Larry Bragman for Fairfax

Four years ago I ran for Fairfax Town Council in order to preserve the many gains our town has made in developing a humane and sustainable way of life. Fairfax has managed to both preserve its historic beauty and develop into a uniquely tolerant, contemporary community.

Our local values are reflected in the many small shops that line our downtown streets, our appreciation of entertainment and the arts, and the pristine ridge tops that stand guard over our town.

With the experience that I’ve gained over the last four years, I can continue to help chart a financially sound course for our Town that maintains our quality of life. Local democracy is possible if we continue to provide an open and accessible government that encourages public participation and mutual respect.

I have shown I keep my promises and I will continue to work with you to meet the challenges that lay ahead. I would be honored to serve our Town for another term.

Promises Made. Promises Kept
I HAVE KEPT THE PROMISES I MADE IN 2003 BY:
*Stabilizing and prudently managing the Town's finances
*Improving disaster response planning
*Re-establishing our services for local youth
*Establishing a Fairfax Open Space Committee
*Keeping the Council open and responsive to the needs of local residents
*Protecting and preserving our Town’s local 24/7 emergency services and police station

Promises To Keep.
DURING THE NEXT FOUR YEARS THERE WILL BE MANY OTHER CHALLENGES:
* Vigorously pursuing FEMA reimbursement for flood and mudslide damage
*Working to expand the Ross Valley Flood District Plan to include our neighborhoods
*Advocating for a healthy community and family safe streets, bike lanes and sidewalks
*Preserving and protecting Fairfax's unique small town quality of life
*Strengthening local democracy through increased public participation and mutual respect

Endorsed by local leaders -
Dear Fairfax Residents,
We are writing as a group of involved Fairfax citizens* who love Fairfax and serve the Town in various capacities. The purpose of this letter is to support the re-election of Larry Bragman to the Town Council. Several of us have served in our positions prior to Larry’s election, and a couple of us have joined during his tenure. This has given each of us a unique and informed perspective in assessing
the ways in which our Town has benefited with Larry’s leadership. In four years Larry has succeeded in:

*Keeping Fairfax Financially Solvent by bringing money back to Fairfax

*Lobbied successfully to direct $300,000 in federal (NTPP) grant money to Fairfax for bicycle and pedestrian improvementsafter it had been initially bypassed by decision makers.

*Enlisted Senator Carole Migden’s help to recover stalled FEMA reimbursements of $220,000.

*Negotiated an increase in the percentage of traffic citation revenue paid back to Fairfax by the County of Marin after decades of underpayment.

*Played an important role in the successful negotiation of an improved cable franchise agreement with Comcast, which had been for delayed for years.

*Helped spearhead a successful negotiation resulting in the Sewer District compensating many thousands of dollars to residents of Canyon Road for sewer repairs and refunds of overcharges.

*Served in the core group that helped to pass Measure F to save local 24/7 emergency services and has worked to create a Strategic Financial Plan, resulting in a $350,000 surplus this year for Fairfax.

Creating Solutions which reflect the values of our Town including Larry’s initiation of the Fairfax Open Space Committee, sponsoring and co-authoring the GMO Free Marin Initiative, authoring and initiating the Zero Waste Resolution, his Feet First Initiative to improve and encourage family safe bike/pedestrian paths.

Larry also led the council’s endorsement of a pesticide-free watershed and co-authored the ban on plastic bags. Building Community by supporting creative initiatives such as co-founding and launching the Ecofest, saving the funding for the after school program at the Fairfax Youth Center, co-producing the Plays in the Park, and advocating for family safe streets, sidewalks and bike paths.

Creating a Model for Respectful and Civil Communication during Town Council meetings by drafting the Council’s Civility Resolution - a formal policy ensuring that the Council and Fairfax residents can engage in a meaningful exchange of ideas. Anyone who has dealt with the new administration at Town Hall notices the improvements in customer service reflective of a user friendly management style.

Fairfax is a thriving community filled with involved and concerned residents. We thought you would like to know all that’s beenachieved in four years. Let’s support a candidate who has proven he can get things done.

Sincerely,

MaryAnn Maggiore
Current Fairfax Vice-Mayor

John Reed
Chair Fairfax Volunteers

Richard Pedemonte
Fairfax Festival Chairman

Pam Meigs
Chair, Fairfax Planning Commission

Elon Rosenfeld
Parks and Recreation Commission

Mimi Newton
Chair, Fairfax Open Space

Terry Goyan
Co-Chair, Fairfax Open Space

Barbara Petty
Fairfax Planning Commission

Mark Squire
Treasurer, Fairfax Chamber of Commerce

*Does not indicate group endorsement