Bill Fulton's Response
to the 2007 Environmental Questionnaire

1. How do you value city beaches, and what do you see as priority issues for them?

Bill Fulton: Living in Ventura is kind of like living on an island. Our town is nestled in a fragile
ecosystem, surrounded by the hills, the rivers, and the ocean. Everything we do on this
island has consequences that we can see and we will have to deal with. The city’s
beaches and oceanfront are extremely important in so many ways that it is almost
impossible to articulate them here. But to me, the single most important issue is
improving our stormwater system to improve the quality of the water that flows into the
ocean. This means we must take all steps we possibly can to create natural water
purification systems here onshore.

2. How will you correct the current lack of safe north/south bicycle routs within the Ventura Avenue community, and the lack of connection to the ocean?

Bill Fulton: I actually think the issue of bicycle routes is much larger than just north-south
connections on the Avenue. We have many excellent bicycle routes in Ventura, but our
system is disconnected. For example, the vast suburban expanse of East Ventura has parts
of a very good system, but critical links are missing – especially across Harmon Barranca
and in the vicinity of the Main/Telephone intersection. I believe we get the most “bang
for the buck” by identifying the missing links that, if connected, would make the biggest
difference in allowing bicyclists to traverse the city quickly and safely. I believe our
pending bike plan revision will come up with the answers.

3. The architecture “2030 Challenge”, which was unanimously endorsed by the US Conference of Mayors, calls for energy reduction of all new and renovated buildings incrementally over the next 25 years, until in 2030 they use no more energy to construct and operate than they produce. Should Ventura sign up to take the challenge? How could we begin to accomplish the goal of “carbon neutral” buildings by 2030?

Bill Fulton: We have already begun to do this by taking small steps, such as, for example, installing photovoltaics in our maintenance yard, which is in the process of being taken off the
electricity grid. But I would go much further than what is proposed in the question. I
would suggest that Ventura adopt a goal of “carbon free by ’33.” That will give us 25
years to find ways to make sure our entire city, all of its population, and all the buildings
and activities within the city can meet this challenge.

4. What changes would you promote for the Victoria Corridor, and how do they tie into our natural environment and quality of life?

Bill Fulton: In the short run, I believe that we can adopt a new zoning code that will encourage more mixed-use and more compact development on Victoria. In the long run, I believe we can reconfigure the traffic patterns on Victoria to encourage walking and bicycling as well as driving.

5. What actions will you take as a city councilmember to ensure that the greenbelts and farmland surrounding the City of Ventura are protected in perpetuity, and that any future growth is accommodated within the city's existing footprint utilizing the principles of smart growth and sustainability?

Bill Fulton: As a councilmember, I’ve already taken these steps. In 2005, I voted in favor of the new General Plan, which calls for no expansion beyond the existing footprint; and requires that all additional development take place in designated infill areas using principles of smart growth and sustainability. I will work over the next four years to implement this General Plan.

6. Would the protection of the Ventura River benefit the City of Ventura? If so, how?

Bill Fulton: The protection of the river itself and the floodplain around it would benefit the city in many ways. I favor working with the Trust for Public Land to implement the Ventura River Parkway, which would acquire much of the land on either side of the river for ecological restoration and recreational use.

7. Are you prepared for sea level rise inherent in continued misuse of fossil fuels? (This question was submitted by a youth organization.)

Bill Fulton: I’m personally prepared because I have inflatable lifeboats in my closet. But I fear our city is not. As a beach town, we must begin a discussion of how we will adapt to the sea-level rise that is likely to occur as a result of global climate change.

8. The protection and improvement of environmental quality affects people from different economic strata in different ways. How will you bring together your vision of social justice and your commitment to environmental issues?

Bill Fulton: It’s wrong to think of them as separate issues. A lack of environmental awareness actually accentuates social disparity by making life more expensive and encouraging those with considerable financial resources to use those resources on a lifestyle that harms the environment. A more sustainable community will reduce the overall cost of living for everyone, thereby decreasing social disparity.

9. How will you promote green business, so that a thriving economy and a thriving environment become one in the same?

Bill Fulton: In several ways. I believe the City can work with progressive companies such as Patagonia and others to become a national model for how to use sustainable practices in the business world. I also think we can create an eco-industrial park, designed for "green" businesses, in the North Avenue area near Brooks Institute. Finally, I believe we can become even more aggressive in promoting green building practices.

10. Should the city of Ventura take affirmative steps to implement Community Choice so citizens can purchase locally generated renewable power? Why or why not? (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Choice_Aggregation)

Bill Fulton: We should take these steps. The sooner and more aggressively we do so, the closer we will come to being carbon free by ’33.

11. What is your attitude about the city collaborating with civic groups in substantial and meaningful ways on community initiated projects?

Bill Fulton: I favor it – not just in partnerships to raise awareness, but also in very practical ways. For example, I believe that a portion of the city’s capital improvement program funds should be reserved for innovative and environmentally sustainable projects that bubble up from the community.

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