LAKEPORT >> Lakeport Mayor Martin Scheel announced that he will run for the District 4 seat on the Lake County Board of Supervisors in next year’s election.
In a press release earlier this week, Scheel said he is seeking the job to improve the local economy and to help the region recover from the wildfires.
“One of my top priorities as Supervisor will be fostering a closer working relationship between county government and the city of Lakeport,” he said. “I want to bring all District 4 residents together and further work to unite all Lake County communities to better resolve issues that affect our future.”
Elected to the city council in 2012, the mayor said that he has already received endorsements from community leaders such as fellow councilmember Kenneth Parlet, Lance Butcher, owner of Lakeport Disposal, and Linda Lindeblad of Re/Max Lake County Realty.
“He is a win-win negotiator,” Lineblad, who has known Scheel for nearly 12 years, said. “I think he’s the best candidate. He’s very good at problem solving.”
In his first politically-elected office, Scheel has dealt with many issues in the city and in the county. He is also involved in the Lake County Planning Council, Transit Authority, and the PEG Board.
According to city records, the independent and 30-year Lake County resident has voted to implement a marijuana ordinance, keep the Westshore pool alive, and most recently prevent Verizon Wireless from building a cell tower that citizens opposed. In addition to politics, he said, he has been involved with local schools and volunteer organizations around the county including Midland Elementary School and the Lakeport Rotary Club.
“Although I am bound to approximately 5,000 people, I still feel responsible for all 60,000,” he said about his connection to the county, which he said needs new ideas that he can provide.
One of those ideas — a primary issue of his campaign — is to improve the relationship between the BOS and District 4. According to Scheel, his city needs a closer one with the county.
“We really need to repair relations between the District 4 elected and the county. It needs to be more proactive,” he said.
The current supervisor for the district, BOS Chair Anthony Farrington, has not announced whether he will run for another term of the office he has held since 2001. His focus, he said, is on the rebuilding of Lake County, not on a future campaign.
If he doesn’t run, Farrington told the Record-Bee that he won’t endorse Scheel because of actions after Scheel’s crane sank in the lake in 2010. According to board’s minutes dated Jan. 25, 2011, Scheel was found liable for the cleanup costs associated with the incident.
Scheel, who was with Konocti Marine Construction at the time, was given a month to remove the crane. Claiming that he did not have the money or the resources to do so, the county had to extract it. According to Farrington, the approximately $50,000 cost for the job was paid by the taxpayers out of the general fund.
“I think the citizens deserve better,” he said. “He took no responsibility for the cleanup. I cannot support a candidate that owes this amount of money to the taxpayers and then turn around and seek a paycheck from them.”
When asked about the issue, Scheel said he has done everything he can to cooperate with county and hasn’t received a bill for the accident. He also added that he didn’t know how this will affect his campaign.
“I don’t know if it will be a roadblock,” Scheel said. “I think I will cross that bridge when it happens.”
If he does run, Farrington and Scheel both feel confident in their support and campaigns.
“Given that the only candidate at this time is a disgruntled city council member, I feel confident about my support in my community,” the supervisor said.
Scheel, who has also been endorsed by Mayor Pro Tem Stacey Mattina, said the road to election would be tough, especially when there are more candidates in a race.
“When there’s more people involved, I think it’s a great thing,” Scheel explained. “It’ll be a tough campaign; incumbents are tough to beat.”
Until Farrington makes his decision next year, the mayor will continue serving the city and looking to his campaign. Although he has some endorsements, he will seek more from community leaders, especially from the volunteer community.
To help him with his campaign, he has enlisted political consultant Chris Jones. Together, Scheel said, the two will start putting together the “nuts and bolts” of the campaign.
Their message is one of innovation and solidarity.
“Over a period of time, government entities can get in a rut,” the candidate said. “For the past eight years, all we’ve tried to do is survive. We can take a new approach. I like the solidarity and the opportunities of ‘Lake County Strong.’ We need to take that future seriously.”
