Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Blue Lake

Vision- My vision is to have a liaison between the City of Blue Lake and the Blue Lake Rancheria, government to government. During the entire planning and construction phase of the Blue Lake Casino, only one council member went to the Rancheria to gather information about the project.Only one - and it wasn't one of the incumbents that are currently running for office.

When I decided to run for office I called the Rancheria to gain some insight and perspective about the issues that had arisen. Arla Ramsey met with me and was very eager to share information. This kind of information sharing and communication is the key to normalizing relations. A liaison will be able to provide consistent communication. We need to repair the riffs that, over generations, have fostered a "them against us" attitude on both sides.

Focus- While respecting the towns' traditions we must develope plans that will accommadate the needs of the future. Blue Lake has a wonderfull small town atmosphere that many people want to retain. We need to find ways to provide the services and commerce that the town needs. Annexation and careful zoning may be the way to have some control over growth and develope revenue to fund badly needed improvements in services and infrastructure. It remains to be seen if annexation is what the people who would be effected want, but I believe it may help them and the city, too.

Integrity- Council members must direct the City's business by carrying out the will of the constituents within the structure of the city government, the law and the resources available. There has been some controversy during the term of the present coumcil. The opinions of the town have been split. In that kind of situation, a council member must make choices that fit within the framework of their own integrity and values, as long as it doesn't derail the process or promote their own agenda. My idea of a good council member is one who can listen to all points of view, that if the citizens, that of the city staff and decide from that input what direction is in the best interest of the city.

Tradition-