Fourteen members of the San Geronimo Valley had the opportunity to meet and ask questions to District 4 supervisor candidate Dennis Rodoni last Tuesday at the Wilderness Way Environmental Center, near Lagunitas School. The evening was independently co-hosted by Jean Berensmeier and Brian Staley, both board members of the San Geronimo Valley Planning Group. Mr. Rodoni began by explaining that his main purpose as supervisor would be to stand up for the villages so that they’re in control of their own fate. He said he would champion their rights of self-preservation and wants to see more frequent updates to each village’s community plan. Mr. Rodoni has served as a director at the North Marin Water District over the last 20 years, and said the way the district handled the recent four years of drought with little suffering made him proud. The audience asked questions including what his position was on the pesticide glyphosate. He said “too much is out there and it’s being misused” and that he would begin by at least banning the concentrates. He said he was “not afraid to pull them off the shelves” as well. Mr. Staley, who ran for supervisor during the primary, asked the candidate about his opinion on using PhyloChip, a technology used to test water quality, in the nearby creek. Mr. Rodoni said he was in favor but noted how costly it could be for a widespread study. He said if he were to be elected he’d be the Board of Supervisor’s first “water expert,” and mentioned he’s supported by his fellow directors on North Marin Water District. A resident of Forest Knolls brought up the high amount of dumping, such as of couches on roadsides, and Mr. Rodoni said he would like to see a better job of waste management and recycling. He proposed the idea of a “free day” at the dump and hoped the Department of Public Works could assist in picking up waste during their daily rounds. Toward the end of the evening, Mr. Rodoni said he was very proud that he didn’t have any support from the “power brokers of Marin” due to his “fierce independence.” He said his largest campaign contributors have been the labor unions, including the Marin Association of Public Employees, but they have only provided 6 percent of his total donations. Before ending the meeting, Mr. Rodoni had a request for his supporters: “Challenge me,” he said. “Don’t let me get locked in at the Civic Center and become insulated. Talk to me on the street. My wife told me 20 years ago when I ran for the water district that if I became a politician, she would leave me. And she hasn’t left.”