I supported it out of loyalty. But it never caught fire or touched our hearts. It needed a shared vision that could build a coalition. For those RHI supporters who gathered at the meeting last week, even some of RHI's most ardent backers realize that the ballot measure was flawed. And that they'll have to try harder next time.
Diversity is our friend.
As a result, it never managed to inspire enough support at the polls. It was drafted by a few environmentalists who failed to build a significant coalition with agriculture, other activists, and areas like the south county. Still, Measure I activists point to RHI's accomplishments. The Farm Bureau has historically opposed parks in farmlands, but favored them during the No on I drive. Environmental pioneer Bill Kortum of Petaluma feels that the RHI campaign helped educate people about the importance of Sonoma's County General Plan, which will soon come up for revision.