LAKE COUNTY ? Outgoing District 1 Supervisor Ed Robey and District 1 Supervisor candidate Jim Comstock disagree about where the money trail of Comstock”s campaign contributions leads.
Robey said he saw “a pattern of developers and large land owners” contributing to Comstock”s campaign, and cited residential and commercial developments proposed by more than five of Comstock”s contributors. Comstock said the contributions would not affect how he would vote on a project if he were elected.
Responding to Comstock”s claim that Robey and the Lake County Board of Supervisors ignored the needs of District 1, Robey said, “I believe he means that the large landowners and developers who are giving thousands of dollars to Mr. Comstock haven”t been able to get everything they want from me and the board of supervisors. They feel neglected and ignored, and are betting they won”t be if Mr. Comstock is in office.”
Robey cited two 40-lot subdivisions proposed on Highway 175 in Middletown, among others. The application to the Lake County Community Development Department lists Fletcher Thornton and Michael Browning as the applicants. According to financial records filed with the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office, Thornton contributed $550 to Comstock”s campaign as of Sept. 30, and Browning contributed $1,500.
Comstock said he hadn”t seen the current proposal, which is in the first stage of application with the Community Development Department. Comstock called Robey”s statement “unfounded and totally baseless.” He said District 1 has not received a fair share of county funding for parks and recreation.
“Mr. Robey is being very disingenuous in saying that these people who are wanting to develop think I will be in developers” pockets,” Comstock said.
Comstock continued, “I believe in property owners” rights. Former Planning Commissioner Frieda Comota has said that development is a privilege, not a right. I believe you have rights as a property owner. If you want to change the zoning or alter the density that”s allowed, that”s no longer a right. That”s something you have to apply for.”
Comstock”s largest contribution is $10,000, and came from his neighbor Peter Luchetti. Robey said it was unusual for an individual to contribute that much money, and publicly asked Comstock to explain the contribution. Luchetti owns a 640-acre ranch in Middletown next to Comstock”s ranch.
“We have no current or future plans to develop our property, and we do not plan to ask Jim for anything. We support him because we have known him for 40 years, and we think he would do a good job as supervisor balancing the needs of development against the needs of agriculture and the environment,” Luchetti said.
To date, Comstock has garnered $34,175.17 in campaign contributions. His opponent in the race for District 1 Supervisor, Susanne La Faver, has received $26,007.36 in campaign contributions.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com, or call her directly at 263-5636 ext. 37.
