LAKE COUNTY >> District 3 will have a new supervisor in January.
Jim Steele will replace Denise Rushing, who decided not to run for re-election this year. According to preliminary election results, Steele secured 57.9 percent of the vote, or 1,459 votes. His opponent, John Brosnan, received 400 fewer votes, garnering 42.1 percent.
Of the district”s approximate 6,600 voters, a total of 2,677 ballots were cast, not counting those submitted by mail after a set date. Of those, 1,581 were absentee ballots, while 1,096 were cast at the district”s 18 precincts.
“The transition is going to be easy,” Steele said.
Steele, a biologist, campaigned on a platform which focused on fixing, protecting and managing Clear Lake, which would have been easier if Measure S was approved by the voters.
“We don”t have the money stream, but there is still things that can be done,” Steele said.
Additionally, Steele plans to address other issues in the district, as well as the county.
“The economy is the big gorilla in the room,” Steele said. “Our recovery style is going to be different because we don”t have the population or the commerce of other counties.”
Steele wants to focus on bringing tourists to the county, as well as increase agricultural tourism. This idea involves not only Clear Lake, but also the vineyards, the scenic drives, the produce and the communities of Lake County.
“The county is a recreational playground,” Steele said.
In order to bring more tourists to the county, especially to his district, Steele plans to work within his district and with the other townships.
“Each place has to find it”s own identity,” Steele said.
Steele also plans to work with CalTrans to create pressure pull-offs in the area to relieve traffic, as well as improve the economy of each city by attracting people, both permanent and temporary.
In order to boost the economy and ensure tourists have a pleasant experience, Steele would like to have up-to-date lake conditions posted online.
“People will be able to have confidence that when they come to the county, they will have a pleasant experience,” Steele said. “We don”t want people coming here planning to go on the lake and be surprised that it smells at that time.”
But in order to attain his goals, Steele will need help.
“We will need everyone to stay involved in order to make the changes we need,” he said.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
