| Mendocino County, CA | November 2, 2010 Election |
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Issues StatementBy Holly MadrigalCandidate for Supervisor; County of Mendocino; Supervisorial District 3 |
This information is provided by the candidate | |
Outline of IssuesECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Pursue and support local business as the primary engine for economic development. * Stimulate local business: Help companies thrive, and encourage entrepreneurs to create new local ventures and jobs. * Support sustainable job growth: Integrate the "Sustainability Guidelines" into Mendocino County's General Plan. We need to focus on creating good jobs, at good wages, and the potential of manufacturing value-added products from our county's natural resources. I opposed Measure A, which attempted to evade planning and environmental review, while turning the best industrial site on the Highway 101 corridor into a retail mall. The county needs more revenue, but not at the price of hurting the bottom line of our small independent businesses in the 3rd District. BUDGETING & FINANCE: Explore alternative revenue generation, an even-handed approach to salaries, and strong protection of county resources. * Include public input on the current fiscal crisis: Mendocino County deserves a more democratic approach and participatory budgeting that fosters local buy-in for the difficult choices ahead. * Investigate creative solutions for revenue generation: Support our economic base through a local purchasing ordinance and streamlining of the building and permit process to improve county revenue sources. * Oppose continued efforts by the state to raid local funds: Help pass the Local Taxpayer, Public Safety and Transportation Protection Act of 2010 to permanently protect local public safety, transportation, redevelopment, and special district funds from being taken by the state. * Provide fair leadership in human resource decisions: I will take the10% voluntary pay cut already taken by some of the sitting supervisors. I don't think any Mendocino County elected official should have gotten a raise in 2009, when rank-and-file employees were being furloughed and services were being cut, and I think raises for 2010 should be put on hold. * Partner with cities to share tax proceeds: Institute Sales Tax Revenue Sharing so the county and municipalities collaborate for mutual benefit rather than undermine one another. * Encourage full participation in the 2010 U.S. Census: County supervisors should encourage residents to complete the national census survey, which translates into federal funding of over $1,200 per person a year. * Ensure that projects on the ask list for federal and state funding are appropriate: County supervisors should not continue to lobby for projects that do not meet the funding requirements. EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE: Foster positive and communicative relationships with board colleagues and all 3rd District citizens to best provide necessary representation and services. * Maintain positive relationships: Continue my positive current relationships with fellow supervisors to create a cohesive and effective group. * Communicate with the county's city councils and municipal advisory councils: Encourage collaboration for mutual and countywide benefit, and support good working relationships between the county and unincorporated communities (for example, the Laytonville Area Municipal Advisory council in the 3rd district). Consider an annual whole county meeting for strategic planning. * Expand my accessibility: Continue to hold community "office hours" at least once a month in Willits, and expand to Covelo and Laytonville, to directly hear and address concerns of constituents. * Increase committee and commission effectiveness: Provide adequate funding, and ensure committee findings are addressed. * Fight to reopen the Willits courthouse or find a reasonable alternative: The closure of the Willits Courthouse causes undue hardship for 3rd District residents, many of whom live more than an hour from the Ukiah Courthouse. I will seek to either reopen the Willits Courthouse or explore reinstating the regional courts for small legal matters and filings. TRANSPORTATION: Implement smarter, not bigger, solutions. * Improve traffic congestion: Continue to seek small-scale, common-sense strategies to alleviate traffic in our communities, such as linking connector streets. * Protect downtown Willits merchants and the rural character of the Willits valley during the Bypass Project: Preserve agricultural zoning near potential off-ramp sites to prevent sprawl. * Prioritize a second access road in Brooktrails that focuses on safety rather than growth. * Promote rail development in Mendocino County: Advocate for railroad development and connection to the SMART train project in Marin and Sonoma counties. Revitalization of our existing rail system for freight and passenger trains would be a strategic advantage for our county. The route north to Eureka is not currently feasible due to environmental concerns and cost, although a trail project on the railroad right-of-way could be developed in the future, which would bring more visitors through the 3rd District. * Develop trails, safer streets and better links to transit: Help bicycles, small electric vehicles, walking and other high-efficiency, low-impact forms of transportation compete with conventional transportation methods. LAND USE & OPEN SPACE: Expand access to open space and preserve agricultural rights in the district. * Lobby the state to reinstate the Williamson Act: Retain this vital program of tax discounts for farmers and ranchers to maintain their land in agricultural production. * Expand access to public space, trails and outdoor recreation opportunities: The 3rd District lags behind its neighbors in this area. Protect our natural resources and support creation of a recreation, parks, open space conservation and agricultural district. * Encourage and grow our local agricultural capacity: Help Farmers Markets in the 3rd District continue to expand. Support projects like the Willits Grange's newly revamped commercial kitchen, to help locals make and sell products to markets outside the county. MARIJUANA: Support fair and reasonable policy within the county. * Advocate an end to marijuana prohibition: First statewide, then nationally. Classify the crop with beer and wine where the regulatory and taxation framework is already in place. * Distinguish Mendocino County: If marijuana is legalized then we need to position Mendocino County as growing a superior quality product. Our multiple-decade head start should set us apart, if we can capitalize on our experience, so our local economy is not as adversely impacted. * Balance safe access: Medical marijuana needs to be easily available to patients without abuse or infringement on neighbors' rights. * Advocate for consistent and reasonable policies on enforcement and to eliminate prosecution. WATER: Conserve this precious resource and empower residents to improve their own water systems as an alternative to massive and expensive infrastructure projects. * Aggressively promote conservation: This is the easiest and most cost-effective approach to sustainable water usage. * Continue exploration of Scout Lake as an additional water source for the Willits area. * Implement a county-wide conservation plan and policy for new development, including options for developers' offset of water usage. * Investigate alternatives to current waste-water treatment practices: Streamline the process for permitting safe water catchment, composting toilets, and greywater systems . LOCALIZATION: Explore policies that can enhance our county's self-reliance and sustainability. * Encourage local clean energy production now: Get the "Common Sense" proposal for "Energy Usage and its impact on Mendocino County" out of the mothballs and launch an action plan. * Keep the focus on Emergency Preparedness: Many groups including our fire departments and CERT are well trained to handle a natural or manmade disaster. The public, however, needs continued education on the steps they need to take to ensure their safety. Informing residents on their local evacuation plans and where emergency community food supplies are is a continuing personal priority. |
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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 14, 2010 22:18
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