CLEARLAKE — Candidates for Clearlake City Council recently answered questions presented to them by the Lake County Record-Bee newsroom. The following are the responses rendered by those vying for one of three seats available on the council this election.
What do you think are the most pressing issues facing the city?
Incumbent Curt Giambruno: “Economics ? What”s going on in the state and federal financing can affect the city. It”s very obvious what”s pressing for the city with state and federal financing. That”s a standard issue that never changes. The airport property goes hand-in-hand with issues of the city. If it sells that will contribute to bettering the city”s financial situation. If we do the right with the property, we could have the central retail hub of Lake County. We have a need for stores themselves, with more jobs and options for shopping as well as the sales tax that it will create. Continuing the development of other properties as well can bring a sounder financial means to the city and further developing Lakeshore Drive will be a boost for businesses already on Lakeshore Drive and it will bring in more tourists.”
Incumbent Joyce Overton: “I think the most pressing issues facing the City of Clearlake would be Special District. This controls our economic growth. Good economic growth brings good-paying jobs, homes and small businesses. Special District did not do upgrades in the past, which in return now causes problems with our economic growth. Businesses can no longer hook-up to sewer lines due to lines being unable to provide adequate flow. This means any business that would like to come to our beautiful town will have to upgrade the lines and pumping station. Over the years we have had problems with the sewer lines in the Harbor area; the county never fixed the problem, but have continued to take our money with no upgrades and are still allowing homes to hook-up to this area. I have been concerned with this situation and have asked questions over the years, in fact, just this year, with the response that everything is okay. And now we know it is not.”
Incumbent Judy Thein: “No. 1 – Developing adequate city resources. Clearlake needs to generate financial resources to realize the goals and vision for its future along with meeting the fundamental needs of the community. I believe economic development is the path to fiscal health for our city. The city needs to build a solid economic base that will attract businesses that are regional in nature to improve the tax base while at the same time preserving the existence of small businesses.
I feel the city is headed in the right direction with regard to airport property project.
The city is currently in process of developing a regional retail center which will provide a solid economic structure that will provide needed revenue, jobs and economic stability. No. 2 – General Plan Update. No 3 – Animal Control. One of the most frequent complaints I hear is the lack of adequate animal control services and enforcement. The city currently contracts with the county for animal control services at a cost of approximately $220,000 per year. If re-elected I will continue to work earnestly toward building our own animal control department, working cooperatively with animal coalitions to make the city self-sufficient. No. 4. Youth and Seniors.
Estella Creel: “Money. Basically this town really has no tax base in regard to sales tax revenues. You”re faced right now with a situation of a state in crisis. Declining property taxes due to state legislation is a problem. In turn certain people”s property taxes will be going down depending on what their area is like. The sales tax is going to decline because people aren”t spending as much. So, in turn we basically need to take and get into gear and go recruit large business to come into our community. We need to promote a business friendly environment. Too many businesses have closed in the last year.”
James Reed: “My biggest thing is morale, lack of jobs, beautification, roads and activities. I could go on. I”d first find out the where and whys. There is always no money. I want to find out why there is no money and find out how to get more money. We should also work with developers to find out what their ideas are to redevelop the city. We need to get past ideas in line with future needs. I really want to know what the people actually really want. I want to see something in this town that expands the activities for all people in town, youth and seniors alike. Maybe not just an arcade but place where kids can meet their friends. Maybe get the miniature golf reopened. We need places where parents and children can come together and enjoy activities. We need activities that encompass families.
We need to research, find funding and determine what type of employment and manpower we”ll need. We need to promote volunteer services to get projects up and going. We could use business owners and redevelopers and mediators to find out what is possible.
We need to start making it a pressing issue to reclaim our town. I”ve been here a year and a half and it looks like it”s gone downhill more so just in the time I”ve been here.
I want to see more night time activities. We need to breathe more life into the community with things like tourism and cleaning the lake. I want to see our beaches being used, continued economic growth and I want to see more jobs more than just one company can provide.
I love small town living but I would like to see us rezone for residential/commercial use. We need road improvements and I do support the concept of assessment districts.”
Bill Shields: “Money.”
Name three qualities that a council person should possess.
Giambruno: “No. 1. Community-mindedness with a positive attitude ? I find it hard to understand why we have so many folks with a negative attitude bent on destroying this city. Some want to harass the council and staff. Some want the redevelopment agency shut down. Some want the city disincorporated. It would be so upbeat if these folks would work in a positive manner to help move us forward instead of backward. We have been there. The attitude of the general public would probably become so much more positive about our city. No. 2. Honesty. No 3. Integrity.”
