Lake County has some amazing people, and the five candidates that have volunteered to take on the challenge of replacing Supervisor Simon and representing District 1 are no exception.

From my perspective, I would like to see someone in this position that not only has the vision of what the district could be but is also capable of delivering.

As an example, Clearlake’s rise has been meteoric over the last five years. Thanks to our talented and dedicated city staff, we have given our downtown park a facelift, slashed crime, fully funded a plan to resurface and pave more than 50 miles of roads, and forged some major economic development victories in housing, hospitality, and healthcare.

Most notable, the long-delayed redevelopment of the former Pearce Field site into a commercial hub finally began last year after decades of hurdles. That can only happen when vision meets capability.

The city makes up a substantial slice of District 1, and much of the development I just described will have a direct impact on the residents that will be represented by one of these five candidates.

Our city needs a supervisor who will value the incredible strides we’ve made in improving our community and stand side by side with city leadership to ensure that momentum doesn’t falter. Someone who appreciates that a healthy, vibrant Clearlake is a benefit to the district and all of Lake County.

I believe John Hess is that candidate.

John has served on the Lake County Planning Commission for the last eight years and understands how complex and challenging it can be to bring new opportunities to a rural county. There is an appreciation for the care and effort that has gone into the city’s most recent wins, and support for even more.

Add to that his unmatched government experience serving members of both parties. He has an already well-worn path for dialog with our state and federal representatives and his three endorsements from those officials are clear evidence of his connection. I haven’t quite figured out how his work around nuclear arms control could benefit Lake County, but it’s a pretty good indication that his judgment and leadership have long been trusted.

Finally, it’s clear he has the best interests of our county at his core. I encourage you to watch one of the many forums online in which these five superb candidates have participated. John continues to impress me with the depth of his answers. For someone who is not an incumbent, his grasp of the pressing challenges facing district 1 is evident.

John is my top choice for District 1 and I’m pleased to be able to support him.

David Claffey is a member of the Clearlake City Council. He lives in Clearlake, California.