A Losing Candidate

A nice guy named Keith Rhinehart walked into a bar . . . not really. He came to a meeting of the Windsor Democratic Club. He is running for the job of 4th District County Supervisor, along with Deb Fudge, who will win. Keith proved likable and vigorous. He refused to say what party, if any, he belongs to. He seemed to believe that party affiliation doesn't matter to voters. Anyway, Keith insulted no one and came out in favor of nearly everything that candidates favor in Sonoma County. He approves, for example, of agriculture. But I was struck by what he came out against, which was free bicycle riding. Keith believes that too much money has been spent coddling the pedaling class. He wants to license bicycle riders. I suppose children could get learner permits--he didn't say.

Presumably a new ordinance would apply only to county roads, and people could still ride their bikes free in towns. Keith plans to require riders from other counties--the visitors who stay at our hotels and eat in our restaurants--to pay a fee and take out a permit to ride bicycles. In return they would gain the right to use our excellent county roads, which are rated as among the most deteriorated in the state. The ordinance would be enforced by deputy sheriffs like the one who recently shot a 13-year-old seven times. 

Keith did not seem aware that most bicycle riders vote and their families and friends vote. He's kind of stepping on Tarzan's toes.