Novasel and Curtzwiler tell audience why they should win County Supervisor race

There are a few buzz words that are evidently going to be used during the El Dorado County District 5 Supervisor race this summer and fall.

Economic Vitality - An economy with sufficient jobs, products and services to support the community. A sufficient tax base provides citizens with police and fire, parks and recreation and public services needed by the population.

Community - A group of people who reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage. A sense of community focuses on the experience of the community rather that it's structure, formation or setting. McMillan & Chavis described the term in 1986 as "a feeling that members have of belonging, a feeling that members matter to one another and to the group, and a shared faith that members' needs will be met through their commitment to be together."

Infrastructure - Basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function.

After the candidate's forum held in Meyers Tuesday night it is apparent that these terms are going to be used a lot until election day on November 4th.

Tahoe Regional Young Professionals, the TahoeChamber and Tahoe Daily Tribune jointly held the forum moderated by Jenna Palacio and Mike Peron.

Sue Novasel, the front runner in the June Primary where she won 28.47% of the total vote answered questions from the moderators and the community members who were gathered along with Kenny Curtzwiler, who won 17.87% of the vote in June.

It is apparent that both candidates care about the city and county residents who they want to represent in Placerville. What differs is their experience and focus.

When asked what their top three priorities would be as a County Supervisor would be, and why, Novasel and Curtzwiler had very different answers. Sue said her three were economic vitality, fire safety and public safety. "I would be involved to make sure we have doors open for businesses," she said. "The County should be there to help build them and help them grow."
She wants to see good facilities for the Sheriff and Mental Heath departments so they can function as well and getting the network of fire safety groups in the county together and on the same page to keep the citizens safe.

Kenny said his top three priorities all centered around community since "the community is what makes the community what is is." He believes that "people need to know what's going on where the Meyers Area Plan is concerned, because if they did they'd be happy."

Both candidates are involved in the local community, Curtwiler is active with Christmas Cheer and the Children's Memorial Tree along with July 5th clean up efforts. Novasel has served 12 years on the Lake Tahoe Unified School Board, is President of Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care's board and past President of the local Soroptomist club. They are both local business owners, Curtzwiler owns K & K Services and Novasel owns Tahoe Dream Events.

The question was posed to the candidates: What groups or organizations are you affiliated with and how would those interests be carried out at a county level?

Kenny answered that he belongs to several organizations and attends most local functions. He donates his time and business to what is needed.

Sue said that her school board experience giver her the unique experience to work with the county. "There is no 'I' on the board, its a 'we' and you need to work together." She also highlighted her time with LTWC and how their expansion will help the community by bringing in an estimated $40M into the area. "I'm going to take all of that experience to Placerville to make sure our community is taken care of through collaboration and teamwork."

"I think they're cheating us," said Curtzwiler in response to an audience question about the Tahoe basin being able to keep their fair share of revenues to operate Mental Health and the D.A.'s office. "It's always going to be a 4 to 1 vote in the county and we need our fair share."

Sue's response to the same question, "We want to make sure we get our fair share and fair vote,and I am that vote." She said she's been trying to find out what the percentage of county revenues stay in the basin but that figure hasn't been made available.

The issue of city and county contracts was brought up due to Curtzwiler's comment in the Mountain News that contracts where meant to be broken. He explained that he was talking about the lack of taxes on Heavenly's ticket sales. "We're not getting our fair share," he said as he explained that the contract made by a previous City Council which allowed Heavenly to not be taxed on tickets should be broken.

Sue explained that one has a moral obligation to stand by contracts. "If something needs to be changed then go about it legally."

A final question from the audience asked the candidates their opinion about the current Grand Jury report and subsequent County Charter review committee. Kenny said, "the Grand Jury is very dysfunctional and they have no teeth." Sue said there is a lot of room for improvement in the dysfunctional county. "The County in general needs to talk more with the community."

Each candidate wrapped up with closing statements. Novasel thanked everyone and said that she's been an elected official for 12 years and has the breadth and depth to do the job. "I understand the community needs," and she'll use consensus building and work with the other supervisors in Placerville to get what Tahoe needs. She didn't look at it as a one against 4 vote at the county level, she said she looks at it as working together with two others to get things passed at a 3-2 vote.

Curtzwiler said he is asking not for a business or agency vote, but for the public's vote. "I'm asking for your trust and vote of confidence," he said.Kenny said he'd have a booth out at Live at Lakeview to get people registered to vote.