UPCOMING EVENTS - MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

Saturday, September 26: Rock ‘n Blues By the Lake, Novato
Saturday, October 3: Bocce Tournament benefiting Casa Allegra Community Services, San Rafael
November, date TBA: Youth Speaks-Voices From Our Community, Novato

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE GUEST EDITORIALS WHICH FOLLOW THE EVENTS CALENDAR:

• Link to “WHY PRIVATIZING NOVATO SANITARY AGENCY (EVEN JUST OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE) IS A DUBIOUS IDEA THAT NEEDS MORE PUBLIC ATTENTION”
  
  
• Link to “SAVING OUR SEWERS: WHAT YOU CAN DO”
  
  
• Link to “MARIN CLEAN ENERGY VS. PG&E: IS NOVATO LOST?”
  
  
• Link to “WHAT ABOUT NOVATO'S REDWOOD CORRIDOR PLANNING?”

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EVENTS CALENDAR
-- THURSDAY, JUNE 11, JULY 9, AUGUST 13 (and the second Thursday of each month), 7:00 pm -- City of Novato Multicultural Commission meeting, Novato Police Department, Machin Ave. The Commission sponsors events such as the Multicultural Festival, Movies in the Park, and the World Café, as well as interfaces with the Novato Police Dept. around diversity/multiculturalism and hate-related incidents. Meetings are open to the public. For more info: novatomulticulturalcommission@earthlink.net

-- SATURDAY and SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 10-7:00 & 14, 10-6:00 -- 26th annual Novato Art, Wine & Music Festival, Grant Avenue between Redwood and 7th. FREE admission – fun for the whole family! As a part of on-going efforts to create a greener community, Sustainable Novato (SN) will be operating the free bike parking corral at the Festival. SN is trying to encourage the community to reduce green house gases, be more sustainable—and improve their fitness as well, while they’re having fun at the Festival. The corral will be at the corner of Grant and First St. There will be a SN volunteer there to answer any of the sustainability questions about the group’s work and to sell Sigg bottles, etc.  Please stop by and say hello—even if you’re not on a bike! Other of the Festivals green efforts include a main stage powered entirely with solar power (saving 2, 000 pounds of carbon dioxide) and extensive efforts by Marin Conservation Corps and the Novato Chamber to collect, sort and recycle as much as possible – please use the recycling bins!
 
-- SATURDAY, JUNE 13 & 14, 9:00 am - 7:00 pm -- Italian Street Painting Festival, Downtown San Rafael 5th and “A” Streets. Chalk is the medium, asphalt the canvas at the 16th annual Street Painting Festival where hundreds of madonnari (street painters) turn two of San Rafael streets into a color-splash gallery of art, reflecting this year's theme, "Faces of the Renaissance”. There will also be two stages of amazing musical entertainment and a variety of Italian food. Some of the artists, both the painters and the musicians, are from Novato – come and check us out! Opportunity for kids to do street artwork is also available. The event benefits “Youth in Arts” programs, which serve all of Marin County. Breaking Away will provide free valet bike parking at 4th and “A” streets. The event admission is FREE! For more info: http://www.youthinarts.org/ispf.html

-- SATURDAY, JUNE 13 (and the first Saturday of each month), 9-10:00 am -- Childhood Matters radio show - Tune to Green 960 AM to Childhood Matters for relevant, interesting and informative discussions each week. This Saturday’s topic is on same-sex partners raising children. www.childhoodmatters.org (podcasts also available).

-- DOMINGO, 14 de JUNO (y todos los Domingos a las 8 de la manana), 8-9:00 am -- En programa de radio para crecer y aprender en familia - en KLOK 1170 AM, La Kalle 100.7/105.7 FM, La Nuestra KBBF 89.1 FM, Tricolor 99.5 FM, Super Estrella 107.1 FM, y Radio José KMBX 700 AM. La Salud de Nuestros Ninos Empieza con un Embarazo Sano Guías de la Dra. Marisol para Preparar a Nuestros Niños para la Escuela También le invitamos a visitarnos en www.nuestrosninos.com, donde, además de poder escuchar todos los programas anteriores, encontrará infinidad de recursos, enlaces, y más.
 
