It looks like Michael Allen has lost. While we can regret that he was ever elected to the State Assembly in the first place, we can rejoice that voters recognized his sleazy behavior and rewarded him by giving him the boot. Perhaps it took Marin County voters to recognize that a man who threatens his opponent and takes money to vote shouldn't be (re) elected.
That was the good.
The bad is that Erin Carlstrom and Julie Combs were elected to Santa Rosa City Council. Erin will undoubtedly show her self-serving dog-eat-dog ladder-climbing colors when tested. Julie, who has anger management issues teetering in balance with toadying supplication, will demonstrate her community skills early. And Gary Wysocky, who was the target of someone calling themselves the 'Anyone But Wysocky' PAC was barely re-elected.
Because Susan Gorin moved into a supervisory seat her position on the City Council is now open and it's unclear who will fill it. So it's 3 to 3 on the council now with the so-called Business Friendly faction pitted against the Progressives. The next closest vote-getter, Don Taylor, restauranteur, is not the shoo-in, though one would expect that the next highest vote-getter would be. Not in this town though. The progressives want the majority and they'll bloody faces to get it. They'll ride their bikes over anyone who gets in their way. Even if Erin, who pretended to be a cross-over candidate so that she could latch onto voters who wouldn't have chosen her, even if she swings with the Biz Friendly she'll be sharpening her teeth on someone. Did someone make a contribution to her war chest? Was it Herb Williams perhaps?
People who are just out for money and power are much easier to deal with than those with an ideology. They can be bought. Maybe that's what we'll see with this new council. As a friend's father said when he saw the writing on the wall "Enjoy the ride."
Oh, and the Ugly? Having to see Gary Wysocky as Mayor if the Progressives get the majority.
That was the good.
The bad is that Erin Carlstrom and Julie Combs were elected to Santa Rosa City Council. Erin will undoubtedly show her self-serving dog-eat-dog ladder-climbing colors when tested. Julie, who has anger management issues teetering in balance with toadying supplication, will demonstrate her community skills early. And Gary Wysocky, who was the target of someone calling themselves the 'Anyone But Wysocky' PAC was barely re-elected.
Because Susan Gorin moved into a supervisory seat her position on the City Council is now open and it's unclear who will fill it. So it's 3 to 3 on the council now with the so-called Business Friendly faction pitted against the Progressives. The next closest vote-getter, Don Taylor, restauranteur, is not the shoo-in, though one would expect that the next highest vote-getter would be. Not in this town though. The progressives want the majority and they'll bloody faces to get it. They'll ride their bikes over anyone who gets in their way. Even if Erin, who pretended to be a cross-over candidate so that she could latch onto voters who wouldn't have chosen her, even if she swings with the Biz Friendly she'll be sharpening her teeth on someone. Did someone make a contribution to her war chest? Was it Herb Williams perhaps?
People who are just out for money and power are much easier to deal with than those with an ideology. They can be bought. Maybe that's what we'll see with this new council. As a friend's father said when he saw the writing on the wall "Enjoy the ride."
Oh, and the Ugly? Having to see Gary Wysocky as Mayor if the Progressives get the majority.
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