Reasons I Ran for Office in 2007

BACKGROUND: I was born and raised in Toyon, the once premier community in what is Shasta Lake today. I attended Toyon School, CV intermediate, Deer Creek, and CVHS. After high school I attended Shasta JC, and graduated from Chico State with a BS in Civil Engineering. I worked for the US Forest Service in Hayfork, Eureka, Redding, Mtn Gate, Quincy, San Francisco, Pleasant Hill and Mare Island.

I have four grown kids and 10 grand children. One son Josh, his wife Erika and 3 children live in Shasta Lake.

REASON FOR RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL: When I moved back to Shasta Lake, I was quite disappointed at the direction our City Government wanted to take our City. It seemed they could not wait until our town was transformed into a "San Jose north". A high density bedroom community is not what I came back to live in.

I chaired Measure "C" a year ago, and firmly believe our City should find areas to expand the rural type of living which can be observed in the Ranchera Pines Subdivision. This subdivision has natural vegetation between the homes and the lots generally exceed an acre in size. Measure "C" obtained 48% of the voter's approval, yet the City had a deaf ear to the concept of a rural section in the western hills of the city. The General Plan is being updated, and I would like to see provisions incorporated for some area identified as "rural living".

I was more recently appalled at the vote by the city council to take away both water and sewer connections if the connection had not been used for 3 years. They chose to ignore testimony from citizens who were foresighted enough to connect their lot to the city sewer and water while the main trunk lines were being installed in the street in front of their property. These folks paid a connection fee at the time. I believe these citizens showed wise foresight when they paid to be connected, However, the incumbents on the City Council voted to terminate these inactive connection and charge a new connect fee of approximately $7000 for each the water and sewer if the connection has not been utilized for 3 or more years. (the same is true for a house which has been vacant for 3 years without paying a monthly sewer or water bill.) I believe this one vote shows how the current Council has forgotten they were voted in to represent the people. This vote demonstrated they are willing to gouge their citizens for all they can. If elected to the council, I would like to see this decision regarding inactive service connections be revisited by the Council.