-- MONDAY, JUNE 15, 5:30-7:30/7:30-9:00 pm -- Novato Public Hearing Housing Plan Update http://buildinghealthycommunities.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/novato-public-hearing-housing-plans-update/ . Novato Unified School District office, 1015 Seventh St. This is a great opportunity to have your voice heard on the importance of affordable workforce housing in Novato and really influence public decisions on this issue. A pre-meeting, sponsored by Grassroots Leadership Network, to go over some talking points will be held at 5:30 at the Novato Public Access Studios (NUSD office) contact Ericka if you think you can attend or would like more information: ericka@maringrassroots.org. The Novato City Planning Commission meeting beginning at 7:30 will be held in the Board Room and will be reviewing the options of potential sites for future housing units. You don’t want to miss this one! www.ci.novato.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=1121
 
-- TUESDAY, JUNE 16 (and every Tuesday through Sept, weather permitting) 4 –7:30ish pm -- Novato’s Certified Farmer’s Market, Grant Ave between Machin and Reichert Ave.  Many of your favorite farmers, artisans, food purveyors are back again this year + look for some new vendors. Check out the wonderful variety of booths/vendors, fresh organic produce, diversity of product, all of which equal more reasons to come down and shop every Tuesday evening! A wonderful family outing! The Market is also a chance to learn more about community groups/events at information tables staffed by PeaceNovato, Organizing for America (OFA) and Alliance of Concerned Citizens of Novato (ACCNovato), among others. Eat local and support our local farmers and our downtown Grant Avenue businesses. Cut back car emissions and save on gas, keep it local! For more info: www.marinfarmersmarkets.org
 
-- WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, (and every Weds.) 4:00 pm -- Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden Tour, 1800 Ignacio Blvd, Novato. Located on the C.O.M. Indian Valley Campus, the new Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden - where agriculture and youth bloom - is about building on the Marin’s progressive agricultural heritage and advancing the sustainable agriculture and healthy food movement. The nearly 6 acre site will serve as a valuable learning laboratory and educational resource for us all. Parking available at the end of the campus. Go to www.conservationcorpsnorthday.org to learn more about this exciting new project.
 
-- WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, JULY 1 & 15, AUGUST 5…, 6:30 pm -- Alliance of Concerned Citizens of Novato (ACCNovato) meeting, Druids Hall, 801 Grant Avenue, Novato. Held the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, the group invites you to come and learn more about the ways you can help save our sewers from privatization. For more info please read the two guest editorials in the last section of the Newsletter, and check out the group’s website: www.accnovato.org      

The Alliance of Concerned Citizens of Novato is an association formed by Novato residents to prevent the privatization of the operations and maintenance of Novato's new taxpayer-funded $90 million wastewater treatment facility at the Novato Sanitary District (NSD). ACCNovato is an alliance of citizens, labor, faith, and community organizers who wish to keep our Novato utilities public with local control!
 
-- MONDAY, JUNE 22, 4:30 -- Novato Sanitary District Board meeting, 500 Davidson St., Novato. Attend the Board meeting and ask/demand that the Board delay a decision on privatization pending the results of the EPA’s criminal investigation, as well as ask/demand the board for a more inclusive public review of the contract operations and maintenance proposals. Numbers matter—the more people speaking, the more effective the collective voice! www.accnovato.org
 
-- THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 7-9:00 pm -- Monthly general meeting of Sustainable Novato, Redwood Room, Marin Community Foundation, Hangar Five, Hamilton, Novato.  Sustainable Novato is a volunteer, grassroots, non-profit organization acting locally to make a difference.  Come and join initiatives for Climate Protection, Environment Health, Green Community Planning and Resource Efficiency and Conservation. Help create a greener, healthier Novato. Join up now. Contact info: 415-902-6365.  www.sustainablenovato.org or info@sustainablenovato.org.
 
-- THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 7-9:00 -- “THIRST” documentary viewing, The Hill Community Room (by Margaret Todd Center) 1560 Hill Rd., Novato. The Award winning movie “Thirst” looks at global corporations and their involvement with local water supplies, trying to combine private profits with what many feel should be a fundamental right to water access. The movie reveals how water is becoming the catalyst for explosive community responses to the management of this precious resource. The special screening of the Alan Snitow & Deborah Kaufman documentary will be followed by a short talk and Q & A session. Sponsored by the Alliance of Concerned Citizens of Novato (ACCNovato), this event is FREE of charge and includes beverages and snacks. For more information about the movie and about ACCNovato www.accnovato.org
 
-- SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1-4:00 pm -- Health Care Fair (National Health Care Day of Service), Pickleweed Community Center, 50 Canal Center, San Rafael. OFA (Organizing for America) Marin invites the public to a FREE countywide Health Care Fair to provide information on the healthcare needs in Marin County and to bring attention to the need for healthcare reform. Service providers, covering a full range of information on health, wellness, nutrition, exercise, safety and local programs, will be available to answer questions and hand out information. There will also be gathering Personal Healthcare Stories to forward to Washington to put a face on this enormous problem. Information will be available regarding healthcare reform—what the process will be going forward and how we can advocate for change. If you would like to help plan this event or volunteer at the day of the event, go to: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpc4gx

-- SUNDAY, JULY 28, 10:00 am-1:00 pm -- Celebrate Pride and walk with Senator Mark Leno in the 2009 LGBT Pride Parade Celebration, Market Street, S.F.  As the LGBT community celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots—which gave rise to the annual Pride celebrations around the world—we are all reminded that the overall cause for equality is ongoing, given the aftermath of Proposition 8. Senator Mark Leno invites you to join him and his parade contingent on Sunday, June 28th, 2009 in a march for hope and celebration down Market Street to Civic Center and let your voice be heard during this festive occasion. Senator Leno's contingent is early in the line-up of the parade, so you can march with him and still enjoy everything the day has to offer. For questions and to RSVP, please sign on to the “Celebrate Pride with Senator Mark Leno” group on Facebook or email LenoPride2009@gmail.com

-- THURSDAY, JULY 1 - SUNDAY, JULY 5 11:00 am-11:00 pm -- Marin County Fair “The Greenest County Fair on Earth”, Fairgrounds, Civic Center Dr., San Rafael. Five great days and nights! Enjoy fantastic bands, rides, tens of thousands of exhibits from fine arts to movies to kid’s exhibits. Poetry slam, Hip Hop, fireworks… Thanks to Marin Conservation Corps (www.conservationcorpsnorthbay.org) and others, many efforts are being done to make this a zero waste event. In addition to working with vendors to make sure everything is recyclable or compostable, there will be recycling and eco stations through-out the event. Also, check out The new Electric Wheels Car Show with an exciting "all electric" collection of clean-air, energy-efficient vehicles and performer Steve Trash in his Rockin' Eco Hero Big Green Magic Show at 3 and 5 pm daily. Saving the planet can be fun!  There is much in our county fair that earns it the title of the “Greenest”! To learn more: www.marinfair.org/spec_exhibits.cfm. Children under 12 are admitted to the fair for FREE on July 1. For more Fair facts: www.marinfair.org

One way that you can make this event greener is to use Golden Gate Transit Bus and/or the Free Fair Shuttle - hourly zero emission bus from Smith Ranch Rd Park-Ride. Other green options are to join a Carpool/Ride/Share - visit www.spaceshare.com/marincountyfair to participate. Think green, help your neighbors and save on gas! And to be really green + really healthy: Bike to the fair, there will be free valet bike parking near the main gate from 11-7:00.

-- SATURDAY, JULY 4th, Race and Fun Run: The Tamalpa Runner’s club has organized an early morning event in cooperation with School Fuel to support our local schools. Got to: http://www.tamalparunners.org for more information and to register online for the race or walk.

