*Carol Barickman, Nurse Midwife

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"I want to wholeheartedly endorse Dennis Pocekay for election to the Petaluma City Council.  I am a nurse midwife, a public health professional, and a mom. I’ve known Dennis professionally and personally for 30 years in his many roles as healer, parent, teacher, and community organizer.  In all these different spheres of activity, Dennis consistently rises to leadership positions because of his dedication and willingness to listen and lead.

Here’s the thing about Dennis Pocekay though, he doesn’t just ask questions about what is needed,  he then actually listen to the answers. Not only that,  Dennis has a consistent history of lifting up people with ideas and giving a voice to his constituents that is theirs, not his.
Dennis was an ally for women and people of color before there was a name for it.
His focus on the vulnerable elements of our community,  his long-time effort for fair and affordable housing, and his understanding that the health of our town depends on our willingness to take care of all of our citizens, underlies every element of his platform.  
For decades he has walked his talk. His record on housing, food security, immigration and reproductive rights is consistent and progressive.  He has the vision, the experience, and the integrity to help lead Petaluma into the future.

As recent events have shown so clearly, we as a society are in desperate need of solid leadership.  We as a community have a need to stand up for social justice in order to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe and healthy.   It’s up to us to elect a representative who can make decisions with knowledge and experience on these issues, one who follows through on his promises and commitments every time.  
A community that cannot house its own workers, the lifeblood of any town, is not healthy.   The presence of the poor and hungry in our public spaces is not a sign of our good health. Elect Dennis Pocekay to the Petaluma City Council and rest assured the interests of the citizens will come before the interests of profits and development.  Voting for Dennis will be a step toward realizing our more inclusive and forward trending city. "

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