Bob Gragson

1281 East Magnolia, Unit D, #225, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Cell: 707-367-7319 | E-mail: bob@gragson.com
 

2004 City Council Campaign:


ENDORSEMENTS FROM MY 2004 CITY COUNCIL CAMPAIGN

"Energy and water are the two issues that will most affect our lives in the future -- especially here in northern California. If you think energy and water prices are high now, just wait. Bob Gragson has a better understanding of the problems we are likely to confront along these lines, and of the positive strategies that local communities can adopt, than anyone else I know in this region."
 

-- Richard Heinberg, author of The Party's Over, Powerdown, The Oil Depletion Protocol, Peak Everything, and Blackout; and Senior Fellow in Residence at the Post Carbon Institute, Sebastopol, CA.
"As the full force of climate change begins to arrive at the same time as the worst energy crisis in history is unfolding, local government faces challenges unlike any in history. Courageous candidates like Bob Gragson who understand the magnitude of the changes now taking place must be supported with vigor and votes."
  -- Julian Darley, author of High Noon for Natural Gas and Founder of the Post Carbon Institute, Sebastopol, CA.
"Bob Gragson plans to take a proactive approach to some of the problems he sees arising in the near future, and wrapping the solutions around acting locally while taking in the global picture sets him apart in the Ukiah City Council race.

"Gragson's triad of campaign issues -- sustainable neighborhoods (including a wide variety of sustainability ranging from conservation, community gardens, municipal composting operations, among others outlined on his website), sustainable economy/relocalization (the community currency in the mode of "Ithaca Hours" is very attractive, as well as a living wage ordinance), and sustainable open government (including Instant Runoff Voting and a stronger citizen participation in decision-making) -- sets him apart as the best candidate in Ukiah."
  -- Green California, the Environmental Magazine of the Golden State

CAMPAIGN ISSUES

Sustainable Neighborhoods

  • Develop a massive, low-cost educational campaign to inform residents about oil and natural gas depletion and the effect it will have upon their lives and their community
  • Develop a city-wide energy conservation program
  • Develop community gardens
  • Develop a municipal composting operation
  • Develop a plan on how to meet the needs that will come with oil and natural gas depletion
  • Develop incentives for using fewer cars within our community including bicycle and pedestrian only zones within the city
  • Develop a process for neighborhood issues to be mediated before going before city council
  • Develop a community equipment library for healthcare and other needs
  • Improve bicycle and pedestrian safety throughout our community
  • Upgrade existing parks and expand parks to underserved areas
  • Reconfigure downtown to make it more people-centered and business-friendly
  • Promote cultural arts and after-school activities
  • Enforce existing speeding and noise ordinances

Sustainable Economy and Relocalization

  • Develop strategies for decreasing the electrical energy needs of our community
  • Develop a community currency (e.g., Ithaca Hours or Salt Spring Island Dollars) like over 100 communities in North America -- and thousands more overseas -- to bring our local economy back under local control and stimulate local economic activity
  • Create incentives for business development of locally-owned and operated artisan trades -- glass making, blacksmithing, coopering, cloth production, etc. -- essential in a post-petroleum economy
  • Develop a Living Wage Ordinance
  • Increase housing options, especially near downtown
  • Decrease traffic congestion during peak hours
  • Develop car co-ops
  • Protect neighborhoods, hillsides and agricultural lands from poor planning decisions and overdevelopment
  • Ensure adequate water and energy supplies through conservation and resource management
  • Promote and support local downtown businesses

Sustainable and Open Government

  • Develop a city energy budget before a city financial budget each year
  • Establish a city council with five ward seats and two at-large seats to create better representation of all neighborhoods on council
  • Implement Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) in city elections to ensure all candidates are elected with a 50% majority
  • Ensure rigorous citizen oversight of city agencies
  • Hold regular "town hall" forums on critical issues
  • Develop a "youth corps" active in strengthening our community
  • Encourage citizen participation in decision-making
  • Undertake quarterly door-to-door voter registration drives sanctioned by the city

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Page last modified: May 3, 2009