Pensions is Top Issue in Zane, Smith Supervisorial Debate

The two candidates running for Sonoma County Supervisor in District 3 held their first debate at City Hall Wednesday night.

Wednesday night's debate between Sonoma County Supervisor Shirlee Zane and former Rohnert Park Mayor Tim Smith, who is running to win Zane's seat in the District 3 Supervisor Race — which includes Rohnert Park — centered around the soaring cost of county pensions and the need for reform. Though issues such as the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit also came up, as well as funding to fix crumbling county roads, Smith steered the conversation back towards the high cost of pensions in Sonoma County, the Press Democrat is reporting today. The article stated that: Time and again, former Rohnert Park City Councilman Smith returned to what is the central theme of his insurgent candidacy — the need for swift and significant pension reform. Zane …

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Zane, Smith to Debate at City Hall Tonight

First campaign debate for seat of Sonoma County Supervisor.

Research Points to What Cultural Identity Says About Political Preferences

A message from Sonoma State University's news center.

In a nation with a rising percentage of Mexican-American citizens, 2012 presidential candidates may want to change their strategies when trying to get the Latino vote, says Laura P. Naumann, assistant professor of psychology at Sonoma State University.   Naumann’s research project — entitled “Political orientation and acculturation strategies in U.S. born Mexican-Americans,” studies how the cultural identity of Mexican Americans born in the United States reflects upon their political affiliation.    “Mexican-Americans are in a unique position of straddling two cultural identities," she says.  "Individuals who choose to minimize their cultural heritage and adapt to the mainstream culture use assimilation strategies," she added. "Individuals…

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North Coast Congressional Race Heating Up

Who would you like to represent Rohnert Park and District 5?

Parcel Tax Dubbed Measure D, Goes to Voters in June

Rohnert Park and Cotati residents are being asked to weigh in on whether or not to levy an $89 per-parcel tax on local property owners.

In a 5-0 show of support, the school board last week finalized language for a local parcel tax, putting on the June 5 ballot a measure asking Rohnert Park and Cotati residents to vote on Measure D — a five-year, $89 tax levied on local property owners. The move comes just one month after the parcel tax was first proposed by Superintendent Robert Haley and a committee made up of of local residents and members of the PTA. Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified over the last five years has faced unprecedented cuts. Three schools have been shuttered — Mountain Shadows Middle School, Gold Ridge Elementary and La Fiesta. Class sizes are at an all-time high, and teachers have taken huge cuts to salaries and benefits. Meanwhile, the district has experienced …

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Political Notebook: City Council Incumbents Seeking Re-Election Dish on Goals, Challenges

Jake Mackenzie, Gina Belforte and Joe Callinan told Patch that they'll seek another two years on the Rohnert Park City Council.

We've heard a lot about congressional candidates throughout Sonoma County beefing up for the November 2012 election — one that promises all the glitz and tension of 2008. But local City Council candidates here are readying too for the ballot boxes. Pundits and political commentators say, like four years ago, this election will likely draw out many young, first-time voters — either for a one of four Republican hopefuls challenging the president, or Obama, whose donor support has skyrocketed largely because of job growth as well as new reforms such as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” and the Affordable Care Act.  In Rohnert Park, local issues mirror national priorities. But one in particular takes the pie: the economy. Candidates interviewed by …

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Former Rohnert Park Mayor Tim Smith to Challenge Zane for Supervisor Seat

Smith, 57, is an attorney specializing in business and estate planning

Congressman Thompson to Run in New District 5

The newly-drawn district includes Rohnert Park and Cotati.

Rohnert Park Residents Have Donated $16K This Election Cycle

Who's giving money to Congressional candidates or the Democratic and Republican parties? Check out Huffington Post's new campaign finance database where you can search by name, city, name and even employer.

Rohnert Park residents have dished out just $16,000 during this election cycle, donating money to both Democratic and Republican national campaigns, Congressional candidates and President Obama. According to a new campaign finance database put together by the Huffington Post, citizens here have donated $1,500 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign and $750 to the Republican National Committee. Locals are donating to congressional campaigns as well. For example, records show that Connie Codding has so far donated $500 to Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, who is running in the newly-drawn District 5, which encompasses Rohnert Park and Cotati on its most eastern border. State Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, and Petaluma City …

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