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Summary of Mono County Supervisor Candidates |
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Thursday, 29 May 2008 |
The Mammoth Times asked the candidates several questions over a six-week period. Below is a brief summary of those questions and answers:
Q: What do you see as the most important issues facing Mono County in the next five years?
Hap Hazard: County government is really at the mercy of several factors that we have no control over. We receive much of our funding from Federal and State Sources. With this as the financial back drop; our environment, county services and equipment, our workforce housing, and the expansion of our Paramedic system all come as high priority issues.
Joe Conti: The most important issues that I see facing Mono County over the next five years involve better and more expeditious representation of the community majority. Supporting our emergency services’ volunteers and community workers, improve public works programs; devoting more time and money into our employees and their equipment; and improving our relationships and communications with state and local services.
Vikki Magee-Bauer: One of the biggest issues facing Mono County in the next five years is growth. Too much vs. not enough, inappropriate vs. community enhancing, financial stability for local businesses balanced vs. working with outside developers and interests.
Dorothy Burdette: Affordable Housing – plain and simple.
Bill Reid: In my opinion, the most important issue the County will be facing in the next five years is to remain financially solvent.
Q: How do you see Mono County and the Town of Mammoth Lakes working together during these times of financial uncertainty?
Joseph Conti: Both entities need to remove their personal agendas, and instead address their concerns on local issues. Both the County and the Town should work within their economic constraints and responsibilities and work on reprioritize budget issues and concerns before raising taxes. With and open line of honest communication, the County and the Town will be able to better work on the financial responsibilities and budget issues that surround its citizens, and thus be able to better serve its public.
Dorothy Burdette: The County and Town must work together to establish a balance between Town needs and County resources. A County contingency reserve should be established to cover unforeseen emergencies and to mitigate temporary economic conditions. Future development fee percentages should be evaluated to ensure they adequately cover expenses.
Vikki Magee-Bauer: This year we have made cash donations for projects to The Mammoth Lakes Fire District, Mammoth Lakes Housing, The new library, Chamber Music Unbound, Mono Council for the Arts, Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center, Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access and the Sierra Summer Festival. The Paramedic program is the most important program that the County provides and even in times of financial uncertainty I will commit to keep that program intact.
Bill Reid: I believe the Town and the County should work well together, not only in ties of financial uncertainty but also in times of prosperity. I serve on the County-Town Liaison Committee and believe that the transfer of information is advantageous and meaningful to both entities.
Hap Hazard: There are differences between the Town and County in both goals and finance mechanisms to raise revenue. Cities provide amenities and Counties are required by law to provide safety nets for the citizens. It will take proven experience and leadership to work with the Town to find areas of mutual benefit in the future. I have that relationship with the Town.
Jack Winkler: Disincorporate the Town and merge it back with Mono County. Merging and reducing the total personnel in the two staffs by 25 to 60 percent of the current total combined budgets. Eliminating future costly disastrous decisions by the Town Council which have cost Mammoth Lakes Citizens millions over the past 20 years.
Q: How will you help jump start the county’s need for affordable housing?
Hap Hazard: My goal is to work with Mammoth Lakes Housing, Inc. to provide administrative services so the county can spend each dollar we get for actual services to the families in need. We should continue to apply for grants to assist the $30,000 to $35,000 income families obtain housing. I will continue to have those businesses and developers that create a need for workers to pay their fair share in helping to house those workers.
Joseph Conti: Reasonably priced housing needs to be financially accessible to all of the people who genuinely need it, and located centrally to their employment and family needs. Additionally, employers need to reassess and raise wages in order for their hard-working employees to pay for the eventual affordable housing.
Dorothy Burdette: Two words – get tough! We must determine the rationale of why fees are accepted instead of requiring developers to provide desperately needed affordable housing. We must negotiate a common ground where both fees and affordable housing needs are satisfied.
Vikki Magee-Bauer: I will continue to support smart, sustainable, community driven growth at the base of June Mountain. Not only will this project secure the future of June Mountain but it will bring almost 100 affordable housing units onsite and into June Lake. I will see that Mono County continues to collaborate with Mammoth Lakes Housing. With new building permits at less than half of normal we will have to be very creative and find new incentive and grant programs that work for both real builders and real people.
Jack Winkler: I would recommend that Mono County utilize the existing excellent services of Mammoth Lakes Housing, Inc. to develop affordable housing units (rental and for purchase) for all Mono County. Also with both Mono County and the Mammoth Lakes Town utilizing Mammoth Lakes Housing there should be economics of scale and synergy for all concerned as all three parties proceed in a fair, logical, joint cooperative effort.
