Q&A: Fifth District Supervisorial Candidate Eric Hammer

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

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

Eric Hammer: As a lifelong resident, local contractor, parent and activist, I understand the needs of this area, and I’m excited by the opportunity to give back to my community in this capacity. Public service has always been one of my core values. I was raised in a family that embraces community service, and I am raising my own family here in Santa Cruz County with that same commitment. I serve on the Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District Board, the Board of Community Bridges, the Steering Committee for the Redwood Mountain Faire, and as president of the Boulder Creek Business Association. And I’m extremely proud to have been a founding board member of Youth First, the non-profit that built the Teen Center in Felton. I serve my community with passion, integrity and honesty. As a self-employed business owner, I have executed all aspects of project leadership, including budgeting, scheduling, financing, design, permitting and subcontracting. I work with various business stakeholders, cities, counties and municipalities to achieve projects that compliment our community goals. I have a vision for the future of Santa Cruz County that includes green business practices, long-term planning that prevents sprawl, reducing energy use and protecting the environment for our children and our planet.

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

Hammer: Protecting our environmental resources–As a supervisor, I will prioritize moving our county toward more renewable resources and safeguarding the riparian corridors throughout the San Lorenzo River Watershed, from Carbonera and Bean Creeks, to Boulder, Bear, Love and Fall Creeks. I understand the importance of protecting our fragile local environment and how critical my role will be in bringing various environmental stakeholders together to accomplish our goals.

Improving county services–As a builder, I understand the struggles that our residents and contractors undergo in their efforts to be compliant, and I want to see the permitting process become a more positive one. Once elected, I will work toward making this more efficient and user friendly. We also must improve our infrastructure, roadways and access to public transportation. Though economic times are tough, maintaining our local roads and improving public transportation are critical needs in the Fifth District. Additionally, I will improve outreach to the further reaching areas of the county to make sure all residents know about and have access to services that are available to them.

Strengthening resources for our children and families–Our children deserve to have the highest quality of services available to them, and working families deserve jobs and housing that allow us to raise our children in Santa Cruz County. This includes not only economic development and job creation, but also funding for community programs and alternatives to cutting our local libraries and parks. It is because of my experiences with Youth First and building the teen center in Felton, with the grant process and renovation of Garrahan Park in Boulder Creek, and with raising my own family in this community that I understand how important parks, recreation and local libraries are to a healthy, vibrant community.

On May 31, the Chamber Exchange will be holding a Mingle with the Candidates mixer. The event is from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Environmental Horticulture Center and Botanical Gardens, Cabrillo College Horticulture Building, 6500 Soquel Dr., Aptos.