As Sausalito grapples with issues such as cannabis, finances and homelessness, four candidates have stepped up to compete for two seats on the City Council in the Nov. 8 election.
The candidates are Jeffrey Jacob Chase, a boat resident and social activist; Joan Cox, a former council member; Jill Hoffman, an incumbent; and Timothy McCloud, who manages budgets in the private sector.
Hoffman is running for her third term. “I think my track record speaks for itself,” she said.
Cox, a former mayor and planning commissioner, said times are tough.
“I think it’s an easy choice for voters as the city needs leadership,” she said.
McCloud said he wants to provide a new vision to the city.
“It’s obvious that I do not bring a decade of experience in politics to Sausalito, but what I bring is a fresh perspective,” he said.
Chase is taking on the status quo.
“The old ways have become decrepit based around property values instead of around human values,” he said.
The city has faced a ballooning deficit and a homelessness problem that has exploded over the last year. The city recently closed its camp at Marinship Park as part of a roughly $500,000 settlement with the California Homeless Union.
Cox called homelessness a countywide problem and said she endorses “the creative approach” to provide housing and services. McCloud called the council’s handling “satisfactory,” but noted he did not feel the city was “proactive enough.”
Chase, who is entrenched in the homeless advocacy effort, said the issue should be dealt with by trained mental health professionals rather than police. Hoffman said the problem is “enormously complex,” but was successfully solved by the city taking a “housing first” approach.
City residents will also vote on two ballot measures: Measure L, which would raise the sales tax rate a half-cent to 9%; and Measure K, a controversial cannabis measure that would end the city’s ban on recreational sales to allow a group called Otter Brands to establish a shop.
Hoffman said she supports Measure L and does not believe it would stifle economic growth. Cox said the impact on city residents would be “slight” and would lead to greater infrastructure investments.
McCloud said Measure L is “reactionary” to the mounting financial issues facing the city, though he called the increase “nominal.” Chase said the tax would be “regressive” and make it too expensive to shop in the city.
Cox said she supports cannabis businesses in Sausalito, but not Measure K, because it was written “one-sidedly” for Otter Brands. McCloud said he supports cannabis businesses as well, though he no longer supports Measure K because he determined that it is “disingenuous” in its intentions.
Hoffman said she does not support the measure because it would create a “monopoly” for the company and take away from “local control.” Chase said he supports legalization of cannabis product sales in the city and the supports the measure because of the tax revenue.
Hoffman said the biggest challenges facing the city include strengthening the city’s financial health, invigorating the city’s business sector and facilitating the development of affordable housing. She called herself a “fierce advocate for the community” who would work on behalf of Sausalito residents with regional, state, and business partners.
“The job of city government is to make sure the city is working well and providing quality services. My life’s work is public service, and I am dedicated 110% to making sure Sausalito is working well for all who live and work here,” Hoffman said.
McCloud said the biggest issues facing the city include financial responsibility, new housing and a council that does not appear to be managing resources well. He said he has wide-ranging experience in managing budgets and data analytics and could provide a “back to basics approach” that focuses on infrastructure improvements and updating the city’s master plan.
“For me, this job is about service. Serving the people in Sausalito that elect me in whatever capacity they feel is appropriate,” McCloud said.
Cox said the key issues facing the city include housing, infrastructure development, financial stability, public safety and climate change. She said she wants to approach new housing in a way that meets the state quota of 724 new residences, but does not want to ruin the special charm of the city. With her infrastructure priorities, she said she hopes to focus on “streets, sidewalks, sewers and storm drains.”
“In today’s challenging times, Sausalito needs council members like me with proven and relevant experience,” she said. “This is not the time to elect first-timers.”
Chase said the biggest issues facing the city include expensive, crony consultants, the prohibition of community gardens and a focus on money over climate change. He said he hopes to plant fruit trees and remove fences at Dunphy Park, and advocates for mental health and public safety reform.
He accused the council of mismanagement related to climate change, anchor-out boat residents and homelessness.
“I didn’t get involved in politics. It got involved in me,” Chase said.
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Sausalito City Council candidates
Jill Hoffman
Age: 59
Occupation: Attorney
Education: Law degree, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Experience: Mayor, City Council member
Timothy McCloud
Age: 44
Occupation: Cryptocurrency analyst
Education: Lake Superior State University; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management
Experience: Twelve years of data analytics and 10 years of budget management
Joan Cox
Age: 64
Occupation: Municipal lawyer
Education: Law degree, Golden Gate University
Experience: Former mayor, council member, planning commissioner
Jeff Jacob Chase
Age: 60
Occupation: Counselor, writer, sailor
Education: Hebrew University (did not graduate)
Experience: Community advocate
