Q&A: Fifth District Supervisorial Candidate Bill Smallman

Editor’s Note: This is the second of a three-part series of interviews with the Fifth District supervisorial candidates. Check Scotts Valley Patch on Wednesday for the Q&A with candidate Bruce McPherson. Click

Scotts Valley Patch: How does your background make you uniquely qualified to be the Santa Cruz County Supervisor? What distinguishes you from the other candidates?

Bill Smallman: My background as an environmentalist, civil engineer, and over 23 years experience in the private sector building infrastructure improvements qualifies me to be a supervisor that will lead to meaningful improvements with the system.

I am approaching my campaign with the attitude that voters are fed up with past candidates, career politicians, and basically, politics in general. I believe that voters want someone who "thinks outside the box," and really leads to improvements with the current system. Coming straight out of the private sector, I know how to spot real talent in people who have a knack for business, and creative ability to tackle the complicated goal for successful economic development. People often ask me how can I be in favor of economic development and be an environmentalist at the same time. I am really interested in economic development that does not harm the environment to a large degree. An example of that would be the La Bahia [Hotel], which I was in favor of to be built into a luxury hotel, which had small negative environmental impact with high positive economic impact. The environment is not only key to our health, but is the main attraction for tourism.

Finally, my work experience and education as a civil engineer clearly makes me the best candidate in terms of infrastructure improvements.

Patch: What do you see as the main issues facing Santa Cruz County, and how do you intend to address them?

Smallman: A. The Economy: I will create a "Board of Economic Development" consisting entirely of business and economic development experts who will support business creation and growth, invite outside companies to relocate, and support vocational training in our local schools. They will also study, review and make recommendations to the standing Board on ways to make county government more efficient, fiscally responsible and more responsive and helpful to the general public. And, they will inform the Planning Department of any infrastructure improvements needed to support business.

B. The Environment: Most of the relationship the county has with the environment exists in the Planning Department and its "General Plan." I see the General Plan as a work in progress, and there is a lot of work needed, which could make the county a leader worldwide in environmentalism. I know I am the best candidate for this goal not only because I have been a passionate environmentalist heavily educated in the sciences, but because of my construction experience. Infrastructure is the interface between humans and the environment. All candidates, past and present, claim to be an environmentalist, putting green trees on their campaign literature and being supportive of environmental groups. Basically, after elected into office they "kick the can down the road," and their indecisiveness does little and often harms the economy with focus on issues that really don't matter. No successful candidates really attempt to do the hard work of improving the Planning Department and the General Plan into something that leaves a permanent legacy and puts us into the history books as making this change. I believe I am this candidate, and hope you will give me the opportunity with your vote.

C. Infrastructure improvements, Schools, Health Services etc.: A big reason why I want to make county government more efficient is to channel more resources into areas which the people want more focus on. I will also actively pursue state funding to a very high degree. I am not in favor of tax increases. Making a priority of certain infrastructure improvements is somewhat complicated, and I believe my experience will help. Roads need to be effectively maintained because if not, they lead to higher costs, excuse the pun, "down the road." I think people are really tired of hearing that schools need more money and I want to get them that money to make them the best again.