Measure U tax increase campaign funders, vague goals
and concerns
I think citizens should be fully aware of who is funding the very vague and expansive claims to justify the proposed city of Sebastopol half cent sales tax increase, which might generate a few hundred thousand more dollars per annum.
This amount is a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed but is being backed by the conservative with a small ‘c’ local old guard to justify a modest top up of what is left in their punch bowl.
If money was being very specifically raised to fund public safety or our water system (the most urgent needs based on the city citizen survey) that would be unusually focused behavior, but the old guard are claiming a very wide array of possible benefits if this measure passes, which is disingenuous to put it mildly.
If money was being raised with the specific intent of hiring talent to develop local business sales tax generation via rejuvenation, business development and attracting new businesses to our empty store fronts that would be a viable budget ask, but sadly we have the usual suspects shaking the tin donation cup so we can carry on with the Sebastopol Tomorrow’ (or Sebastopol Bankrupt Tomorrow’ as they should be renamed) goal of no change or modernization except ‘sustainability’ (sic).
The comfortably off shadowy individuals who fought tooth and nail to prevent the CVS store from being built and who spend endless hours protesting any sort of city development are now proposing the county’s highest sales taxes but the worst road surfaces (something many of them like as it makes tourist visits less likely).
The ‘Sebastopol Tomorrow’ website is years out of date with ancient historical goals still listed. This is a backwards looking organization more focused on utopian elimination of cars, gas supply and tourism.
The audacity of past councillors who created the current fiscal fiasco proudly endorsing yet more tax increases is astounding, and they will no doubt shortly be joined by current mayor Rich next year to continue to operate the city unencumbered by the Brown act via their proxies.
Current mayor Rich even has the chutzpah to suggest you don’t love Sebastopol unless you support paying more taxes.
Yes on U for Sebastopol's Future
RptNo.
Amendment to
CALIFORNIA
FORM
497 Contribution Report
497
For Official Use Only
Date Stamp
1 I.D. Number
Date of
This Filing 09/27/2024
Report No. LATE-20240926
No. of Pages:
NAME OF FILER
AREA CODE / PHONE NUMBER
STREET ADDRESS
CITY STATE ZIP CODE
(if applicable)
Sebastopol CA 95472
(707) 1475075
1. Contribution(s) Received
IF AN INDIVIDUAL, OCCUPATION
& EMPLOYER or BUSINESS NAME
IF COMMITTEE - ID NUMBER
DATE
RECEIVED FULL NAME, STREET ADDRESS AND ZIP CODE OF CONTRIBUTOR CONTRIBUTORCODE ** AMOUNT
RECEIVED
Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Issues PAC COM 20,000.00
Sacramento CA 95814
ID No. 1296947
09/26/2024
Check if Loan
Provide interest rate
%
** Contributor Codes
IND - Individual
COM - Recipient Committee (Other than PTY or SCC)
OTH - Other (e.g. business entity)
PTY - Political Party
SCC - Small Contributor Committee
FPPC Form 497 (Feb/2019)
FPPC Advice: [email protected](866/275-3772)
www.fppc.ca.gov