Judy Thein

Age: 60

Family: Married to husband Bob Thein who operates Bob Thein’s Fishing Guide Service. Four children, two of whom attended schools in the Konocti Unified School District, and seven grandchildren. We have lived in Lake County for 27 years and we are proud to call Clearlake our home.

Experience in government and community service: Became gainfully employed by the city of Clearlake in 1983 in the City Finance Department. Retired in 2004 from my position as Deputy Director of Finance.

Twenty-one years of service – not involved in decision making policies.

Elected to Clearlake City Council for term 2005-present; mayor, 2005 and 2007; vice mayor, 2006.

Currently serving on boards of: Founder, Team DUI; Area Planning Council/Lake Transit Authority

LAFCO; Clearlake Redevelopment Agency member; Clear Lake Foundation; Lake County Airport Land Use Commission; Economic Development Loan Committee; Abandoned Vehicle Authority; Countywide Tobacco Education Coalition; Lower Lake Cemetery Board of Trustees.

Past Service includes: Lake County Clean Water Advisory Committee, Clear Lake Advisory Sub-Committee, Economic Development Committee, Chamber of Commerce liaison.

Endorsements: U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson, First District of California; Sen. Patricia Wiggins, Second Senate District; Assembly member Patty Berg, First Assembly District; District 1 Supervisor Ed Robey; District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith; District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing; Konocti Unified School District Board Member Anita Gordon; Operating Engineers Local 3; Sierra Club; Clearlake Planning Commissioner Chair Carl Webb and wife Carol Webb; Clearlake Planning Commissioner Vice Chair Al Bernal and wife Pam Bernal; Clearlake Planning Commissioner Bill Perkins and wife Kathy Perkins; Clearlake Planning Commissioner Gino Fortino Dickson; Clearlake Planning Commissioner Fred Gaul and wife Ruth Gaul; former Lake County Redevelopment Director Andy Peterson; Lower Lake High School Counselor Amy Osborn; Dr. Mark Cooper, D.D.S. and Janice Cooper, Clearlake; Victoria Brandon, Lower Lake; Harriet Rogers, Clearlake; Bob Keil, Clearlake;

Doug and Arlene Carter, Clearlake; Frank and Anna McAtee, Clearlake; additional community leaders and citizens.

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?

Sound decision making is one of the most important roles of a council member, as we hold the ability to impact lives which may have a lasting effect on the lives and well-being of citizens and our community. It is the duty of the City Council to insure that funds allocated are budgeted effectively and distributed in a manner that sustains the financial needs of the city; insuring all departments receive their funding to provide adequate services.

It is important to listen to the needs of the community to provide effective representation. We work with staff to insure that the community maintains viability; moves forward in a progressive manner and provide services to meet the present and long term needs of the community. A council member should be available to citizens either by telephone, e-mail or personal contact.

I do my homework so actions I take are performed through the best of my ability. I am motivated by the highest principles of public service. I have organizational ability which promotes pride in creativity, innovation, accessibility and responsiveness to the needs of the people we serve.

One of my strongest qualities is that I am very passionate about what I do, as I believe in Clearlake. My 25 years of public service within Clearlake government has prepared me for the challenges ahead. My leadership has continually contributed too many positive accomplishments that have had a positive impact on our community.

2. 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?

My management style reflects both concepts. Growing up, values of hard work to achieve positive results were instilled in me which led me to become a self-working, hands-on person, holding high expectations and accountability of myself to achieve positive results. Soon after I was elected to the City Council, I realized my hands-on approach would have to have just a little change of direction, as the pathway to success of our city was to work smarter rather than harder. I understood that our success would only be as effective as the type of management team we maintained, which led me to work earnestly to acquire our present management team, as they possess the skills and experience which are essential to our present and future growth.

Now the adjustment to my management style is to maintain a strong experienced management team to carry out policies set forth by the City Council with council oversight, as I am mindful that ultimately, as a member of the City Council, I am the steward for the City. I take a proactive approach to staying informed and asking questions in order that I continually stay part of the process. I support our present management team as being an effective investment, yielding positive results.

3. Large developments are proposed for Clearlake and surrounding areas, particularly the Provinsalia development near Cache Creek, the Serenity Cove project on the lakeshore and increased commercial development along Highway 53. What is your opinion on these various projects? Are they good for Clearlake? Why or why not? Are there any other developments that you think are either good or bad for the city?

I support growth when it is done in an appropriate way to achieve positive results.

Provinsalia: At the present time, Provinsalia appears to be a proposed development with issues of concern. It is difficult to embrace a project of this magnitude until all concerns are adequately addressed. I do not support the proposal of financing the project using Mello Roos bonds which has been proposed by the developer. I do not believe these bonds would be in the best interest of the city or the residents that we serve.

Serenity Cove: The Planning Commission has approved the development of Serenity Cove. This project consists of 138 condo units, 50 boat docks and a restaurant. This project will result in an improvement of a blighted area which can serve as a model for other future projects.

Commercial Development, Highway 53: Clearlake needs to generate financial resources to realize the goals and vision of its future along with meeting the fundamental needs of the community. Clearlake is not receiving its fair share of the sales tax revenue. For the city to improve its tax base, we need to provide better services. Clearlake should receive tax percentages per capita; however, we are currently receiving less than our percentage of population.

