1. What issues do you believe are most central to this year's District 5 supervisorial election? {sidebar id=75}
For me the overriding issue for Lake County is the economy as every facet of our lives depends on it. It is imperative that the people of Lake County move toward a more self-sustaining economic position.
On my Web site, http://robertstark.wikispaces.com, I have outlined how we can go about combining the various elements of the economy to help us proceed.
Our marketing specialists need to direct their attentions to helping businesses in Lake County to be successful. Encouraging the restoration of the family-oriented resorts, finding and helping the ag community, research new high efficiency horticultural products whether they be for consumer-related or energy-related. Continue to seek “green” solutions that create businesses that can flourish in Lake Counties unique environment, and provide educational opportunities associated with green energy. Build this economy from within, not from without, keep local contractors working, and support local businesses.
2. How serious a threat is the quagga mussel? Did the county move fast enough to stop its spread to Clear Lake and other county bodies of water?
No, it didn’t move fast enough, most people don’t remember that this was first reported to the board over three years ago. In order to move on it at that time it would have taken a lot of convincing of the boating and recreation community. Taking measures that long ago would have been too visionary to be realistic, as the business community would have presented serious concerns.
However, there was a substantial delay between the time this was brought before the board in 2007, and the time it was acted upon in 2008. Months passed by with no direction from the supervisors, which led to the pandemonium that ensued in order to come up to speed.
I specifically stated to the board in 2007 that this item should be kept on the agenda every week until acted upon, as out of sight does equal out of mind.
3. Where do you stand on Propositions 98 and 99, and, most particularly, what is your position regarding the use of eminent domain to seize private property for the purpose of transferring ownership to a private developer to build shopping centers, industrial complexes and other non-public projects?
Proposition 98 is a rehash of legislation that has already been rejected by the voters. Its primary goal is not the protection of private property from eminent domain for economic gain, but rather a smoke screen to disassemble rent control, environmental protection and other local controls. The Ag Element of our General Plan specifically states that utility easement should be kept out of farmland, farmers are not threatened
On the other hand Proposition 99 is what we all want. The protection of private citizens from government meddling to promote economic growth, usually having to do with big box stores. Eminent domain has a specific use and that is the advancement of specific goals related to public good. This is very straightforward choice; I am 100 percent against Proposition 98 and 100 percent for Proposition 99.
4. What is your position on rent control?
Rent control is a tool that is often used to protect seniors and sustain affordable housing for low-income families and the disabled. There are areas and situations where rent control has caused diminished profits unnecessarily through sub-leasing. That does not however preclude the necessity for it.
The Lake County Mobile Home Task force has dragged its feet for years on establishing protections for mobile home owners. I have attended just three of those meetings, as they have been strung out, canceled on short notice, and been to one degree or another a frustration for both factions. The Condo Conversion Ordinance is the only piece of legislation that this board can lay claim to.
Although ultimately voting in favor of it, my opponent was unnecessarily impolite and arrogant during the meeting. A former supervisor indicated to me that he thought rent control would pass if brought before the public, because its primary purpose in Lake County is to protect senior citizens.
Currently the Task force is considering “Long-Term Leases” and although the senior citizen representatives have indicated a desire to establish a rent control ordinance, the balance of the committee has rejected such discussions. Further meetings will be forthcoming in the meantime inaction is the tool of the political trade. If we cannot negotiate a reasonable agreement for both sides of this issue, then it may be best put in the public’s hands, this must be settled.
5. As a member of the Board of Supervisors, how will you uphold your oath of office?
On January 11, 1966, upon entry into the United States Marine Corp I took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America, against all enemies foreign and domestic. I have never wavered from that, and never will; it was a lifetime commitment.
6. Are you in favor of rezoning agricultural lands to other uses?
No. Agricultural lands must be protected; farmers must be provided the kind of support necessary to make a decent living while at the same time sustaining this county, state and nation. I have written about this in on my Web site under “Economy.” McMansions are sprouting up already on our best soils; I patently refuse to be party to the end of agriculture in Lake County.
7. Does Lake County need more protection against unrestricted development of ridgelines and hilltops, or other key points in the viewshed? Why or why not?
Lake County has a very big viewshed, in fact you might say it’s one big viewshed, and there are homes popping up on these sites right now in District 5, and all around the lake. I m not in favor of homes that are built to have a 360-degree view from a peak or ridgeline. A formula for zoning should be established.
The first step is to establish exactly what areas are likely to be developed and compare them to the need of housing in that area, as our ridgelines are pretty distant in many places. Then establish the density of the proposed growth based on current or proposed zoning. Create a model based on the degree of view which would be afforded the housing (45, 90, 180, 360 degrees).
Consider county-mandated zoning of an area that would provide for protection of residential views and height limits. Likewise, consider zoning that uses green technology to reduce the impact of such residences on the overall appearance of the ridgeline and adjoining land. Be willing to give up some viewshed to protect agricultural land. Homes in the chemise, and on marginal lands are better than the loss of cropland. Mitigate, negotiate, and find common ground. This is the essence of our country.
8. What is Lake County spending too much and/or too little on?
In all the time I have spent listening to, watching, and participating in supervisors meetings, I haven’t heard any department manager say, “Gee, I have too much money.” There are always methods of reducing costs, by changing strategies and/or approaches to projects. For example, if you fill a pothole with hot mix asphalt, the pothole comes back the next time or two it rains. If you fill the pothole with cold mix asphalt the pothole holds up significantly better as rains continue. Cold mix asphalt costs close to $20 per ton more, but if half the number of times you go back or less, the value far exceeds the expense.
If you seek to find what seems to be little things it starts to add up, but to say we are spending too much on roads would be ridiculous, why on earth would supervisors be promoting “Benefit Assessment Zones” for road rehab? Does anybody think Mental Health spends too much? The situation with Mental Health across this country is shameful, and it not the fault of those who are filling those needs, rather it is the fault of this society that ignores the needs of the disabled. Efficiency is where we need to focus our attention, reducing errors by giving employees time to do their job fully and completely, without interruption. The higher the level of efficiency the lower costs will be.
9. Are you for or against background checks and drug testing for In-Home Supportive Services workers who care for Lake County's elderly? Why or why not?
Caregivers, who sign up for the In Home support Services Registry have agreed to submit to such criteria. Are there privacy issues at stake? Yes there are privacy issues involved. While there are those who have made mistakes in their lives, this shouldn’t preclude them from serving and earning a living. If a person in need chooses a family member to serve them, then we have no choice, regardless of the person’s background to fulfill that request and although this may be troubling, the County of Lake shouldn’t be trying to make new law. If any provider perpetrates a fraud or other abuse upon a client, then they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and be barred from any such employment in the future.
10. What benefit or negative impact do you believe Indian gaming has had on the county's economy and county government's budget?
Let me start by saying that I have never voted in favor of a gaming initiative. There is often the claim that such brings criminal activity, but nowhere is there a study that proves these claims, it is often just assumed, or used as fear mongering. Now traffic is an issue with gaming that is real and in many cases substantial i.e., Cache Creek. We have three major casinos in Lake County at this time. It is possible there will be another. Beyond that I am not in favor of any more expansion. Indian gaming has brought money to local businesses, has provided funds for a wide variety of public needs, has provided the Native American community the opportunity to take part in protecting our environment and, more importantly, it has provided the Native American Community the opportunity to establish Indian self-determination, thereby helping to restore their culture.
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