-- SATURDAY, JULY 4th, 10:00 am -- 17th annual Novato 4th of July parade, Grant Ave from Reichert to 7th.  This year’s theme: “Novato Goes Green”. Go green by riding your bike, walking or carpooling. The parade attracts 15,000-20,000 each year—come and watch and applaud, or walk/ride with one of the many contingents (some follow). FREE and family friendly—come join the parade! www.novatoparade.com or 899-8900

-- A few parade contingents you might want to participate with:
School Fuel and Novato Unified School District are working on a combined Novato Schools entry in the parade. Every student, staff, or family member is welcome to join the contingent.  If you have questions or ideas, please call Susan: 209-9616

Novato Democratic Club (NDC) hopes to have a lot of Democrats joining their parade contingent this year. The Club will have a Prius riding with them for those who are unable to walk very far. We invite you to please come and join us—the Club promises a good time for all!! For more info about where to meet contact Suzanne Crow: 415-309-6170  or Lynne Wasley: 415-898-2447. For more about the NDC: www.novatodemocrats.org

PeaceNovato will continue with their promise and tradition to proudly carry all of the Peace Cranes in the Novato 4th of July Parade. This will be their 5th year carrying the Peace Cranes in one of the largest displays of military equipment held in California. The group hopes that this will be the last year they’ll need to march in protest of the continuing Iraq War. As the number of Americans killed in Iraq and Afghanistan continues to increase so does the number of cranes that we need to carry in the parade.  More than ever this year they need your help to make this a success. To sign up to help set-up, carry, or pack the cranes, please call Don: 897-0516 or drop by PeaceNovato’s table at the Novato Farmer’s Market each Tuesday.

-- THURSDAY, July 9 and August 6, 7-9 pm -- Democratic Central Committee of Marin (DCCM) meeting, San Rafael Corporate Center, Conference Rm., 750 Lindaro St. Open to the public. The DCCM normally meets the first Thursday of each month, but has bumped July’s meeting time a week due to the Fourth festivities. Accordingly, look for the DCCM’s booth at the Marin County Fair! Novato currently has four representatives on the Central Committee and four alternates. For more info on this meeting and other upcoming events: www.marindemocrats.org

-- SATURDAY, JULY 11, 8:15 pm -- Movies in the Park - Cine en el Parque Movies: “Horton Hears a Who!” “Horton y el Mundo de los Quién”  (G), Pioneer Park, Simmons Lane. “A person’s a person no matter how small.” Animated (86 minutes) Bring the whole family, a blanket to sit on and some snacks to munch on. FREE of charge. Movies in the Park are respect/diversity themed movies brought to you by the City of Novato Multicultural Commission/City of Novato. Julio 11 -- Se les ofrece gratis el cine por la Comisión Multicultural de la Ciudad de Novato.  Todas las películas comienzan a las 8:15 o al anochecer en el Parque Pioneer. Todas las películas llevarán subtítulos en español.

-- MONDAY, JULY 13 and AUGUST 10 (and the second Monday of each month), 7-9 pm -- "Poetry Farm" -- poetry readings at Dr. Insomnia’s, 800 Grant Avenue, Novato. Come and hear from some of our talented local poets plus support one of Novato’s homegrown businesses, Dr. Insomnia’s!  

-- FRIDAY JULY 17 & AUGUST 14, 9:am-2:00 pm -- Summer Service Days: Serve and Be Served. Conservation Corps North Bay’s (CCNB) Novato and San Rafael centers. Get involved in environmental community projects designed and led by youth participating in CCNB's Project ReGeneration summer youth program. Past service projects have included community garden beautification, trail maintenance, litter abatement, and invasive plant removal. Afterwards, everyone is invited back to Pickleweed Park in San Rafael for a celebration barbeque. All ages welcome! To volunteer, contact Mary Ewing mail to: mewing@conservationcorpsnorthbay.org: 454-4554 ext. 272

-- SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 9:30-11 am -- Novato Democratic Club (NDC) monthly meeting (the first Saturday morning of each month), Chez Pierre, 7330 Redwood Blvd. (formerly Denny’s Restaurant), Novato. Note: The July ‘meeting’ will be held while we march in the Fourth of July parade! (info with July 4 events), in August, we’re back to Chez Pierre. Club participants are encouraged to purchase breakfast (“delish” and reasonably priced) and/or donate $5 for coffee, etc). With a focus on local issues, the NDC is also a place where you can learn more about how you can get more involved in local, state and national Democratic activities—and is also an opportunity to support Chez Pierre, one of our local businesses! For details, contact: Suzanne, NDC President (415) 309-6170. www.novatodemocrats.org
  
-- SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 8:15 pm -- Movies in the Park - Cine en el Parque Movies: “The Bucket List” “Cosas que Hacer antes de Partir”  (PG 13), Pioneer Park, Simmons Lane. Bring the whole family, a blanket to sit on and some snacks to munch on. FREE of charge. Movies in the Park are respect/diversity themed movies brought to you by the City of Novato Multicultural Commission/City of Novato. Agosto 1 -- Se les ofrece gratis el cine por la Comisión Multicultural de la Ciudad de Novato.  Todas las películas comienzan a las 8:15 o al anochecer en el Parque Pioneer. Todas las películas llevarán subtítulos en español

-- SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 8:15 pm -- Movies in the Park - Cine en el Parque Movies: “The Longshots” “Posibilidades Remotas que Quizás Resulten”  (PG), Pioneer Park, Simmons Lane. A true story about Curtis Plummer (Ice Cube), who coaches his niece Jasmine, a girl looking for self-worth, into the quarterback of the local all-boys football team. Jasmine becomes the first girl to play in the Pop Warner Super Bowl and the small city of Minden, Illinois, is ignited with team spirit and dignity and town pride. (94 minutes)” Bring the whole family, a blanket to sit on and some snacks to munch on. FREE of charge. Movies in the Park are respect/diversity themed movies brought to you by the City of Novato Multicultural Commission/City of Novato. Agosto 22 -- Se les ofrece gratis el cine por la Comisión Multicultural de la Ciudad de Novato.  Todas las películas comienzan a las 8:15 o al anochecer en el Parque Pioneer. Todas las películas llevarán subtítulos en español


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Mark your calendars for September, October, November events:

-- SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, Rock ‘n Blues By the Lake – Stafford Lake, Novato. A musical event for the whole family friendly - benefits Novato Public Schools. Check out the website after 6/28 for a complete list of bands and other info about this exciting event. www.rnblake.com

-- SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3 -- Bocce Tournament benefiting Casa Allegra Community Services. Join the fun at the San Rafael Bocce Courts that includes fabulous courtside lunch. Casa Allegra provides supports to people with developmental disabilities in Marin County, many of whom live in Novato. The agency is fundraising to help pay for essential medical & dental care and purchase adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs or communications devices that are windows to the world for the people the agency supports. www.casaallegra.org. Contact Jeanne Santangelo, jeanne@casaallegra.org or 898-6525 for further information on sponsor benefits and team play. See www.CVNL.org for Casa Allegra's volunteer listings.
 
-- NOVEMBER (Specifics to be announced) -- Youth Speaks: Voices From Our Community. Sponsored by United for Safe Schools Novato (USSN) www.unitedsafe.com, this forum will be an opportunity for the youth in our community to share with their peers and with adults their thoughts and feelings on what is important to them (and should be to all of us). Discussion will follow. Come and hear from a diverse group of youth and young adults who have a lot to share. If you’re interested in participating in the forum /would like to help organize it, contact: Lynne Wasley at 898-2557 or ourhouse4@earthlink.net

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GUEST EDITORIALS:

WHY PRIVATIZING NOVATO SANITARY AGENCY (EVEN JUST OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE) IS A DUBIOUS IDEA THAT NEEDS MORE PUBLIC ATTENTION
 
Opposition has formed against NSD's plans to privatize its new sewage treatment plant (http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_12538960).  Not yet fully reported, however, is the wider political context of privatization and details about the cost figures NSD uses to justify the move. A recent private analysis by John Quinley on certain aspects of NSD’s proposed privatization of O&M operations concludes that NSD has overstated advantages of privatization. Novatans recognize that issues in respect to NSD's O&M privatization proposal are complex and Mr. Quinley's work addresses only one of them.  
 
For its part, Sustainable Novato considers privatization or water and wastewater facilities to have serious implications for local community control of the health, safety and sustainability of one of our most basic resources.  Sustainable Novato has said it wants cooperate with NSD in a public Novato community forum to educate Novatans about the problem.  SN continues to urge NSD to engage a team of truly independent peer reviewers to look at the set of problems privatization may engender, including its wider context.  Meanwhile, SN believes NSD should go slow on its proposal until the public has had an opportunity to fully evaluate all of its aspects and implications.
 
