The Sonoma County 2nd District Supervisor is responsible for two separate jurisdictions:

• The rural areas of Lakeville, Penngrove, Two Rock, Chileno Valley, Bloomfield, Valley Ford, and Hessel.
• The incorporated cities of Petaluma, Cotati, and a portion of Rohnert Park.

To be economically healthy and productive, the cities and their neighboring Ag community must recognize the needs of one another—there must be a balance of resources, protection, and citizen representation. This balance has been missing for decades and here is why John King should be our next 2nd District Supervisor:

Sonoma County General Plan: This General Plan guides rural Sonoma County in terms of future land use, sustainability, and protection of rural communities against growth generated in the cities. John King supports these goals and is willing to amend the General Plan as needed to make sure we never compromise these standards.

Streamlining the Permit Process: John King has a proposal for streamlining the building permitting process that makes it possible for faster approval times allowing people to get back to work. He states that “the public shouldn’t be afraid of using County services that are intended for their benefit.” John’s simple but effective proposal will be disclosed shortly and can serve as a model for communities here in Sonoma County.

Zone 2A – Flooding: The watershed in the 2nd District that drains into the Petaluma River is known as Zone 2A. Funded and overseen by the Sonoma County Water Agency, this entity has lost $2 million dollars to the State because of deficits. John King supports the ongoing cleaning of creeks and drainage channels to avoid flood damage in the Petaluma area.

Open Space District: As a 2nd District Supervisorial Candidate, John King states: “I support the original goal of acquiring and preserving Ag Lands that are adjacent to District cities for future protection and preservation of agriculture. I will not support the acquisition of Lands that serve as favors to development interests.”

Emergency Services: There are approximately 14 Rural Fire Departments in Sonoma County, and John King supports developing a new funding mechanism through sales tax that will make desperately needed money available to rural Fire Departments who play such an important role in protecting the lives and property of rural Sonoma County citizens.

Sonoma County Supervisor Salaries: In the fall of 2008 the five Sonoma County Supervisors ignored our weakening State and local economies and increased their salary from approximately $98,000 annually to $134,000 a year. John King will reduce his salary back to pre-increase levels and ask that the other four Supervisors take the same responsible action.

Sonoma County General Fund Audit: Fiscal responsibility and transparency at the County level is non-existent. With the recent public disclosure of multiple County Agencies acting as creditors to development interests, John King pledges that “I will see to it that a true independent audit is conducted to ensure tax payer dollars are being spent as obligated by law. The findings of this audit will be made public and action will be taken if irregularities or illegal conduct are found.”

County Services in Petaluma: The City of Petaluma has a courtroom and other facilities that used to be County sponsored. John King believes the public should be able to obtain County services in Petaluma without having to drive to Santa Rosa for County help.

Big Box Retail: As 2nd District Supervisor, John King will fight to ensure that traffic impacts, regional circulation issues, and water availability will be fully addressed and mitigated to protect the interests of incorporated 2nd District and rural areas.

Sonoma County Veterans: This group of men and women represents those who have been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for all of us who enjoy the benefits and freedoms we have in our everyday lives. Whether it be through public funding or private donations, John King will never allow them to be forgotten and believes that “all of us owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.” As the son of a World War II Air Corps veteran, John supports the continued celebration, memorial, and support of those who have worn the uniform of the United States military.

Rent Control: The County of Sonoma developed and adopted a rent control ordinance which includes provisions for mobile home parks. This ordinance has been adopted by most of the County’s cities and has recently been under multiple legal challenges in Petaluma that is threatening the quality of life and financial stability of certain County residents. This is unacceptable. John King proposes rewriting the ordinance, tightening the language, and introducing any additional legal protection that will further protect those members of our communities who need to live in “safe harbor.”

Water Supplies: All water consumed is groundwater, yet the biggest basin and supplier to the 2nd District is in overdraft with a 150 foot decline over the past 25 years. John King is the only candidate to recognize this critical issue and successfully defeated the largest consumer into reducing groundwater pumping toward a more sustainable level. John will continue to fight for sustainable water resources for all of Sonoma County.

Groundwater Recharge Lands: In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s the State of California identified the most critical recharge lands with respect to rainfall here in Sonoma County. The State has taken the position that these lands should never be built on or paved over. John King supports future in-fee purchases of these irreplaceable Lands through the Open Space District—they will be some of the publics’ most important acquisitions under this community sponsored program.

Water Exports: To meet the future water needs of Sonoma County, Marin County will have to develop its own sustainable water supplies and exports to Marin will have to end. John King is willing to take on that challenge to help Marin County achieve water independence and protect Sonoma County’s irreplaceable groundwater resources.

Petaluma River – Storm Drainage: The Petaluma River provides the largest drainage channel for winter storm runoff in the 2nd District. If we lose the two remaining river-based businesses, we lose the Army Corp of Engineers. The cost of ongoing river dredging will shift from the Federal Government to the City of Petaluma and possibly the residents of Zone 2A. This is unacceptable. John King’s solution is to pursue and encourage the development of new businesses along the river that will ensure a cost effective way to keep the River channel a safe, clean, open, viable waterway.

Petaluma River – Commerce: The Petaluma River has provided an effective means of shipping goods into Sonoma County for 150 years. John King believes that new businesses that can safely operate and ship on the river must be welcomed.

Warm Springs Dam: This project was approved by voters in Sonoma County with Sonoma County property owners paying for the cost of the bond that built the Dam. Currently, only the cities of Sonoma and Marin Counties stand to take delivery of this water supply, while rural Sonoma County residents are not in the head count. John King will take on the challenge of rewriting the Federal Contract that defines who has the right to put this water to use. John’s priority is putting Sonoma County residents and members of the Ag community first!

Wastewater: Wastewater has already proven its value with agriculture being one of the largest consumers. John King will continue to work for improving the quality of treatment and filtration to ensure the safety of its use for agriculture and for our future generations.

Sonoma County Landfill: There are two landfill sites in the 2nd District—both are located in earthquake fault zone areas. Both areas are populated and include Ag lands with dairies and beef cattle ranches. There is tremendous risk to contaminating area groundwater supplies and this would be an irreversible event. John King promises the landfill sites will never be sold, and he will do everything possible to ensure groundwater contamination is not allowed to happen in these two high risk areas.

Proposed Roblar Quarry: This site is adjacent to an old County landfill. John King is extremely concerned that the mining of rock and related blasting activities associated with the project will heighten the risk of groundwater contamination to area agri-businesses and residents. John will not support any regional activity that creates new risks. It may be necessary to evaluate the likelihood of excavating the entire toxic landfill site on Roblar Road that was created with no liners.

Williamson Act: First adopted by the State of California in 1965, this Act provides protection for qualified Ag lands here in Sonoma County through reduced property tax assessments based on the lands ability to generate income. John King supports keeping this Act in place for participating farmers and ranchers to make agriculture viable in Sonoma County despite these challenging economic times.