Greg's Information for Relection 2012

 I was born and raised here in what was known as Toyon and graduated from Central Valley High School, Shasta College, and Chico State University.    My parents came to the Summit City area to work on Shasta Dam in 1942.  My dad, Julian was a Lineman for the Bureau of Reclamation and my mother, Ursula taught in the local elementary schools.  They lived out their lives in a home they built on Flanagan Road. 

I am a registered Civil Engineer and spent my working career with the US Forest Service, having worked on the Shasta Trinity, Six River, and Plumas National Forests in addition to 20 years in the Regional Office in the Bay Area.   The entire time I was not living here, my wife and I owned a home in the City of Shasta Lake.

By nature and training, I tend to look at things from an unemotional point of view.  I spend considerable time reading up on each agenda item and do not vote for frivolous items that will be costly and without benefit to the majority of the people.  

Unfunded mandates from Sacramento can have a significant impact on our utility bills and I will stay abreast of these mandates and do all possible to minimize their negative impacts on you, the citizens of the City of Shasta Lake.  The recent upgrade of the Cities Sewage Treatment Plant is an example of how Sacramento can force unneeded upgrades in our city.   This upgrade cost $20,000,000 and was not really needed.  Today that mandate from Sacramento has raised sewer bills by $10 per month.

In 2010, I successfully got the $7000 hook up fee for inactive water meters and sewer connections reduced to $500.  You can count on me to be an advocate for the right of our citizens to use their property as they see fit, as long as it does not infringe on others. 

My interest in City Government began in 2006 when the then City Council approved the Mtn. Lakes Subdivision in the rural part of Shasta Lake, west of Lake Blvd.   I was very opposed to the Council approved 164 lot Subdivision, some lots as small as a quarter acre.  Thus an existing home owner on Yellow Pine Road would have up to 5 new neighbors along their back fence line.  It is my contention that new subdivisions should not drastically change the rural atmosphere where the existing residences are situated on 2 acre + sized parcels.   

To champion this cause, I became the chairman of a voter initiative measure  “C” which would have made 2 acre minimum sized lots for this proposed subdivision.  That voter initiative failed to pass 48% to 52%.   The following November, I ran for a position on the city council and was elected.  I served  as your mayor in 2010.

Should the planning for raising of Shasta Dam advance during the next 4 years,  I will actively pursue additional water rights for our city, even during drought years, and I will advocate for the retention of private property rights around the lake, especially those on Forest Service permits which should be relocated a short distance to higher lands.  

I have four grown children, one of which lives in Shasta Lake and am an active member of St. Michaels Church.  My four children have blessed my wife, Lani and I with 24 grandchildren.

In summary, I have the interests of the typical citizen of Shasta Lake in mind as I conduct City business.