With an open seat for District 3 in Lake County, a variety of individuals have “thrown their hats into the ring.”
What I look for in a candidate is first and foremost the ability to work effectively with all others. To some this may sound simplistic but it is a skill set I have observed over the years that I believe only a handful hold. An acquired or natural skill that both allows for your voice to be effective and heard by your immediate peers and allows for your openness and ability to listen to others. Jim has worked between polar extremes on issues that cross environmental and economic lines. One example is the old growth forest issue, also known to many of us as “the timber wars.” Others are off-shore oil impacts and several difficult endangered species listings. In these matters, there had to be give and take, the ability to stay neutral and unbiased to get mutually beneficial outcomes and the sheer strength to see things through no matter the political fall-out.
The next ability I look for in my candidate is their knowledge base. How extensive is it? Is it limited in subject matter? How long has this individual been knowledgeable of the variety of subjects regarding our community and our environment prior to this election? How effective will their particular skill sets impact not only District 3 but Lake County as a whole. I remember in the very beginning, Jim put his platform out there. He was the “save the lake” guy. Now it seems so are the other candidates. One even has a simple plan he”s proclaiming will be the answer to a 60 year problem. There are lots of problems in our County but the biggest is the lake ? our economy hinges on fixing the lake. Read Jim”s background on his website like I did and you”ll see he”s not fluff – his depth on this critical subject is simply not approachable by the other candidates. Next I look to personality. I like stability. I like honesty. I like someone who doesn”t need to “engage” or “change.” I like maturity. Jim”s platform, fixing the lake to kick-start our economy so that we have the funding needed to address our many social issues in our communities, has not changed. He hasn”t re-invented himself. He doesn”t have to. My vote goes to Jim Steele ? hands down.
Lenny Matthews
Lucerne
