Your tax dollars are an investment in our safe community. You need to believe that every dollar is spent wisely. I firmly believe that County funds need to be treated as if they were my own. With my fiscal background, I will be able to dig deeply into County spending and report back to you where funds are being spent – wisely or not. Most obviously, budgets reflect the priorities of our County. With me on the Board, you will understand what those priorities are.
Wildfire prevention
Wildfire season is now year-round. As we move more and more into wild areas, the chances of catastrophic wildfire increases. We must prepare.
Fire protection leadership begins with awareness, action and coordination. We will hold regular fire awareness meetings to determine which areas of our district need the most urgent attention. We will develop an on-going priorities plan that will focus on most vulnerable areas. Properties that pose the most risk will be identified, especially properties that are owned by people not living in the County.
Coordination with the Calaveras Resource Conservation District (CRCD) on lot- and brush- clearing projects in D5 and the west County will be key component of prevention. Extending CRCD’s communication and outreach to property owners on fire prevention, property access, and clearing is a good foundation on which to build. The County can support and lobby for continued RCD grant funding for Calaveras County from the State of California.
Building on our on-going prevention efforts, I will go to Sacramento to meet the new Insurance Commissioner. As other districts also increase their prevention efforts as a group, our Calaveras County Supervisors will work with the Insurance Commissioner to lower rates for county homeowners.
Water Rates
Water rates are increasing with little prospect of change. The Calaveras County Water District (CCWD) is a separate governmental entity with its own Board of Directors elected by local citizens. As such, I will move the County to create a liaison with the CCWD Board, to determine where rates can be adjusted. By becoming familiar with CCWD’s financial forecasts and providing information to our constituents, we can help CCWD be more responsive to its customers. I pledge to attend CCWD Board meetings and to report to constituents about their impact on a regular basis.
Road Conditions
Roads in District 5 are in need of repair. Delays due to water district road work have resulted in accumulated CSA1 District 5 maintenance funds of $1.7 million – funds that will need to be spent in the next few years. We will work with Public Works to provide guidance on where and when repairs are needed. Coordinating repair scheduling with CCWD, CalTrans, CalFire and other agencies will be critical in providing efficient repair with minimal disruption. Where possible, increasing bicycle access either on existing roads or by creating additional bike paths will enhance bike safety for our kids, as well as allowing for healthy exercise for bicyclists of all ages
Education/Youth Activities
Investing in our youth will be critical to maintaining the long-term stability of our community. Starting with education, I will create a create a liaison with San Joaquin Delta College (SJDC) and Calaveras Unified School District (CUSD) with the objective to start classes in Calaveras County. Vocational classes that will provide skills training for high schoolers, graduates and older students will increase the income potential of everyone involved. There is available class space in local schools, so additional construction will not be necessary for this initial stage.
Communication
To trust your government, you need to believe that your voice is heard. We will hold weekly D5 constituent meetings in the Rancho Clubhouse, with dates and times set to fit with your schedule. When issues of local import are brought up at the Board meeting, I will summarize the issue for local discussion – and bring back that input to the next Board meeting. When needed, we will create working groups for action plans developed by constituents – fitting within the County strategic plan and General plan.
Open space
Retaining the quality of life means keeping spaces open for agriculture and recreation. The General Plan needs to be implemented in sustainable and productive ways. Speeding up the process with your input is vital.
