I think one of the best ways to provide information on the issues before our Town and the approach I bring to my work on your Council is to publish the questions and answers to organizations whose endorsement I am seeking. The following are the responses to the Democratic Central Committee of Marin questionnaire:

1. I have been a registered Democrat since the age of 18, following in the footsteps of my grandparents, all of whom were "Roosevelt Democrats," and my parents who identify themselves "Roosevelt/Kennedy" Democrats." I maintain my proud allegiance to the Democratic Party because its core ideals, fairness and equality for all on the essential values embedded in our state and federal constitutions, are given voice by our party. And while I proudly voted for Govenor and President Carter (twice), Senator Mondale, Governor Dukakis, Governor and President Clinton (twice), and Senator Kerry, the opportunity to vote for President Obama will forever be the defining vote of my time.

2. The central quality I believe I have brought to my work on the Town Council, and the one that I trust the Fairfax community believes qualifies me to continue in service to them, is a fundamental respect for our diverse range of opinions on the central issues of concern to us all. I was elected to the Town Council four years ago when the rough-and-tumble of our Council's work interfered with the challenges of governing a small town. I have worked collaboratively with all of my Council colleagues to ensure our economic recovery from the great flood of December 2005 through the extraordinarily trying economic times of the past year have been undertaken consistent with our community's collective core values.

3. The central challenge facing the Fairfax Town Council over the coming four years (and I fear beyond) will be the responsiblity of providing essential services - public safety, infrastructure, social programs - at a time of diminishing financial resources. The Fairfax community has been extremely generous in providing the Town with "Measure F," a $125 per dwelling and business tax. Measure F, which is on the ballot for renewal in November as "Measure I," would extend this source of revenue for another 5 year period. Combined with our property tax and limited sales tax, the Council will have to ensure our excellent police and fire services are fully funded; our public works projects focus on maintaining the infrastructure of our roads, stormdrains, and pubic buildings; and that we identify enough revenue to continue support for programs targeting the well-being of our seniors and young people. In the past four years we have met this responsibliity by keeping a firm grip on public spending, budgeting wisely, and hiring a very talented team of municipal employees. As state and county grant funding becomes ever more scarce, our Town Council and Town staff will continue to identify innovative ways to meet our fiscal and social obligations in a way that ensures that Fairfax forever maintains its small-town character.

Weinsoff4TownCouncil

Re-Elect David Weinsoff For Fairfax Town Council

August, 2009

I am a candidate for re-election to the Fairfax Town Council. It has been a privilege to serve as a member of your Town Council since 2005 and this year as your mayor. I ask for your vote on November 3rd.

This blog provides the opportunity to focus on 2 important themes in my campaign. First, I am able to provide you with a consistent stream of information about my positions on the important issues before us. And second, in an effort to identify low-cost campaign tools that will bring down the increasing expense of running a Town Council campaign, the use of a blog - in contrast to a formal website - offers an equally effective but cost-free way to communicate campaign information. I will be listing my campaign expenses on future blogs. I am not seeking any financial contributions for this re-election campaign.

August 10, 2009

The Marin County Registrar of Voters approved my nomination papers, including this Election Statement:

DAVID WEINSOFF Age: 51
Occupation: Environmental Attorney

Fairfax Councilmember (2005-2009)
Fairfax environmental lawyer
Fairfax Documentary Film Festival co-director
Former Fairfax Planning Commissioner, Open Space Committee member

Idie, Jake, and I moved to Fairfax in 1996. I opened my environmental law practice in Town and in the years since have served as a councilmember, planning commissioner and Open Space Committee member, and started the Fairfax Documentary Film Festival.

It is a privilege to serve as your councilman during a time of significant challenges and achievements in our community. From the 2005 flood through this current economic crisis, Fairfax has managed its finances wisely, provided essential public services, and maintained its welcoming small town character.

I would be honored to serve a second term on your Council to continue the following work:

Keeping Fairfax the small town we love: using my environmental skills to protect our natural environment, promoting local businesses, and identifying revenue to support the work of our public safety officers, Town staff, and volunteers.

Strengthening the Fairfax community: focusing on the Town’s long-term fiscal health and keeping taxes down, implementing new General Plan projects, continuing to govern effectively with my Council colleagues, and running a positive Town Council campaign.

I request your vote November 3rd.