Homework for 2015

Here’s wishing everyone a fulfilling, prosperous and happy New Year. In this new year, we hope more and more citizens of all ages take more active roles in our many community pursuits, local government actions and our far-ranging series of crucial debates and decisions. It’s a new year for all of us, a year already filled with undone tasks, ongoing conversations and new goals.
Instead of predictions or resolutions, we offer a list of New Year’s assignments or homework. There may, or may not, be a test at the end of the year. Follow our weekly news pages to measure everyone’s progress and discussion.
Here’s our list:
Meet Mr. Gore —Last November, North County voters elected James Gore as the new county supervisor to replace Mike McGuire, who won a seat on the State Senate. Getting to know Mr. Gore and learning his work schedule will be important for anyone with a neighborhood concern, a road with potholes, a local fire department without enough funds, or an unexplained county tax bill or pension promise. Gore was elected with the support of a pro-business and agriculture industry coalition. How will he reach out to the public labor unions and environmental groups that supported his competitor Deb Fudge? For 2015, few men will be as busy as new supervisor Gore.
Drought and beyond — Besides the impacts of three years of record-breaking droughts, we must also address the recent decades of urban, industrial and agricultural demands we’ve added to our water supplies in the Russian River watershed. We barely escaped mandatory rationing last year, and we may face the same restrictions this year without enough continued voluntary conservation. The drought has taught us we have no extra water to spare — even in normal rain years. New state-mandated groundwater regulations in coming years will either force more urban-agriculture sharing or threats of spot moratoriums wherever water tables sink or greed persists.
Healdsburg’s first roundabout — We first met plans for Healdsburg’s first traffic roundabout in 2014, and many of us didn’t like it. Planning will get serious in the months ahead for the proposed five-way circular traffic solution at Mill Street, Healdsburg and Vine avenues. We anticipate as many headlines as the Memorial Bridge attracted just a few years ago.
New City Hall Faces — Not only did the voters elect two new city council members, Brigette Mansell and Eric Ziedrich, but new City Manager David Mickaelian is beginning his first year in his new office, moving up the hallway from his assistant manager office, following the retirement of Marjie Pettus. Most of City Hall business tends to be routine budget sessions and staff reports but maybe some fresh perspectives about downtown parking, future labor union negotiations and city-led economic development projects could spark some new ideas.
Andy Lopez Legacy — Our Sonoma County community is still healing from the racial divide and the conflicting views about law enforcement officers that were exposed by the deputy shooting of 13-year-old Andy Lopez. Countywide task forces continue to work this year, seeking citizen input about new citizen review boards, community outreach programs or necessary law enforcement reforms. The test for this year will be what happens when the next “Andy Lopez” incident occurs. Our dialogue about cultural diversity is just beginning. The work of local police and deputy community outreach needs more time and all our support.
SMART Start — After a series of funding delays and slower, phased-in construction, the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) is supposed to start rolling with passengers in 2016. Phase One from San Rafael to Sonoma County airport is supposed to open then. Phase Two completion through Windsor, Healdsburg, Geyserville and Cloverdale is scheduled for when? That question will have to wait at least another year.
First, we all have 12 months of this year’s news to get through and hopefully some more rain, a good harvest and an improving economy.
— Rollie Atkinson