Reflections from District Three

In this, my last month with the county, I look back over the last twelve years grateful for the many people it has been my pleasure to work with. I think of great men like Jim Maples who served this county as a supervisor. His genuine concern for people living in his district and for people in general has been inspiring.

Great women like Connie Conway who moved on to serve as our Assembly representative. Her influence in Sacramento has been a blessing to all of us. Her connections continue to be a benefit as she speaks up for us on many issues. We have received funding for state programs that would have gone elsewhere had it not been for her.

The many men and women that work in this office building have become like family to me. Without their help and dedication, this job would be impossible. There is no time clock in this building. We work as a team and do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Supervisor Ishida and I came onto this Board at the same time and will leave at the same time. We had common goals as businessmen that have set the stage for many years of progress. Sometimes it is difficult to make financial decisions that impact so many people, but we have approached those decisions conservatively with the future in mind.

As I leave this seat, I know I leave it in good financial condition. We have not borrowed or put the county in debt for any of the projects underway right now. That is over one hundred million dollars in construction without debt! We purchased and paid cash for the CIGNA building that will provide space for expansion over the next ten years. Our retirement contributions are well planned out and we have a good partnership with the Retirement Board that will keep the employees retirement dollars safe.

When Supervisor Ishida said, “Tulare County is open for business,” he didn’t mean that we wanted all development to happen in the  county. He set the stage for improved customer service in all departments county-wide. As we leave, I can truly say that Tulare County is still open for business. We have excellent customer service and the growth that is taking place in this county is proof.  

We have built an army of team players working hard to keep our youth off the streets and out of gangs. Jim Vidak has been a great partner in the Step Up programs committing support and funding. Without partnerships like these with the Tulare County Office of Education, CSET, and the Probation Department, Step Up would not be what it is today. There are too many individuals who work in these programs to list, but I want them all to know how much it has meant to me to have their support and efforts.

I have tried to live my life and leave my own legacy that my family, for generations to come, can be proud of.  There are too many accomplishments to list, but I would like to leave you with a thought that has given meaning and inspiration to me as I have served in Tulare County. 

We can build buildings, construct hundreds of miles of roads, build new bridges and save millions of dollars, but unless we have left our community a better place for our children, we have done nothing. I hope this inspires you as it has inspired me.