Economy And Environment Key Words At Fifth District Debate

The three remaining candidates battling to represent Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley on the County Board Of Supervisors touched on almost every issue important to those between the ages of 8 and 85 years old Monday evening.

The candidates are each vying for the seat Mark Stone will vacate as he runs for California State Assembly.

About five-dozen area residents came to the Scotts Valley Community Center where Fifth District candidates Eric Hammer, Bruce McPherson and Bill Smallman wove economic growth, desalination, environmentalism, libraries, parks, infrastructure repairs and pension reform into two-minute sound bites. The forum was hosted by the Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley Chambers Of Commerce in partnership with the Scotts Valley/San Lorenzo Valley Press-Banner.

The night’s questions skewed toward balancing the county budget and economic growth.

Hammer said his top priority is streamlining the permitting processes businesses go through to open shop and continue projects. The owner of his own construction business, he said that county officials can’t even keep up with changing regulations, causing confusion at all levels. He said simplification is crucial to the county regaining its economic footing.

“I'm not talking about taking away the environment [building] regulations we have. I think some need to be tightened up,” Hammer said. “But the process needs to be inviting, and people need to get the same answer every time they come in. [Then] more business would open their doors, creating revenue.”

McPherson agreed that any moves to spur growth must be balanced with environmental concerns. He said protecting the coastline and forests from excessive development is key to financial prosperity in Santa Cruz County, rather than a roadblock.

McPhearson, a former state senator and California Secretary of State, also highlighted his decades of experience in state and local government, claiming he would give the county a leg up in funding battles.

“The people of Felton deserve a library,” McPherson said. “With me and my contacts they will get it.”

Smallman, a board member of the Lompico County Water District, began several responses saying that his campaign is about reigning in out of control spending.

“I think that government has failed,” Smallman said. “[The government] takes your money and misspends it. I started this campaign because [the government] takes your money in and needs to spend it wisely.”

The most animated moment was when Hammer was the only one to correctly hear the question, “What is the most important issue for youth in the county?” Both Smallman and McPherson had already answered the question as if the word youth had been “you,” and laid out their top priority for the second time in the session.

Hammer asked to clarify the question and showed some stage presence when moderator Kip Tellez confirmed he had heard the word youth correctly.

“It is one of the most important jobs of a supervisor to listen and question,” said Hammer to roaring laughter and applause.

The memorabilia in the room was split with McPherson and Hammer gear easily found around the room. But when Hammer lit the crowd after the question mix up, the laughter gave away the level of support for him.

“There was a big contingent for Hammer. You could tell from the opening applause,” said Don Blanchard, who lives just outside Scotts Valley.

He came to the forum on the fence between McPherson and Hammer, but after receiving a letter critical of McPherson at the event said he leaning toward voting for Hammer.

Stephen Hoversten of Modern Woodman Fraternal Financial said his message to anyone who didn't attend is to show up for these forums.

"For someone who wasn't here, they should have been," he said. "For local government this is as close as it gets for hearing what each candidate stands for."

A second community forum is being held on May 3 at 7 p.m. at the new San Lorenzo Valley High School Multi-purpose room, 7105 Highway 9, Felton.