CLEARLAKE — A candidate debate for District 2 Supervisor was held between incumbent Jeff Smith and opponent Joyce Overton Tuesday at Clearlake City Hall. The debate was hosted by Elizabeth Larson of lakeconews with assistance provided by the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Larson presented the candidates with 11 questions collected from the public by various means. Questions related to candidates” accomplishments, personal and community-minded goals, political stances, priorities and other topics associated with the supervisor”s position. A time limit was placed on each candidate”s answer with an opportunity for rebuttal provided.
Opening statements began with Overton. Overton was elected to the Clearlake City Council in 2005 and served as mayor in 2006. She gained re-election to the council in 2008. She is the current vice mayor of Clearlake. She said she”s lived all over the United States and Clearlake is where she calls home. “I am dedicated to the cause and the cause is our community,” she said.
Smith is a former Clearlake City Council member and was elected to serve in his capacity as District 2 Supervisor in 1998, re-elected twice. He has 32 years of local business experience and spent 21 years as a local business owner. Throughout his service as a supervisor he has sat on numerous committees and boasts responsibility for bringing more than $1 million to the community he serves.
Candidates were asked about the skills they possess that make them the best choice for the position. Smith said that there is no substitution for common sense decision making. He said he prides himself on the “sitting on the fence” reputation he has often been accused of in that he waits until all sides are heard before deciding and casting his vote.
Overton said that she will take what the city wants to heart; she”s educated in Redevelopment Law and she works well with county government. “I hope to take the education I”ve got on the council and take it to the county level,” Overton said, adding that she hopes for a position to voice the needs of the area.
Smith said he already does that, which is evident with his ability to persuade fellow supervisors that a vote for his presented cause doesn”t just help the city it also helps the county.
Overton said she is in favor of medical marijuana dispensaries in the county and the city. She said the both jurisdictions are currently working on regulations. She said she sees that medical marijuana helps people. “It”s the zoning. It”s not that I wouldn”t have in my city, it”s just where to put them,” she said.
Smith said he spent six hours earlier that day addressing the issue and information is being collected now. “It”s a shame that when it was passed, the state didn”t do its part,” he said, adding that any regulation should be consistent across the board and it needs to be fair to all, including with regard to other similar businesses.
Both candidates boast the fruition of the Burns Valley Sidewalk as an accomplishment. They were asked to explain. Smith said that he worked on the project first as a council person and then as a supervisor. He said at some point the effort fell by the wayside. However, in 2005 he said that he heard pathway monies were available and sought them. He secured $50,000 from one source and another $30,000 from another source. This was the $80,000 that kicked off the project, he said.
Overton said that when she first ran for council nothing was being done on the project. In 2006, she said she and fellow councilmember Peggy Smith met with the seniors several times, bringing the project back into light. “I think it was a team effort,” she said. “It”s an accomplishment for us all.”
Overton said her top priorities are the lake, roads and drainage. Smith said his are the sewer system problems, the algae problem and the Middle Creek Restoration Project, which he said would assist in solving many problems associated with lake quality.
Other questions covered topics such as opinions of the Lowe”s project, how to improve Lakeshore Drive, what to do about the sandbar at the end of Burns Valley Creek and how to handle the threat of the quagga mussels.
In closing remarks Overton insinuated that accomplishments listed by her opponent were not to his personal credit and that they came about as a result of the committee he may have been sitting on. She said Smith has done little for the community in the past 12 years that he has served and has only brought $25,000 into the community. She said she is actively working on programs for the youth and the homeless.
Smith took offense to Overton”s comments. He asked her if she was unhappy with his representation, why she waited until a debate to bring it up. He stood by his accomplishments stating that it was his initiation in bringing proposals to the board of supervisors that can be attributed to the allotment of funds that have come into the community. He insinuated that Overton”s actions in regard to televised media coverage of last year”s algae problem actually cost the county hundreds of thousands of dollars. He said the proper way to handle the situation would have started with consulting the county”s publicity manager.
Overton had chastised Smith for securing $40,000 for the community garden project at the senior center but less for youth services. She questioned why the $10,000 she alleges is left over is not donated to youth programs.
Smith said that he was also responsible for bringing a $20,000 donation for the youth center for renovations of the building, which now houses the food co-op operation. “It”s never enough,” he said.
Smith continued, “I”ve produced more for this community than any other supervisor because I”ve convinced (the board) that it”s good for the entire area. To get to a debate after 11 years and say I didn”t do my job; you should have called me.”
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
