Echo Times

Issue date: 10/9/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Charlie Wormhoudt Assemblyman Mark Leno answers questions outside Olney Hall.

Media Credit: Charlie Wormhoudt Senatorial candidates (from left to right) Assemblyman Mark Leno and Joe Alioto Veronese.

Democratic candidates for the California state senate stepped through the cool fall air and entered Olney Hall for a forum on Sept. 27. Soon the hall was two thirds full with voters awaiting the sound of candidate's voices under the watchful gaze of channel five television cameras. The forum, which was hosted by the College of Marin's Students for Social Responsibility, gave candidates a chance to debate issues of concern to residents of Marin and southern Sonoma counties. It also gave students a chance to drop in on an event they may not normally witness.

Present at the forum were Assemblyman Mark Leno, Senator Carole Migden and Joe Alioto Veronese. The three candidates sat along the length of a few fold away tables, speaking campaign promises into microphones and later, fielding questions from the audience.

"Look Joe, he wants you to smile," said Migden as a reporter snapped pictures. Veronese, currently a member of the San Francisco police commission, offered a flash of teeth. Migden is the incumbent for the sought after seat in the senate.

Candidates, who were polite for the most part, discussed five key local issue positions put forth by constituents. Each had a set amount of time to speak on the issues and at the end got a chance to ask one of their opponents a question. Candidates agreed in principle on all of the issues discussed. The efforts put forth by each were in support of claims that he/she was the more committed to the issues.

"Here, I'll tell you what, let's make this easy," said Veronese, breaking from a point he was making about accountability. Veronese scribbled a number with red marker on a large white piece of paper. "Here's my cell phone number, give me a call." He went on to add that people should not call him while they were driving, after they had been drinking or after ten o'clock. In that order.


Local Issues
· SMART -- Public transportation initiative for a diesel train through Marin and Southern Sonoma county.

· Landfill expansion --
Concerning the expansion of Redwood Landfill in Novato.

· Marin General Hospital --
Deprivatization of MGH, election of a new health-care board.

· San Quentin expansion --
Yay or nay.

· Affordable housing --
Creation and preservation of affordable housing in Marin county.

For info: marintaxpayers.org

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