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IN THE NEWS
Linda Seifert Endorsements: Solano Democratic Central Committee, N. Solano Democratic Club, Service Employees IU, United Workers for Local Government, United Food and Commercial Workers, California School Employees Association, The Sierra Club, Solano County Orderly Growth, Vallejo Education Association, Citizen’s Committee to Protect Travis |
Seifert, who is president of the Green Valley Landowners Association, said she has held positions on boards and associations in the past, but this would be her first foray into public office. If elected, she said, she hopes to bring some transparency and availability to the position.
Seifert said back-room deals and helping special interest groups isn't what she is about.
"More than just my opponent, the majority of the supervisors don't seem to be there," she said. "When I walk precincts, voters say they were met with a brick wall. [Supervisors] are not out there with the people."
When it comes to development and land issues, many may label Seifert as "anti-growth."
She said that label is incorrect, even though she has fought against development in rural areas.
"I'm not anti-growth. Growth should be in the cities," she said. "We need to manage our growth in such a way we have all the necessary support for whatever we build."
Seifert said that growing up in a small Minnesota town taught her the beauties of having a rural community. She said when development starts spreading to rural areas, it puts a strain on traffic, schools and public safety. She said the county's general plan must account for those issues if it allows rural residential housing.
"I suppose I have some major concerns about the proposed general plan," she said. "I suppose it's just my nature to believe it's important to have cities. I would not have wanted to see urban development."
Although she lives in Green Valley, a small portion of District 2, Seifert said she is familiar with Benicia and other portions of the southern part of the county. She said being a member of the Benicia Historical Society and Benicia League of Women Voters has helped her get to know the area.
"I spend a ton of time in Benicia and Vallejo. This district has different issues and different communities," she said.
"I want to preserve the small-town experience that you have when you are in Benicia."
Best Silva quote of the week...
[Vacaville Reporter, May 1]
In response to complaints from Benicians that John Silva just isn't around, he responded: "Every morning before I go to Fairfield I stop in at one of two coffee shops. No, I don't go to city council meetings or planning commission. I don't get involved in that. That's not my job," he said. Amazing. Are we to suppose that everyone who buys coffee in Benicia is qualified to be a County Supervisor?!
Sierra Club Endorses Linda Seifert for Solano County Supervisor
APRIL, 2008 – The Sierra Club has endorsed Linda Seifert for Solano County Supervisor.
[Excerpt from endorsement letter, Solano Group of the Redwood Chapter]
...Based on your detailed responses to our questionnaire and your work with the Sierra Club on the Rockville Estates, you have already proven that if elected, you will be a tireless advocate for the environment and against the many destructive proposals that have been presented to the Board of Supervisors. ...Thank you so much for your participation and for your work to protect the environment in Solano County.
The following was published in the Benicia Herald on Thursday, April 3, 2008, on the Forum Page
Solano County Orderly Growth Committee Endorses Linda Seifert for Solano County Supervisor
[SPECIAL TO THE HERALD]
MONDAY – Solano County Orderly Growth Committee, an environmental group responsible for Proposition A, a landmark initiative protecting rural Solano County, today announced its endorsement of Linda Seifert for District 2 Solano County Supervisor.
Seifert, a non-profit board president, attorney, and public advocate from Green Valley, will challenge 3-term incumbent Supervisor John Silva for the seat, which represents Vallejo, Benicia and parts of Fairfield and Cordelia. The election will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd.
Orderly Growth’s Bob Berman says Linda Seifert will be a strong advocate for sustainable development coupled with environmental conservation in Solano County, unlike the incumbent Silva.
“Our County’s General Plan, which protects open space and manages sensible growth, is being updated by the board of supervisors,” says Berman. “In order to ensure that we have a new General Plan which both conserves Solano County’s miles of rural land and focuses balanced, sustainable growth within our seven cities, we need a Supervisor who will stand up for our environment, not rampant rural development by special interests.” Berman finds it troubling that John Silva has received a significant percentage of his campaign contributions from out of area developers.... [Continued]
The following Guest Editorial was written by Will Gregory, and was published in newspapers in Fairfield, Vacaville and Vallejo, and finally on March 28, 2008 in the Benicia Herald:
Supervisor John Silva's 2007-8 campaign war chest
by Will Gregory
The District 2 Supervisor's race between three-term incumbent John Silva and newcomer Linda Seifert promises to give the citizenry of our district a choice of continuing with an entrenched politician, Mr. Silva, or the opportunity to break from the past and start in a new more progressive direction with attorney-public advocate Ms. Seifert.
Does Mr. Silva really represent the interests of citizens? According to campaign disclosure statements, Mr. Silva has no trouble accepting cash contributions from special interest groups and out-of-county corporations. Very often politicians represent, primarily, those who give them money.
Here are some highlights of Mr. Silva's more than 50 pages of campaign disclosure statements for 2007-8, (cumulative totals) for the filing period ending March 17, 2008.
