LAKE COUNTY — Gary Lewis is running again for District 3 supervisor and hopes to continue redevelopment projects along Highway 20 and reassess regulations and fees to foster growth.
Lewis said he thinks the state is masking problems rather than fixing them by taking money away from counties. “I think they have to bite the bullet and cut more spending.”
Lewis jumped into the June 8 race with incumbent Denise Rushing and challenger Robert Hesterberg.
Lewis served as District 3 supervisor from 1999 to 2007. He graduated from California State University, San Jose with a bachelor”s degree in sociology. He opened, grew and sold, two Lake County businesses, worked on investments and then went to work for county code enforcement. Now he works with the Mendo Mill & Lumber management team. Lewis is the chair of the Resource Advisory Committee and serves on the California Coast Provincial Advisory Committee.
He wants to work with the Regional Council of Rural Counties and State Association of Counties to reduce spending at the state level.
Lewis said he thinks the state is over-regulated and fees need to be reassessed because they stop progress. “Obviously I know there are fees that can”t be cut,” Lewis said adding that, however, the county needs to use good judgment.
With fees and regulations piling up, “people can”t survive on what they are left with anymore.”
He thinks code enforcement needs to be emphasized. “We really need to work on code compliance, making yards, businesses and streets more attractive to tourists.
Lewis said people in the Northshore district should vote for him because he”s passionate.
“I was a good supervisor for eight years and I have lived here for 35 years. If they want someone they can talk to, who returns their calls and listens to them, I”m the guy,” Lewis said.
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