The following statement is one with which many sustainability advocates, environmental organizations and perhaps many Novatans would agree:
 
(Food and Water Watch): "The waters of California belong to the people of California.  The resource must remain public to keep it safe and affordable for them, their families and their posterity.  When water and sewer systems fall into private hands, costs grow and consumers end up paying too much for poor quality.  It can lead to sewage spills and service problems.  Because of these failures, taxpayer money should neither incentivize nor subsidize private ownership, management or operation of water and sewer systems."  
 
(F&WW continues): "Private control of water is a bad deal for California -- it may mean high water rates, expensive financing of water and sewer projects, Clean Water Act violations, high operating costs and corruption.  Local governments should keep their water and sewer services in public hands and reject privatization."
 
-- Ed Mainland

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SAVING OUR SEWERS:WHAT YOU CAN DO
 
To All Novato Residents:
 
The citizens of Novato currently benefit from the services of a publicly operated and maintained wastewater treatment facility.  Public facilities are first and foremost accountable to consumers in their community. This is about to change unless you help!
 
The Novato Sanitary District (NSD) Board and management hope to replace our good public operators and maintenance staff with a profit-driven corporation.  Through this privatization scheme the NSD Board will hire a private contractor to handle our community’s new $90 million wastewater treatment facility.
Why Wastewater Privatization Fails
-    Rates Increase – research shows that rates increase from 20%-100%
-    Local control will be lost – foreign-based corporations will be in control
-    Jobs are lost – resulting in loss of expertise and experience
-    Environmentally Damaging Track Records – spills occur more often due to shoddy maintenance, incompetence with profit-driven corporations
-    Declining Customer Service – corners are cut to increase profits
-    Profits will leave Novato – corporations send profits away to benefit shareholders
 
What can you do?
   
-    Show up at the Novato Sanitary District Board meetings scheduled on the 2nd & 4th Mondays of each month at 4:30 p.m. located at 500 Davidson St., Novato
-    Demand the Board involve the public in the discussion of privatization and delay a decision on privatization pending the results of the EPA’s criminal investigation
-    If you can’t attend – send email or phone calls letting them know your opposition to privatization. Email: bevj@novatosan.com or call the district at: (415) 892-1694
-    Go to: http://www.accnovato.org
-    Attend the Alliance of Concerned Citizens of Novato meetings – info@accnovato.org
-    Don’t forget to VOTE November 3, 2009 and hold the board members accountable
 
We urge the citizens of Novato to support and endorse our position in this endeavor.  It is truly a David and Goliath battle and one we cannot afford to lose.  Please send donations to:  ACCNovato, P.O. Box 712, Novato, CA 94948.

-- ALLIANCE OF CONCERNED CITIZENS OF NOVATO (ACCNovato)

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MARIN CLEAN ENERGY VS. PG&E: IS NOVATO LOST?

On June 8 the Novato City Council's Committee on Sustainability heard PG&E's presentation of its proposal for a Local Government Partnership with Novato mainly on energy efficiency  So far, PG&E's proposal consists mainly of three things:  1) things that are already available to all of PG&E's customers; 2) things that cannot be provided to Novato alone and require CPUC approval, which there is no guarantee PG&E will even seek, let alone receive; and 3) things that are being done by others which PG&E is trying to take credit for.
 
Keep in mind that PG&E not only has no prospect or intention of reaching a 51% renewables portfolio, which Marin Energy Authority (its MCE part) has in its sights.  In fact, PG&E has opposed even a 33% RPS standard in CPUC proceedings, and is even lagging badly behind the state's 2010 goal of 20%.  PG&E claims it is now at 14%, which is about where it was in five years ago.  Lackluster, we say.
 
We urge Novato's City Council to at least give Marin Clean Energy a chance to present its latest work towards renewable power and energy efficiency conceived to meet or beat PG&E's performance.  The Council hasn't heard details that MEA has developed recently.  These include opportunities separate from any future community choice arrangement .  The Council should agendize MEA reps and, at the very least, listen to them before considering PG&E's so-called alternative.  Otherwise, the Council will be seen as having shut off Novatans from attractive competitive clean energy choices without getting all the facts.
 
