LAKEPORT — A debate was held for County District 5 Supervisor candidates Wednesday night. Incumbent Rob Brown and challenger Robert Stark answered 10 questions that came from the Lake County Association of Realtors, the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce and the public.
Stark said more progress could be made for economic growth, and Brown said his eight years experience as a supervisor will equip him for hard financial times ahead. Brown said in his closing remarks that he learned earlier in the day that Stark had not contacted county department heads, including Chief Administrative Officer Kelly Cox, Social Services Director Carol Huchingson and Sheriff Rodney Mitchell about issues facing the county.
“That surprised me. I think if I was going to be serious about this position, with less than four weeks to go in the race ? that”s a short time to find out what the issues are in Lake County,” Brown said.
The candidates” opinions differed on the subjects of economic growth, agriculture and benefit zones for fixing roads.
Regarding benefit zones, Stark said, “Number one, this is a tax. We”re talking about how to repair roads that are supposed to be maintained by the county services. If you can”t meet with people for adequate time to convince two-thirds of them that it”s the proper thing to do, you have to question why you”re doing it.”
Brown said he wasn”t advocating for or against benefit zones, and that people in the seven benefit zones established were happy with the results.
“This is an opportunity. The state recently withheld five months of our gas tax ? money that we use to take care of our roads. So we have to look at other options that are available. It”s a good thing to give the voters this opportunity, and to deny that legal ability is wrong,” Brown said.
Stark said he supports an ordinance to make Lake County a genetically engineered (GE)-free zone.
“The reason I”m in favor of it is it”s like saying the horse is in the barn, and the door is open, but the horse in barn, and let”s not close the door. You have to trust corporate America, and I don”t,” Stark said.
Brown said he does not support the proposed ordinance that would make Lake County a GE-free zone.
“There is no scientific basis to convince me that we need an ordinance in Lake County to ban genetically modified crops. Farmers are not unanimous on this. There are a few against it, but when you ask the farmers, they say they don”t want a ban. That speaks volumes. Let”s not hamstring them and take away their ability to do things that new technology may allow,” Brown said.
District 5 includes Kelseyville, Clear Lake Rivieras, Buckingham, Loch Lomond and parts of the Cobb Mountain area. The district seat will go before voters in the June 3 Primary Election.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
