Your top three issues need more than your solutions. Here’s why…

Clapp’s #1 issue
Stopping water rate hikes…watchdog the water district (watching isn’t action), demand full transparency (CCWD is transparently increasing rates), chase federal grants through Congressman Tom McClintock (federal grants for CCWD? from this federal government?), and fight every unnecessary hike (CCWD says hikes are necessary).

Bruce’s response: Water rates are a big deal – and while watching an independent Water District as they transparently raise rates won’t lower rates: the fight against rate increases requires inter-agency cooperation I don’t think Clyde is capable of pulling off. This isn’t a petition drive to recall an elected Board member – it’s a negotiation between the County and the Water District I will start. The County has leverage it can use in a negotiation; it starts with understanding the CCWD budget.

Clapp’s #2 issue
Restore local control over Rancho Calaveras roads… You pay a special road tax every year (which goes into a special fund as always) and the current Supervisor let crews tear up roads for repairs and left them poorly patched, then abolished CSA 1 — taking away your voice and your local control (under the current procedure, your voice is your supervisor’s).

Bruce’s response: There never was local control through the CSA1 committee – only dysfunction to the point where Public Works had to take back effective and efficient decision-making. Currently, the local supervisor acts as that committee – which needs constituent input I will facilitate through weekly office hour meetings. We can and will work together to present an effective and efficient list of projects to Public Works so our roads are fixed.

Clapp’s #3 issue
Putting Your Taxes to Work… “Clyde will restore fiscal responsibility so your hard-earned tax dollars deliver real results for District 5 — not waste or special interests. Full transparency. Independent audits. Real accountability.”

Bruce’s response: Responsibility and accountability implies an ability to fully understand the budget which Clyde doesn’t have. The county’s general fund is audited and the finances are transparently presented – it is up to the supervisors to monitor that. An independent audit scratches the surface. We can and will dig deeper – if there is waste or special interests, we’ll find them.

To ascribe to Clyde the ability to “restore fiscal responsibility” overstates his capacity to deal with the complexity of a budget of over $300 million. I have the ability and interest in figuring out and presenting complex fiscal issues in a way most constituents will understand – both in our weekly meetings and at Board meetings.

As your Supervisor, I’ll work with you to get things done.