The McKINLEYVILLE PRESS says:

By DENNIS R. MAYO

Born and raised in Humboldt County, Mayo fondly remembers his days as a youth - hunting, fishing, building forts and enjoying McKinleyville's then wide-open expanses of beach and wilderness.

Since Mayo moved to Humboldt County in the 1950s, much of that open space has been gobbled up by development.

"McKinleyville is going to keep growing whether we like it or not," said Mayo, as he took a break from training a Belgian mare at his ranch near the airport.

He said his concern is not over development, but providing activities for youth. He supports organized activities such as those provided by the MCSD, but also wants plenty of "unstructured" things for kids to do - like going to the beach and letting off steam.

One way to allow that is to protect beach access. Mayo has been a vocal opponent of restricting access to Clam Beach and other wilderness areas. Instead, he's lobbied for open access and urged volunteer groups - of which he has participated in - to patrol problem areas and encourage responsible use.

Although Mayo is outspoken on many issues, he said if elected he would make decisions based on what the public wants.

"It's not for us to drive the cart, it's for the people to drive us," Mayo said.

"my main concern is to treat everyone decent and not waste a nickel on anything," said mayo, adding that "I can do more with a dollar than anyone i know."

Part of mayo's frugality comes from his life of breeding horses. "It's hard work and often a 'feast or famine' way to make a buck. But even when times are good and there's money, it shouldn't be wasted," he said.

Mayo has an extensive resume of civic involvement, although he downplays it as being "no criteria one way or another."

Mayo has been active in the McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce and served three times as the Rodeo Chairman back when the event was part of Pony Express Days. He was a charter Member of the Mad River Rotary and was one of the people that founded the Open Door Clinic. He's active with the Northern California Horsemen's Association and currently serves on an MCSD Committee which is studying the proposed wastewater treatment Marsh.

Mayo said he's doing a lot of homework on those marshes and will take a similar approach if elected by hitting the books and studying all the issues.