Recently the Lake County Chamber of Commerce sent questionnaires to each candidate for the Board of Supervisors for Districts 1, 4 and 5. Each candidate received the same set of questions. There were no limits placed upon their responses in terms of length. In the two weeks remaining until June 7, the Record-Bee will provide a sample of those responses.
Q: In your opinion, what are the most significant challenges facing the county? What are your specific plans to address these challenges? And, conversely, what are the county’s biggest assets for future economic success?
Jose “Moke Simon III
I believe those challenges are the ongoing Valley Fire recovery, housing (ownership, renting, and homelessness, which were major issues before the fire and are even more critical now), and job growth and economic development. Ironically, I believe these very challenges also represent our biggest assets for future economic success. Let me address each point.
Valley Fire: The way we as a County have responded to the Valley Fire — and the way we continue to respond and rebuild — sends strong signals to surrounding counties, the State, and the private sector that our people are resilient and innovative in addressing the countless recovery challenges. Our County’s people and its natural beauty are also our best assets, and the Valley Fire allowed us to present our strongest and bravest face to the rest of the area. Lake County is open for business!
Housing: The County’s housing challenges are particularly daunting given our overall budgetary challenges. While those homes that are rebuilt following last year’s fires will be better and ultimately more valuable than much of the housing stock that was destroyed, thousands of residents still struggle to move beyond temporary solutions.
The County should be open to multiple types of new construction while welcoming the assistance of groups like Hope City and others. The County can streamline permitting processes and increase the number of inspectors during this critical period, and consider allowing more types of rental housing. Continued CDBG funding is critical as well.
Homelessness, an intractable issue in so many parts of California, is a reality for Lake County as well. It’s well-established that mental health services must go hand-in-hand with transitional and permanent housing solutions when dealing with some of the most chronic cases of homelessness. Supervisors can strengthen the connection between county mental health services and available county support programs, including faith-based organizations and community-based action committees.
I believe that the private sector can play a role as well. We need the private sector’s dynamism and innovation to create housing options and solutions that fit Lake County’s needs and demographic profiles.
Jobs/Economic Development: It’s the fundamental duty of the Supervisors to be aggressive advocates for the county’s economic interests, especially in the aftermath of last year’s fires. I think my 20 years of experience as Tribal Chairman have prepared me well. I oversaw the development and construction of Twin Pine Casino, which has provided hundreds of local jobs over the years. I’ve worked with and negotiated multi-million dollar contracts with the state and federal government and banking institutions that have benefited the entire community and county in terms of jobs and services.
Jim Ryan
I feel the most significant challenges facing the county are; Valley Fire Recovery and Rebuilding, and recruitment and retention of public safety officers, and other county positions. I will continue to create an atmosphere of effective government regarding inspections and permitting to allow the rebuilding efforts to run smoothly. Outsourcing for additional inspectors and staff on a temporary basis to get us through the immediate needs to be addressed. I will work with our Sheriff’s office regarding recruitment and retention efforts. This needs to be addressed through exit interviews. By doing this we can obtain accurate information on why staff are exiting our counties job market. We need to be comparable to other areas as far as pay and benefit packages are concerned. As an association leader I have experience with the collective bargaining process at the county level. I understand the process and am aware that we rank low in this area when it comes to comparable counties. Our counties biggest asset should be the quality of people that live and work here however we are losing experienced employees at an alarming rate. I do have several creative ideas on how to remedy this problem. My experience working in public service in two other bay area counties will serve our county well.
Monica Rosenthal
This is a time of great challenge—and of great opportunity—for District One and all of Lake County. We need effective, forward-thinking leaders in county government to help residents successfully recover from the wildfires of last year and to build a more prosperous future for our local communities.
Three greatest challenges facing the county are:
Fire recovery: Streamline the process for rebuilding, remove barriers, and secure funding for infrastructure so residents can return to their communities and rebuild their homes. We need to work closely with our federal and state partners to secure resources and to plan ahead for a variety of potential situations such as reduced property taxes and possible decreases to our school enrollments. We need to support our local business in the fire impacted communities through effective marketing, outreach and grants or financial assistance as needed. We need to continue to support our community members on various levels as we work through this recovery process and we need to pursue affordable housing opportunities including the rebuild of the destroyed apartment complex.
Economy: Strengthen our local economy. First we must develop and implement a long-term economic development strategy. The strategy should include diversifying tourism and visitor attractions and creating a “Lake County” experience. We need to focus on our assets—the wine industry, agriculture, the lake, outdoor adventure, clean air, a beautiful rural environment and our diverse communities. Art, food, music and events add to the tourism experience.
We need to be more pro-active in seeking out quality businesses from the Bay Area or Napa who desire lower housing costs, available land and a less crowded environment. As your next District 1 Supervisor, I want to significantly raise the bar for our business recruitment efforts. I also want to actively work at expanding Broadband service. It is essential for business development and entrepreneurial opportunities.
In addition, I will work closely with our growing local wine industry to plan for the lodging, dining and shopping amenities that will help to make Lake County a future ‘must stop’ wine destination.
Agro-tourism and value added agriculture processing will also increase the county’s agricultural dollars and diversity. We need to promote “farming” in Lake County to provide products for “Farm to School” programs and fresh food stands.
As a small business owner, winegrape grower and active resident of Middletown for over 20 years, I believe that Lake County is poised to become a truly exceptional place—combining a desirable small town quality of life with the great recreational opportunities provided by Clear Lake and our County’s burgeoning wine industry. Hiking, biking and water trails will add to the mix.
We must focus on strengthening the economy. We need jobs for our children and our community residents. Jobs in the hospitality, industry; renewal and clean energy jobs; as well as building, and health services. Jobs that are meaningful, productive, pay a fair wage and provide a career path.
We must also strive to preserve our small town quality of life that makes Lake County such a special place and we must keep our communities safe and free of crime and criminal activities.
Achieving this exceptional well-balanced future is the reason I am seeking the office of District 1 County Supervisor.
Clear Lake: Preserving, protecting and managing Clear Lake is critical to the economic health and well being of Lake County.
The lake is our number one asset. It is the key to our economy and plays a major role in the health of our environment.
The Middle Creek Restoration Project must move forward. Tule restoration along the shorelines, maintaining public access points and reducing the lakes nutrient load and soil runoff into the lake are also important. Most critical is to be diligent in our efforts to prevent quagga and zebra mussels from invading Clear Lake or any body of water in Lake County.
As Supervisor, I will work hard to preserve and protect our number one asset — Clear Lake.
Voris Brumfield
The challenges for Lake County continue to be communications, infrastructure repair and construction. Developing a plan for Broadband, working with state funding & federal funding sources for infrastructure construction and repair must be our focus.
Our greatest assets are the untapped knowledge of the successful people who have moved to our county in the past 10 years. Creating platforms where these talented professionals feel welcome to become involved in developing long-range plans that look the county evolving to the “Best Lake County we can be.” County government cannot afford to hire the type of talent that has moved yet we can have the ideas of these resident coordinated with those of county staff
