Why I am Running
The
most frequent question that I am asked about running for the Assembly is “why
do you want to do this?” My short answer is that I am tired of the
short-sighted and counter-productive policies coming out of Sacramento and am certain that I can help the Legislature do a
better job. More specifically, I am alarmed by the huge growth in state
spending, dismayed by the state’s intrusions into our private lives and
businesses, and deeply concerned about how decisions that the Legislature
makes today will affect the lives of our children and future generations. As
your Assemblyman, I will be dedicated to ensuring that California offers the same freedom and opportunities in the future as have been available to us. My view of how we can do this, as
described in the following position statements, is very different than the course
being set by the current Legislature, which has consistently moved toward
higher taxes, more spending, and eroding the liberties on which our nation
has been built.
Background
Because
I am asking you to let me make decisions that will affect all of our lives,
you should know something about my background. The quick facts are that I am
54 years old, grew up on a family farm near the small San Joaquin Valley town of Orosi, and have lived in Davis since 1978. I have been married to Shelley for 30
years, and we have three children – two of whom are out of college and one in
high school.
I
am a graduate of UC Davis with Bachelor of Science degrees in Soil and Water
Science and in Engineering, along with a Master of Science degree in Soil
Science. I am now working as a soil and water scientist with the California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. This combination of experience in
agriculture, natural sciences, and state government gives me a broad
background in natural resource issues that is badly needed in the Assembly’s
consideration of environmental and agricultural legislation.
I
have also been active in community affairs and have served in leadership
positions that include:
- An elected member of the Davis School Board from 1997 through 2001 – so I am very familiar with
educational issues both as a parent and as a Board Member who has helped lead
a district that is noted for its good schools.
- President of the Yolo County School Boards Association.
- President of the Professional Soil Scientists Association of California,
- Chairman of the Yolo County Republican Central Committee – where I worked to build consensus among party members.
- Republican
nominee for State Assembly in the November 2000 and 2002 elections.
Taken
together, my professional, family, community, and leadership experience makes
me well qualified to serve in the State Assembly.
|
