Sidney Craighead
Sidney Craighead
My reason for seeking election for District #2 is to give support for the people on the westside of Kings County. In the past we have been neglected and it is time that we speak up. This an area that is growing both in population and with truck traveling up and down I-5. This is becoming a major transportation hub for the State.
Major items that are needed in the county are water and good public safety. Without these things we cannot grow. We rely on ground water and the Aqueduct for water in the county. With water being cut back this year it will be hard for cities to grow. With the population slowed down monies will not be coming into county through taxes. Business will not come into the cities and will will not get industry. Without this income we will not be able to pay for the many agencies that the counties have eg: police and fire. We have to pay a wage that will be comparable to wages that are given in the surrounding area buy doing this we will be able to keep employees and not loose the to the surrounding area. Police and fire protection are important because without them people do not want to live or work where they do not feel safe. This is the things that we need to be able to grow as a county.
Craighead on housing under flight path
I feel that Lemoore should curtail the development area to the west of Highway 41. They have not been building home in this area yet. On this side of Highway 41 they have the West Hill College and Laprino Cheese plant with these noise and the odor from the plant I feel that this is not a compatible use of the land and that the home owners might complain. Keep this as an industrial area and it will be a buffer zone. But again this is the choice of the City of Lemoore to decide. They need to build on the east side of Highway 41 where they have housing now.
Craighead on large "Quay Valley" projects
I do support the Quay Valley development. This will bring development to the west side. With the many of the things planned will help the development of the west side. The development of green area and housing this will be a state of the ark development. Growth will increase the population for the county and also economic development by the creation of jobs for industry that will be developed in this area. The idea of many other activities for this development will help not just the people living here but also many other who travel here to participate in these. It will not be a quick fix but it will be a long time increase. It will also increase the total population for this county which will help us gain in size and clout with other counties. This will give us additional funding for the many agencies that are funded by the county.
Craighead on waste services
On the development of the bio-reactor and new landfill for hazardous waste. My feelings on this is that it is not desirable for this community. These hazardous facilities need to be in an area which is least populated. This is something that the community should talk with the County supervisor if they have a concern.
Craighead on generating jobs
The use of grants for economic development and the cities try to involve the business to settle in the community. The cities will have to use enticements for business wanting to settle. You might give up so money in the begriming but you will make it up later in taxes and wages for the employees.
Craighead on returning graduates
We need to create positions that will entice and attract these valuable assets back to Kings County. These need to have manufacturing, technical, and medical facilities that are state-of-the-art. .Once these people come back and see what we now have and the way of life the will want to stay. This will increase the type of educated students that have returned to our way of life.
Craighead on four year institution
We had enough of a fight to bring the two community colleges into the county, it is not realistic to believe that a 4 year institution would be built this close to Fresno State. The answer lies in technology. West Hills has already started using telecommunications links to Fresno State that will allow a student to get a four year degree without physically driving to Fresno. Opening up this service to more majors will benefit students and air quality. I believe that C.O.S. either has this option or is planning to offer it at the new campus site.
Craighead on integrating parents
Our students come from many different socio-economic and cultrual backgrounds. We must realize that many students, and their parents, are English language learners and their needs must be met. This is especially important when a child's educational path is concerned. Tutors, programs and aid support must be readily available. Having these parents coming to the school and actually seeing what the student is learning not just taking the students word
Craighead on countywide dispatcher
It would be nice to have fire, ambulance and police/sheriff into a common and compatible dispatch system, but because of different terminology this might be hard to do. If we could integrate this into a centralized facility this would terminate many problems occurred. The dispatching of one or another unit would have to come from just one source. Again the would be cost efficient means of using government money
Craighead on budgeting
We must always be concerned with declining revenues and the answer must focus on places where the budget might be able to give. Public safety, as an example, is vital and probably wouldn't be touched. Taxes are currently high and many people would not vote for additional taxes, fees should be looked into county-wide and the ones using the items would be the ones who would be charged eg. Building fee, licenses.
Craighead on county image
Kings county is an excellent, and affordable, place to live and we have many opportunities for growth. We are a rural county and have lots of open space for people. We do have to travel to get to some of the larger areas, but it is nice to come back home to peace and quite. Our centralized locale makes travel to the Bay Area and Southern California ; Mountains and the Coast easy.