My Priorities for the McKinleyville Community Services District

By Jeff Dunk

I have been an active citizen in McKinleyville for the past 13 years. My experience provides me with an understanding of our town's issues and practical ways of dealing with them. My priorities are: 1) enhancing basic sewer and water services; 2) providing recreational opportunities for the whole community; 3) improving police services; 4) more actively representing McKinleyville with the county; and 5) maintaining a focus on McKinleyville's short- and long-term prosperity.

Throughout this time I have been an active participant in our community, and this involvement has given me insights and experience that I believe have prepared me to be an effective MCSD board member. When the County was updating the McKinleyville Community Plan, I served as secretary for the Community Advisory Committee and attended literally scores of public meetings as part of that process. Over the years, I've also participated in more than 75 MCSD and county meetings, and thus know many of our town's issues quite thoroughly. Since 1997, I have served as a director (and currently President) of the McKinleyville Land Trust, and am on advisory boards and committees of several other organizations (including the McKinleyville Unified School District's Integrated Pest Management Committee), so I am also familiar with the responsibilities and commitment required of a board of directors. I know how to get things done; I am proud that as a McKinleyville Land Trust director, I helped acquire "Mad River Bluffs" + 74-acres of open-space west of Hiller Park that we now manage for public use. The MCSD board has important fiscal responsibilities, and although I am not a businessperson, I do have experience with such matters; at this point in my career as a research scientist, I am responsible for a budget of more than $250,000 per year, including hiring and supervising employees. My scientific background should be useful in critically analyzing matters coming before the board. Throughout my years of participation in our town's issues, my track record in approaching controversial issues has been to be forthright about my own concerns but also respectful of the variety of perspectives that are held by other citizens. I will bring the same style to the MCSD board.

The MCSD board has tremendous influence over our quality of life. The collective vision or lack of vision of this board has ramifications for us all. We need to ensure that our water and sewer services are well maintained and on schedule for upgrades. I also believe strongly that we need to fortify our recreational programs and library offerings. These programs are essential to maintain our quality of life. We need to provide a variety of recreational opportunities for our entire community, from ball fields to open space. If elected, I will be dedicated to: 1) enhancing basic sewer and water services; 2) providing recreational opportunities for the whole community; 3) improving police services; 4) more actively representing McKinleyville with the county; and 5) maintaining a focus on McKinleyville's short- and long-term prosperity.

The MCSD can provide more services than it currently does, including planning and police services. New services, however, cannot be provided for free. Therefore, I wish to engage McKinleyville's citizens to determine what services you want and what you are willing to pay for. For example, I have spoken to Sheriff Philp to get an idea of the cost of additional deputies. It appears that with a self-assessment of $1.10/month per household, we could pay for one additional full time deputy Sheriff. If elected I will call for a series of focused public meetings to listen to your views on these and other topics.

I will also work to have the MCSD board recognized by the County as a Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) for McKinleyville. A MAC is a committee that would hold meetings to listen to citizens' concerns, then represent these concerns to the county. A MAC would have the ear of the County Supervisors for issues important to McKinleyville.

If elected, I will evaluate all issues that come before the MCSD board by asking "how will this influence our community in both the short term and the long term?" I am for open, transparent, democratic, and participatory governance, with decisions made in the full light of the public eye.

I would be honored to serve our community on the MCSD board, and I would greatly appreciate your vote on November 8th. Thank you.