fresno elections 2008

Tulare County is currently updating its general plan. This has been in process for over 4 years. The final plan needs to provide for orderly growth, protect & improve our quality of life, and protect our agricultural land.

I support projects that can pass environmental review and that can fund the additional services required.

We are currently reviewing our general plan update. There will be changes up until the final adoption of our plan. The major change in the general plan update is the policy to allow our unincorporated communities grow.

I believe that development within a one mile radius should be permitted on a case by case basis. I am against development that surrounds and isolates existing dairies.

I will continue to work for sustainable economic development. We will need public safety, available infrastructure (i.e. roads, rail access), water quality & quantity, an educated workforce, and a business friendly environment.

I absolutely support our approach to deal with gangs. We need to add an additional 7 deputies devoted to gang suppression in the southern part of the county. We have added 14 deputies this year to suppress gangs. I wold add another 50 deputies to address the gangs if funds are available.

Do you favor changes to the county’s current approach? What should be done, or done differently?
I agree with our current approach to the gang issue in Tulare County. Last year as chairman of the board, I assigned Supervisor Cox to form the Tulare County Gang Taskforce to deal with suppression, intervention and prevention. The Board of Supervisors funded the Gang Taskforce and Supervisor Cox has done an excellent job. The board recognized that there isn't enough jail space if we only used suppression and that intervention and prevention was an important part of our efforts. We have partnered with school districts, concerned residents and all the law enforcement agencies in Tulare County to develop a cohesive countywide approach to deal with this issue. We have had two Step-Up Community Outreach Meetings which were attended by over 3,500 students, parents, clergy, educators, business leaders, law enforcement and concerned residents. We are currently planning several more in different locations.

Tulare County is financially sound. I am against raising taxes without voter approval. I would only raise fees and charges to reflect increase in the cost of providing existing chargeable services. If revenue does not support a particular service, that service may have to be reduced.

I do not believe Tulare County has an image problem. I will be continue to work to improve our residents' life style by improving public safety, infrastructure, and our business friendly attitude.