LAKE COUNTY — Candidates James Comstock and Susanne La Faver bring differing philosophies about growth and change to the table as they vie to succeed Ed Robey as Dist. 1 county supervisor in the Nov. 4 election.
Comstock was born in Lake County and operates a ranch on Grange Road in Middletown. He is serving his fifth consecutive term on the Middletown Unified School District Board, and has been its president for six years. He is a Vietnam veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy between 1969 and 1973. Comstock is a financial representative with Beneficial Financial Group in Middletown.
La Faver has lived in Middletown for six years. Her resume details a 25-year history in public relations, and she holds a master”s in public administration. She teaches graduate business courses for Golden Gate University, and has been involved in Middletown”s senior center and library, South Lake Fire Safe Council and Hidden Valley Lake Safety and Security Committee.
Is there anything that the county board of supervisors is doing now that you think should be done differently? How would you change it?
Comstock said if he were elected, he would give Dist. 1 residents representation on the board proportionate to the district”s financial contribution in the county.
“Although Dist. 1 contains a large percentage of the Lake County tax base and is currently the fastest growing area in the county, south county residents have been largely ignored and unrepresented in county promotion, projects and infrastructural support,” Comstock said.
La Faver said the current board of supervisors works well as a team, and that she wants to join that team.
“I have experience and skills to share including a proven track record for strategic planning and getting things done, a strong fiscal background, a deep belief in the power of teamwork, excellent relations with state an federal representatives and a passionate commitment to Lake County,” La Faver said.
What are the biggest problems facing the county, and what would you do about them if elected?
Comstock said the county should create jobs so county residents don”t have to leave the county or commute out of the area for employment, and bring goods and services into the county that residents currently leave the county to access. He said providing infrastructure to support new business was key, including water, sewer and road access.
“Lack of appropriate future planning can result in having a business park developed alongside a residential area by way of a general plan amendment because of inadequate foresight in the planning stage we are facing now,” Comstock said.
La Faver identified the state budget deficit and its impact on Lake County, growth and water resources as the county”s biggest challenges. She said she would promote farmer”s markets and wanted to see stronger links between growers and restaurants, school and hospitals.
“I will expand upon our county”s vibrant natural resources to promote tourism and agriculture, and encourage citizen groups to aim for government and private grant fund opportunities,” La Faver said.
District 1 includes one of the fastest-growing areas in the county. How should the county handle growth?
Comstock said, “The current lull in the economy and housing market provides us with an opportunity to plan now and get things right for the future, which will most certainly bring another surge in growth for Lake County.”
He said county government should draw community boundaries that will “allow residents to direct the growth in such a way that communities may maintain their character while allowing appropriate expansion.”
La Faver said she supports the county”s current General Plan update, which she said would help the county avoid sprawl and preserve farm and pastureland.
“Smart growth concepts focus on the design and form of development, rather than the quantity, in include creation of distinctive, walkable neighborhoods, preservation of natural and regional character, and direction of new development toward existing communities,” La Faver said.
What would you change in Dist. 1 if elected?
Comstock said he would give Dist. 1 residents a stronger voice in Lakeport, the county seat.
“In order to maintain and raise property values, and to conserve and improve our quality of life, we cannot afford to allow Dist. 1 to continue to be ignored or to be considered as an afterthought by the leaders of county government,” Comstock said.
La Faver said she supported the development and marketing of “Gateway South,” which she said would highlight historical, cultural and agricultural tourism from Robert Louis Stevenson State Park and Middletown in the south of Dist. 1 to Anderson Marsh State Historic Park and Clearlake in the north.
“Beside promoting the Lake County tourist economy as a whole, this approach offers particular benefits to Dist. 1, which has tended to lag behind the rest of the county due to a lack of plentiful lodging. With the new Twin Pines hotel, that will no longer be a barrier,” La Faver said.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@trevelle@record-bee.com.