The development of a regional retail center will result in a solid economic tax base that will attract businesses that are regional in nature which will provide needed revenue, jobs and economic stability. I support preserving existence of small businesses, as our small businesses have been the bloodline and support of our community since our existence.

4. For several years the Clearlake Police Department’s budget has been augmented by the Measure P sales tax approved by voters. Do you support continuing to augment the police department budget? Are there different approaches that you, as a council member, would take when addressing the police department?

Measure P is law by voter approval. We cannot differentiate from law. This law can only be changed by voter approval.

The police department budget is prioritized by the chief of police with the final approval of the City Council. I support his recommendations and management of allocations within his department. It is the duty of a council member to insure that funds allocated to the general fund are budgeted effectively and distributed in a manner that sustain the financial needs of not only public safety but also insuring all other departments receive their funding to provide adequate services.

5. The city’s redevelopment plan has two years remaining in its implementation. Updating the plan is being proposed to extend it for another 10 years. Do you support extending redevelopment in Clearlake? Why or why not?

I support extending the redevelopment plan. Revenue estimates project that extending the plan will bring in $15 million for housing, economic development and public infrastructure projects. It is also significant to recognize that the General Plan, which was prepared in 1980, must be updated prior to amending the Redevelopment Plan because the Redevelopment Plan must be consistent with the General Plan.

6. In September of 2007, the Clearlake Vision Task Force presented to the council a 60-page report that lays out a vision for the city, from improved infrastructure and public facilities to ways to build the economic base and create a sustainable city. What is your opinion on the value of the report? Do you think its ideas can be achieved? What would you as a council member do to carry the vision forward?

The Vision Task Force report establishes priorities. To make the priorities viable, the general plan must be updated, as our current general plan is 28 years out of date. The general plan develops policy that will determine our present and long term future.

The implementation of the vision is in progress. The City Council established 21 Vision Task Force priorities. The report card of the Vision Task Force priorities established indicate 13 priorities have been completed or doing, six priorities are in progress, and two priorities have not started.

Follow through is very significant. I will work closely with staff in this capacity. I support outreach to the community, helping citizens understand that it takes community involvement to be successful. Positive changes in people will come from positive changes in our community. Continual positive accomplishments will encourage more people to become active in moving our vision forward.

7. Some issues that come before the council can be extremely divisive, both among council members and city residents. How would you address clashing opinions when approaching a decision? What experience do you have in working with others when there are no easy answers but a decision has to be made?

Each of us on the City Council fulfills a different role, but when we work together, our mission of serving our community is carried out. Councils that work together get beyond problems. There are times when we face difficult choices. One must always stay true to their principles; however, compromise and respect can result in actions that are in the best interests of the community. I believe to be a successful City Council team within the community, there are four core values: Service, Accountability, Compassion and Respect.

My past four years, working on the City Council and various committees along with interacting with the community, have resulted in gaining experience in the ability to enact core values which bring forth positive solutions and accomplishments.

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

My project list is not limited to any one particular project, as our needs are many. I would be remiss if I limited myself to the challenges before us. I believe setting personal goals for future accomplishments are helpful to me in order that I can better serve our community.

My goals will include but are not limited to:

• Working towards creating the city’s own viable animal control department and facility, as the County of Lake presently provides services on a contract basis;

• Work earnestly for development of programs for street improvements which will include education on various options;

• Effectively support economic development, as this is the pathway to fiscal health for our city;

• Continually working for senior and youth safety, expanding outreach programs to the community;

• Pursuing a collaborative partnership with Konocti Unified School District, as the city and the district share many of the same challenges;

• I hope to be effective in seeking opportunities that will provide assistance to the senior center to help keep their services viable during the declining economy. I will be working to utilize the grounds of the senior/community center to establish sprinkler systems that will support senior and community co-op gardens of fresh produce and fruit trees in order that nutrition is provided to feed seniors and others.

9. Public safety is an important issue in Clearlake. How would you as a council member seek to improve safety and reduce crime in the city’s neighborhoods?

I support programs for retaining officers, as longevity within our community becomes a valuable resource. I believe underwriting educational opportunities of local youth is a recruitment pathway for future investment. I am a proponent of community educational outreach programs that address safety, having founded Team DUI and recently spearheading the creation of a program for senior safety. I support and encourage community policing for interaction with residents. These are all effective tools which enhance our police department’s core values of encouraging crime prevention through teamwork, creative problem solving, education and training.

As a city council member, it is my duty to work collaboratively with the chief of police and city administrator to insure that the budget provides effective allocations of funds to provide the levels of service to sustain public safety which will enhance the quality of life within the community.

10. When you think of Clearlake’s future, what do you want the city to look like in 10, 20 and 30 years?

The decades of Clearlake’s future will be contingent upon leaders who will be able to make sound decisions not only in the present, but in the long term future of the city. Skilled leadership will result in sound budgets that will be supported by economic vitality. Clearlake will be a sustainable city.

Educational and employment opportunities will yield multiple generations of families who will be able to leave their footprints in the community as they will have an opportunity to live and work within their own community. There will be less crime, improved infrastructure and environmental friendly amenities. Resort type businesses along the lake will be note-worthy as our rural heritage and vibrant natural beauty is maintained. Clearlake will be the destination choice of the entire county.

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