Q&A: District 2 Supervisor Candidate Douglas Deitch

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of pieces about the candidates for Santa Cruz County District 2 Supervisor. Check back daily for another candidate Q&A.

How does your background make you uniquely qualified to be the Santa Cruz County Supervisor? What distinguishes you from the other candidates? [Excepted from an open letter to community members on May 9] I'm running for this office because I believe there is a need for a proactive and regional creative, sensible, entrepreneurial, and environmental thinker on the Board. That's an important element and perspective that's always been lacking. I firmly believe that business, entrepreneurship, and concern for the environment can, and should, go hand in hand. Look at the Watsonville High School project, for example, built on wetlands.

For well over the last 25 years, I have been continuously and effectively participating in the community and working on these very same and serious concerns and issues of community safety, resource conservation, and sustainable and sensible development as well as our water catastrophe and its solution. I have already given much thought and effort to them as well as achieved tangible, positive results.

I am the only person running for this position with a 40 year record as a successful business person in the community. In addition, I have a record of active participation in region-wide land, resource management, environmental, and social issues. I'm already "up and running" and have already been working on many of our vital problems. I have the rounded and varied practical experience (business and otherwise), and a long term track record of effective involvement, results, and commitment.

In the course of my community activities over the years, I have met and/or interacted with all members of our current (and past) Boards and the Santa Cruz city councils. Additionally, I am already acquainted with virtually all county department heads (including LAFCO, Soquel Creek, Pajaro, and Monterey County, and other water districts), local judges, public defenders, other law enforcement officials, key UCSC and Cabrillo College officials and supporters (I am one), Capitola and Watsonville council members and other key city and county administrators and personnel. In short, I have taken the time and effort to get to know our community leaders. Additionally, the individuals who will work with me as part of my supervisorial team will further buttress and widen the capabilities and regional reach and effect of the Second District Supervisor's office.

From a practical perspective, I have pulled permits, constructed buildings, roads, septic systems, wells, at my cost designed and developed for the city of Santa Cruz the busiest street intersection in the city, saved wetlands and historic buildings, proposed viable and innovative low income housing tax credit financing initiatives to UCSC, proposed creative local solutions to our regional water crisis. From my personal experiences, I appreciate full well the trials and travails involved in these activities and their accomplishment.

Although I have sincerely attempted to convey to you my concerns about and my vision for our community in this short letter, there is much more I could say to you. Moreover, your reactions, thoughts, and concerns are equally important to me. This is the reason that I have placed my telephone number here and on my ballot statement-- 831-476-7662 for the last 35 years in the phone book. I want to hear from you and be responsive to you.

What do you see as the main issues facing Santa Cruz County, and how do you intend to address them? See the following website: www.ThinkLocalActLocal.org