Gorin Attacks Sawyer's Environmental Record

Updated Wednesday 4 p.m. (See Sawyer's response at the end of the article)

Susan Gorin, candidate for Supervisor in Sonoma County's First District, reacted sharply on Tuesday to opponent that he cares about the environment.

“John’s contention that his new endorsements prove he cares as much about the environment as he does about promoting big business interests is disingenuous at best and deceitful at worst,” Gorin stated in a news release.

The Sierra Club confirmed for Patch on Tuesday that they are calling for Sawyer to "…cease using the Sierra Club name"… on all future communications. They stated in a news release that Sawyer “has never taken leadership on any environmental issue” and didn’t seek their endorsement.

Sonoma County Conservation Action (SCCA) also refuted Sawyer’s claim. In a news release that Gorin provided to media, the group pointed to their annual Report Card that grades Sonoma County elected officials’ responsiveness and environmental voting records. In the statement, SCCA declared, “… Brown and Sawyer are bad for Sonoma County's long term ecological health.”

Both statements from SCCA and the Sierra Club can by found at www.SusanGorin.com .

Gorin stated, “Sawyer can say anything to make himself look ‘green’, but he can’t hide his lack of an environmental record. As a councilmember he has consistently voted against environmental protections and conservation efforts. In contrast, my record of protecting our resources, open space, water and air quality has earned me the support of every endorsing environmental organization in Sonoma County."

Gorin also commented on a comment she said was contained in a Sawyer media release that "Supervisor Brown…. is exactly the kind of Supervisor I will be."

“Here is more proof Sawyer is a dangerous choice," she stated. "I believe that he would replicate the worst of Brown’s tenure: an allegiance to moneyed interests, a disdain for public input and a preoccupation with outside lobbying contracts. Brown’s SCCA environmental scorecard is also one of the worst,” Gorin said.

Patch received this response from John Sawyer via email on Wednesday:

"My opponent failed to mention: As Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilmember, I have supported green initiatives dealing with climate change, reducing greenhouse gasses, instituting green building policies and supporting efforts to reduce our carbon footprint."