Greetings!,   

I don't usually spend time talking about the opponents of our endorsed candidates, but I have to make an exception here. That's because we strongly endorse Democrat Dave Potter for 5th District Monterey County Supervisor, and I've been hearing distortions about the record of Dave's opponent, Republican Marc Del Piero.

Second, some argue since the Supervisor position is nonpartisan, the fact that Marc Del Piero is a Republican shouldn't matter. But it does matter -- to the Republican Party. Mr. Del Piero has been a top activist and leader with the local Republican central committee, which has long had the goal of putting as many Republicans as it can in local elected offices. For example, see this Monterey County Weekly article: "The GOP Candidate Machine." Anyone thinking of supporting Marc Del Piero should know they would be helping the local Republican party achieve its long-term strategy.

Remember, this is the same party that enthusiastically stands with the Tea Party; that helped organize all those angry, misinformed people you saw at local health care reform town halls; and that was fined $25,000 last year by the state Fair Political Practices Commission for, among other things, failing to report more than half a million dollars in late contributions and for making excessive contributions to candidates for state office. Surely, helping them succeed is not in the interest of Democrats.

None of this is to cast any aspersions on Marc Del Piero's character. He has every right to his views on water, development or which party to stand with. I just want to make sure you understand that, based on his record, those views are in stark contrast to our views as Democrats. And the record, not promises, is what we have to go on.

Dave Potter's record, meanwhile, is one we can support.

 

Dave has always been a consistent voice in support of responsible land and water use policies. A few of many examples:

• Dave was the only supervisor to publicly support Measure A, the Community's Plan for Monterey County. Many of its attributes were included in the final version of the General Plan.
• Dave has helped foster the partnership between the county and the Big Sur Land Trust on the Carmel River Parkway project.
• Dave worked with Congressman Farr to secure President Obama's designation of Fort Ord as a National Monument. 

Reasons like these are why local environmentalists like Keith Vandevere have said that Dave "has simply the best environmental record of anyone in the race."

 

Dave also has a solid record in other areas we care about. One accomplishment that stands out for me is the turn-around of the Natividad Medical Center -- considered doomed just a few years ago and now operating with a healthy surplus. Dave was the chair of the board of trustees that oversaw the turn-around. There are many other examples to point to, covering jobs, infrastructure improvements, public safety, sound fiscal management, seniors housing and more. Take a look at davepotterforsupervisor.com/accomplishments.

 

That record is why Dave is endorsed by Congressman Sam Farr, Assembly candidate Mark Stone, Carmel Mayor Jason Burnett, the Central Labor Council, Planned Parenthood, and so many others.

I know that many of us are frustrated with the problems the County has had in coming up with a sustainable water solution, and I know that frustration is used by some to justify a vote against the incumbent and for the challenger. To me, it would make no sense to "solve" our water problem by voting against a highly capable, accomplished Democrat with a record like Dave's, in favor of a Republican with a record like Mr. Del Piero's.

I hope you'll join me in protecting the environment, and the other priorities we share, and vote for Dave Potter for Supervisor in the June 5 election.