Tom Schwedhelm

Infrastructure / Transportation Working with North County communities most affected by the Potter Valley dam removal project to ensure their continued access to water supplies – doing anything feasibly possible to make those most affected whole. Housing Supporting policies that restrict the proliferation of homeless encampments, particularly near homes and in public places such as schools, sidewalks, and bike paths. Environment / Energy Working with the Ag community to keep working agricultural lands in agriculture for generations to come. Environment / Energy Discouraging development outside of developed areas and municipalities, so that greenbelt and open space areas are both preserved and maintain the incredible natural beauty found throughout Sonoma County, from northern Santa Rosa all the way to Cloverdale. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Applying his background as a peace officer and Police Chief to keep our communities safe through neighborhood and community-oriented policing programs. Housing Taking a regional approach to addressing homelessness, with an aspirational goal of ending homelessness instead of just trying to manage homeless residents. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Ensuring that emergency response systems continue to provide a clear line of communication during emergencies and natural disasters, to avoid the notification lapses during the 2017 fires. Infrastructure / Transportation Investing resources from the new Measure DD transportation sales tax to repair and repave more of our rural roads and streets, while encouraging municipal partners to do the same. Housing Focusing new housing development in properly zoned infill areas, to protect our greenbelts and open space areas from sprawl, congestion, and other development-related impacts. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Leveraging his background in wildfire response, recovery, and resiliency to do everything possible to reduce the threat of future wildfires – policies including continued vegetation management, partnerships with CAL FIRE and land management organizations, and others to reduce fuel loads on public and private lands. Infrastructure / Transportation Working with SMART and the Great Redwood Trail Agency to finish the SMART line build-out to Cloverdale, while closing gaps in the adjacent bicycle and pedestrian pathway, to create connectivity from Healdsburg and Windsor to Santa Rosa and from Santa Rosa down to Petaluma and eventually, the entire 70-mile pathway. Housing Encouraging additional housing at appropriately sited locations, particularly affordable housing and housing for the ‘missing middle’ … keeping in mind the important balance between the need for more housing and adequate infrastructure to support it. Environment / Energy Sustaining policies to curb greenhouse gas emissions and address the threats posed by climate change, while maintaining a balance that prevents surging electricity prices as a result of these policies. Infrastructure / Transportation Advocating for the siting and permitting of above-ground water storage projects, especially if dam removal projects come to fruition. Storage projects – such as off-stream holding ponds on lands already owned by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District in North County, could help get ahead of this issue and mitigate the impacts of dam removal efforts already underway. Environment / Energy Collaborating with Cloverdale, Geyserville, and Healdsburg on comprehensive surface and groundwater protection policies. Housing Exploring opportunities to expand the Sonoma County Housing Authority’s first-time homebuyer program to include young couples and working families, an expansion of the current program tailored to Section 8 recipients. Infrastructure / Transportation Supporting preliminary efforts currently underway to raise the dam and surface water capacity at Lake Mendocino. Healthcare Tom will be an advocate for improving behavioral health services, while pushing for a results-oriented approach when it comes to behavioral health spending from county investments as well as Measure O, a dedicated sales tax passed by voters that generates more than 30 million annually, and has helped strengthen funding for behavioral health and homelessness services. Housing Compelling homeless residents or their families to seek services through programs like Community Assistance Recovery Empowerment (CARE) Court, a structured plan to connect homeless residents to wraparound services under the direct supervision of the Sonoma County Superior Court.