MENDOCINO Co., 10/12/18 — This is a submitted candidates statement from John Haschak, and does not constitute and endorsement of the candidate or his policies. We encourage all candidates to send in a full statement of their positions and policy proposals. We also encourage submissions of letters-to-the-editor from the general public.
Check out all our coverage of the 2018 supervisorial race.
John Haschak 3rd District Supervisor Campaign Platform
Quite a few folks have asked for a deeper look at what I plan to do as 3rd District Supervisor. Here’s my vision for Mendocino County: Affordable Housing and a Thriving Economy, Emergency Preparedness and Great County Services. I’m honored for the opportunity to represent the 3rd District and ask for your vote Nov. 6.
Affordable and Available Housing
Too many of our friends and families struggle to find affordable and available housing. Mendocino County must ensure adequate housing for our community through planning, zoning, and investment. As your Supervisor, I will encourage infill housing, preserve Class K, and proactively develop affordable housing and pursue all available funding through HUD and state agencies.
Emergency Preparedness
Despite the heroic efforts of fire personnel, EMS staff, county workers, and the larger community, the challenges and losses of each of the last three fire seasons have been catastrophic. The county must do a complete review of the Emergency Response and Preparedness so that we can better serve our citizens when the worst happens.
Mental Health
The mental health crisis in Mendocino County requires cohesive policy and hands-on leadership from county supervisors. We must ensure that Measure B funding as well as state and county funding are spent carefully for quality services and the best possible outcomes for the most vulnerable in our community. I await the recommendation from the Measure B Advisory Board, but would certainly encourage locating the inpatient facility in the 3rd District to create a mental health hub. I will fight for to support Family Resource Centers and Crisis Intervention Teams in order to ensure a mental health system that can reach our outlying communities.
Cannabis
This is a time of great economic uncertainty for the many small cannabis farmers in Mendocino County and the 3rdDistrict. As cannabis prices have steadily gone down, small farmers can barely earn a living, and there is enormous pressure to get bigger or get out. As your Supervisor, I will streamline and simplify the application and compliance process, and work with state elected leaders to advocate for the 3rd District. The county’s cannabis program must not be punitive. If we all work together, our local cannabis farmers can continue to be good neighbors, with sound environmental farming practices, and contribute to the community like the many other businesses in the 3rd District.
Brooktrails 2nd Access Route
The county must build on the work of the Brooktrails Board to ensure safe access for Brooktrails residents and emergency responders. With the exception of Hal Waganet, past 3rd District Supervisors have not showed nearly enough dedication to creating a secondary access route for Brooktrails, going so far as to shelve the project. Our next supervisor must be a tenacious advocate for this project, which is why all five directors of the Brooktrails Board have endorsed our campaign.
County Government, Transparency, Fiscal Management and Citizen Involvement
County government should be responsive and accountable to its citizens, manage the budget wisely, and listen to all who appear before the board carefully and with respect. I pledge to not only keep an open door, but work tirelessly to outreach to the people of the 3rd District.
Education
Career and technical education should be available to all who want it. As your supervisor, I will provide the leadership to bring together county agencies, businesses, schools, and stakeholders to provide more extensive and holistic educational opportunities.
Roads
Many of our roads are narrow and in poor repair, creating challenges for residents, emergency services, and businesses. Getting people to safety in times of emergency is tough and can lead to tragic results as we have recently seen in the disastrous firestorms that swept through parts of our county and our neighboring counties. One important and pressing need is a second access route for Brooktrails in times of disaster.
Broadband and Net Neutrality
Mendocino County must improve access to broadband in our underserved rural areas. This will automatically improve our education system, our economy, and our safety in natural disasters. During the Redwood Complex Fire, many of our families went without online or landline phone service for way too long. We must make the long overdue improvements needed to keep our community thriving and safe. I support and will defend the state of California’s recently enacted Net Neutrality law from being overturned by the FCC and telecom lobby.
Enhanced Economic and Job Opportunities
The working- and middle-class people of the 3rd District are hurting economically. We must attract sustainable businesses and jobs that support our community, safeguard our environment, and grow our economy.
Protecting our Natural Resources and Parks
Mendocino’s mountains, forests, rivers, and local fisheries are vital to our way of life. We must continue to protect these precious and endangered resources. Protecting the natural beauty of this place also enhances the experience of visitors, leading to more tax dollars coming in to the county.
Supervisorial Raise
As supervisor, I will not accept the recent nearly 40% raise, and will revisit the subject of equitable pay scales for all county employees before voting on any pay raise for supervisors.
Diversity
I stand for a diverse Mendocino County. As a bilingual, bicultural educator, I understand the importance of reaching out to all residents of the 3rd District. The Native American and Hispanic communities must be respected and their rich cultural heritage celebrated and preserved. Each and every member of our county should be safe, free, and well-represented by their supervisor.
Homelessness
Mendocino County’s approach to homelessness is not working. Too many of our services are duplicate or contradictory. We need to come together and develop a unified approach to the services offered by various agencies and non-profits.
Living Wages
With the lack of affordable housing, working people are priced out of the market. I will fight for a living wage for all working people. I will also work for truly affordable housing for our teachers, first responders, service workers, and other vital community members via innovations like co-housing, housing trusts, and non-profit housing partnerships.
Our Libraries and County Museum
The county plans to consolidate administration of our libraries, county museum, and parks. While I support the concept of consolidating administrative tasks, this plan is deeply flawed. I join the Library Advisory Board and Museum Advisory Board in voicing my concern. The voters of Mendocino County approved measure A to fund our libraries. We need to protect these cultural assets and provide full-time directors to achieve the maximum potential of each department.
I want to hear your concerns, ideas, and questions. Do not hesitate to contact me. I promise to get back to you.
This platform appears on my campaign web site and Facebook page. Please share it with your friends & neighbors.
John Haschak, 19200 Shafer Ranch Rd., Willits, CA 95490 • 707-513-6166