Election Day is just under two weeks away, and while there’s no faceoff between the Godzilla of the GOP and the Mothra of the Dems, there are important races up and down the ballot, from the governorship to the local city council.
Who and What
There are seven candidates for three seats on the Healdsburg City Council, which is one short of their usual five-person body. Four of those candidates are vying for two full four-year terms: incumbent Evelyn Mitchell, and Chris Herrod, Susan Graf and Linda Cade rounding out the candidates.
The other four-year seat is held by incumbent Ozzy Jimenez, who is not on the ballot. Voters can vote for two, and the top two vote getters will take their seats for the first of the year.
There is also a partial two-year term to fill the seat vacated by Skylaer Palacios, who resigned earlier this year. Candidates are Brigette Mansell, Ron Edwards and Matias Lopez Jr. Vote only for one.
Measure L
Two local measures are also on the ballot, both presented by the City of Healdsburg. Measure L amends the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) to allow 2% to finance, acquire and construct capital improvements for parks, community services facilities and affordable housing. There is no increase in the TOT, which remains as a 14% surcharge on room rates for visitors.
The city is targeting two parks improvement projects for these funds: the redevelopment of Badger Park with expanded public access to the Russian River, and development of a new 36-acre Saggio Hills park at the north end of town that will include playing fields for youth and adults, trails, open space and more.
A YES vote on Measure L supports the city’s proposal to clarify its TOT Ordinance so TOT funds can be used for construction and financing of major park improvements and future affordable housing projects. A NO vote on Measure L rejects the city’s proposal.
Measure M
Measure M would implement a Cannabis Business Tax to be applied to commercial cannabis activities, when and if such activities become permitted in the City of Healdsburg. (They are currently not permitted, but the city is engaged in a process to allow such businesses.) The exact amount of the tax has not been set, but the measure sets the limit at 8% of gross receipts for cannabis businesses, though it can be less than that amount.
A YES vote on the Nov. 8 measure supports taxing cannabis sales when they become permitted in the City of Healdsburg. A NO vote rejects taxing cannabis sales in the City of Healdsburg, whether or not such sales become permitted.
When and Where
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8, but Sonoma County voters have been able to vote at Official Ballot Drop Boxes since Oct. 11. In Healdsburg, that box is on Vine Street at the City Hall; other area boxes are at the Geyserville Fire Station, the Cloverdale Veterans Memorial Building and the Bluebird Center Windsor.
Also open from 9am to 5pm daily starting this week are Vote Centers, local locations that are used instead of traditional precinct voting. In Healdsburg, there’s a Vote Center at the Healdsburg Community Center, 1557 Healdsburg Ave. It’s open from Oct. 29 to Nov. 7 from 9am-5pm; and on Nov. 8, Election Day, from 7am-8pm
Ballot envelopes are pre-addressed with the address of the Sonoma County Clerk & Registrar of Voters, 435 Fiscal Dr., PO Box 11485, Santa Rosa, CA 95406. Mail-in ballots are now being accepted; they must be postmarked by the end of day Nov. 8 to be counted.