- Mr. Silva has raised $116,290 (only $5,029 of this money came from unitemized monetary contributions of less than $100)
- Mr. Silva has had 161 contributors (individuals, organizations and corporations) – 65 of which came from outside the county. (the out-of-county cash totals nearly $52,000)
- Three state contributors were Valero Energy Corp. of San Antonio. Texas ($4,000) AWIN Management (Allied Waste Industries) of Phoenix, Arizona ( $2,000); Air Products Political Alliance. Trexlerton, PA. PAC #960734 ( $250).... [Continued]
The following Letter to the Editor about Seifert's opponent was written by Will Gregory, and appeared in the Benicia Herald on February 17:
Supervisor Silva's 1996-97 Campaign War Chest
"I'll run as hard as I did the first time I ran for the Board and do all of the things that need to be done to be elected to the Board." -- District 2 Supervisor John Silva
I received a call on my way home from work on Friday from the Registrar of Voters stating that my request for Mr. John Silva's 1996-7 Campaign Disclosure Statement Form #460 was ready for pick-up.... [More]
Silva, Seifert to lock horns
Incumbent county supervisor faces first ballot challenge since 1996
By RACHEL RASKIN-ZRIHEN/Times-Herald staff writer
Article Launched: 02/12/2008 07:04:40 AM PST
For the first time in eight years, Solano County Supervisor John Silva has a re-election opponent.
On June 3, voters will decide who will represent Vallejo and Benicia on the Board of Supervisors.
Linda Seifert, a public advocate from Fairfield, officially announced her candidacy Monday for the District 2 seat, held by Silva since 1996. That year, the former Benicia city councilman and police officer defeated Doris Lowe for the post. He ran unopposed in his 2000 and 2004 re-election bids.
Seifert said she advocates for literacy, health care and children's issues. A 58-year-old retired lawyer, she said it took about six months to decide to throw her hat in the ring.
"I got a great deal of support, and it's one of those things, you have to decide if you want to be part of the problem or part of the solution. It's time for a change," Seifert said. [More]
Touting change, Seifert goes up against Silva
Retired attorney vying for spot on county board that represents Benicia
By Jessica York, staff writer
February 12, 2008
A second contender for Solano County supervisor representing Benicia threw her hat into the ring Monday against incumbent John Silva.
Green Valley resident Linda Seifert, a retired attorney, gathered nearly 35 friends, family and supporters to the Vallejo Public Library Monday to announce her candidacy.
Seifert, echoing candidates in the presidential primaries, focused on the concept of change.
"It's about bringing government to us," Seifert told the gathering. [More]
Candidate enters Board of Supervisors race
By Barry Eberling | DAILY REPUBLIC | February 11, 2008
FAIRFIELD - Green Valley resident Linda Seifert wants to wrest incumbent John Silva's 2nd District seat on the Solano County Board of Supervisors.
The retired attorney and current president of the Green Valley Landowners Association will be a candidate in the June 3 election. Silva has already announced he will seek a fourth term.
Seifert listed a variety of issues she sees as important during a Monday afternoon campaign kickoff and press conference in front of the Fairfield-Cordelia library. Among them are proposed county General Plan revisions she said move away from the county policy of having most development occur within cities.
'I do not believe the Board of Supervisors should be in the development business,' Seifert said. [More]
FOR RELEASE
February 11, 2008
11:30 a.m.
Public Advocate Linda Seifert Announces Bid For County Supervisor,
Will Challenge Three Term Incumbent John Silva In June Election
Vallejo, CA—Linda Seifert, a public advocate from Fairfield, will officially announce her candidacy for the Solano County Board of Supervisors District 2 seat at 11:30 am today, in front of the public library in Downtown Vallejo (550 Santa Clara Street). Seifert will challenge the re-election of three term incumbent John Silva in the June 3rd election.
Seifert serves as the president of her neighborhood association, on the board of the Solano County Library Foundation, and as a Board Member for Child Haven, an organization which serves the needs of battered and neglected children. She says her campaign will be about refocusing the priorities of County government, so that it is once again in line with the interests of the community.
“I come to the race for County Supervisor as a public advocate, not a career politician backed special interests,” Seifert says. “My interest is in restoring integrity and accountability to our county government and in improving the lives of the citizens that live here.” [More]
The following Letter to the Editor was written by Linda Seifert, and appeared in both the Vallejo Times-Herald and the Benicia Herald on February 4:
Who could believe it?
The governor's budget is proposing the closure of 48 state parks to address the state's budget problems. These parks span California and include 17 state parks, 17 state historic parks and museums, three state beaches, nine state recreation areas and two state reserves.
Two of the 48 are in Benicia - the Benicia State Recreation Area and the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park.
Anyone who has visited these two sites knows what they mean to the Benicia community and the people of this county. [More]
The following Letter to the Editor about Seifert's opponent was written by Will Gregory, and appeared in the Benicia Herald on February 17:
Supervisor Silva's 1996-97 Campaign War Chest
"I'll run as hard as I did the first time I ran for the Board and do all of the things that need to be done to be elected to the Board." -- District 2 Supervisor John Silva
I received a call on my way home from work on Friday from the Registrar of Voters stating that my request for Mr. John Silva's 1996-7 Campaign Disclosure Statement Form #460 was ready for pick-up.... [More]
Paid for by Seifert for Supervisor, ID # 1301737 |
