IJ recommends Thornton, Greene in San Anselmo

Staff Report
Marin Independent Journal
Article Launched: 09/26/2007 12:10:56 AM PDT

FORD GREENE has been a major presence in San Anselmo for years. He knows how to stir things up, from making a First Amendment issue with a sign on his law office to suing over the Ross Valley flood vote.

The time has come to find out whether he can work inside the system and get things done. The time has come for San Anselmo voters to give him a seat on their Town Council.

Greene, 53, is one of four candidates for two seats. Incumbent Barbara Thornton, 54, also is being challenged by Ted Wight, 58, a recently retired San Anselmo police captain, and Casey Logwood, 45, who works for a mortgage company.

The IJ recommends voters return Thornton to the council for a second elected term and elect Greene.

Greene fell just 300 votes short of a seat when he ran two years ago. He didn't mount much of a campaign then, but he says he is serious about this year's election.

Would Greene be a disruptive presence on the Town Council, an elected body he has fought with over the years? Perhaps. But he also would bring a fresh perspective to the council. He says democracy requires the participation of the best and brightest to really work. He promises to reach out to residents who have been reluctant to get involved. He says there is a frustration and simmering anger in much of the town, and those residents and business owners believe the council operates as "an exclusive kind of club." He says he can bridge that gap.

Greene admits there is a perception that he has anger management issues and that he doesn't "play well with others." He says that image is unfounded.

Greene has filed a lawsuit over the Ross Valley flood fee vote, seeking to have it invalidated because of how it was conducted and because 21 percent of ballots were not signed and were ruled invalid. The IJ disagrees with his lawsuit, but we respect his passion regarding how the election was conducted.

This San Anselmo Town Council election is about far more than the flood fee election. All four candidates agree something needs to be done about chronic flooding in San Anselmo and the Ross Valley. Greene and Logwood oppose how the election was conducted; Wight and Thornton support the measure's passage and say it was conducted properly and legally.

This is an election about the future of San Anselmo.

San Anselmo has struggled financially the past several years. Residents two years ago voted down Measure B, a $250 municipal services tax, forcing the Town Council to make hard choices. City workers were laid off and some services reduced. Things have improved.

Thornton initially was appointed to the Town Council before being elected four years ago. Logwood and Greene have pointed out that four of the five council members were appointed initially, giving them a big advantage when they ran for the first time. They say those appointments have created a disconnect with many residents. Thornton has done a good job and residents would be wise to elect her to another term. She was a steadying presence as mayor after the devastating 2005 New Year's Eve flood.

Wight has lived in San Anselmo for 28 years and is retired from a career in law enforcement, including a stint as police chief at College of Marin. He wants to preserve the council's collegial tone; he would be a vote for the status quo. His wife is San Anselmo's planning director, which has raised conflict-of-interest issues that Wight maintains he can deal with if elected. Wight knows San Anselmo government and the town, but it may be too soon to give him a seat on the council.

Logwood grew up in San Anselmo. He urges more transparency in the town budget process. Logwood has passion, but he lacks the necessary political and civic experience. We urge him to get more involved in town issues in a constructive fashion.

Greene, if he can harness his passion, would be a valuable, if volatile, addition to the council. He is not afraid to ask tough questions and stand up for what he thinks is right. We applaud that.

He needs to work within the system and devote the time needed to be an effective member of the council. There is a big difference between standing on the sidelines hurling invective and collaborating with colleagues and residents to get things done.

Thornton has demonstrated she can work hard and get things done. Greene talks a good game and has earned a chance to prove his worth.

The IJ recommends Barbara Thornton and Ford Greene for San Anselmo Town Council on Nov. 6.