Marin IJ Election Soapbox for Oct. 21, 2024

Manning Sartori best for county education board

Please join us in voting for Jill Manning Sartori for the Area 7 seat on the Marin County Board of Education in the November election.

The two of us (one the superintendent of Shoreline Unified School District and the other a longtime member of the Marin County Board of Education representing Area 7) understand what this position requires. We have known Manning Sartori for many years and are confident that she is the candidate best suited to represent Area 7, given her unique understanding of West Marin, experience as a school district trustee and proven track record of advocating for students.

She has deep roots in Marin County and understands firsthand the vital role quality education plays in shaping children’s futures. Manning Sartori and her family moved to Point Reyes Station in 1977, and she has lived in Tomales for the past 25 years. She graduated from West Marin Elementary School and Tomales High School. Her Marin County public school education provided a strong foundation for learning, as she continued her education at University of California, Davis and University of San Francisco School of Law.

Manning Sartori has relevant experience as a school board trustee and a dedication to putting kids first. She has served on the Shoreline school board since 2009, and as president since 2015. During this time, she has demonstrated a dedication to advancing student achievement, equity in education and promoting student wellness. She has been a fierce advocate for students, as evidenced by her leadership and work in drafting a student wellness policy and smartphone ban, working to create a school breakfast program and advocating for student voices in decision-making.

She is dedicated to continuing the work of enhancing educational opportunities, ensuring student success and fostering a safe and healthy educational environment for students in Marin County schools. Please join us in voting for Jill Manning Sartori.

— Adam Jennings, Petaluma, and Clairette Wilson, Tomales

Stompe best for NMWD Division 1 board seat

I wholeheartedly endorse Mary Stompe for the Division 1 seat on the North Marin Water District Board of Directors in the upcoming election. With two decades of experience leading a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and managing affordable housing for seniors and veterans, she brings invaluable expertise to the role.

Stompe is a certified public accountant, a senior professional in human resources and a California real estate broker. After retiring from her previous position last year, she committed herself to community service. Currently, she sits on two nonprofit boards and is a member of the Marin County Civil Grand Jury. Stompe would be the first woman to hold the Division 1 seat on the NMWD board in 21 years.

For more than 60 years, her family has been connected to both the North Marin district and the Marin Municipal Water District. Her father spent 31 years in the MMWD Land Department before later serving on the Board of Directors. Her husband has worked with NMWD for 28 years as the supervisor of distribution and treatment. He is set to retire this year after a commendable career.

Stompe is an experienced public servant, having previously served as a member of the Petaluma City Council. She has a comprehensive understanding of government, finance, human resources and real estate development, along with numerous other skills.

As a local candidate who has resided in Novato for over 27 years, I encourage you to vote for Mary Stompe for the Division 1 seat on the North Marin Water District Board of Directors.

— Susan Hollander, Novato

Sobieski, Blaustein, Woodside for Sausalito

Under the leadership of current Mayor Ian Sobieski and immediate past mayor Melissa Blaustein, Sausalito has been moving in a new positive direction. As a former council member, I see the benefits of their philosophy in growing fiscal stability and social benefits through thoughtful investments.

Sobieski and Blaustein realize that cutting staff and services is not the way to economic prosperity. They know that a robust commercial and maritime industrial base creates jobs and revenues that support the city. They have been able to do this with budget surpluses in three of the last four years.

Steven Woodside, former Marin County counsel, brings his years of government experience to bear on his forward-thinking vision for Sausalito. Most recently, as an volunteer executive with Call of the Sea, the organization behind the Matthew Turner tall ship, he has shown his commitment to Sausalito’s waterfront heritage.

One of the issues highlighted in this campaign is improving local infrastructure. Blaustein and Sobieski made sure that the projected $24 million from the recently passed Measure L would go exclusively to infrastructure. Allocation of these funds and other sources are part of their plan.

The new plaza, the merchant-funded business improvement district and the draw of the Sausalito Center for the Arts are examples of positive projects supported by incumbents Blaustein and Sobieski, as well as candidate Woodside. Like our beloved Jazz and Blues by the Bay festival, they add to the quality of life in our town.

Vote for positive progress. Vote for Blaustein, Sobieski and Woodside for Sausalito City Council in the Nov. 5 election.

— Peter Van Meter, Sausalito

Maier best for Division 2 seat on MMWD’s board

I write in support of Diana Maier for the Division 2 seat on the Marin Municipal Water District Board of Directors in the November election.

I found the IJ editorial board’s endorsement of Maier’s opponent Robert Sandoval confusing. It read, “The new board has made … progress … to expand (water) supply. Of the Division 2 candidates, Sandoval would fall in line with advancing that important progress.” However, that statement does not distinguish the two candidates. Both have spoken in several public forums about their strong commitment to increasing water supply.

Maier grew up in Marin. She has lived here most of her life. She has a long history of service to our community: She volunteered in the Canal neighborhood during high school and learned fluent Spanish. She worked on issues of water and the environment as a legislative aide for one of the most impactful, pro-environment members of Congress ever to serve, Rep. Henry Waxman. Thereafter, Maier attended Stanford Law School, became a public defender and later founded a successful law firm. She is shrewd and knows how to get things done.

This is why the entire current MMWD board has endorsed Maier, as have four out of five Marin supervisors, Assemblymember Damon Connolly, San Rafael Mayor Kate Colin and many others.

In the editorial board’s endorsement, no weight was given to the fact that women have zero representation on the board right now and, traditionally, we have had to fight to have any kind of presence there.

In short, Maier’s experience with these issues, lifelong residence in Marin and commitment to community means that she will have a strong, independent voice on the board. Women, who account for over half the Marin population, deserve a representative on the board. She is the right choice to represent San Rafael on the water board.

— Susan Kolb, Mill Valley

Vote yes on Novato Measure M sales tax

As a former Novato mayor and member of the City Council, I know Novato voters have an opportunity to set their city on strong financial footing by voting yes on the Measure M sales tax proposal in the Nov. 5 election.

By supporting Measure M, the city will be equipped with the resources it needs to fix potholes and maintain streets, maintain responsive public safety services and keep up the parks, as well as recreational programs and facilities. Every penny of this three-quarter-cent sales tax stays in Novato and cannot be taken by the state, strengthening Novato’s quality of life. The tax can be reviewed after 10 years and its use will be overseen by a citizen’s oversight committee. For more information visit YesonMNovato.com.

Please join me in voting yes on Measure M and keep Novato safe, and its roads and parks in good condition.

— Madeline Kellner, Novato