Overton: “Three qualities a council person should possess are honesty, knowledge and availability. Honesty: You need to know that you can trust the person you elected to do the right thing for your community, not be self-serving.
Knowledge: The people who sit in these positions need to have the knowledge to run the city. When you elect a person to sit in this position they of course do not know how to run a city but should be willing to get the education it takes to do so. Depending on staff is not good enough. As we have seen in the past, if the council does not have some idea of that things are not being handled correctly we have the problems we have now. Redevelopment was not used correctly and in return this city did not prosper from redevelopment as it was meant to do.
Availability: As a council person you need to be available to the community. This entails nights and weekends, calls and events.”
Thein: “Sound decision making. Decision making is one of the most important roles of a council member because we hold the ability to make an impact that may have a lasting effect on the lives and well being of our citizens and community.
Integrity and honesty. In my four years as a member of the Clearlake City Council, I have given the most honorable representation possible, which has earned the trust and respect of the community. If re-elected I will continue to serve the good people of Clearlake with integrity and honesty.”
Creel: “Honesty, integrity and advocacy. They should have a concern for working with citizens and business people in the community. Council members should not be self-serving.”
Reed: “Integrity, Honesty and community interaction. I can achieve these qualities. I can bring integrity, honest and community interaction. I like people.”
Shields:
“Compassion for the citizens.”
What skills to you possess that you think will enhance your ability to serve as a council person?
Giambruno: “I have the ability to communicate with my constituents in order to better represent the public at large. I also have the ability to take action when called upon. I don”t feel any problem that is brought to me should go undirected. When my constituents call upon my assistance I respond. I care about the people I serve and the actions I take knowing that each and everyone touches someone”s life everyday. A vote for your appointed incumbent, Curt Giambruno, is a vote for continued positive accomplishments and community dedication with real solutions and real leadership.
I have assisted the police department in establishing a K9 program, which is very dear to my heart. I”ve been proactive working with code enforcement to continue cleaning up the city, especially Lakeshore Drive. I would like to see a public parking lot on Lakeshore Drive. I want to work with the senior building to cut operation cost and possibly turn to solar energy. I would like to maintain our quality of life by making sure our General Plan is updated. I want to see a medium size BMX bike facility constructed at the north end of Haverty Field. If we can do that we can eliminate all the problems we are having at the skatepark. I would also like to see a small playground for toddlers built at the rear of the restrooms at Redbud Park.”
Overton: “I have been in management for the past 30 years. My management skills in human resources, accounting, corporate, small business and the train that I have taken over the past four years in city policies and procedures will make me able to carry on with directing the City of Clearlake with good economic growth.”
Thein: “I have the ability to commit and follow through on those commitments. Positive accomplishments help measure the ability of a strong leader. My leadership has continually contributed to many successful accomplishments that have had an impact on our community. My representation of Clearlake at the Area Planning Council resulted in receiving $3.1 million for a six-mile road paving project. My belief of investing in our future now in order that we can realize long term benefits allowed me to become instrumental in acquiring a skilled management team, which is essential for our future growth. Code Enforcement became proactive in health and safety cleanup issues and I have been able to establish countywide partnerships that have allowed me the opportunity to build creative networks to assist our community. If re-elected I will continue to work toward the future prosperity of our community.
My attendance record shows that I am committed to this community. In my four years I have missed only two meetings due to tragic circumstance beyond my control. It is important to me that my constituents know that they have a person representing them that they can rely on.
My 25 years of institutional knowledge of the city gives me the ability to better understand the issues facing us today and the consequences of poor decision making.
Communication and listening skills are important skills for effective representation. I possess those skills that allow me to effectively communicate with the people I serve and address the problems that they are concerned about.”
Creel:
“I have the ability to multi-task. I have a fair education that contributes to my business sense. As far as the city goes, when it comes to cities, cities are much like running a business. You have to figure out ways to make money so in turn your city has money.
I possess open-mindedness. I don”t think a person should be doing this with a close mind. You have to see the whole issue. After you look at the whole issue, you have to look at what”s best for the community.”
Reed:
“I have administration and managerial skills that help in dealing with people. I have marketing experience and customer experience as well. I have experience in mediation which will assist in negotiating projects and dealing with the redevelopers to avoid needless spending and unwise decision making. I am able to talk to people and have good listening skills and can make a wise choice.
I want to work closely with the people and the media so I can learn the various ideas that we all have because this where we all live. The general consensus should be what we all want and what we all need.”
Shields:
No answer provided.
