Chamber Endorses Three Candidates for Santa Rosa City Council

The Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced its endorsements of Ashle Crocker, John Sawyer, and Tom Schwedhelm for Santa Rosa City Council today.

“In making the endorsements, a number of factors were weighed,” says Jonathan Coe, Chamber President and CEO. “These candidates bring a good mix of individual strengths as well as the common desire to foster a cooperative spirit in the council’s culture. And that spirit is a good first step to moving forward in building a vibrant, sustainable economy in Santa Rosa.”

Ashle Crocker, an attorney and planning commissioner, seeks to clarify some of the transparency issues currently dividing the council through open government and transparency policies. “Santa Rosans have a high and reasonable expectation for transparency and openness in city governments,” says Crocker. As a member of the Open Government Task Force, Ashle is working with her fellow taskforce members on a rigorous transparency policy for Santa Rosa.

Each of these three candidates also agree that jobs and the economy are the foundation of a healthy community, and that by strengthening that foundation Santa Rosa will have the revenue to tackle other pressing issues.

John Sawyer’s experience as a small business owner and former councilman give him the practical view that jobs and the economy are the foundation of a healthy community. “With that strong foundation, we can move on to other matters such as our support for our aging infrastructure or affordable housing options,” says Sawyer.

Tom Schwedhelm’s passion for this community is exemplified by his three-plus decades of service. “With strong leadership, you’ll get things done,” says Schwedhelm. “But there needs to be a strategic, comprehensive plan to address the needs of our community. The city council is not an entry level position.”

Crocker, Sawyer, and Schwedhelm were three of the eight candidates who participated in last week’s Wake Up Santa Rosa – Meet the Candidates event. Shortly after the event, the Chamber Political Action Committee solidified their recommendations, and the Chamber Board officially approved the endorsements at their annual retreat.