John’s Soapbox:
5-26-15
Measure A News:
As of May 20, 2015, the County of Sonoma had received over 35,000 ballots. This indicates that this special election will have around a 40% voter response. That is about what we on the “steering committee” have always believed. Despite numerous “Letters to the Editor” that were negative to Measure A, City Councils (Santa Rosa and Petaluma), have endorsed the measure. Many Business Associations have endorsed Measure A including NorthBay Leadership Council, Sonoma County Alliance, NORBAR, North Coast Builders Exchange, Engineering Contractors Association, and the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce. Several Environmental Groups have endorsed Measure A including Sonoma County Conservation Action. Several Labor Groups have endorsed Measure A including Operating Engineers Local 3, IBEW, and the NorthBay Labor Council. Several other groups of note that have endorsed the Measure include California Alliance For Jobs, United Contractors, SEIU, Santa Rosa Fire Fighters Association, and SOS Roads. We have also received endorsements from several newspapers including the Press Democrat.
Although none of us like taxes, the ECA membership and their employees, families, and friends, should turn out strongly in favor of Measure A. Although it is listed as a General Tax, it has been discussed that should it pass, all of the Supervisors individually favor signing a contract with the Sonoma County Transportation Authority to administer the tax revenues. The Supes have also indicated their willingness to undergo an annual audit, and have a citizens oversight committee review and verify that the tax revenues are going where the Supes say they are going-to fix our roads!
Many of our members have stepped up and contributed to the campaign which has costs for mailers, media and campaign consultants, canvassers and phone bank labor, and polling costs.
With all of those groups backing Measure A, how can this Measure fail? If we do not support it with our votes. If you do not trust the statements I have made to you, I urge you to call your Supervisor and discuss this with him/her.
Here are some recent articles for your reading pleasure:
From the North Bay Business Journal-click here for article-
From the Argus Courier-click here for argument in favor of Measure A
From the Press Democrat-click here for editorial
From the Healdsburg Tribune-click here for several op ed pieces
From the Sonoma Tribune-click here for op ed piece
Throughout this Measure A journey, your ECA has been a part of the process and that is what the Board of Directors hired me to do. I have been at the table the entire way. Some of what the ECA and myself has done over the past year:
- a) Attended every Measure A meeting since June of 2014
- b) Been on weekly Measure A steering committee calls since December of 2014
- c) Been interviewed in two newspapers (Sonoma and Press Democrat)
- d) Had individual meetings with every Santa Rosa Council member to lobby for their endorsement of Measure A.
- e) Attended several County Supervisor Hearings and City Council meetings in Petaluma, Cloverdale, and Santa Rosa to support Measure A
- f) Attended numerous meetings in person
- g) Made several hundred fundraising and support phone calls in the last few weeks.
- h) Written Letters to the Editor in several newspapers
- i) Promoted Measure A on social media on numerous occasions
I want to thank all of those firms that have contributed dollars to this campaign.
I want to thank ECA members BoDean, Ghilotti Construction, Ghilotti Brothers, Team Ghilotti, Dutra Construction, R & S Trucking, Toby’s Trucking, Argonaut Construction, American Asphalt, Industrial Carting, Peterson, and Mike Brown Electric for all contributing dollars to the campaign.
I want to thank Sonoma Raceway and Syar for hosting the “Hot Laps” on Tuesday, 5-19-15.
The ECA has worked very hard on this measure, and now, it is all over but the final vote. Please make sure that all of the hard earned dollars and hours that many firms and individuals have expended do not go to waste-please turn out and Vote Yes on Measure A!
That’s all folks!
John Bly
