As many of you know, candidates can apply to important groups to request their endorsements. The process starts with a rigorous questionnaire and then, usually, a personal interview before the group can endorse you. The Sierra Club, Democratic Central Committee, the National Women's Political Caucus, the Social Justice Center of Marin and the Marin Peace and Justice Center all have endorsed me as a candidate. To show you some of my specific thoughts, I am including my Sierra Club Questionnaire and my answers here. You can read more of my work on smartvoter.org as well.
-- Mary Ann

Question 1. There are approximately 200 undeveloped steep parcels in Fairfax. What policies do you favor concerning the future development of those parcels?

Fairfax must continue to rigorously protect its ridgelines. Steep parcels must also be evaluated with rigor. We have a Hill Area Development permit process, and a Ridgeline Development ordinance that offer some protection. It is imperative that we go further in our definitions. We need to establish a Slope Measurement ordinance that will give us greater protection from land slides, water diversion and destruction of natural habitat. Some towns in the area have set a limitation of no more than 25 or 30% slope. We need to create a guideline that has that kind of measurable precision. To do this, Fairfax needs to perfect its Green Building ordinance and make some definitive decisions that will better guide our future. Along with limiting the house size and instituting a more precise Floor Area Ratio, these will be priorities for me on the Town Council.

Question 2. Currently Fairfax is experiencing a real estate practice in which smaller units in the 900-1200 square foot range are being replaced with much larger units (2500 square feet and up). Do you consider this trend a problem at all? If so what solutions do you propose?

Fairfax has a policy that housing must be in character with the neighborhood. Many older homes were built as vacation retreats and hunting lodges, and are in disrepair, not up to current health and safety standards or simply too small for use by families. Some expansion and remodel of many of these homes is necessary for people to remain in the Town. I support modest homes for modest people. This means that Fairfax, while allowing necessary upgrades, must still require them to be limited in size and in their use of natural resources. This will also allow us to maintain housing stock for people of more moderate means.

We do not want to become another ill-planned urban pile, like other towns in our area, where anything goes, and monster homes start towering over their more unassuming neighbors. We also must take the threat of environmental impact and damage very seriously. We need the ordinances in place, as mentioned in number 1 above, to protect our environment and the character of our Town. Now our ordinances allow homes of up to 5,000 square feet. This is simply too big and I would work to change this guideline.

Question 3. What is your position concerning future development of 24 acre property of the Marin Town and Country Club?

Our Town has voted twice not to change the zoning to allow development. This property needs to remain open space and recreational facilities. Public use must be allowed. I would work with the owner to find a viable, public use for the property, with some limited commercial use that will not create too great an impact on the Town, but allow the owner a fair return on investment.

I would absolutely not favor any change in current zoning.

Question 4. What is your position concerning any future development of the 99 acre “Wall Property”?

The Wall Property is the largest remaining open space parcel in private ownership in our Town. As such it represents a very important aspect of our Town planning. The Town purchased the very top of this hill in 1907 as open space. This symbolizes the premium Fairfax has always put on public open space and protected hillsides. The rest of it must remain largely open space as well.

The Wall Property is currently zoned for nine homes. If developed, these homes must be kept off the hillsides, and must not become a "monster enclave." It may be that Fairfax can establish its own "Last Chance Committee -- like the one I worked on in Tiburon in the 90's -- which could seek funds to purchase this land. I would pursue that avenue as an alternative.

Question 5. Are there any environmental issues facing Fairfax that you consider an important part of your campaign?

Maintaining the small town character, preserving open space, transportation and traffic, pesticide spraying especially for mosquitoes, and completing our General Plan, including the implementation of sustainability elements are the most pressing environmental challenges for the Town.

Question 6. What environmental groups and issues have you been involved with over the last 10 years? Are you a member of the Sierra Club? (Not necessary for endorsement)

Yes, I am a member of the Sierra Club, as well Sustainable Fairfax, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, and GMO-Free Marin. I am an advocate of Community Choice and have testified before the Public Utilities Commission and I have demonstrated for this important innovation. I am a long time anti-war activist and have served as a spokesperson on TV and radio for Baring Witness.

I am an educator and a non-profit leader specializing in helping young people build rightlivelihood careers. As a professor at Dominican University, my specialty was in the area of "Human Rights and Global Change," centering particularly on ecological issues and struggles. I also founded the Service Learning Program at Dominican and mentored many of my students into environmental activism. I introduced the group Next Generation to the University and helped my students launch a recycling program University-wide.

As a non-profit leader I am the founder and head of Five 4 Five which seeks to help at-risk youth make it through college and find sustainable careers. Many of the 25 students we are presently mentoring are going into fields of environmental justice. We have received many grants to encourage our work from the Marin Community Foundation, the Milagro Foundation and the Scott Evans Foundation, which are in support of our environmental justice focus.

As a Fairfax Planning Commissioner, I have advocated green building and have initiated a plan whereby Sustainability is being inserted into all aspects of the General Plan.

Question 7. Is there any other reason you think the Sierra Club should endorse your candidacy?

My values are in accord with those of the Sierra Club. I have the personality and the track record which shows I can bring people together to get things done. Frank Egger, one of our Town's leading environmental advocates asked me to run for Town Council. Lew Tremaine, our mayor, is a very vocal supporter of my campaign and Rebekah Collins, long-time friend, head of Sustainable Fairfax and Community Choice leader is my treasurer for this campaign. Dotty LeMieux, one of Marin County's most respected environmental advocates and organizers, is my campaign manager.

I am running a serious campaign. I have sought and received endorsements from the Democratic Central Committee of Marin, the Social Justice Center of Marin, the Marin Peace and Justice Coalition and the National Women's Political Caucus. I have culled a campaign committee from people of all walks of life many of whom are long time supporters of Sierra Club efforts and many who are new to activism. I feel that I have both the energy and temperament to serve as an environmental advocate, a steward of the land and an activist for the Sierra Club's commitments to clean air, clean water and natural beauty.

The endorsement from the Sierra Club would mean a lot to me and I would be proud to have it. I hope you will consider me as a candidate worthy of your trust and your support.