Laura M. Blystone
1. Briefly state your background and highlight those personal attributes that you think would make you an effective county supervisor for Inyo County.
Thank you for this opportunity to share my story. I am of the opinion one does not have to be born in a place to love it. Love brought me to the Owens Valley and I remain dedicated to serving my community.
From 1998 to 2018, I owned and managed our
1. Briefly state your background and highlight those personal attributes that you think would make you an effective county supervisor for Inyo County.
Lone Pine is my hometown. My family moved to the area in the late 1960s when they purchased the Cabin Bar Ranch in Olancha to get into the cattle business. My mother, brother and I moved to Lone Pine in the late 1980s. I’ve attended local schools, volunteered as a firefighter at the Lone Pine Fire Department for over 10 years, and worked for local businesses and non-profit organizations. I owned a chimney safety company that provided service from California City to Tonopah for several years. I sit on the Board for the Lone Pine Fire
Association and have been actively involved in the Station Rehabilitation Plan for the last year to upgrade and modernize our fire facilities. I’ve been actively involved in many community initiatives over the years as an event planner, activist, and volunteer.
I worked in the music industry for many years as an artist manager. I have a lot of experience working with groups of people in creative and highstress environments. As a custodian of someone else’s vision, I have learned to find creative
1. Briefly state your background and highlight those personal attributes that you think would make you an effective county supervisor for Inyo County.
I’m Will “the Handyman.” I grew up in Big Pine, played football, baseball and graduated valedictorian. I have worked as an electrician and refrigeration technician servicing local businesses from June Lake to Ridgecrest. I served in the US Navy as a nuclear machinist’s mate on submarines for nearly 10 years. During my time as leading petty officer, I help write and maintain the engineering budget of over a million dollars. I was assigned to the oil lab at Naval Base San Diego, which I ran and learned attention to detail. In 2013 I returned to the Owens Valley, and I knew that Inyo County was home. As I established myself in Lone Pine as a handyman, I volunteered at IMACA Food Bank and took the lead position and kept the office open till it February 2020. After its closing, I focused on construction in the Lone Pine area. I joined the Lone Pine Community Service District Board to be involved in local matters. I stepped down and took employment there to better serve the people of our district.
1. Briefly state your background and highlight those personal attributes that you think would make you an effective county supervisor for Inyo County.
I have been fortunate to acquire professional skills over the last 23 years of my career, that are relevant to local government and would help me to be successful and effective in the role of county supervisor. I have had the pleasure of working with over 500 public entities statewide in a consultancy role, advising on matters including insurance, risk management, human resources, safety, and regulatory compliance. These responsibilities have varied widely, requiring a specialized knowledge and level of professionalism, which is foundational for a county supervisor. I have a comprehensive understanding of public agency finance and budgets, have participated in audits and have worked with actuaries and CPAs to develop rates and allocation formulas for large multi-agency pooled insurance programs. I have experience negotiating with labor unions, presenting at professional conferences, serving on accreditation committees and advocating for clients. Most importantly, I enjoy connecting with people, building relationships and working collaboratively to find creative solutions to
1. Briefly state your background and highlight those personal attributes that you think would make you an effective county supervisor for Inyo County.
I am an avid outdoors man that enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing, hiking, rock climbing and snowboarding. My hobbies give me a deep appreciation for everything outdoors District 5 has to offer. I have owned several businesses over the years, and I currently own a lodging business, in Southeast Inyo County, with my wife called Death Valley Hot Springs. I also volunteer as a director on the board for the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District. This gives me an intimate perspective on the problems our EMS and fire protection services face in District 5. I am 42 years old, college educated, and I have lived in Inyo County for over 20 years. During this time, I have been to many community workshops and board meetings. I have seen many of the same issues being discussed year after year with no resolve; therefore, I have decided to run for supervisor.
I plan on using my supervisor experience running private companies to bring transparency, organization and structure to the supervisor position of government. I will do this by creating a file for each and every issue in
industry challenges.
