Voters in San Benito County’s fourth supervisorial district are
fortunate to have three qualified candidates to choose among on
June 6. Incumbent Reb Monaco, a retired school teacher, has
demonstrated diplomacy and a willingness to compromise, no doubt
honed by years in the classroom. Tracie Cone recently retired from
a career as a journalist that included work as publisher of this
newspaper. Cone has been a student of San Benito County during her
years here, and it shows.
Voters in San Benito County’s fourth supervisorial district are fortunate to have three qualified candidates to choose among on June 6. Incumbent Reb Monaco, a retired school teacher, has demonstrated diplomacy and a willingness to compromise, no doubt honed by years in the classroom. Tracie Cone recently retired from a career as a journalist that included work as publisher of this newspaper. Cone has been a student of San Benito County during her years here, and it shows.
Every member of The Pinnacle editorial board cited the wealth of good ideas she would bring to the table. John Hodges is retiring from the San Benito County clerk-auditor-recorder’s office. Born in the district, Hodges has a deep understanding of local governance and a comprehensive knowledge of local politics.
In the end, the editorial board (see related story, this page) was split, but the board’s endorsement narrowly tilted to the incumbent, Monaco over the runner-up, Cone. The board majority pointed to the same things as complicating their decision. Cone’s careful analysis of the issues confronting San Benito County made her a compelling choice. But the board majority consistently pointed to Monaco’s willingness to give and take, rather than to take no prisoners in political confrontations.
“I think Reb contributed to the board’s process both in ’03 and ’04 when he was in the minority and in ’05 when he was in the majority (as chairman) and so far in ’06,” one member of the editorial board wrote.
Monaco brings experience and historical perspective to the job, along with the ability to manage and lead. Like Cone, Monaco has strong feelings about the issues and a desire to shape the community for the better through a consensus model.
Cone’s vision of San Benito County as a new Sonoma-styled tourist Mecca is compelling. Her fear that, should Rancho San Benito be approved, the community would starve county government by incorporating is one that deserves serious discussion. Cone levels some justified criticism at a board majority whose lack of experience – four of five members are in their first terms – has led to some bad decision-making.
Monaco continues to make county government more accessible and “user-friendly” to borrow his term. He’s advocating a new general plan for the county, one that embraces agricultural preservation and tourism. He lauded the Vision San Benito process that put a broad spectrum of interests together to give San Benito County residents the opportunity to shape our future. Like Cone, Monaco was blunt in his feelings about Rancho San Benito. Left to a vote today, both would oppose the massive development between Hollister and Gilroy. He wants to encourage growth around existing communities, and believes proposals have to be weighed in terms of their benefit to the entire county. Monaco has worked to repair what were only recently dismal working ties between the county and the city of Hollister. He advocates more joint ventures with the city for parks and other shared amenities.
In 2050, Monaco describes San Benito County as a destination for tourists, a place that has retained a strong sense of identity and place in the face of change, one with safe communities and a strong economic base. That’s a sound vision for the future.
How it works
The Pinnacle this week begins publishing endorsements of candidates seeking local office. These are less an attempt to sway voters than the presentation of a consensus opinion.
The process is straightforward. After a candidate agrees to meet with The Pinnacle editorial board, he or she is presented with a list of questions to review. The questions themselves were developed with feedback from members of the editorial board.
Each candidate participates in an interview with the editorial board. We make every effort to conduct interviews with all candidates for a given office on the same day, in order to make the best possible direct comparisons. While board members may stray from the list of questions presented the candidates in advance, the interview sticks quite close to the script.
Members of The Pinnacle editorial board are Brenda Weatherly, executive director of the Hollister Downtown Association; Scott Fuller of San Juan Oaks; Jim West of Granite Rock Co.; Mitt French of the San Benito Cattle Co; Dennis Taylor, Pinnacle city editor; and Mark Paxton, Pinnacle publisher.
At the conclusion of interviews, members of the editorial board have a short conversation about first impressions. The next step is to mull over what we’ve heard for a day or two, then submit decisions and rationale behind the decisions via e-mail. Taylor and Paxton collaborate to present the consensus to readers in the form of an editorial such as the one appearing on this page.
It is a special privilege to be given so much of the candidates’ time as an election nears, and we make every effort to be fair in our assessment.
