Sonoma County Democratic Party

The Sonoma County Democratic Party has passed a resolution of opposition to the Wastewater & Water Service Initiative, which will appear on the November 2008 ballot in Petaluma.

“This irresponsible initiative threatens to undermine the fiscal stability of the City of Petaluma and places essential city services in the crosshairs,” says Stephen Gale, Chair of the Sonoma County Democratic Party. “We’re proud to join the list of opponents.”

The initiative has also been opposed by the Petaluma City Council, the Building Trades Council of Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties, the Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club, AFSCME Local 675, and the Accountable Development Coalition, an alliance of labor, environmental and housing advocates.

The text of the resolution passed by the Sonoma County Democratic Party is below:

A Resolution in Support of the Financial Stability of the City of Petaluma and in Opposition to the Wastewater & Water Service Initiative that will appear on the November 2008 Petaluma ballot.

Whereas the City Manager, Financial Officer, and professional staff of the City of Petaluma, and all the members of Petaluma’s City Council unanimously affirm that passing the Wastewater and Water Service Initiative in November will severely undermine the financial stability of Petaluma, and may expose it to major financial ruin, and

Whereas we have reviewed the details of this irresponsible Initiative and note the longer term harm that it will cause to the City of Petaluma, and the adverse effects it will have on the quality of life of Petaluma’s families,

We, the Sonoma County Democratic Central Committee, therefore, unreservedly give our support to the people of Petaluma and urge the voters of Petaluma to reject the Wastewater and Water Service Initiative.

We strongly urge a “NO” vote in November.