League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Sonoma County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Michael J Kyes Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Sebastopol

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Sonoma County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. Should WiFi and Smart Meters be restricted in Sebastopol? Should they be allowed at all and if so, where?

Smart meters are not really smart, they rely on a smart grid which doesn't yet exist, and smart appliances which don't exist yet either. In the long run a smart grid is a good thing but it is going to be quite a while before one exists. Meanwhile, consumers are paying the costs of installing smart meters without getting any benefit. And, intallation of smart meters eliminates the jobs of meter readers. A moratorium on smart meters to protect consumers is entirely justifiable.

Perhaps the more significant issue is EMFs. I do not know if at the EMF intensity level of smart meters and wireless routers there is health risk. It is certainly well documented that high levels of EMFs do pose a risk. I do think that when 50 or so people attend a City council meeting with health concerns, the council should listen and look into their concerns. Great Britain banned lead in paint 100 years before the USA did. Just because something is generally accepted does not mean that there may not be cause for concern. However, at present we are surrounded by Wi-Fi everywhere. I can pick up four wi-fi networks in my home from my neighbors. There are dozens of wi-fi networks downtown. We might reduce EMFs by having a single network that everyone can use and which is secure for all users.

2. Do you favor limiting growth or do you favor more growth? Please explain your answer.

Sebastopol has a growth management ordinance that already limits new construction. Our General Plan also establishes limits on traffic congestion and requries that new construction not be allowed if it will cause our traffic congeston to become worse than those standards. Sebastopol has a limited carrying capacity for accommodating additional new construction and monitors the impact on an annual basis. I am in favor of continuing these policies. We should work to grow our economy but this does not mean allowing unlimited new construction it means capturing more of the retail sales from our extended market area throughout west county. We want the people who drive through town to stop and shop. We should focus on rehabilitating existing buildings and infill development where appropriate.

3. Do you want to build more housing for medium income people?

The city exceeds State mandated affordable housing requirements through at least 2014. The City has no transitional housing and no permanent supportive housing. The City also lacks affordable senior housing. I believe that the City should be focusing on these needs.

4. Would you like to see two way traffic returned to downtown Sebastopol?

Two-way traffic would be a disaster. It would create complete gridlock. The City's economic growth is already being curtailed by traffic congestion and lack of parking, switching back to two way traffic would put downtown businesses out of business and drive more commuters to use residential streets as bypasses. It would be a complete waste of time and money to even consider it.

5. What measures would you suggest to help boost our local economy?

First we must create an environment where businesses can thrive, including support for a business incubator and ensuring that our downtown has the amenities to attract shoppers. This includes doing everything we can to mitigate our traffic problems, ensure that we have adequate parking and improve signage to direct shoppers to parking. We need to make our downtown as pedestrian and bicyle friendly as possible. We must aggressively work to attract new businesses that will be drawn to Sebastopol's green ethic, progressive ideals and agricultural heritage. Capitalize on our assets including our arts community, antique businesses, high quality food/wine, green energy, wellness/health care, ecotourism and vintage clothing by promoting these business sectors. We should continue to support and promote our various festivals and fairs, some of which appeal to regional and even national audiences. Promoting programs that encourage residential and commercial energy and water retrofits which will result in creating jobs and taxable sales while saving consumers money. We need to promote Sebastopol shopping opportunities and services to people who live throughout West County via various means, particularly the internet.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. Candidates may not refer to any other candidates in their answers.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 17, 2010 21:19
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