SURPRISE REVELATION IN DISTRICT 1 DEBATE
Supe candidates urge local development; recruit locally
Candidates debating for District 1 Supervisor's seat got a minor jolt as candidates wrapped up final statements when one candidate endorsed another at the Cal Pine Center on January 31.
Listing numerous qualities a board member ought to posses District 1 candidate Bryan Pritchard mentioned among other qualifications, being capable of asking critical questions … “What Lake County needs is a well-rounded person, with great aspirations, who grew up here, someone who's done things for the public, not only veterans, what Lake County needs is someone like Helen Owen.” That narrowed the field to four.
Water had been a critical issue until the winter of 2022-23 noted Owen, yet periodically there are good years as the current year shapes up to be good. “Certain areas south of Middletown, spots near Butts canyon, Lower Lake, south of Twin Lakes and Morgan Lake don't have as good a supply,” she said.
Regarding cannabis, Owen favors a crackdown on illegal cannabis operations. “It's a water issue and water was allocated by the state of California by 2021 for the then existing permitted growers.” she said. I do not think we want Lake County to become the cannabis capital of the state.” The need for improved broadband infrastructure is already evident. “To my knowledge that should be happening this year,” she said.
Also, some residents expressed a need for greater first responders, citing studies that police and fire are only 50 to 70% staffed. “We need to do a better job of taking care of those who take care of us,” Owen said. “See what can be done about recruiting and authorize pay raises.”
Candidate Sean Millerick said when it comes to snowpack, it does not affect water supply. “Generally rainwater replenishes our aquifers,” he said. “But the state is a different issue, Lake County has sufficient rainfall, and aquifers are at capacity, we just need to monitor those regularly.”
As for cannabis, Millerick noted that it is generally operated by outside interests and not a great benefit to Lake County. “Overproduction in California is largely to blame. They made sensible regulations, but they were too expensive for operators to make a consistent profit. But cannabis is important for the county to keep afloat, so they passed sizable tax breaks. “But existing operators rely on tax breaks, I suggest a conversion, try 5% devoted to traditional agriculture and increase each year until you are at nearly 100%. I'd call that an equitable path forward.
The County is now rolling out a plan for high-speed internet with support from Congressman Mike Thompson and State Senator Mike McGuire and the project should start within this year. It is unknow how much funding is earmarked, but a majority will arrive from the federal and state government. Those grants should be a significant improvement because it changes from satellite based with MediaCom to fiberoptic with broadband.”
Millerick did point out that there is a backlog of road projects of just under one third of a billion, from last fall. “The challenge is over the last seven years, Real GDP (gross domestic product) has seen a drop of 18%, so the county must bring in new business to raise the GDP to get sustain
able and responsible economic growth and needs to get industry and agriculture to improve roads and infrastructure. And the problem of skilled workforce retention as the county needs to recruit from within.
Concerning complaints that each individual supervisor spends too much time on county wide business, Millerick reminds residents the supervisor is a representative of the entire county. “It's a balancing act, certain areas are better for certain types of economic growth, He said. ” The city of Clearlake is better suited to manufacturing or large retailers. But the same operations, would be a bad fit for Middletown.”
John Hess, planning board commissioner, vying for the District 1 seat noted roads are a high priority yet, the issue needs state and federal grants. Ingress/ egress for first responders will set the standard. But roads present a challenge needing funding and staffing for the Public Works to do repairs. Also, hiring and retaining of police requires competitive salaries and benefits.
Hess is focused on building new housing for workforce families and seniors.
Having high-speed Internet is essential for business growth, money was made available through the Federal Infrastructure Legislation passed last year. “There is money in the bank, there are shovel ready projects in Lake County, and the effect will be seen in 2024.”
Some of Hess's priorities: attracting development funds and state and federal grants for more housing and better roads, ensuring the health of Clear Lake, protecting Lake County environment and wildlife. He is also focused on supporting all residents to continue FireWise practices “We have to anticipate the next decade of growth that you'll hear me talk about,” he said.
Bren Boyd, former treasurer of Hidden Valley HOA and a professional chef said he wanted to transfer all his skills from the HOA to administer. “All of Lake County is missing out on proper broadband.” He reports funding will be arriving from Sacramento or D.C. resources for shovelready projects. “Cobb and Hidden Valley have especial difficulty getting cell and internet connections,” he said.
For roads, Boyd admitted they need lighting but to install more lights would cost millions of dollars.
“To prioritize roads that need to be fixed, the board needs to know where and how, grade the surface level,” he said. And he recommended putting in a much larger presence of police patrols, especially in south county. “Cal Fire is contracted to be our EMT,” said Boyd. “For fire suppression there are multiple trucks dispatched from the county.”
Boyd noted the future of Lake County is young people, mentoring them and giving them opportunity. “Keep them in Lake County to be our future business owners and leaders,” he said. “You always want future generations to run the government because they already have a buy in, because they care, and that's why we're all running.”
Another forum Saturday sponsored by the Lake County Farm Bureau featuring all the candidates for all three open BOS seat took place in Lakeport Saturday.
Editor's Note: The Record-Bee has endorsed John Hess for the March 5 Primary. Read our full primary endorsement editorial for our endorsements in other local races.