4 questions for Muril Clift and Bruce Gibson, 2nd District supervisor candidates
By The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Term: 4 years --Salary:
The Tribune asked
What will be your top goal for the first six months of your term?
My campaign has been all about listening and bringing people together. My top goal for the first six months is to bring together the elected representatives of all the communities of the north coast to discuss common concerns and begin the process of finding common solutions. All of the communities of the north coast are experiencing sewer, water and other infrastructure problems that may require regional solution. Cooperation and coordination will be essential to the solutions.
If more money becomes available as the county budget crisis eases, how would you like to see it spent?
Since the economic down turn, starting in 2008, the County has balanced its budget by a combination of deferred maintenance, holding down employee costs and use of reserves. As the economy improves I think any increased county revenues should be used first to begin to repair our roads, piers and building infrastructure which was deferred. This would provide local jobs to aid in the economic recovery. Second, we need to look at the concessions made by county employees and develop plans for improving their environment. Third, we should set aside a portion of any increased funds as reserves for future emergency needs.
The county is dealing with extreme drought and dwindling aquifer levels. What additional steps would you take to deal with the crisis? There are only three strategies to protecting the dwindling aquifers. First, the quickest and cheapest source of new water is an aggressive conservation program. We have to quit treating conservation as a public relations campaign. We need to replace "table top" brochures with real restrictions, rebates and building codes that reward water savers and punish water wasters. Second, we need to quit dumping thousands of acre feet of recyclable water. This water needs to be cleaned and used to recharge our water basins. Third, we need to look for long term solutions to finding new sources of water and new ways to store more water when it is available.
The
I need to unite the community behind the reality the sewer is being completed. I need to redirect the energy of both pro and anti sewer individuals to working on the common goal of stabilizing or reducing the cost of the sewer project. I need to mobilize the energy of these very talented and committed individuals to apply pressure to agencies for grants and loan interest reductions. As the county's representative I need to lead in oversight of the project to assure: 1) contractors are meeting their obligations without over charges, and 2) the county is not burdening the project with costs that should be covered by general county funds, such road maintenance and paving which was deferred by the county.
What will be your top goal for the first six months of your term in office?
Water issues will be at the top of my list for some time to come. My top priority will be to assure that every community has a safe, reliable drinking water supply. Each community in
If more money becomes available as the county budget crisis eases, how would you like to see it spent?
I've consistently stated that we need the same strategic approach to expansion as we have had during the last six years of truly difficult budget cuts. We will need a balanced allocation of extra funds to: 1) Return our reserves to prudent levels so we can survive the next recession (which most certainly will come!); 2) Cautiously restore programs cut during the last six years and fund new programs that address the changing realities of water resource management, criminal justice and health care services; and 3) Attract and retain the best possible employees, as we face baby boomers retiring, so that SLO County is staffed by the most dedicated and talented public servants. This balanced approach will serve county residents well over the long term.
The county is dealing with extreme drought and dwindling aquifer levels. What additional steps would you take to deal with the crisis?
As noted above, we need to organize emergency response projects that might be needed in the next three to 18 months. Communities such as
The
As the wastewater project passes the midpoint of construction, I'm already seeing signs that the community is coming back together. Public meetings are less contentious and a recent celebration of the pipeline construction's impending completion was very positive. I've been pleased to work with several organizations in
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