Our next District 3 Supervisorial candidate to weigh in on my Candidate Questionnaire is Dave Bonnot. Dave, you are also flexible and quick to respond – thank you! And thanks for the kind words!
Dave Bonnot’s answers to Teri Murrison’s Candidate’s Endorsement Question
1. How will you communicate with District residents?
I will keep regular office hours in the various communities in District 3. I also have Facebook, a website, email, cell phone, home phone.
2. Give an example of your listening and conflict resolution ability.
My best example is Mountain Springs. I started the negotiation process with Bill Barrett that finally resulted in a compromise that got that issue resolved after 7 years of conflict. I was chairman when we first went out there to talk to him, and when he finally decided to work on a compromise, I was instrumental in hammering out the final details.
3. How should the Board increase accountability and transparency?
As Supervisor, I will always hold myself responsible for my decisions, and I will always explain myself to my constituents using my commitment to constant communication. The Board itself should be even more diligent about the transparency of their operations, including the workings of the staff. Another way to increase transparency would be to have routine business put into the packets two weeks in advance of their appearing on the agenda. That way there would be more time to research and ask constituent advice. There will always be emergency and last minute items, but many things are known about well in advance.
4. How do you feel about increasing fees and taxes in good times and under the current poor economic conditions?
I think you have to listen to your constituents and weigh the services they are demanding with the ability of the people to pay for those services. The danger is in the good times thinking we can do whatever anyone demands. County government has to be very careful, we cannot borrow the way State and Federal governments can, so we must be realistic. We must be creative in looking for other sources of income from now on. It is a new world. Assessment districts may have to be encouraged on a more localized level just to get the roads fixed and the fire districts solvent.
5. In reducing the county budget, which services will you vote to protect, which are not as important to you, and why?
We ARE the line of defense for the people in fighting fire and crime, so those would have to be highest, although savings could probably be had within their budgets. Services that affect children would be next in my priorities, they are the future. Libraries, recreation and the arts are essential to our functioning as healthy human beings. They must be high on the list.
6. What is your understanding of coordination? Do you support or oppose the Board’s involvement in federal and state agency decision-making processes?
Coordination is clear and transparent communication between agencies. That clarity is extremely important. The Board is already involved in federal and state agency decision-making processes. The issue is making that more effective. I will provide the leadership necessary to insure that we have that place at the table when state and federal agencies are making decisions that impact our economy and quality of life.
7. Do you support the hiring of a natural resources analyst to review environmental documents and agency plans? Why or why not?
It seems to me that we already have this function to some degree in our Community Development Department. We need leadership to make sure we use what we already have in more and better ways rather than hire someone else to add to the government. We need to make what we already have more timely and effective.
8. Which, if any, multiple uses and land designations of National Forest do you feel should be limited?
The folks here are directly affected by these uses, and should have a say when our economy and quality of life are impacted. The multiple uses that have the most impact on us are recreation and grazing and in both cases, there has to be a balance in the protection of the watershed and wildlife, and the recreation and grazing that provide so much of the economy in Tuolumne County. I will make sure that we provide an equilibrium between what is called the “Triple bottom line” – The Environment, Community and the Economy. The Board of Supervisor’s responsibility is to make sure we are always working toward that balance. We should make sure the federal government is doing the same.
9. Have you read the proposed Land Use Plan? Do you and will you support it was originally proposed to the Board earlier this year (80 plus pages) or do you feel it should be shortened? Why or why not?
I have read it and attended the Planning commission meetings and the BOS meeting about this. I do not understand why we want to create another government body to do the work of the Board of Supervisors. The Board already has this function. My job would be to make sure the concerns of any group that wants to address these agencies gets heard. If that requires another commission due to time restraints put on the Board, then that is another matter, but if we want less government, why create another layer here. Once again, we should make what we already have work more efficiently.
10. Do you plan to be actively engaged in public lands issues?
Yes
11. What is your philosophy on land use planning?
Property rights and responsibilities are shared by neighbors. If what one party wants to do with their property affects another person’s property, there is a very important decision to be made and it can’t be decided by listening to only one side of the issue. Land use planning is one of the most important things Supervisors have to grapple with. We need growth but it must be thoughtful and planned. We can’t approve every lot split, destroying ag land and further distributing law enforcement and fire resources at the expense of current residents. The State is requiring a new blueprint process for land use planning and we need to make sure that it is implemented effectively for Tuolumne County.
12. What are your top three priorities as Supervisor?
- Better jobs. Increase jobs through increased tourism, increased entrepreneurial training and mentoring, enticing high-tech and green industry and vocational training to increase the workforce.
- Better planning. I want to do what I feel has been lacking for the 30 years that I’ve lived here, plan with an eye to where it makes sense for us to grow. Many times, growth is dictated by someone who can get some cheap ag land and try to develop it with the county picking up most of the tab for that development. We can’t afford that type of growth anymore. We don’t have the resources to give away infrastructure anymore.
- Better leadership. I want to create a feeling that government can work for the little guy, not just for the developers or the bankers or government itself. We have a horrible situation in State and Federal government, no one trusts them to care about the folks on the street trying to make a living. I want to create a very open and transparent atmosphere that quickly gains the trust of my constituents.
13. What else should I know and consider about your potential to serve as District 3 Supervisor?
I have experience in so many different areas — in both leadership and in getting down to the basics of a particular job. I have been to war, I have started and maintained several businesses in my life, for others and for myself. I have helped hundreds of entrepreneurs start their own businesses here in Tuolumne County. I have raised two children, both now adults and successful and happy in life. I have experience in County government, having spent years going to board meetings, commission meetings, working on land use issues from the other side of the dais. I care deeply about the county I chose as my home 30 years ago, I want to help make it as appealing in the future as it has been in the past.
Loading... 
