Richard Selover – I am a lifelong Colusa County resident who understands our Community and will constantly work to improve it. I will strive to strengthen our relationships internally between the Cities and the County and work to create a business-friendly community. We must have a positive approach to helping businesses grow within the County; I bring a “Can Do” approach to help our existing businesses grow and attract new ventures. I want to be a voice for the Hispanic Community. I will work to achieve what I call Cost Effective Housing; housing that a working family within our County can afford, not subsidized housing, creating pride of ownership and promoting the American Dream! I will strive to secure a reliable water supply for our agriculture industry so we can provide the world with a consistent and secure food supply while keeping our economy strong. I will invest the time it takes to improve our funding for roads. I will work to develop a strong working relationship with our public safety departments and private organizations, Police, Fire, Ambulance, and Hospital. I will commit to you I will do my part.
Janice Bell – Any registered voter is qualified. I bring 30 years experience in emergency response and management with extensive knowledge of the county to the table. I’m not a politician: I’m a push-up-my-sleeves kind of person and the go-to when things need to get done. I’ve served on countless committees since my twenties. I’ve secured $5.6 million in grants that benefit Every Single Person. Sure, I can be a spokesperson: I’m a certified Public Information Officer. I don’t always say everything right, but I grew up in public service and don’t say things that aren’t true. I don’t make campaign promises, but I will listen to you. I’m passionate about projects with a record proving I’m successful. I’m past-president of the California Emergency Services Association: we secured worker’s comp benefits for California volunteers. I’m only one person, but recruited support when my neighborhood was to be moved during the redistricting process: we appealed and won. Is compassion a weakness? I don’t think so: once you disregard others and become self-serving – that’s a weakness. I will be a Supervisor to serve with integrity, humility, and aforethought you can be proud of.
1) What do you believe are the most important priorities for the constituents in your district? How do you believe a supervisor should balance those priorities if they think there is a conflict between the interests of their district and the County as a whole?
Richard Selover – First and foremost is to get a settlement to the litigation that the County has against the city. I consider this a lose-lose for my constituents, that are city residents. Secondly, keep the Ambulance issue on the front burner, ensuring that the City Fire BLS unit is maintained and operated as a stop-gap measure to provide the city residents a service while the issue is resolved. The third is to help attract diversified business to the city. The County needs to complement the city in establishing growth that will economically benefit both. As a supervisor, I will be responsible for doing what is best for the entire County and the constituents of the city. We are all in this together.
Janice Bell – A. Having a satisfying quality of life B. Personal safety. They desire communities that are clean with fresh air and safe from crime and hazards. There isn’t much of a conflict: the county wants this, too. While we do need to promote community development, it can be achieved in harmony with these priorities through careful, thoughtful planning, especially when considering cannabis business. I know the need for emergency medical response (Yes on Measure A!). I support OES, Law and Fire Services, and, as a supervisor, would continue to support safety services, be tough on crime, and support code enforcement.
2) What is your perception of the current financial condition of the County and its likely condition during the next four years, both in terms of inadequate revenues or excessive expenses, and what solutions would you propose?
Richard Selover – We have over-spent/over-built. We need to continue to lean down all aspects of the organization and continue making adjustments to maximize the LOCAL benefit of “specific program” funds. The insecurity of the water supply makes the likelihood of increased revenues from agriculture unlikely. The good news is that we will be stronger and more resilient to difficult situations when we come out of this. I want to be sure that all expenditures will benefit the maximum number of residents. I feel that we “need to do more with less” in the short term. In the longer term, we need to promote revenue-generating growth. Unless the State opens its wallet, I feel we are in this unfortunate situation for a while.
Janice Bell – These financials are well documented: we know there are shortfalls. The next four years will be an uphill climb – but the outlook doesn’t have to be bleak. Inadequate revenues are being addressed with plans to decrease excessive spending. I would support that with a closer look and careful cuts so as not to diminish morale. We can ill-afford to lose more employees. Finding alternative funding with grants or other partnerships can help. I would be an asset on the Board as I have been on the receiving end of budget cuts that didn’t resolve financial issues. We need to make effective cuts (no new furnishings or remodeling, using less expensive supplies when it doesn’t affect quality, etc.)
3) What specific steps do you believe should be taken by the Board of Supervisors, other county officials, or other entities in the County to attract businesses that will improve the economic well-being of the County without a negative impact upon the quality of life for county citizens?
Richard Selover – We need industries that manufacture products. We have a valuable resource of being very centrally located with relatively affordable real estate. We have good circulation by ground, air, and rail. We should be able to attract from a multitude of industries. We have high unemployment and room for additional housing to establish a labor force. Unfortunately, there are no free rides. We will need to see growth done in a controlled manner with the best interest of the existing residents in mind, aligning ourselves with industries who see the benefit of our lifestyle, we should be able to accomplish this. The biggest hurdle is business-unfriendly California. We need to lobby for relief from state overregulation and strive to gain more local control.
Janice Bell – The General Plan has some goals for this. Smart business and community development can be achieved. Listening to feed-back from existing businesses is important. Encouraging job development in local businesses and offering rebates can be a great tool. Helping guide start-ups through the difficult steps in opening a business provides a good foundation to productive business. There are several existing businesses that are struggling now; any relief programs that are available should be promoted. While the county needs to be conservative, I’d encourage supporting local businesses before going out of county. Shop local, please! We can be more attractive to businesses looking to relocate or develop here. Infrastructure spending through public works projects and special districts will create construction jobs.
4) What is your position on Measure A and what would be your plan to fund basic ambulance services should the effort to increase sales taxes fail?
Richard Selover – I support Measure A! If it fails we will need to continue to be creative. We may need to advance some of our firefighters to paramedics and need to improve communications with the local emergency room provider and establish mobile telemedicine. We can look for options to work with neighboring counties and share some of the emergency response territories. We will need to continue to support the local fire BLS units in Maxwell, Williams, and Colusa. We should reevaluate the consultant’s report and see if any of the other scenarios provide some insight into a solution. Passing Measure, A is the most logical solution for the citizens of Colusa County. Yes On A.
Janice Bell – No one can say they will never need an ambulance. This is a measure that could save lives! ½ cent transaction/use tax for every dollar I spend is certainly worth the peace of mind. As an emergency services technician, I support Measure A. Any traveler who makes a purchase will help the cause; most food items are not taxed. WIC purchases are not taxed so people on assistance won’t be affected. Our current tax is lower than 79% of other California localities and 2.25% lower than the maximum sales tax: a small bump will still see us lower. If this measure fails, I would work with other Board members to find the funding while we address the issues in your question # 2, above.
5) What are the five most important things you would like the Board of Supervisors to accomplish in the next 10 years.
Richard Selover – Securing Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Transportation long term. Developing and implementing a business-friendly environment and streamlining the process where developer and government meet to make it as cost-effective as possible and as timely as possible. Continue developing and participating in the Sites Project, which comes at a high financial price to an already strapped county. Still, I believe the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term sacrifices we will need to make. Working with the communities to develop solutions for our homeless and at-risk populations, supporting our food banks, and continuing to create a path to assist that population in achieving their goals. Work to get to a Balanced Budget that puts 1-3% annually into the reserves after all capital improvements are funded.
Janice Bell – Eliminate food insecurity for any family- no child should go hungry! Write and implement a plan to aid homeless individuals. Develop long-term healthy budget habits. Increase recruitment and retention for departments challenged with short-staffing. Update the General Plan and consider careful, thoughtful planning and development.