fresno elections 2008

Tulare County has some of the richest agricultural land in the world. It should be obvious that we need to protect it for future generations of farmers and consumers. We also have some marginal land, land which is not the best and can only support limited agricultural endeavors. The Yokhol Valley Ranch project states it will be locating on precisely that type of land. There is no doubt the counties population will continue to increase, it is estimated nearly one million people will live in our county by 2050. No project large or small can be planned without addressing the issues of water, air quality and infrastructure, how the Yokhol Valley project affects each of these is still in question. If theses issues can be satisfactorily addressed I would support a project of this nature.

The General Plan is going through a revision at this time. Several models of growth for our cities and hamlets are used to project future urban development. Transportation between these communities is a vital issue in the coming years. One area I would like to see addressed is not only how and where we plan our growth, but, how we change our views and habits as a society. We are an urban people, with access to our private vehicles as our primary mode of transportation. How we can convert our way of thinking to mass transit is of vital importance.

As for dairies, I do not agree with any development within a one mile radius.

We can, with planning, create a well-balanced economy, which combines a mixture of agriculture and business. By working together we can build a solid future that maintains our unique way of life. The Central Valley is a diverse mixture of people, traditions and customs. Our valley’s future, the one we plan together and act on together, will be handed down to our children. By working with our communities business leaders we can create a diversified plan which can meet the needs of business.

The development of a four-year curriculum at College of the Sequoias will also be an important step in meeting those needs. For business to consider our county a viable option we must be able to provide a educated workforce.

Coming from Law Enforcement, I know first-hand just how serious this problem really is. I live here too. I have a wife and we’re raising three of our granddaughters. We want to feel safe just like you do.

During the last few weeks I have had the opportunity to attend two Gang Summits. One in Exeter and one in the Cutler-Orosi area. While these are two distinctly different communities I saw the same questions and concern on peoples faces. How do we protect our children, ourselves and our communities.

At these summits I watched as Law Enforcement, Civic Leaders, Clergy and Judicial representatives described what is being done to confront the gang issue. One common theme emerged throughout both meetings. It cannot be done alone. In order to take back our neighborhoods we must use every resource at our disposal…. and our biggest resource is each other.

As a member of the Board of Supervisors I will not just support the fight against gangs with a vote. I intend to play an active role in providing Law Enforcement with the tools necessary to get the job done.

Programs and services are always on the chopping block when revenues decline. Before raising taxes, fees or charges and before “chopping services” we need to review where our money is spent and on what. Its no longer good enough to just go with the “Status Quo” of the 20th century, we must move to the 21st in the way we do the publics business. Every county department needs to do an audit of what is absolutely necessary and what can be done without. Savings from multiple departments add up to big savings in services to our community.

We have two images in Tulare County. The one we like, sunrises over the Sierras, sunsets in the west, the Blossom Trail, downtowns which have something for everyone. The other image is that of “dirty air”, dust, a crowded highway, unbearable summer heat and of course the “Tule fog”.

We have three great national treasures at our footsteps, Kings Canyon, Mineral King and Sequoia Park. It affords us a chance to visit some of the oldest and most beautiful living things in the world. In our country side we can see oranges, grapes, stone fruit crops, strawberries, wheat, corn and Kiwis just to name a few. We are as unique as anywhere in the world.

Actively promoting our people, culture and traditions not to mention affordable housing can go a long way in changing our image. We must be willing to open our doors to new business and new neighbors in order to change how others perceive us.

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.

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.

Growth should absolutely be encouraged by the county. However, that growth needs to be intelligent, well-planned, and needs to occur after the proper infrastructure (i.e. water, air quality, roads, public safety, etc.) is in place. The preservation of viable agricultural land is essential for Tulare County as the number two agricultural county in the United States, thus development on land that is less suitable for cultivation is critical in achieving this goal. The scale of the project simply raises questions regarding water availability, air quality, public safety and other impacts to Tulare County. Provided these infrastructure questions are addressed and the projects pay their own way, the scale of the project becomes irrelevant.

There are several necessary changes to the county’s general plan. The county’s general plan needs to consider the general plans of the cities within the county and should take into account the cities’ input. I support the Tulare County Board of Supervisors’ joint efforts to form a planning committee with the cities of the county, which will include both planners and financial advisors, and make recommendations to the Board regarding revenue sharing and growth issues. Specifically regarding the development within a one-mile radius of a dairy issue, I do not believe language of this nature should be included in the county’s general plan.

Tulare County is the #1 Dairy County and the #2 Agricultural County in the United States, which means that we need to focus on strengthening our agricultural base and develop more industries that complement and complete agriculture. There are good opportunities for expanding exports as well as in food processing, which would help to create more jobs. Tulare County also needs to consider developing a 500 to 1,000 acre turn-key industrial park to attract new businesses to the County. Government needs to work with existing businesses as well to help them to expand their businesses. Growth is a good thing, it simply needs to be well planned to mitigate and address legitimate concerns. Talking to people throughout the campaign, I have heard many complaints that too many policies at the state level make California a difficult place to do business and many businesses and jobs have moved out of state as a result. This trend must be reversed.

I strongly support Tulare County law enforcement’s current efforts to attack the gang problem by focusing on the twin tasks of prevention and intervention. Gangs are a serious problem in Tulare County and the current effort by the District Attorney, the Sheriff and local police forces to prevent known gang members from associating sends a zero tolerance message to gang members. We also need to work closely with our schools, religious groups and families to give our youth alternatives to gang membership. A comprehensive and well-rounded approach to the gang problem will no doubt achieve the results this community needs. I am proud to have the endorsements of Sheriff Bill Wittman, District Attorney Phil Cline, the Tulare County Deputy Sheriffs Association, the Professional Law Enforcement Manager’s Association and the Latino Police Officers Association. This support clearly shows that I will be able to work effectively with law enforcement to go after gangs and the crime they create in our community.

I am not in favor or raising any taxes, county or city, to balance the budget. Especially in the current budget year, funds are severely limited in many areas, and in some, altogether eliminated. Instead of cutting programs, raising taxes, fees, or charges, inefficiencies within programs need to be cut. However, it is important that the fees that are charged are sufficient to cover the essential and necessary costs of the services and programs. As we go forward, we need government to function like a private business and make every dollar count. That is why it is so crucial that we elect a person like me, with a business and finance background to the Tulare County Board of Supervisors.

The county’s image is already a good one, and electing an individual like me to the Board, will only help to improve that image. Through my ability to listen to people, work closely with the diverse population of Tulare County, to build relationships on a local, state, and federal level; in all that I do, I will represent Tulare County well. Tulare County is a wonderful place to raise a family, to live, to work, and to spend a life in. I know why I chose to return from Los Angeles back to this area, and I know I have the ability to help those from this area or desiring to come to the area realize why they should.