SCCA's Political Action Committee

Current Activities

*A note from Bill Kortum, SCCA PAC Treasurer

         February 26, 2007

Dear Environmental Supporter,

Environmental solidarity in Sonoma County reached new highs when in November’s Election 75.7% of the voters renewed the Open Space District and 70% voted to start SMART rail.  Imagine, nearly three out of every four people you may meet today agree with you about preserving the landscape of our beautiful county and recognize that SMART rail is a vital component to future mobility.

These supermajorities were accomplished by months of grassroots activity where for the first time our 17 year old organization facilitated campaign ground operations for Measure R and Measure F.  Over 200 volunteers were coordinated through our Pacific Avenue office with phone bank, precinct walking, and GOTV activity.  Sonoma County, with the exception of Alpine County, had the highest voter turnout in California.

Our grass roots campaign has left SCCA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) with substantial debt after we briefly modified SCCA operations away from our more financially vital canvassing activity. To lay our debt to rest, we are having a SCCA PAC debt retirement party on Monday, March 5th at the Odd Fellows Hall at 545 Pacific Ave, Santa Rosa CA from 6:45-9:00 PM. 

We are requesting silent auction items, both goods and services and/or donations of wine, local beers, hors d’oeuvres, to help bring our organization back to sound financial ground.

Sponsors and donors who make in-kind contributions will be honored in our program.  Additionally, SCCA PAC will be putting an insert into SCCA’s Spring Newsletter, honoring sponsors and donors who make in-kind contributions.  The insert will be sent to over 8,000 homes. If you would like to donate from your business, please call our office to find out about advertising in our newsletter.

We have invited Ted Eliot, longtime participant on the Open Space Advisory Board and Co-Chair in the Measure F campaign, to address our gathering on the significance of the November election.  As former Ambassador to Afghanistan and lifetime birder, Ted can wax eloquently on the political and natural landscape of both Afghanistan and Sonoma County.

How lucky we are to have a political climate that allows citizens to use the ballot box to protect their environment.  In addition to Ambassador Eliot, our newly elected Santa Rosa Councilmember Susan Gorin will speak to the amazing campaign here in Santa Rosa, and point us into the right direction for the future of the biggest city in the county. 

Please sponsor our event!  Sponsorship levels are $125, $250, $500, $1000, and $2500. Tickets cost $30-$100, sliding scale.  You can purchase tickets or sponsorships online at www.conservationaction.org/gi/pac.html, by returning the enclosed remittance envelope, or by calling (707) 571-8566.  Even if you cannot attend, we urge you to give.  With your support, we will continue to organize the grassroots of Sonoma County, one neighborhood at a time.

Yours in Service,

Bill Kortum

Treasurer

SCCA Political Action Committee

ALL OF OUR ENDORSEMENTS are in the Fall SCCA Newsletter which you can download in PDF format by clicking here.

SMART - Measure R

We are actively moving forward on the campaign for the SMART Train and Bicycle Path. SMART will provide commuter and passenger rail service along 70 miles of existing railroad right-of-way from Cloverdale in Sonoma County to Larkspur in Marin County .

In order to estimate how much SMART will cost, give taxpayers a reasonable idea of what they’re paying for and identify potential environmental impacts, considerable work has gone into coming up with detailed plans for SMART. Still, even more detailed construction and engineering plans will be necessary once voters approve SMART.

Ride your bike safely from Cloverdale to Larkspur??

Another important and valuable element of the SMART project is the opportunity it provides to create a bicycle/pedestrian pathway that will run along much of the railroad’s 70-mile line.

About 54 miles of the path will run along side the railroad right-of-way, with another 17 miles traveling on existing roads. Fencing and other safety elements will separate the train from the pathway.

The plans for the path fit with broader plans developed by both Marin and Sonoma counties for improving their bicycle transportation networks. Not only does the SMART path provide recreational opportunities, it provides another commute alternative and also a route for people riding their bicycle to the train.

Download a fact sheet in PDF format.

Visit the SMART TRAIN web site for lots more information.

Open Space District Renewal - Measure F

We are actively moving forward on the campaign to renew our county's gem for the protection of Open Space, the Open Space District. The activities of the district over the past 16 years have allowed us to permanently protect and preserve more than 70,000 acres of clean water sources, scenic vistas, wildlife habitat, working farms and vineyards, as well as provide parks and trails.

Some of the key properties the district has purchased are the Willow Creek Watershed, pictured at left as a tributary to the Russian River; the Windsor Town Green; the Prince Memorial Greenway in Santa Rosa; the Cloverdale River Park; Taylor Mountain in Santa Rosa; and the Montini Ranch in Sonoma.

HOW TO HELP

Volunteer Positions:

707-571-8868, ask for Jenna and we'll plug you right in!

Please support the many important actions we are involved in between now and November 7. You can donate right now online through our secure PayPal account:

or call our office to donate with a credit card by phone:
707-571-8566.

SCCA PAC Fundraiser

When: March 5th, 2007 6:45-9:00PM

Who: Keynote Speaker: Ted Eliot, Co-Chair of the Yes on F Open Space Campaign

Where: Odd Fellows Hall

545 Pacific Ave.

How: Tickets $30-$100 Sliding Scale

Call (707) 571-8566 or online!

Proceeds to Benefit SCCA Political Action Committee

Vote for the Environment!

How to Vote Nov. 7:

Download the SCCA Fall Newsletter which contains all of SCCA's recommendations for the 2006 Fall Election - candidates and issues.

YES on Measure R!
Measure R did not win the overall 2/3 majority required for passage. We did gain a 70% majority in Sonoma County, and a healthy 57% in Marin. The SMART Board has given strong indications that these numbers are a mandate from the public to come back to the ballot in 2008.  We anxiously await thier formal decision to do so.
GoSMARTTrain.com
707-571-8566• 415-705-6288

YES on Measure F!

Measure F passed by an overwhelming 75% majority! This was a very strong statment by the voters of Sonoma County that says publically purchased open space should be funded, and it has done a good job over the past 16 years. We are very pleased with the success of Measure F, and thank all of our volunteers (and voters) who helped with its passage.
FriendsofSonomaCounty.org
707-535-2106