Supervisor Don Marcus has announced that he will not be running
for re-election and a second term on the board.
Supervisor Don Marcus has announced that he will not be running for re-election and a second term on the board.
Marcus announced his retirement at a board of supervisors’ meeting as he stepped down as chairman, a position he has occupied for the past year. At that meeting, Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz succeeded Marcus as chairman.
In an interview with the Free Lance – via e-mail at his request – Marcus said business and family commitments will prevent him from running again.
“There was always a concern that the obligations and duties associated with being a county supervisor would be challenging,” said Marcus, who owns a local building company. “I feel confident that I have met those challenges … but unfortunately next year will not be able to commit the time that is required to do the job right.”
Marcus took office at the beginning of 2005 and served as chairman of the board of supervisors in 2007. He told the Free Lance he remains “committed” to serving the remainder of his term, which will end in December 2008.
“I am very proud of the guidance and direction this board has given to the county,” Marcus said. “We have maintained fiscal stability, hired outstanding personnel, worked with the (City of Hollister) and water district to help resolve the wastewater management plan, opened our vision for a new county general plan and more.”
*Supervisor Anthony Botelho said he was “shocked and disappointed” by Marcus’ decision.
“I highly valued his experience and his judgment,” Botelho said. “We’re only halfway through what I had hoped we could accomplish as a whole board.”
De La Cruz said he was also surprised by the announcement.
“I honestly thought this board functioned real well as a group … and it was beginning to mature as a board of supervisors,” he said.
But De La Cruz added that he can understand wanting to spend more time on career and family.
“Donnie is going out at the height of his political career,” he said. “For that you have to commend him.”
In addition to his political accomplishments, Marcus was recently voted San Benito County’s sexiest politician by the readers of the Weekend Pinnacle.
Marcus represents supervisorial District One, which includes much of northern San Benito County. No one has made a “serious” announcement to run for Marcus’ seat, he said.
The county primaries will be held June 3. The normal filing period for supervisorial candidates will last from Feb. 11 to March 7, according to the San Benito County Elections Office.
Botelho and De La Cruz, who are also up for re-election, both told the Free Lance they are planning to run again.
As of Tuesday, De La Cruz is also the board chairman. After being appointed to his new role, De La Cruz repeated his frequent pledge to make decisions that will promote the county’s economic development.
“Finding answers or solutions is based on economic growth, on well-paying jobs, on new business revenues, on housing for deserving seniors and affordable housing and home-buying opportunities for working families,” De La Cruz said. “Successful families is a goal, and no new taxes is our promise.”
As chairman, De La Cruz will run the board’s meetings, help set its agendas and appoint board members to the county’s various committees. Supervisors elect their chair at the beginning of each year, and the position traditionally rotates among board members.
“We are ready for all challenges, and I look forward to dealing with them,” De La Cruz said. “The best San Benito County we envision can be achieved.”
