In close race, it’s Gamblin for San Rafael

The Nov. 3 ballot is the first time San Rafael voters will decide their council members by district.

On the ballot, North San Rafael voters — those living in District 4 — will be asked to pick the council member representing their slice of the city.

The incumbent is two-term council member John Gamblin. He was a member of the city’s parks and recreation commission when he was appointed to the council in 2014. Two years later, when he stood for election, he ran unopposed.

From a citywide standpoint, Gamblin is the best pick. He brings an important political balance to the council with his support for the business community that is so vital to San Rafael’s city finances and providing the municipal services on which the community relies.

He represents a fiscally conservative perspective that is needed as City Hall continues to tackle the growing cost of its worker pension liability.

Gamblin, a financial adviser, says the city must keep its promises to its workers, but needs to address future costs.

Gamblin’s leadership role in advocating for passage of Measure R, a modest increase in the city’s sales tax, is an example that he understands the math of providing city services and balancing the budget.

His challengers are veteran members of the San Rafael

City Schools board. Both Greg Knell and Rachel Kertz have impressive records of community service, including participation in both citywide and North San Rafael initiatives.

It is likely going to be a tight race.

Kertz’s involvement in the Marin Organizing Committee, a grassroots group that has become a strong and consistent voice for ending homelessness and working toward racial equity, is an important consideration.

Knell has run a union print shop that has helped him build strong connections in local politics. His endorsements from labor groups and Democratic Party organizations and leaders reflect those connections and his own political activism.

An important issue that divides Kertz and Knell from

Gamblin is the future of Northgate mall and the prospects of Costco building a new store where the now-vacant Sears store stood.

Opposition to Costco by Kertz and Knell reflect the objections raised by themall’s immediate neighbors. They both oppose a “big box” store. Knell says warehouse-style retailers hurt local stores. He would rather see the mall converted into “a new town center,” including affordable housing. Kertz agrees, saying Costco is not the “right neighborhood feel” for the mall.

Gamblin says that Costco would provide the mall with a much-needed “anchor” store that would bring shoppers to other stores in the area. The city needs the revenue and the community needs the jobs.

He also sees potential for adding housing to the mall.

Both Knell and Kertz opposed the City Council’s recent decision to lower the city’s planning policy that required 20% of the homes in larger developments to be sold or rented at below-market rates.

Knell says the percentage should be higher. He says the city needs more affordable housing, not necessarily more market-rate housing.

Kertz says rolling back the percentage will simply make developers richer with meeting the city’s need for affordable housing.

Gamblin says the city’s dilemma is that so little market-rate housing is being built, the percentage isn’t generating many affordable units.

He said he would rather see the percentage set at 15% market-rate housing built, but says the city needs to reduce hurdles that are dissuading housing construction.

Gamblin may be more conservative than his opponents, but he reflects a perspective and sentiments that deserves consideration in the council’s decision.

That this election is a district decision makes this race a closer call.

But this councilmember will be making decisions that apply beyond their district’s boundaries. For the leadership of the entire city, the IJ recommends the re-election of Councilman John Gamblin on the Nov. 3 ballot.