1. How should the homeless crisis be addressed? Should Del Norte County buy more motels to convert to homeless shelters? Absolutely not, Del Norte County should not be buying any more motels and weakening our Transient Occupancy Tax base.2. What can be done to improve morale within the Sheriff’s department? How can the Sheriff’s department more effectively recruit, hire and retain experienced deputies?#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');First of all, we need strong leadership and build up morale. I believe incoming Sheriff Garrett Scott will bring that to the Sheriff’s Department. When a deputy makes an arrest, we need to support them and prosecute the criminals, we need to stop the catch and release. It’s bad for the sheriff’s department’s morale. 3. What can be done to avoid the “catch and release” back into the community of criminal defendants before their matters are resolved by the courts? Should the 48-bed Juvenile Hall – with only one or two persons in custody – be repurposed as an adult facility?That’s a subject that has been discussed in the past but the 42-bed Juvenile Hall would need a major retrofitting, and other obstacles that need to be overcome. It can be done, we just need strong leadership to make it happen. 4. What is the most pressing problem in your supervisorial district? What do you propose as a solution?District 3 has three distinct regions. Gasquet’s pressing need is to address the Fire Risk Assessment and very high cost of fire insurance, something that should have been addressed over two years ago before we were designated as such. Hiouchi, county roads that are in need of repair, such as Douglas Park, Low Divide, and Smith River residents are concerned about the groundwater, folks don’t feel safe drinking it. A local supermarket is needed there, affordable housing and apartments. All three areas are also lacking law enforcement presence.5. How can Del Norte County become a place where young people want to remain, to raise a family, to start a career, and become a vital part of this community? What will you do to bring about these changes?Del Norte County first and foremost needs to become a place where folks feel safe, where they can start a business and not have to worry if it is going to be vandalized. A place where folks can raise a family and see a bright future for their kids. That only comes with cleaning up our streets and mitigating the homeless population that continue to commit criminal activities and create substance abuse encampments.6. Should Del Norte County impose additional controls and fees on short-term rentals? Should short-term rentals be confined to commercial or multi-family zones, or to owner-occupied properties? No, I own a vacation rental and it generates TOT for our tax base. What needs to be addressed is building more housing, duplexes, triplexes, apartments and ADUs.7. Should Del Norte County turn down state and federal grants with strings attached that dictate how local government must solve local problems? Under what circumstances should Del Norte County confront problems without outside funding?The Legacy motel is a perfect example of no funding after three years. Del Norte county should have turned down the grant or at least dictated how and where we should have used that grant. We should pay closer attention to what our future obligations will be, and whether we can afford it, and not put an additional burden on our general funds.8. Should the Measure R sales tax increase be repealed? Why or why not?No, I believe that the sheriff’s department, probation department, code enforcement, and animal control are all in desperate need of funding. Now, how we got here is a matter of the Board of Supervisors’ lack of communication with the department heads, which is something I will be very diligent in improving. 9. Briefly explain, Why are you the best candidate for a seat on the Board of Supervisors representing your district?Del Norte County is a special place, a gem in the rough, and for far too long we find reason why not to move forward, call it the good old boys club, or afraid of making hard decisions. I, for one, am not afraid of making those decisions that will be controversial and rattle the “it’s alway been done this way” mentality. I have the experience, work ethics and true grit to make that happen, together and with your help. I’m approachable and know how to motivate folks. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });