City Councilman Bob Rumfelt is seeking reelection this November.

Robert L. Rumfelt

Age: 66

Family: Married, four children.

Experience and community involvement: Holds an associate's degree from Santa Rosa Junior College, a bachelor's degree from California State University, Sacramento, and a master's in public administration from the University of Southern California.

First elected to the Lakeport City Council in 1996; twice mayor of Lakeport. President, Redwood Division of the League of California Cities; member for the last four years of the League of California Cities Public Safety Committee. Graduated from the League of California Cities Mayors and Council Members Basic Academy. Member of the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) since 2000.

Part-time instructor at Mendocino and Yuba Colleges for 30 years; worked for the Lake County Sheriff's Office for more than 15 years and for more than five years with the Lake County Office of Education.

Member of Early Lake Lions Club for more than 20 years; past president of the Lake County Channel Cats; Clear Lake High School swim coach for eight years; volunteer, Sutter Lakeside Hospital Dickens Faire and Camp Watta Watta; morning coach for four years of the Lake County Channel Cats; volunteer pontoon boat driver for the past three years at the Heron Festival; volunteer for more than 30 years with the Lake County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Endorsements: Lake County Peace Officers Association.

1. Explain what you believe a city council member's responsibilities are. How would you fulfill these? What qualifications do you possess that make you a good candidate for office?

A city council member is responsible to the citizens of Lakeport for oversight on the city's health and safety. We work with staff to make sure the city will be viable in years to come and can supply the services the citizens are willing and able to pay for. We also work with citizens to determine what needs the city has and how those need might be changing. And lastly the council member is responsible for the governance of the city.

My qualifications rest with 12 years of experience in the position of City Council member, during that time the city experienced growth, viability, and is today on solid ground for further growth and stability.

2. There are several large development projects inside and outside of Lakeport that are being discussed. They include Cristallago, a golf course and subdivision on the city's sewer property, a potential marina and commercial development on the Dutch Harbor property, and a proposal to build a large hotel within the city limits. What is your opinion on these various projects? Are they good for Lakeport? Why or why not?

In today’s world for a city to have sustainability there must be growth; without growth the cities cannot keep up with cost of doing business and eventually must cut services or tax its citizens to pay for those services. All of the projects mentioned in the question represent growth and as long as they are managed and controlled they will help Lakeport maintain sustainability.

3. Explain how your management style would be applied to your position as council member. Are you hands-on or do you set policy and delegate?

After having thought about this question since the candidates night I believe a City Council member's most important strength is their leadership style as we do not manage the city, we hire managers to be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the city. My style of leadership is leadership by example; if I want the city employees to be friendly, I must be friendly. If I want the employees to represent the city well, I must represent the city well, and so on

4. While the city of Lakeport may use eminent domain, the Redevelopment Agency currently does not have eminent domain authority as a tool for acquiring property. However, earlier this year it was proposed that the Redevelopment Agency amend its plan to include eminent domain, and that discussion is expected to be continued after the election. How do you feel about the use of eminent domain? Should the city's plan be modified to add that power?

The city already has eminent domain as a tool, it is the Redevelopment Agency that doesn’t have eminent domain, The Redevelopment Agency has gotten along so far without it and at this time I don’t support adding eminent domain to the Redevelopment Agency tool box.

5. Do you feel the redevelopment agency's budget is being spent for the right purposes and on the right projects?

After spending many hours going over this years Redevelopment Agency budget, my answer is yes.

6. The city is dealing with a tight budget this year, and could be facing similar issues in the coming budget year as well. How would you propose meeting the city's budget challenges while protecting city services? Are there any areas of spending that you believe should be reconsidered, or any potential revenue streams that should be pursued?

Again after spending many hours going over the budgets and discussion options I feel the budget is on track and the best we could do with the information we have.

7. Measure I, which generates revenue from sales tax for city projects such as roads, was instituted in 2004. Do you believe Measure I funds are being spent properly? Are there any projects that you believe are particularly appropriate or inappropriate for the funds?

I feel measure I funds are being spent appropriately, and any general fund expenditure necessary is appropriate.

8. Some citizens have said they want to see more transparency in city government. As a council member, how would you address that concern? What does transparency in government mean to you?

Over the years we have addressed that issue in many ways, I think the people who are truly interested will come to the meetings as they always do so their views can be heard. All the council members I have known are also available to the citizens by phone, email or as they go about in the city.

9. Over the past year the city has established a long-range business plan for the city. Do you believe this plan includes relevant projects and ideas for the city's future? What is your vision for the city of Lakeport over the next 20 years?

Because I helped to develop the long range plan I support it and it represents my vision for the city over the next 20 years.

10. If elected, is there any project or issue you plan to tackle first?

If re-elected I will continue to tackle the plans laid out, such as a new college, new fire station, continue road improvement, downtown revitalization and the list goes on.

{mos_sb_discuss:3}