Bill Reid: I believe that we’re really talking about a need for workforce housing in most of our communities. At the present time, the County has three units; two are in Benton and one is in June Lake. Additionally, the Mono Basin Regional Planning Advisory Committee (RPAC) has been diligently working on identifying and procuring land in Lee Vining area for a project.
Q: How will you, as a supervisor of MC, prioritize the needs of the departments when they will no longer be able to fund projects or programs because of the cutbacks from the state?
Jack Winkler: Get rid of functional department funding as much as possible and go to zero based budgeting based primarily on funding high priority programs and projects!
Each year establish operating budgets for critical/required programs and projects (maybe 40 percent of the total county operating budget). Rank all operating programs and projects by priority:
Vikki Magee-Bauer: The responsibility to provide services and programs to the level of current funding is a primary principle of government. Budgeting and making fiscal decisions I see is the primary responsibility of a member of the Mono Count Board of Supervisors.
Dorothy Burdette: I would start by suggesting a cut in the Supervisor’s pay and scale back their auto allowances. Cutting back salaries in managerial positions could be the next area to scale down. Carpooling must be encouraged within County departments and non-essential Capital Improvement Projects should be shelved until such time the State becomes more solvent.
Hap Hazard: Mono County is very good at being flexible in budget matters. As an example, recently the county left the Environmental Health Program contract with the State because of THEIR increased cost being passed onto the County. After reorganizing this department we were not only able to avoided a $140,000.00 cost increase this year, but we were able to increase staff to fill vacancies and to provide better service to the public, and did it all without increasing expenses over last year.
It is always a good thing to review programs to insure that we are providing the best care, service, and cost efficiencies for the public.
Joseph Conti: Some of the most important issues within this area are emergency services, road maintenance and safety, and our future generation. When funds are limited, concentration on these priorities should be addressed before any frivolous spending occurs.
Bill Reid: No Response
Q: What makes you qualified to be on the Mono County Board of Supervisors?
Joseph Conti: As a 15-year resident of Mono County, I have served the community in several facets. I volunteer my time as an Emergency First Responder Captain for the Long Valley Fire Department, and I am an active member of the Mono County Volunteer Hazmat Team. Additionally, I am employed by CalTrans as an Equipment Operator at the McGee Creek Maintenance Yard.
In addition to the above qualifications, I am also an involved representative for the DAPC Safety group of Bargaining Unit 12, District 9, CalTrans, and I work as a volunteer mentor for the Round Valley School ski and snowboard program.
Dorothy Burdette: EXPERIENCE: I have experience in the public sector that has prepared me to make responsible decisions and apply sound judgment. Additionally, I have years of service in the Superior Court, Hospital, Postal operations as well as 19 years living in the community of the Eastern Sierra.
County Issues. I attend Board of Supervisor, Mammoth Town Council, RPAC and local meetings and am knowledgeable about important issues facing the county as well as local issues troublesome to the communities.
Hap Hazard: I am qualified to be a County Supervisor by my background, experience, and training. While a Sergeant with the Sheriff’s department I represented the County on many committees, grant programs, and policy making panels in Mono County and Sacramento. After taking office, I worked to establish relationships with my fellow Board members and members of the Mammoth Town Council, City of Bishop Council, Inyo County and Alpine County Supervisors. I have been the Chairman of our Board of Supervisors, Chairperson for the Local Transportation Commission, and I currently sit as the Chairperson for the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments. I also served as a Long Valley Fire Commissioner for eight years. I have in depth experience with County and State budgeting processes, and extensive management training.
Bill Reid: In as much as I’m running unopposed on June 3, 2008, I’m not going to bore the readers with my resume. I believe, at this point in my political career, the most important qualification I possess is 14 years as the District 4 Supervisor. I sincerely and humbly look forward to the next 4 year term.
Vikki Magee-Bauer: My experience in government gives me the opportunity and ability to affect change. I also love what I do and that leads to success. As a Mono County Supervisor I am only a representative of the people of Mono County, and as your representative I take pride in my County and its communities.
Jack Winkler: I have been a full-time resident since 1976. I am in excellent health and an all around sportsman in all Mono County. I would spend full-time on my job of Mono County District #3 Supervisor. Based on my proven experience and accomplishments I can bring excellent analytical problem solving, financial, engineering, and knowledge to bear on all aspects of Mono County as well as planning, and supervision in these very critical times in the life of Mono County!
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Last Updated ( Friday, 06 June 2008 )
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