Race for council offers veterans and new voices

As Sausalito grapples with issues such as cannabis, finances and homelessness, four candidates have stepped up to compete for two seats on the City Council in the Nov. 8 election.

The candidates are Jeffrey Jacob Chase, a boat resident and social activist; Joan Cox, a former council member; Jill Hoffman, an incumbent; and Timothy McCloud, who manages budgets in the private sector.

Hoffman is running for her third term. “I think my track record speaks for itself,” she said.

Cox, a former mayor and planning commissioner, said times are tough.

“I think it's an easy choice for voters as the city needs leadership,” she said.

McCloud said he wants to provide a new vision to the city.

“It's obvious that I do not bring a decade of experience in politics to Sausalito, but what I bring is a fresh perspective,” he said.

Chase is taking on the status quo.

“The old ways have become decrepit based around property values instead of around human values,” he said.

The city has faced a ballooning deficit and a homelessness problem that has exploded over the last year. The city recently closed its camp at Marinship Park as part of a roughly $500,000 settlement with the California Homeless Union.

Cox called homelessness a countywide problem and said she endorses “the creative approach” to provide housing and services. McCloud called the council's handling “satisfactory,” but noted he did not feel the city was “proactive enough.”

Chase, who is entrenched in the homeless advocacy effort, said the issue should be dealt with by trained mental health professionals rather than police. Hoffman said the problem is “enormously complex,” but was successfully solved by the city taking a “housing first” approach.

City residents will also vote on two ballot measures: Measure L, which would raise the sales tax rate a half-cent to 9%; and Measure K, a controversial cannabis measure that would end the city's ban on recreational sales to allow a group called Otter Brands to establish a shop.

Hoffman said she supports Measure L and does not believe it would stifle economic growth. Cox said the impact on city residents would be “slight” and would lead to greater infrastructure investments.

McCloud said Measure L is “reactionary” to the mounting financial issues facing the city, though he called the increase “nominal.” Chase said the tax would be “regressive” and make it too expensive to