1. Please give a basic picture of what you believe a supervisor's goals and responsibilities should be. What traits do you possess that you believe make you the best qualified to be District 1's next supervisor? What is the biggest difference between you and your opponent?{sidebar id=68}
As District 1 supervisor, I will be an advocate for and a protector of the interests of my constituents. I will work to preserve our quality of life, and to plan for the future. My 18 years experience in public service, and my deep understanding of our community, its residents and its history put me in a unique position to serve our district in ways that have been lacking for many years. I am not afraid to stand up and demand that our residents and communities receive the services and support that we have been denied, despite our contribution to the county tax base. My opponent is a comparatively new resident to the county, with no experience as an elected official. I offer deep roots and a lifelong commitment to the area, along with a proven track record of 18 years of public service.
2. Development is a main topic of discussion in this year's District 1 race. How should growth be directed in the south county in order to prevent sprawl? Do you agree more with the newly adopted General Plan or with the proposals from the Middletown Area Plan when it comes to community boundaries? Are there any proposed developments about which you're particularly concerned?
Nineteen years ago a 20-year growth plan was put into place. This plan has served us well, preserving our quality of life while managing growth. I believe that the Middletown Area Plan appropriately addresses growth for the next 20 years. Attempting to manage growth by exceptions to the general plan will result in the sprawl already demonstrated by this imprudent practice in Salem, Oregon; Idaho Falls, Idaho; and in cities across the country. We are uniquely positioned to avoid making the mistakes of history by adopting a plan for the future now, rather than waiting for developers with more money and more lawyers to push through exceptions that do not fit our community and lifestyle.
3. Supervisors must use both their own judgment and input from their constituents to make informed decisions. Explain how you would approach making a difficult decision about a divisive issue. If your personal opinion differed with those of the majority in your district, how would you reconcile those two viewpoints to make the best decision for District 1?
In my 18 years experience on the school board I have faced this situation many times. In these instances I have based my decision on facts in evidence, making the best decision for the circumstances and for my constituents. As supervisor, if my personal opinion differed from those in the majority in my district, I would, as I have in the past, make a decision based on the fact in evidence.
4. Business development and job creation are critical to our local economy. Do you have a plan for attracting new businesses to the south county and, if so, what kinds of businesses would you target? Would those include "big box" stores such as Costco, Lowe's or Home Depot? At the same time, how would you protect existing businesses?
As a supervisor, I will work to attract new business and industry to the county. By providing incentives, including zoning for a local business park with appropriate infrastructure, (i.e., water, sewer, and roads) we can attract businesses that will bring viable jobs, along with additional goods and services to the area. We need to effect a paradigm shift that changes county agencies from obstacles which must be dealt with to customer service based entities which protect the counties priorities and interests while providing appropriate service and assistance to the businesses and developers who work with them.
The newly adopted General Plan Policy LU4.6 addresses "big box" stores in unincorporated areas of the county. Small businesses provide important services to our community, and they succeed when they provide exemplary service, something that I strongly support. I support actions which allow local businesses to compete with prices offered outside of the county, and I strongly support the idea that superior customer service is what should set local businesses apart from their out of area competitors.
5. The Board of Supervisors recently adopted a resolution encouraging voluntary rent stability agreements at local mobile home parks. What is your stance on rent stability or rent control?
I am not an advocate of rent control for several reasons. I believe that government fixed rent prices do not account for natural increases in maintenance costs. Fixed rents do not allow owners to properly maintain their property, which ultimately causes blight. Having said that, I am pleased that the Board of Supervisors took a voluntary approach addressing the issue in resolution 2008-173 which allows responsible owners to adapt to their individual circumstances.
6. The Lake County Board of Supervisors is responsible for managing a budget for more than $200 million. Please explain any hands-on experience you have with managing large budgets, including situations in which you were required to make cuts and/or approve increases in spending. What would you do to make sure that the south county's needs are addressed in the county budget?
I have 18 years of hands-on experience managing of budget of over $13 million dollars as an elected school board member. I am well versed in the challenges and opportunities that come with the economic cycles of prosperous and lean times. I have a track record of managing a public budget in a way that places the needs and priorities of the public first. As I have stated before, I feel that despite the large contribution to the county tax base, the south county has been long neglected – while services were allocated disproportionately in other areas of the county, due to a lack of leadership and representation in Lakeport. I will be a strong voice and advocate for south county residents to ensure that we receive the services and attention that our tax dollars pay for.
7. With the state experiencing critically dry water years and a growing population, water is becoming an increasingly critical issue in California and here in Lake County. Do you have any ideas about how to protect local water resources in order to ensure Lake County will have enough water in the future? What meaningful part can the Board of Supervisors play in ensuring the county's water supply?
Dry years in our area are nothing new. The drought cycle in the Mediterranean climate of California's coastal range is a well-documented phenomenon which will continue. What is new is the amount of people taking water from our limited aquifer. Although I am aware that it will be a formidable task, as Supervisor I will work diligently to recover the water rights which were lost to Yolo County in 1912 by members of the Board of Supervisor lacking knowledge of the long-term ramifications. Managing appropriate growth within adequately established community boundaries will ensure that we make wise use of our natural resources. I am also in favor of working with land owners to create water retention projects which will retain riparian runoff during the wet months of the year to supplement the aquifer through our historically dry summers. The Board of Supervisors can play a meaningful part in planning for our future by supporting these projects and in stepping up to recover Lake County rights to Lake County water.
8. While supervisors specifically represent a particular area, they also have a say in matters pertaining to the rest of the county. What is the one prevailing issue facing Lake County that you're most concerned about, and what actions would you take in response to it?
I believe that as a Supervisor you first and foremost represent the residents of your district, always bearing in mind that your actions effect all 66,000 county residents. Lake County's 9.8-percent unemployment rate is the most critical issue for the Board of Supervisors, and for county residents. These figures reflect what I have been saying throughout my campaign. I will take action to bring to the county jobs that pay a living wage and provide sustainable long term employment for residents.
9. If elected, what is the first issue or project you would tackle?
From the first day of my campaign bringing jobs to District 1 has been my top priority. Lake County currently suffers from an unemployment rate of 9.8 percent. What that means is that over 6,000 residents in our communities are unable to support themselves. Even more struggle to make ends meet working hard in service industry positions that do not pay a living wage. The highest priority issue for me, and for the entire Board of Supervisors needs to be lowering the unemployment rate by attracting businesses which provide residents with living wage jobs.
10. What is your vision of Lake County in 20 years?
I have seen many changes come to Lake County over the past 58 years. In 20 years I hope to see Lake County successfully supporting residents living in a fabulous rural environment. Forty-seven percent of county land is publicly owned. These beautiful open spaces will not change, but will remain in perpetuity as a heritage for the coming generations. I want to create an environment where multiple generations are able to live, work, and recreate in our beautiful county, and I am committed to creating a job base that is sufficient to support that.
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