Tremaine

I introduced resolutions on global warming and alternative energy before the council, attended the International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives conference on Global warming in Seattle and reported to the community in a special public meeting on the information I learned at that conference. As mayor, I coordinated a presentation on global warming, energy efficiency and Community Choice Energy Aggregation to the Marin County Council of Mayors and Council Members. I have worked closely with Sustainable Fairfax for a Marin County Energy Council and to lobby our county government to pass resolutions declaring the county's interest in and support for community choice and aggregation. I voted in favor of a letter from the town of Fairfax to the Golden Gate Bridge and Transportation District decrying cuts in bus routs to our community. I introduced Safe Routes to Schools in our community and have supported the inclusion of bicycle lanes in our road improvement projects.

Prum

I am an advocate of alternative solutions that allow us to better treat our environment. Among those, I favor the Town putting more effort into harnessing solar power for whatever uses make sense. For example, using solar power to supply energy to Town-maintained buildings, should they be in viable locations, is an idea I fully support.

Hailer

I live and work locally, which has cut down on my driving time and polluting time. My family loves to bike ride and we try to use our bikes for local trips whenever possible. I am a strong advocate for home offices and cycling as a commute alternative.

I think we should have a school bus system to get some of the cars off the road thereby making it safer for kids to get to school on their bikes or walking.

Weinsoff

The failure of the federal government to ratify the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and implement the required reductions in greenhouse gases exacerbates the global warming problem. In the absence of comprehensive governmental action, however, it falls upon individuals and communities to act. Shortly after my wife Idie, son Jake, and I moved to Fairfax, we installed a passive solar system on our roof. It provides approximately one-third of the electricity necessary to run the home. Unfortunately, the cost of this system, even with government and utility rebates, was considerable.

If we are going to achieve widespread buy-in for solar in the county, the economics require that we implement a Bay Area, and preferably a statewide, program. Without the advantage of economies of scale, few individuals will opt for renewable energy to power their homes. Perhaps I am overly optimistic, but I think the green building revolution is not too distant. While symbolic, I think Fairfax should set voluntary green building goals for the limited new construction in Town as well as the considerable remodeling underway on our older homes. Houses meeting or exceeding these goals would qualify for a waiver of all building permit and inspection fees. It is a sacrifice of revenue during challenging economic times, but a sensible long-term local commitment to reducing global warming.

Bragman

I am a regular bicycle commuter to my office in San Rafael. Besides reducing pollution, this greatly helps my productivity and attitude. After the invasion of Iraq, I finally decided I had supported the problem of resource extraction long enough and purchased a VW Jetta turbo diesel which I fuel with bio-diesel. Good Earth co-owner, Mark Squire, had the vision and the patience to begin a community of biodiesel users by providing a small pumping station at his home in San Anselmo. Since then, our local station has begun selling B-100 (100% bio-diesel) which I have used exclusively to fuel my vehicle. It feels great not to be supporting the insanity when I fill up! Bio-diesel, derived from vegetable oil, is far less toxic then petroleum based diesel and does not contain MTBE or other petroleum distillates which cause ground water pollution. It also is far less polluting when burned. It also provides a huge opportunity for the farmers who raise the oil crops and does not require the massive amounts of energy to produce.

Over the next four years, I would like to see the Town of Fairfax use bio-diesel to fuel all of its diesel vehicles and machines. The Town has begun to use bio-diesel for its backhoe and it has worked well. Town employees who need to work near this equipment are not forced to breathe toxic diesel fumes. I would also like to see whether it would be possible for the police department to purchase a diesel vehicle which could be fueled with bio-diesel. The town should also complete its energy audit to determine whether we could economically deploy a solar installation to generate our own electricity for town functions. Again, if our Town government can set an example for the surrounding communities we can help encourage a public market place for sustainable action.