Supervisor candidates Jerry Lenthall, left, and Adam Hill appear at a Tribune-sponsored forum Wednesday.
In the race for 3rd District SLO County supervisor, incumbent Jerry Lenthall and challenger Adam Hill have shown admirable strengths during what has been a well-fought and, to their credit, a mostly cordial campaign so far.
Voters in the 3rd District are fortunate—they have a choice between two capable individuals eager to serve who are both passionate and thoughtful about the key issues.
Based on his experience and knowledge of the workings of county government, we believe voters in the 3rd District should re-elect Jerry Lenthall to a second term.
This was not an easy choice because, on the surface, Hill expresses several views that we share, notably on work-force housing and smart-growth principles. And we think he’s absolutely correct to focus on the need to solve water shortages and other infrastructure problems that have to be addressed if we’re ever going to develop the type of higher-density, more affordable housing we desperately need.
But Hill’s lack of experience in the public arena concerns us. Hill has not held elected office, and although he has served capably on the board of the Food Bank and worked with other nonprofit organizations, he has not served in areas that would give him greater insight into the workings of county government, such as serving on a planning commission or other governmental advisory body.
We had some of those same misgivings about Lenthall’s lack of political experience when he ran for office four years ago. That’s partly why we ultimately endorsed his opponent, Patty Andreen.
However, we believe Lenthall has learned a great deal and has grown on the job. We’ve been especially impressed with his grasp of budget issues, and his willingness to make the tough choices that are going to be absolutely necessary to survive this economic downturn.
For example, he voted against an overly generous pension for county correctional officers — a decision he says cost him the endorsement of the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association.
And during our interviews with the six candidates running for a seat on the Board of Supervisors, he showed the most willingness to at least consider some increase in county taxes or fees to offset the county’s current budget constraints.
As distasteful as a tax increase may be, if the economy worsens it may prove necessary. We think it’s pragmatic — and even courageous — to recognize that the county might need to consider some sort of increase.
That said, it’s no secret that we haven’t seen eye-to-eye with Lenthall on some of his decisions, particularly in the area of land-use planning.
We criticized him for failing to enact meaningful viewshed protection measures for the North Coast, for instance, and for opposing a World Heritage Site designation for Carrizo Plain National Plain.
And we felt a couple of his efforts to reach a consensus — either by forming a committee or continuing an item for more discussion — misfired and not only failed to produce meaningful results, but also alienated people rather than uniting them.
Some of those mistakes occurred because Lenthall sincerely wanted to do the right thing and bring various factions together to work out a compromise.
That’s admirable—but it isn’t always possible, and we hope that Lenthall has learned that lesson.
On the other hand, we have been encouraged by Lenthall’s willingness to change course.
A couple of examples:
• When he formed a citizens committee to discuss options for Ernie Dalidio’s property, Lenthall initially refused to hold open meetings or even divulge the names of the members. But after objections were raised, Lenthall opened the meetings to the press and scheduled an open-mike session to hear from the general public.
• A former police sergeant, Lenthall was initially reluctant to support the county’s needle exchange program. But after seeing it work, he offered a public apology to the health director: “The culture I came from saw the death and destruction from needles,” he said then. “You walked the walk. I owe you a public apology.” It takes strength of character and fundamental honesty to admit a mistake and change direction—traits that Lenthall will need in the months ahead, when the Board of Supervisors takes up controversial issues such as the budget, inclusionary housing and smart growth.
We believe Lenthall’s experience and character make him a good choice for the Voters in the 3rd District. We urge voters to reelect Jerry Lenthall.
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