi and Mark Landman.  The remaining three Councilmembers are Janet Orchard, Susan Harvey and Robert Coleman-Senghor.
 
The City Council is the legislative and policy-making body of the City.  The City Council formulates city policies in the form of motions, resolutions and ordinances which reflect the needs, wishes and priorities of the citizens of Cotati; promotes the economic, cultural, and governmental well-being of the City; and provides for the orderly operations and development of the City. 
 
The Cotati City Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber located at 201 West Sierra Avenue, Cotati.


2010 Candidates

George Barich
Pat Gilardi Failed to respond to survey
Mark Landman Failed to respond to survey

Compare Candidate Survey Results

How strongly do you believe there is a close relationship between the economic vitality of a community and a healthy, fiscally sound government?
George Barich
10

How important is job creation and retention on your priority list if elected to office?
George Barich
10

Should job creation and economic development be one of the top priorities for Sonoma County City Councils and Board of Supervisors in 2010 – 2011?
George Barich
10

Are you committed to diversifying and strengthening your jurisdiction’s economy?
George Barich
yes

Do you believe that your jurisdiction is doing enough to attract businesses that provide jobs?
George Barich
no

Do you support attracting new business and expanding existing businesses in your jurisdiction?
George Barich
yes

Do you support the coordination of and participation in an economic development effort that promotes Sonoma County on a regional basis?
George Barich
yes

Should local government offer incentives, financial or otherwise, to attract new business to our area?
George Barich
yes

Should your jurisdiction provide funding to local Convention & Visitor Bureaus to promote tourism?
George Barich
yes

Do you view using the Redevelopment Agency as a tool to be utilized for economic sustainability in your jurisdiction?
George Barich
no

Do you support the expansion of the Sonoma County Airport to allow more commercial air service?
George Barich
no

Do you support allocating funds for deferred maintenance and infrastructure improvements including roads, airports, telecommunications, water, sewer and power?
George Barich
yes

Do you support reducing development and impact fees to spur job creation?
George Barich
yes

Do you believe that there are too many local regulations preventing or discouraging businesses from starting up or expanding in our area?
George Barich
yes

Will you consider job creation as a top priority in your decision making?
George Barich
yes

Will you put your jurisdiction’s jobs and the economy ahead of political agendas and special interests?
George Barich
yes

Do you support the deferral of local government impact fees on a construction project until that project is completed?
George Barich
yes

Do you support a Living Wage Ordinance that would mandate what private businesses contracting with your jurisdiction would have to pay their employees?
George Barich
no

Do you support local production and distribution of construction materials (i.e. sand, gravel, asphalt, lumber, etc.)?
George Barich
yes

Should local government set a policy requiring open and fair competition in bidding on all public works projects?
George Barich
yes

Would you support efforts to position the North Bay to maintain a leadership role or become a leader in key job-producing industries?
George Barich
yes

Do you believe that it is important for your jurisdiction to provide flexible land use policies?
George Barich
yes

Do you believe that a cost-benefit analysis should be a required step in the process of formulating new regulations and reviewing existing regulations?
George Barich
yes

Will you support land-use and zoning regulations that deter excessive regulatory control?
George Barich
yes

Do you support having local regulations that are no more stringent than federal or state requirements?
George Barich
yes

Do you support fast tracking new projects that will create new jobs?
George Barich
yes

Will you support a streamlined licensing and permitting process if it doesn’t sacrifice environmental protection?
George Barich
yes

Will you support setting aside money to adequately fund the liability for current and future public employee pensions and medical benefits?
George Barich
yes

Do you believe that salaries and benefits for public employees should align with the private sector?
George Barich
yes

Do you believe that privatizing or outsourcing government services should be considered?
George Barich
yes

Do you support consolidation of government services as a means of providing more efficient government?
George Barich
yes

Will you vote to cut your jurisdiction’s expenditures before raising fees or taxes?
George Barich
yes

What ideas do you have for creating new jobs?
George Barich

I led the opposition to raising sales taxes in Cotati in 2010 and personally funded the campaign opposing Measure A raising sales taxes to the highest in the county. As a city leader in 2009, I strongly advocated keeping our city's staffing at 100% to avoid any layoffs. I advocated an across the board 20% cut in salaries and benefits which would have balanced the city budget, rebuilt the city's reserves by $56K, kept City Hall open for business five days a week, removed the need to increase taxes and city fees, and would have retained all current city employees.