Candidates for Sutter County Dist. 1 supervisor respond to questionnaires

May 25--Sutter County Supervisor, District 1, candidates

John Dukes

-- Personal information: Born in Seattle. Moved to California in the early 1990s and eventually chose to live in this community because I love the people and small-town atmosphere. I've been involved here for over 20 years. I'm married and my wife and I share 8 children and 17 grandchildren.

-- Education/training: U.S. Army for six years; North Seattle Community College; multiple trainings in marketing, finance, and sales; licensed in insurance.

-- Work/experience: In addition to military experience, 40 years of management, sales, marketing, estate and financial planning, life insurance -- Top producer for Banker's Life and Casualty.

-- Community involvement: Sutter County/Yuba City Planning Commissions; 14 civic boards including Flood Control, Regional Water Authority, and Sutter Animal Services; Sutter Yuba Mosquito Vector Board/Sacramento Valley's Trustee to State Board; Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Liaison to Beale AFB; Lead on Walton Annexation; Sacramento Rental Housing Association; Teen Challenge board member.

-- Previous elected positions: Elected to City Council of Yuba City, 2008 and 2012. Served as councilman, vice-mayor and mayor during both terms.

-- Accomplishments: Being an integral part of helping with our levee project; introduced defined contribution retirement plan for Mosquito Board; assisted in passing two-tiered pension plan for Yuba City.

-- Why qualified: The most qualified candidate with the highest results, already bringing the greatest community benefits through regional and federal outreach.

-- Top three priorities: As supervisor, to address overdue issues of pensions, modernizing systems, contracting/combining services, homeless/panhandling resolutions, working for local projects with state and federal representatives, and interfacing with Beale AFB.

***

Grace Espindola

-- Personal information: At 12, I began working in orchards and farmlands in our region. I know the value of a hard-earned dollar. I have served on dozens of local initiatives, committees, boards and coalitions. President-elect, North Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Fundraising co-chair and board member for Yuba-Sutter United Way.

-- Education/training: BS in business administration; master's degree in social work at USC -- currently attending.

-- Work/experience: 10 years of experience in the private sector; 30-plus years experience in education and government as a public servant.

-- Community involvement: I have served on dozens of local initiatives, committees, boards and coalitions. I am currently the president-elect of the North Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Fundraising Co-chair and board member for Yuba-Sutter United Way. My previous volunteer work includes the Yuba-Sutter Homeless Consortium and the Salvation Army Yuba-Sutter Corps.

-- Previous elected positions: None.

-- Accomplishments: It was a distinct privilege to be recognized by the State of California Department of Education as the 2016 State Model SARB Sutter County Office of Education.

-- Why qualified: Not a politician; 10 years in private sector; 30-plus in education, government. I know how to run Sutter County ...

-- Top three priorities: Greater investment in public safety; improve roadways, infrastructure; enhance agri-business and water conservation/protection.

***

Diane Hodges

Personal information: I am married to Ken Hodges. I have two grown children and two grandchildren. I was born and raised right here in Live Oak and have lived in Sutter County District 1 all of my life.

-- Education/training: I have on the job training as Live Oak City Council member for the past 10 years.

-- Work/experience: I worked for Live Oak Unified School District for 16 years as an instructional aide. I was elected to the Live Oak City Council in 2006 and I have served as mayor and am currently serving as council member.

-- Community involvement: I am a past member of Delta Kappa Iota, but resigned to give my full attention to serving the public. I am heavily involved with all the activities that support the residents of Live Oak and will support those of my district if elected.

-- Previous elected positions: I am currently serving the residents of Live Oak as council member.

-- Accomplishments: Maintaining crucial services while approving fiscally responsible Live Oak city council budgets ensuring public safety and making Live Oak a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

-- Why qualified: I have been on the Live Oak City Council for 10 years and understand the issues that face District 1.

-- Top three priorities: I want to ensure that Sutter County government is more transparent and accountable, focus on public safety and educate our citizens for the jobs of tomorrow.

***

Ron Sullenger, incumbent

-- Personal information: Lifetime resident, veteran, retired, attended local schools, married to Susan Rusk Sullenger 55 years, four adult children, nine grandchildren. Raised on the same farm in rural Live Oak where we live today. Founded two successful businesses locally as well as being involved with farming all my life ...

-- Education/training: Studied at Chico State; primary training comes from learning to be a successful merchant/farmer, experiencing life's ups and downs ...

-- Work/experience: In addition to farming 70 acres of Peaches 30+ years, I founded Circle R Irrigation and Four Seasons Travel, providing jobs to local residents. Both businesses I sold to former employees and those businesses are still thriving in our community.

-- Community involvement: I am a Shriner, Mason and Past Master of the Yuba City Masonic Lodge. Past President and long-time member of the Rotary Club of Yuba City which has enabled me to serve on various community projects and activities associated with those organizations. Involved in referring hildren to Shriners Hospital.

-- Previous elected positions: None.

-- Accomplishments: Serving my country in the military as well as having founded local businesses, watched them prosper and then sharing that prosperity with employees and the community.

-- Why qualified: My knowledge and experience as a businessman and farmer helped me develop proper perspective for the challenges of this office.

-- Top three priorities: Sutter County needs jobs. I am a founding member of "Sutter Forward" a new program which identifies prospective job producing commercial development opportunities between Yuba City and Live Oak.

___

(c)2016 the Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, Calif.)

Visit the Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, Calif.) at www.appeal-democrat.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.