Meet the Candidate: Tom Davis promises to continue to be fair, open and listen to the concerns of all

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Each of the nine candidates for City Council answered the same ten questions that were given to them by South Tahoe Now. For nine consecutive days the candidate's responses will be shared in the order received.

Today, the current Mayor Pro Tem Tom Davis gives his responses as he seeks re-election to the South Lake Tahoe City Council:

1. With recent changes in Senior Management at the City, is there anything you would have done differently, knowing what you know now? Please explain. Yes, I would’ve have made this a more open process.

I stand behind the comments I made at a prior City Council meeting and in the Tahoe Daily Tribune. I thought the process was flawed and we were mislead.

2. Do you feel there is some mistrust in local government? Why do you feel this way? Does this need to be changed and how do you suggest that change is made? I think they’re always will be missed trust in a local government. The press is the most powerful force in open and honest government reporting. Local government needs to be as transparent as possible in everything we do. That’s why I encourage everyone to watch your city Council meetings that are broadcast daily on channel 21 . I encourage everyone to watch these meetings and the interaction between the city council , staff and the public. The city Council agendas are available online at the city‘s website. The more the public is engaged they will have an better understanding of the process and issues.

3. Many people say there is money hidden in the City budget that can be spent on roads. What is your budget experience and where will you find money for roads? If there’s money hidden in the budget I have not found it. I have been a big advocate for our roads and constantly look for funding sources in our budget and grants and SB 1 funds.

The budget process is a highly competitive process from each city department police and fire account for over half of our city budget and always has been and will be a high priority for me.

We need to continue to look for a dedicated consistent source of funding for our roads. The way we have done in the past just does not work we need about 2.5 to $3 million a year to completely repair our city streets over the next 10 to 20 years. We has a city Council and city will continue to be looking for ways to finance the major repairs of our deteriorating city streets, this has been and will be my top priority.

I would welcome any citizen to look in our budget and see if they can find $2.5 to $3 million dollars.

4. Do you think you must trust your fellow councilmembers? If yes, what will you do to keep trust levels in tact? If no, please explain why.
Yes, we must trust our fellow city council members. There should be no hidden agendas or backroom deals. I’ve always been independent and do not align myself In a voting bloc.

The voters expect us to be independent and fairly evaluate all issues that may come before us , the most important aspect that I have learned over the years as a city Council member it’s listening.

Council -members have been elected by the public and respect should be given by each councilmember to each other, sometimes it is hard to do when some contentious issues come before the council.

But on my years of serving on your Council I’ve always tried to be open-minded fair and ask myself it’s just best for our community not an easy task at times.

5. Tell us why you should be elected. Over the years I’ve said and done what I promised our citizens, to be fair and open and listen to the concerns of all. Focus on economic and redevelopment issues. Workforce and affordable housing, road (potholes) repairs, police and fire as my priority’s and snow removal as a priority.

Recreation will continue to be a focus of my efforts and the City's also.

6. What qualifications do you have to win a seat on City Council? I’ve been on the city Council for the past eight years. Mayor four times and Mayor Pro Tem five times. I love our city and I’ve been proud to be part of its success.

I’ve been twice the president of the Chamber of Commerce.
Past president of the Kiwanis Club.
Past member and chairperson of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.
Former board member of the California Tahoe conservancy.
Past president and currently board member of the El Dorado County Fair Association
Currently chairman of Christmas Cheer All Year
Former member and chairperson at the South Lake Tahoe redevelopment agency.
Current member of the South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association.
Past president of the South Lake Tahoe Lions Club.
Past board member of the greater San Diego County YMCA camps.
Past Chairman and member of the Airport Commission.

7. If elected, what would you like to see in the City over the next four years? I would like to see a solution to our funding for our roads.

Affordable and workforce housing.
Our recreation center complex built.
More special events in our community.
Pedestrian lighting on Highway 50.

8. Does the City need an economic and/or housing development department? Why? We have allocated a position for the coming year of a housing coordinator. The council has made it clear that this position needs to be productive and show results not just another place holder. We will watch their performance closely. Done right this position can be extremely valuable to our community.

9. What should be done with VHRs? If they stay, do you support a cap and occupancy cap? Do you think VHRs fit residential zoning? Should some rules of VHRs go to full-time residents too, including bear box and no parking on dirt requirements. I have always supported a cap and occupancy limits on vacation rentals. I think we need to let our enforcement policy’s work.

And as we seen in the past few months the number of complaints and citations has gone significantly down telling me our enforcement policies are working.

I do not think the VHR rules should applied to full-time residences. I do think however we need to take a hard look at Bear boxes in our community. As a bear population has grown, this is going to be a growing problem. The council needs more dialogue with our community regarding Bear boxes

If done right, I do think VHR’s can coexist in our community.

I do not think banning parking on Dirt should be required for our local residents there is not enough parking now on pavement, if you drive through our community you will see most of our community parks in the unpaid dirt area.
I am very concerned that measure T is not the answer for our community.
This community has always taken pride and found consensus on many issues. This has not been done in this case and that is unfortunate.

10. Do you favor a strong mayor city? Why? I have mixed feelings on a strong mayor city , however I’m not opposed to taking a hard look at it and see what the pros and cons are.

I’ve always felt if you have a strong mayor elected for four years and that mayor is Incompetent, doesn’t listen to the other council members, staff or our community, we are stuck with that person for four years. Not sure what the extra cost would be for a strong mayor.

For a look at the previous candidate replies:

Wendy David - http://southtahoenow.com/story/09/29/2018/meet-candidate-wendy-david-seeks-second-term-south-lake-ta...

Patrick Jarrett - http://southtahoenow.com/story/09/30/2018/meet-candidate-patrick-jarrett-would-see-south-lake-tahoe-...

Austin Sass - http://southtahoenow.com/story/10/01/2018/meet-candidate-austin-sass-says-experience-key-serving-com...

Devin Middlebrook - http://southtahoenow.com/story/10/02/2018/meet-candidate-devin-middlebrook-says-transparency-and-tru...

Bruce Grego - http://southtahoenow.com/story/10/03/2018/meet-candidate-bruce-grego-bring-fairness-and-honesty-council

Tamara Wallace - http://southtahoenow.com/story/10/04/2018/meet-candidate-tamara-wallace-wants-city-concentrate-basic...

On Saturday, look for replies from Hal Cole.