-- John Schlag, President, Sustainable Novato www.sustainablenovato.org

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WHAT ABOUT NOVATO'S REDWOOD CORRIDOR PLANNING?
 
One of Sustainable Novato’s key initiatives this year is Climate Change, another is Planning Sustainable Communities.  The two initiatives go hand-in-hand.  Most Novatans are all aware that Climate Change is one of the world's most serious challenges . State legislation, such as AB 32, is being implemented to combat the climate change challenge.  Because general plans govern the direction and long-term planning for Novato’s development, updates to the general plan provide a key opportunity to ensure that our community adequately responds to AB32 by incorporating greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals and policies.  Failure to address GHG emissions in a substantive and meaningful way has already resulted in litigation against offending localities and subsequent settlement agreements in which defendant jurisdictions (City of Stockton and County of San Bernardino) were required to add specific measures to reduce GHG to their plans.
 
Land use policies, and related transportation and housing policies, are central to the goal of reducing GHG.  In Novato, over 60% of our employees commute in, most from jurisdictions that offer lower-priced housing.  This adds to Novato’s GHG emissions and rate of vehicle miles traveled, adding to congestion and traffic issues as well.  
 
Sustainable Novato encourages the General Plan Update Steering Committee (GPUSC) members, meeting June 10, to consider the key opportunity afforded by the Redwood corridor.  It's close to goods and services and high-quality transit.  We encourage a pedestrian-oriented design which includes:
 
-     Compact and street-oriented mixed-use communities with easy access to transit;
-     Narrower roadways and short to medium length blocks with sidewalks of appropriate width and continuity
-     Safe pedestrian crossings, traffic calming measures and buffers
-     Integration of trees, parks and public spaces
 
As retail is added to the Redwood corridor, it is important to balance this increase in lower-wage jobs with high-density workforce housing.  We expect the average pay for workers in sample retail stores such as bagel shops, bookstores and higher end lifestyle outlets such as Crate and Barrel is $10 - $15/hour, or $20 to $30k/year.  As such, those jobs would need to be filled by workers who are unable to purchase a home in Novato, adding both Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and GHG emissions if not balanced by adequate workforce housing opportunities nearby.  Well-located, high-density housing puts people close to shops, jobs, amenities and services, meaning more trips are made by walking, biking and transit instead of by car.  This also will create a larger customer base for local shopping areas.  Putting people close to transit makes them 10 times more likely to use it than average.  Density also reduces building energy use due to shared walls and makes renewable sources such as solar and grey-water technology more feasible.  Density combined with green-building features, will go even further to reduce GHG as well as to conserve water, reduce waste and provide other environmental benefits.
 
SN recommends the GPUSC adapt a policy for the General Plan that is in line with AB32 goals and smart infill.  It is time for the steering committee to take bold action to ensure our city has the blueprint necessary to reduce urban sprawl, protect our open spaces, reduce our GHG emissions and VMT and locate any new population growth near goods, services and transit so we may become a sustainable community.
 
-- Marla Fields, Board Member, Sustainable Novato
www.sustainablenovato.org

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Please check out the NOVATO VOLUNTEER AND ACTIVISM OPPORTUNITIES (Novatodemocrats.org – click on “Volunteer” link on the left). Learn more about local groups and services, including: Novato Independent Elders, Novato Live Well Network, No Wetlands Landfill Expansion/Green Coalition, PeaceNovato, United for Safe Schools Novato, Sustainable Novato, School Fuel, Novato Human Needs Center, Novato Youth Center, Novato Spirit, Novato Wellness Center, Novato Housing Coalition and many others. Find out how you can support the efforts of some outstanding groups and be a part of making a positive change in our community!

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“You must be the change you wish to see in the world” -- Gandhi

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that has.”  
 -- Margaret Mead, US Anthropologist
  
 “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what”.  
-- Harper Lee, Author, To Kill a Mockingbird  
  
"I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."  
 -- Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President

"To consciously evolve, we require clear vision of a compassionate future that draws out our enthusiastic participation in life." –- Duane Elgin   

"Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it."  -- Chinese proverb.


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