Candidates for Butte County’s fourth supervisorial district seat met in a spirited but respectful debate last night.
The race, which will likely be decided during the March 3rd primary election, would replace Supervisor Steve Lambert on the board. Lambert is not seeking another term.
The contest pits county water commission vice-chair Tod Kimmelshue against political science lecturer Sue Hilderbrand for a seat including much of the county’s agricultural land, along with Gridley and a small slice of Chico.
Kimmelshue said he considers public safety government’s main responsibility and his top priority.
“I even talked to a lady in a small community, she says, ‘Tod, you know, I just don’t even feel safe in my own home,’ now, that’s a shame.” Kimmelshue said.
Hilderbrand concurred but said economic and mental health deserves consideration as part of public safety. She added that the county’s growing population of senior citizens would benefit from the county providing better wages to caregivers.
“The way that seniors stay independent in their homes requires that we have IHSS (In Home Support Services) workers getting paid, not only a living wage, but a wage that acknowledges the very difficult work that they do.” Hilderbrand said.
Kimmelshue said restoring commercial service to Chico airport could aid economic development, but wasn’t clear about what the county could or should do.
The two agreed on some points but disagreed on others. Kimmelshue said he opposes the Butte Regional Conservation Plan, saying it may impinge on the property rights of a future buyer if current owners join.
Hilderbrand voiced no reservations and noted that the county farm bureau has requested and received more than a dozen changes to the plan, yet still opposes it.
Kimmelshue said he favors pushing forward with a study potentially linking the Paradise Irrigation District’s reservoirs with California Water Service’s Chico Division, whereas Hilderbrand was less enthusiastic.
Hilderbrand said the county needs a new approach.
“Butte County needs to shift its focus from responding from crisis to crisis and become more proactive with a strategic plan.” Hilderbrand explained.
Asked about the future of Pacific Gas & Electric Company, both called for stricter regulation. Hilderbrand said she’d need more details before commenting on an effort to turn PG&E into a citizen-owned co-operative. Kimmelshue however opposed the idea philosophically.