My old-fashioned work ethic stems from being a fifth generation Lone Pine native. I have a strong sense of civic responsibility and loyalty to the residents of the Owens Valley. I have been married for 22 years and have four children, which has helped me cultivate the following attributes: resiliency, commitment, honesty, high level productivity, reliability and a joyful sense of humor. I cherish all of my local experiences and relationships and am passionate about helping support an environment in the Fifth District where all residents feel heard and have the opportunity to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
2. What top three challenges do you think Inyo County currently faces and how do you think the board can meet those challenges to benefit county residents?
In my opinion, the top three challenges facing Inyo County are interrelated, and are as follows:
1.) Lack of available, affordable and appropriate housing
2.) An unstable health care and EMS system
3.) An under-served, shrinking youth population
Housing is the primary challenge facing the Fifth District, and improving the current situation would have an exponential positive impact on multiple other concerns. Many hard working, local families are forced into unaffordable, inadequate rental situations secondary to lack of available options. There are many higher paying jobs in Southern Inyo County that are held by people who are not local residents.
Although employed here, they have temporary living situations and commute home on weekends to Southern California and other neighboring areas. Adequate housing would provide the opportunity for such employees to relocate their families and become active members of the local community, which would in turn have a positive effect on our schools and health care systems. Available housing would also aid in the recruitment and retention of qualified professionals to fill much needed positions in education, health care, law enforcement and local government.
What can the county do? Securing private land for the development of housing for local residents must be a priority. Working collaboratively to brainstorm funding solutions for health care and EMS is a necessity. Problem solving and upgrading the Lone Pine Airport technology and infrastructure to ensure 24/7 access for life flight services is non-negotiable. Southern Inyo County has a wealth of knowledgeable business owners, invested residents, and valued tribal members that can work together, with the right leadership, to create and maintain the highest quality of rural living possible in this unique, unparalleled, naturally beautiful environment.
3. What top three opportunities do you think Inyo County should focus on and how do you think the county could take better advantage of those opportunities?
Opportunities are born of challenges, therefore, they should align.
The county’s purchase of a south Main Street property in Lone Pine is slated for the development of a multifamily housing project. There is a current RFQ process underway to secure a real estate developer that can make this exciting project a reality. An additional challenge in securing an investor, are recent impact studies that reflect inadequate support services and limited availability of an existing workforce. Our proactive, current county leadership is working diligently on an initiative to form partnerships with Cerro Coso College and local school districts to create a pipeline for local students to bridge that workforce gap and ensure investment stability for potential developers. Training a local skilled workforce is worthwhile on many levels, particularly providing opportunities for our communities’ underserved youth. Increasing the local tax base with an improved housing situation would help the local hospitals and EMS agencies survive. Working together with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, negotiating the details of the Long Term Water Agreement that stipulates land releases would also have a significantly, beneficial impact.
4. In the context of your own particular district, why do you think constituents should cast their ballots for you?
To serve others, one must be selfless. Twentytwo years of marriage and parenting four children demands selflessness. My wife and I have both held demanding professional positions, while raising our family. Our life is simultaneously chaotic, challenging and rewarding. Putting others’ needs ahead of my own is second nature and has proven to be very fulfilling. This selfless orientation and acquisition of relevant, professional experience is in contrast to other candidates.
I strive to be a servantleader. A servant leader’s reward comes from facilitating the success of others. If a leader is driven to help others achieve their goals, the leader is not motivated by their own ego, but a sense of responsibility to others. Through demonstrated competence, you gain the trust and confidence of the people you serve.
I attribute my successful career to both my parents and professional mentors. Throughout the years, I have developed countless friendships and business relationships that have helped me grow professionally and personally. I strive to maintain these connections, and rely on them frequently for advice, support, and professional expertise. Growing up in the Owens Valley, I had close relationships with, and admired many legendary local leaders, including Jack Hopkins, Mac McDonald, Johnny Johnson and more recently Matt Kingsley. I would be honored to serve the Fifth District with the same integrity, motivation and intention as these fine, selfless leaders.