There seems to be a lot of misinformation, half-truths, and negativity floating around in this election season.
I’ve lived in the Lompoc Valley for the last 30 years, and it seems to me that we have fared pretty well over the last 10 years. We have much-needed new recreation facilities for our young people, such as the aquatic center and the River Bend Park complex of soccer and softball fields. Retail sales and tourism revenues have increased. We have one of the lowest crime rates in the county. A new police/fire academy is coming to our Lompoc campus of Allan Hancock College, to name just a few things. All of this with a balanced budget (despite the loss of expected revenue from the state).
There are still problems to be solved, such as finding additional funding for public safety and the need for attracting more clean, well-paying industry.
Probably the biggest challenge these next few years is going to be how to continue our quality of life with the economic uncertainty facing us. I think this is not a time for change, but a time to have qualified, experienced leadership. I would urge you to vote for Dick DeWees to serve another two years.
This article appears in Oct 23-30, 2008.