Supervisors: 5th District

Questionnaires were distributed to candidates last month. Answers have been edited to fit the available space.

Why Run?

Q. Why do you want to be a Ventura County supervisor?

Flynn: I enjoy defining, confronting and solving the issues and concerns that face Ventura County. I am not a person of words, but a proven person of action who listens to the public and advocates on their behalf and in the best interest of this county and all of its people.

Fraser: I want to represent the people and make decisions that will focus on timely results that will benefit the people.

Goals

Q. If you are elected, what specific changes in county government would you make?

Flynn: I have been and will continue to identify ways to speed up building projects. It seems sometimes that the “process” is in absolute control and we are slaves to that process. Another major change that I envision is that all of us in labor and management need to review and look to change our civil service system in order to make it more efficient and provide an even playing field to all those seeking employment and promotion within county government.

Fraser: Increase communication and cooperation among elected leaders to focus on efficiency and results that will benefit the people.

Weldon Canyon Landfill

Q. Should the Board of Supervisors approve construction of Waste Management of California’s proposed landfill at Weldon Canyon between Ventura and Ojai?

Flynn: The important issue is to get this question before the board so that the board can vote “yes” or “no.” I will listen to the presentation and public comments before I vote.

Fraser: No. At this time I don’t have enough information to approve construction of Waste Management’s proposed landfill.

Ahmanson Ranch

Q. Should the Board of Supervisors allow construction of a 3,100-dwelling community at Ahmanson Ranch near Simi Valley as part of a deal that would turn 10,000 acres of open space into public parkland?

Flynn: Again, the public hearing has yet to be held on this project. However, on the surface it appears to be a good project. Ten thousand acres of dedicated parkland must be treated as an important part of the proposal. Also, there are opportunities in low-cost housing that this county sorely needs.

Fraser: Yes. There is a need in Ventura County for public parkland.

New Jail

Q. Should Ventura County build a new jail at the Todd Road site near Santa Paula?

Flynn: No. The jail site should be built at the Government Center. However, the decision has been made. The board moved to the Government Center in the 1970s with the promise of centralizing facilities. I believe that we should have kept this promise to the public and built the jail at the Government Center. Otherwise, it is acting out of sync with the demands and best interest of the public. I am supportive of additional jail facilities.

Fraser: Yes. There is a great need to build a new jail because of the overcrowding and increase in crimes in the county.

Population Growth

Q. Ventura County grew 26% during the last decade. Do you favor continued growth at this pace?

Flynn: No. The infrastructure will only accommodate growth at a certain pace. We must remember that much of this growth will come from births in Ventura County. We must work diligently on accommodating the current growth and future residents by planning now for schools, roads, water facilities, and all other infrastructure to avoid what is known as crisis planning.

Fraser: No. I believe in controlling growth at a lower percentage. We need to provide jobs for people living in the county.

Fee, Tax Reduction

Q. Should county supervisors reduce license fees and taxes on businesses to help the economy rebound from the recession?

Flynn: Yes. I believe that the fees and taxes imposed on business need to be re-examined. The county’s fees are presently not oppressive. However, during these difficult times, it is imperative that we keep our business community alive and prosperous. We must promote businesses in this county as they are a positive force that provide our residents with jobs.

Fraser: Yes. We need to find other ways to collect fees from businesses. We need to provide incentives to stimulate increased business activities.

Sales Tax Increase

Q. Would you support a countywide sales tax increase to pay for transportation improvements? If so, for what projects?

Flynn: No. I feel that any tax proposal should be presented to the voting public.

Fraser: No.

Term Limits

Q. Do you support term limits for the Board of Supervisors?

Flynn: No. It takes time to learn about difficult issues that face Ventura County. Water, for example, is complex. The knowledge one acquires and the expertise of a supervisor comes with time. Term limits would not provide the continuity and expertise that the public demands. As long as a supervisor maintains the integrity, accountability and support of the people he/she serves, then that person is an effective leader and should have the opportunity to remain a public servant.

Fraser: Yes. I believe in term limits for supervisors. It is important to have new leadership and new ideas and changes for progress. One person should not have a monopoly on the districts for an indefinite period.

Increased Crime

Q. Crime is increasing in Ventura County. How should county officials respond?

Flynn: The county should adopt a two-pronged approach to this multifaceted dilemma. First, Ventura County needs a drug and alcohol treatment center that will impact the users of drugs. Crime and substance abuse work in tandem. Our county jail has become a revolving door for, many times, the same people. A drug treatment center, in the long run, will prove to be more cost effective and decrease crime. Secondly, we need to halt the vicious cycle of crime and delinquency that consumes many of our “at-risk youth.” We need to extend more guidance, recreation, jobs and family-support networks to keep our youth in school and focused toward a productive life. We should encourage in every way the family and religious values and ethics that have carried this country to greatness.

Fraser: Yes. Crime is increasing in Ventura County and we need to give full support to our law enforcement and legal system to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens.

Budget Cuts

Q. The Board of Supervisors has cut 10% from budgets during the last two years because county revenues are down sharply. Should the board continue to cut all programs equally or, instead, eliminate some services altogether? Which programs would you eliminate?

Flynn: I would not eliminate any programs because they all serve a necessary function in our county. County program funding is complex: The money comes from the federal, state and local sources. We will, if necessary, take a scalpel and cut some programs more than others. However, this will be done after investigation and public comment.

Fraser: The budget committee needs to evaluate its priorities and eliminate waste or duplication of services. If the real estate market impacts the county’s revenue, then we need to find ways to stimulate real estate revenues.

Water Shortage

Q. Although Ventura County has had plentiful rains this season, the county faces a long-term water shortage. How should the county and local cities respond? a) Put a dam on Sespe Creek. b) Build a desalination plant to convert ocean water. c) Build a new pipeline to import more water from Northern California. d) Impose permanent water rationing. e) Restrict construction of new housing and industry.

Flynn: During the last 30 years, we have generally used water from the northern part of the state and ground and surface water accumulated in our lakes. Ventura County today needs to diversify its water supply in order to increase reliability. We need to add reclamation, desalination and conservation to the above sources. Also, we need to build a pipeline. We need a diversified water portfolio. We need to be cautious about our dependence on the snowpack in the north. The best thing that has been done in regards to water is the construction of the Freeman Diversion of which I was a driving force.

Fraser: D. We need to continue to promote water conservation and impose water rationing until we can increase the state allocation amounts to Southern California.

CONTENDERS

John K. Flynn, 59, has lived in the same central Oxnard house for 33 years. A former junior high school history teacher, he has been a county supervisor since 1972, except for a four-year absence after he narrowly lost in 1976.

Arlene Fraser, 45, of Silver Strand Beach in Oxnard is a native of Kauai, Hawaii, and has lived in Ventura County since 1979. She holds a college degree in special education and runs a desktop publishing business from her home.

Ventura County Supervisorial Races

Contested Races: Three of five seats on the County Board of Supervisors are on the June 2 ballot. Eleven candidates are running in the 1st, 3rd and 5th districts.