Personal information:
Name: Martin Scheel
Age: 43
Family: Wife, Jennifer, a teacher and coach at Clear Lake High School.
Career/current job: Owner, Konocti Marine Construction; consultant, Konocti Energy Associates.
Education: Attended Santa Rosa Junior College and California State University, Sacramento.
Length of residence in Lake County and your particular city: Over 25 years, Clearlake, Nice and now Lakeport.
Web site or email address where community members can contact you: www.scheelforcitycouncil.com ,
Questions:
1. Please outline your experience serving the local community. Include all community or volunteer service.
Volunteered, worked and/or acting member in: Clear Lake High School Sports Foundation, Lakeport Enhanced Education Foundation (LEEF), Lake County Community Radio (member), KPFZ (programmer, host), Rising Stars Music Competition (benefiting charities in Lake and Mendocino counties), Lakeport Rotary (volunteer labor for the Pearl Harbor Memorial-Meek Construction and Lake County display for the California State Fair-Meek Construction), athletics at Clear Lake High School.
2. Why did you decide to run for public office?
I want to give back to the community that continues to give my wife and me a happy home.
3. What are the important qualities you would bring to public service?
I bring an open ear, open mind and common sense to the decisions that need to be made for our community. As a small business owner, I have had to make tough choices through good and bad situations. This experience will be crucial in helping move our community forward on a positive path. I can compromise when needed, stand firm to my ideals and those of our community.
4. What are the primary functions of a city council member? What are the important skill sets a council member should possess?
The city council sets policy to give direction to the city manger and staff. The city council adopts ordinances to govern the operations and finances of the city as well as protect the welfare and safety of the community. The city council promotes our city. A city council member should possess the ability to compromise, listen and research thoroughly the subject of discussion to help make decisions based on all facets of the community.
5. What is your city’s single greatest challenge? How would you address it?
One of the biggest challenges for the city of Lakeport is getting visitors back on our sidewalks. This will help to promote our local businesses and attract new businesses. This will make our community more appealing for residents as well. The start for bringing more visitors should be the challenge of the lake. It truly is our best resource. It is time to bring the city of Lakeport and the county of Lake together with the community to achieve a better lake.
6. If you are elected, what will your top issue be? What other issues are of particular interest to you?
See the answer to question No. 5 for the top issue. Other issues that are important to me are getting the community more involved in city government. Make sure our infrastructure is being maintained properly and properly addressed in the finical world so we don’t get the cost increase surprises. We need to come up with a new business retainment and recruitment plan. The current plan is nine years old. Continue to support the Westshore Pool and our local parks.
7. Is there a matter that you’ve seen the council handle that you believe should have been approached differently? If so, how would you have handled it?
I believe the water/sewer rate increase could have been handled better. It was going to be a tough decision regardless and work is needed so these systems do not fail. However, I would like to have seen a more flexible program built into the plan that could address lower income families and seniors who will be heavily burdened by the increase. I would’ve also liked to see a more flexible billing cycle allowing the city council to make adjustments if needed to help offset part of the rate increase. And although the community was given early opportunities to be a part of the discussion, I feel a different, more creative approach to notifying our citizens could have produced a better community awareness and involvement.
8. What ways, if any, would you encourage public and media interaction with you and the city council should you be elected? How would you approach public interaction, especially on controversial issues?
I will encourage the public to interact with me via social media, through town meetings, possibly bring back “Breakfast with the Council,” email, phone and good old fashioned face to face. I will also expand my radio show to involve the community on issues that affect us all.
9. When you think of your city in 20 years, what do you hope it will look like? When considering that future vision of your city, what would you want your legacy to be in improving your community?
In 20 years I would like for Lakeport to be a destination city that provides a wonderful experience for its visitors and a prosperous environment for our citizens and businesses. I would hope in part for my legacy to be that I was part of getting the community, city and county working together to make this vision a reality.
Financial information: See Form 470 below.
Lakeport City Council Candidates - Martin Scheel - Form 470
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