Environmentalists for Ira Ruskin cordially invite you to a fundraiser party on Saturday, October 16 from 4-6pm in Palo Alto. Ira has been endorsed by the Sierra Club, CA League of Conservation Voters and Vote the Coast. We hope you can join us on Saturday to learn more about Ira and to support his campaign for State Assembly. Location: The solar-powered home of Tom & Sharon Wagner, 914 Matadero Avenue, Palo Alto. Donation: $50 or more. RSVP: To Eduardo Martinez, (650) 213-8019 or eduardo@iraruskin.org.
Ira's Environmental Record
Saving Energy.
Record: Ira led Redwood City into the business of subsidizing the use of energy-efficient appliances by promoting cost-saving incentives for energy- and water-efficient machines.
If Elected: Ira believes a top state priority should be keeping down the demand for gasoline by creating and adhering to a benchmark geared to the current level of use. Ira believes we should create policies and programs designed to ensure that benchmark is not exceeded and that it is eventually reduced, thereby reducing our reliance on oil.
Water Protection and Conservation
Record: Ira helped establish a leadership role for Redwood City in water conservation by setting up a reclamation program to irrigate public property with recycled potable water that would otherwise be lost to reuse.
If Elected: Ira believes there should be incentives for people and businesses to reduce or eliminate the use of fertilizers as well as penalties for operations that continue to pollute. We can protect waters from point and non-point pollution utilizing fees for discharges, including fees for agricultural discharges. In addition to pesticides and other harmful chemicals, sedimentation from logging is a serious source of pollution that requires us to consider assessing the contribution that logging makes to sedimentation by monitoring waterways up and downstream from timber harvests.
Protecting Trees
Record: Ira led the effort that reformulated municipal policy to preserve and plant trees throughout the city. Ira persuaded the council to call for a moratorium on sidewalk repair while Redwood City set new policies in place to enhance tree preservation. Additionally, Ira helped form a foundation called CityTrees, which raises funds for tree planting in neighborhoods throughout the city.
If Elected: Ira is strongly opposed to the clear-cutting of forests. As a result, Ira is supportive of two measures that would have protected ancient and old-growth forests from logging SB 217 (Sher) and SB 754 (Perata)). Without strong environmentalists in the Assembly, there is no guarantee that these centuries-old forests will survive for future generations to enjoy.
Protecting the Coast
Record: Ira helped create a successful partnership between the city and state to rid local sloughs of squatters and derelict boats. These were an unsightly blight on the water and a source of pollution marring San Francisco Bay with toxics from oil and sewage.
If Elected: With the Schwarzenegger administration and forecasted budget deficits for years to come, Ira has vowed to oppose efforts to reduce the funding for the California Coastal Commission. Ira also favors adding a provision to the California Coastal Act of 1976 requiring the commission to review local coastal plans and require that local agencies adopt changes reflecting new challenges such as newly-registered endangered species and topical threats to coastal ecosystems.
Improving Air Quality
If Elected: Ira supports the full implementation of AB 1493, authored by Assemblymember Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills). This landmark legislation will drastically reduce CO2 emissions from passenger vehicles and light trucks beginning in January 2006. Additionally, Ira will take a leadership role in broadening California's efforts to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and counter federal policy by supporting efforts now being explored to reduce greenhouse gases from stationary sources.
Posted by sccdcc at October 16, 2004 09:27 AM