Lucan Running for Senate, Crime Down, Maya Palenque Facing Closure and Other Top Stories

Had a busy week?

Here’s a quick recap of the top stories on Novato Patch.

This week, Novato Councilman Eric Lucan announced his run for the State Senate seat in 2014. Lucan, 32, has served on the Novato City Council for only two years, prompting criticism that he was using the position as a stepping stone to higher office. 

But Lucan has already nabbed endorsements from Supervisors Judy Arnold and Novato Councilwoman Denise Athas and is poised to pick up more support in the coming months. Plus, as a fiscal conservative who was once registered as a Republican, Lucan can appeal to more centrist voters in Solano, Lake and Sonoma counties.

The battle over how much affordable housing to build continues, with a large crowd showing up at this week’s Marin County Board of Supervisors meeting to both support and voice their concerns about the so-called housing element, a chapter of the county’s General Paln. Both Novato and Marin County must submit their housing element to the state by January or risk losing transportation funding.

Crime throughout Novato was down in 2012, with lower numbers for both property and violent crimes. These included 241 burglaries, 91 vehicle thefts, 624 theft and 5 rapes. 

The owner of Maya Palenque is selling the building, but hoping to keep the restaurant open under a creating lease arrangement. The popular Mexican eatery may close unless owner Joe Dugan can find a property owner willing to reduce rent in exchange for a below market rate price on the building.