fresno elections 2008

The Yokohl Valley project takes development off the valley floor. Prime agriculture land is not developed and conserved for agriculture use. It has been recommended for years that development move off agriculture land space and concentrated into city density growth or foothill regions. Working with the California Blueprint Learning Network on development and planning I believe taking residential landscape in the foothills upon land without a designated use or impact to pristine fertile soils is a positive step.

The general plan needs to focus on city centered growth. General plan needs to allow a common sense boundary for incorporated-city sphere of influence. Further, it needs to keep transportation and housing development concentrated and effective. My experience on the Transportation Board for the last three years provides me with a working knowledge to effective transportation planning. In addition, my experience on the Regional Policy Council and Redevelopment Board are effective tools in understanding the General Plan policy and implementation.

The one-mile radius boundary around dairies is far-reaching and not necessary. To meet mandates and mitigation factors only a quarter-mile to half-mile is required. The facts show such a plan simply does not work, since every square mile of Tulare County is within a dairy. The General Plan section regarding radius control is bad wording from county staff and needs to be changed. The current plan is blatantly against private property rights to farmers, landowners and all county citizens. Keep the general plan simple to what works best for farmers, cities, and unincorporated regions.

The way to generate jobs is to keep Tulare County attractive to businesses. Tulare County will lead the way in generating new jobs be keeping impact fees low, allow for industrial land development around the 99 corridor, maintain water and sewer expansion, support higher education, and allow annexation into incorporated cities. I have worked on these projects being part of economic development for the City of Tulare, such as being involved with the Land O’ Lakes expansion, and expansion of city commercial and retail developments. I have the working knowledge and years of experience working along side developers and business owners that bring new jobs into the community. Further, as your Supervisor I support job growth like the proposed race development center in Tulare that will bring a potential 2500 jobs to the entire county.

I will stand up to gang violence. Working in Tulare County Juvenile Probation I am involved every day with this issue. As a father of two children, I am deeply concerned for public safety within our communities. Gang violence creates innocent victims and holds our communities hostage from living free and open. The current approach is not enough. Public awareness forums need to take place and involve all diverse areas of the community. In addition, open bed space in our jail facilities needs to be utilized. Time and time again repeat offenders are creating repeat crimes. These repeat gang offenders need to remain behind bars, and that is accomplished by having the staff to maintain our jail facilities. Further, sub stations need to be opened once again in rural county locations to provide a public safety presence throughout the whole county.

The county can maintain a positive budget. Working within a county department for over six years and working in private sector for over thirteen years, I am educated and experienced to dealing with Tulare County budget issues. The answer is not found in new taxes! With possible revenue declines the answer is not in higher fees upon the people. As your Supervisor I believe Tulare County needs to be resourceful, that is done by working with cities on fair revenue sharing, trimming wasteful spending, making services accountable and sticking to a county business strategic plan; just like private enterprise has to.

Tulare County has a very positive image. Our communities are filled with great people, for I work along side them each and every day. First, county staff needs to maintain excellent customer service and our County agencies need to be efficient and held accountable. Second, as a County Supervisor I would beef up code enforcement. This would aide in cleaning up Tulare County. I will put pressure on slumlords and clean up blighted properties. Further, I will work on advancing the Counties commitment to our rural service areas, such as addressing the water & electricity needs in Alpaugh and fixing the rural bus route schedules. Image improvements will be made with raising our standard of living by expanded higher education availability, higher wage jobs and continue support of community volunteers. Together we can make Tulare County brighter and better.