On Nov. 4, Petaluma voters will elect a new mayor to serve for the next four years, in addition to choosing three people for open seats on the City Council.
While the mayor’s vote counts the same as the other council members’, he or she helps set city council meeting agendas, chairs council meetings and represents the city at various functions. It is important for the mayor to run an orderly meeting, encourage consideration of alternative viewpoints and foster an inclusive approach to decision-making, while strongly emphasizing consensus building.
This year, the choice is between incumbent David Glass, and three-term city councilman Mike Harris.
David Glass served his first term as mayor from 2003 to 2006, during which time he worked hard to help make downtown revitalization and the Theatre District a reality. His first stint as mayor was, generally speaking, successful. Though he works very hard, and is very knowledgeable and passionate about Petaluma issues, his more recent term as Petaluma’s mayor has been disappointing.
Glass has been a consistent naysayer and doubter of the long-awaited Rainier cross-town connector and interchange project, offering little in the way of leadership on getting it built. While vehemently opposing a proposed sales tax increase designed to fund the rebuilding of Petaluma’s street system and construction of the Rainier interchange, Glass offered no practical alternatives for generating the revenue necessary to complete these important projects. On the matter of job creation and economic development, Glass voted no on a shopping center project that brought Friedman’s Home Improvement Center, and hundreds of new jobs, back to town.
Perhaps most disappointing has been Glass’ political divisiveness that is marked by a frequent lack of civility towards colleagues, constituents and city employees with whom he disagrees and who are sometimes the target of loud and angry public and private tirades, including a verbal assault on a female employee while she worked alone one day when city hall was closed. Unhappy that city employee unions had supported alternative candidates for city council in the 2010 election, Glass angrily berated the woman, a union leader, causing her to fear for her personal safety. A harassment claim was filed and though Glass later apologized to the employee for his actions, she ultimately left her job.
Petalumans should not have to condone this type of behavior in their mayor.
Councilman Mike Harris, on the other hand, has a proven track record of working effectively, respectfully and collaboratively with members of the council and the community.
Bright, levelheaded and a good listener who has earned a reputation for accessibility and responsiveness to his constituents, Harris has been a strong proponent of strengthening and diversifying the city’s economy, growing its tax base and creating jobs.
Armed with a strong desire for working collegially with other council members, Harris well understands the importance of building consensus to reach goals that benefit the entire community.
A tireless worker whose leadership has benefitted scores of municipal commissions and committees, Harris has a well-earned reputation for finding solutions and getting things done to help Petaluma thrive.
His years of service on the Sonoma County Transportation Authority has demonstrated his active commitment to ensuring that Highway 101 will be widened through Petaluma, that the long delayed Rainier interchange will finally be built, and that Petaluma always gets its fair share of transportation dollars.
Petaluma needs a responsive, collaborative and pragmatic leader who will bring an inclusive style of leadership to the office aimed at achieving city goals.
The Argus-Courier believes Mike Harris is the best candidate to serve in that role, and recommends his election as Petaluma’s mayor.
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