Petaluma Tomorrow background

Background

Petaluma Tomorrow Background

Petaluma Tomorrow is a group of politically active individuals who care about the quality of life for all Petaluma area citizens and insist that local government act in the public’s best interest.

The mission of Petaluma Tomorrow is to work for open government, responsible development and sustainable watershed management and to support candidates who best represent these ideals and are responsive to the community. Our activities include citizen advocacy, raising public awareness, neighborhood organizing and campaigning.

Petaluma Tomorrow is working to improve the direction of politics in our city. We are working to create positive alternatives to irresponsible development, detrimental environmental practices, and the influence of special interest groups. This will protect our quality of life for future generations.

To accomplish this, we need the help of an informed public that has a greater understanding of candidates, office holders and issues that confront our city. Therefore, educating our community is one of the primary goals of Petaluma Tomorrow. We recognize that it is important for the public to be kept informed of issues and how our elected officials address them, not only at election time, but year around. Our goal is to provide this information in a clear and timely manner. We use print and broadcast media, direct mail and neighborhood meetings to provide a broader understanding of how our community is being affected by the decisions of our elected officials. These activities, along with our newsletter, are meant to encourage and enable the public to take a more active role. Petaluma Tomorrow is a resource for information and advice as well as a forum for people to engage more easily in the political arena.

Another area we focus on is active participation in the public meetings of local agencies such as the Petaluma City Council, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and the Sonoma County Water Agency. We monitor the actions and agendas of these agencies and advocate strongly for the public’s interest when items of importance to our members come before them. We have been successful in restoring Petaluma’s General Plan process, reducing gravel mining in the Russian River and reforming Petaluma’s campaign finance practices. Our visibility and participation in city and county meetings, as well as our public relations activities, create an atmosphere in which we are taken seriously by, and can work effectively with local officials.

We are working today for a better tomorrow. We welcome all people interested in improving the quality of life in our community and invite you to help us work for an open government, responsible development and sustainable watershed management.

Please print and mail this membership form and join today!

Petaluma Tomorrow Mission Statement

The mission of Petaluma Tomorrow is to work for open government, responsible development and sustainable watershed management, and to support candidates who best represent these ideals and are responsive to the community.

Purpose

Public advocacy, voter education and candidate endorsement and support.

Focus Areas and Accomplishments

A partial list of the accomplishments of Petaluma Tomorrow since our founding in 2001 follows:

Authored, sponsored, and led the campaign to pass the 2004 Petaluma Ballot Initiative, Measure R, Campaign Finance Reform. The initiative passed with 66% of the vote.

Endorsed and supported the successful re-election campaign of Councilmember Pamela Torliatt (2004), as well as the unsucessful campaign of Cindy Thomas.

Supported and helped Pass Wetlands Alternative for Wastewater Treatment Facility (2001)

Supported and helped pass Petaluma's historic, first campaign finance reform ordinance with public financing provisions (2001)

Endorsed and supported the campaign of David Glass for Mayor in 2002.

Advocated for a fully public process for the update of the Petaluma General Plan; submitted "Alternative L for Liveability" a set of integrated recommendations for the General Plan in 2003, many of which were incorporated into subsequent drafts

Lobbied to End Gravel Mining in Russian River

Safeguarded Open Government by Advocating for an Independent City Clerk (2001)

Election campaign focus areas

Candidate(s) endorsement and support

Phone banking, precinct walking, and get-out-the-vote efforts, in combination with allied organizations

Slate mailers and signs

Issue advocacy for:

Open government and getting big money out of politics

Downtown re-development including a movie theater (especially 2001-2003)t

More open space and parks

New city and count General Plans favoring responsible, accountable development and sustainability

Safe driking water supply, clean waterways, and reduced flood risk

Transparent selection of city contractors in the public interest (see the Great Garbage Fiasco of 2005)

Issue advocacy against irresponsible development leading to traffic congestion, flooding, and other problems:

Petaluma Outlet Mall expansion into the Corona Reach floodplain

Deer Creek (Lowe''s)Magnolia Park (2001)

Open Space at Paula Lane, Kelly Creek, and La Cresta ridge and ravine

Building our organization and influence:

Coalition-building with neighborhood, labor, environmental, good government, and social justice groups. Neighborhood coalition building

Public Education (Community Television, Newspapers, etc.)

Forums and events

Membership building

Current Board Members and Officers

As of Spring 2006, Petaluma Tomorrow is led by these Petaluma area residents.