The Nov. 5 ballot in Novato will be one of change. Voters will pick at least two new council members. Councilman Josh Fryday resigned last month and Councilwoman Pamela Drew chose not to seek a second term.
These will be Novato’s first district-based elections.
In District 1, an area that is comprised of San Marin and other neighborhoods in the northwest part of the city, Susan Wernick, a city planning commissioner and local merchant, and CPA and business consultant Jim Petray are facing off. Both bring impressive resumes to this contest.
District 3 includes downtown and the northeastern area of the town. Veteran councilman Eric Lucan is seeking a third term. He faces Kevin Morrison, a communications consultant who is making his second run for the council.
In District 5 — Hamilton and neighborhoods in the southern end of the city — three candidates are running. They are Melissa Galliani, a Bay Area radio executive; Marie Hoch, a former city planning commissioner and neighborhood leader; and Amy Peele, a longtime Novato resident who, for many years, was active in local schools.
The election has come at a time when the council has been grappling with issues of balancing the city’s budget while maintaining city services, setting a new direction for City Hall after recent top-management upheaval, and building a stronger consensus on the council where a deep 3-2 split has been an obstacle.
This election is an opportunity to build a new council, one that can work toward agreements without the distractions of negative politics.
That doesn’t mean that members should agree on each and every issue, and shouldn’t shy away from voicing their opinions. But, at times, debate and dialogue at council meetings have not been conducive to working toward a shared vision.
The recommendation in District 1 is a difficult one. Petray has a strong background in finance, which any council would find helpful as it works through budget and pension issues. But Wernick’s local civic resume is stronger, bringing to the council leadership experience as a veteran planning commissioner, a San Marin neighborhood leader and as a local businesswoman.
In District 3, Lucan has been a hard-working member of the council, His youth — 38 — also brings an important perspective to the decision-making process, being able to represent the concerns of local families making their homes in Novato.
Morrison has been running a negative campaign, calling for Lucan’s resignation while overshadowing his own “big changes” vision, which includes propelling Novato’s local economy by eliminating local taxes and fees.
Peele is a close call in District 5. Her strong support from local businesses and for pursuing opportunities for housing set her apart. Peele, a longtime registered nurse-turned-writer and a former member of the IJ editorial board, is also frank and can be depended upon to speak out when the dialogue at council meetings veers too far from getting business done.
Galliani’s enthusiasm for getting involved is admirable, but her local resume does not compare to her opponents.
Hoch’s record of local civic involvement in Novato makes this race a close call. Besides serving as president of the Hamilton homeowners association and as a former member of the city planning commission, Hoch works as a local real estate agent. She says she wants to represent “the neighborhoods” on the council.
As the council transitions to district representation, its members need to focus both on representing their districts and providing citywide leadership. For instance, decisions about the future of the Fireman’s Fund campus will likely have an effect on Hamilton’s residents. Peele’s endorsements — including current and former council members — reflect their confidence that she can do both.
The IJ’s recommendations for the Nov. 5 Novato City Council elections are Susan Wernick in District 1, Eric Lucan in District 3 and Amy Peele in District 5.
