District 1 voters have the luxury of choosing among three
dedicated candidates to succeed the departing Supervisor Don
Marcus, but we’re convinced Margie Barrios has the professional and
political background to take on the difficult financial challenges
ahead.
DISTRICT 1:
District 1 voters have the luxury of choosing among three dedicated candidates to succeed the departing Supervisor Don Marcus, but we’re convinced Margie Barrios has the professional and political background to take on the difficult financial challenges ahead.
Barrios, Bonnie Flores-Voropaeff and Grant Brians are contending for the seat. Barrios is a longtime Hollister School District trustee and her family has owned two businesses for many years. Flores-Voropaeff also has a business background – she owns Design Line and Granger Printing – which we believe this county desperately needs during these turbulent times.
Brian, meanwhile, has a sharp mind, yet his ideals point to a less aggressive approach toward economic development than most county residents prefer.
In particular, we prefer Barrios for several reasons. She notes her support for recruiting more industry and higher-paying jobs here. Yet, she understands this county thrives on maintaining its close-knit, community feel. She supports the idea of studying a merger between the county sheriff’s office and city police department. And she seems willing to work collaboratively with all levels of government to better San Benito County’s regional standing.
Barrios also supports the county’s $50,000 allocation toward paying a new Economic Development Corp. an incentive-driven, six-figure salary. On the contrary, Flores-Voropaeff strongly opposes incentives, and Brians says the position should garner around $80,000. That new director must be paid a high enough salary laced with incentives to attract the kind of connected, savvy leader we need.
Barrios, however, does not take as strong of a stance on the DMB El Rancho San Benito development as we’d prefer. She says the due diligence process has to go forward and that there must be avenues for sustainability in place.
Meanwhile, Flores-Voropaeff says that as of today, she could not support it. And Brians says DMB must incorporate the transfer of development credits program – to which, he notes, the company has not committed – before he’ll consider supporting it.
Above all, Barrios shows she has the most realistic, positive, progressive approach. For that, she deserves the District 1 seat.
DISTRICT 2:
District 2 voters just might have the most difficult decision during this supervisorial election cycle, as Anthony Freitas challenges incumbent Supervisor Anthony Botelho in a rematch of their 2004 contest.
The two long-established orchardists with deep family roots in the San Juan Valley share many policy perspectives. They seem willing to strongly oppose highway expansions many in the district believe would harm the San Juan Valley and its constituents. They both appear open to progressive, smart development to take the county forward at a time when there’s no other choice, except irrelevance. They understand that. They understand their voters, which is why it makes for such an interesting, sometimes contentious race.
What sets Botelho apart this time around is that he has proven his devotion to the job these past four years and has played an important role in the board’s philosophical transformation.
He clearly has positive intentions in mind whether he’s right, such as his support for an expanded role for the Economic Development Corp., or when he’s wrong, such as his opposition to the Spur Hotel development in Tres Pinos.
Freitas, on the other hand, also deserves a strong look from voters who are on the fence. He, like Botelho, clearly has an ingrained passion for public service. When he speaks about issues, such as his understanding that the 3-in-1 highway concept is a “dream” and that the road must be fixed on some level, he talks with conviction.
There’s an interesting dichotomy between the two when it comes to their personalities as potential leaders – which ultimately might decide this race. Botelho has a refined message. He has a clear understanding of issues, as he should. He’s a competent supervisor.
We also believe he, at times, plays politics, at least on the surface, more than we’d like to see.
On the other hand, while Freitas also would serve well as supervisor, his deficiency is that he’s too confrontational at times – that he would need to tone down if he expects to get much done in circles, especially those across county lines, which require respect and understanding.
Voters, ultimately, have a tough call, and Botelho has earned the slight edge he should have on Election Day.
DISTRICT 5:
In District 5, incumbent Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz faces challenger Marian Cruz, whose husband lost the long-held seat four years ago.
The two candidates both have good intentions for their district and San Benito County as a whole, but De La Cruz has shown the type of forward-thinking, business-friendly leadership that we must maintain in this crucial, transitional time.
De La Cruz, a full-time supervisor and accountant by trade, has taken initiative on establishing a much-needed five-year financial plan, taken steps to cut back the red tape for prospective industry, and he says he’s willing to consider consolidation of county and city departments if it ultimately saves taxpayer dollars.
Those are the kinds of priorities that San Benito County sorely needs as citizens, businesses and government leaders hunker down in these tough economic times.
Marian Cruz, meanwhile, emphasizes that she would listen to citizens’ concerns and follow their wishes as a supervisor. The retired educator and former Hollister council member also supports the idea of establishing a longer-term budget plan to secure the county’s financial future and appears to be open to bold steps if they might amount to progress.
Setting him apart without question, however, is this: In the last four years, De La Cruz has grown tremendously as a supervisor, learned what it’ll take to reverse this dismal business climate, found his voice.
De La Cruz has noted his support for a $50,000 county allocation to the Economic Development Corp. to contribute toward its hiring of a new executive director, a position he rightfully believes should be paid a six-figure salary with an incentive-laden contract to get the type of well-connected whiz we so desperately need.
He talks a lot about trying to mend this county’s economic struggles and, so far, he’s backed it up. For that, he deserves another four years in office to continue working toward his goals.
