My Platform: Property Rights, Accountability, Jobs

By Dean Haddock

1. Public Safety
2. Health Care and Human Services
3. Good Paying Jobs

1: Public Safety 2: Health Care and Human Services 3: Good Paying Jobs

Supervisor Chairman Barbara Patrick noted in January 2006 in her `State of the County' address that "Kern County is a special place that continues to attract newcomers from northern and southern California, and indeed from all over the world. Newcomers are drawn to our affordable housing; warm, friendly neighborhoods; and community spirit. But, as more people find out about us, the Kern County we know and love will be growing and changing." She noted that "keeping the unique spirit of Kern County alive as we deal with unprecedented growth will be our greatest future challenge."

I was born at Kern General Hospital and I have been proud to call Kern County home all of my life. And, I agree this is still a place where we know and help our neighbors, where we pitch in together to get things done, and where truly unique achievements are possible. I too am excited by the opportunities for progress and change, but as we grow I also hope we can preserve the sense of community that makes Kern County special. We must keep the best of our past as we plan for our future.

After a nine month strategic planning study the current Board of Supervisors identified the expressed primary wants and needs of Kern County citizens. They identified seven areas:

1. Keeping our communities safe,

2. making Kern County a prosperous place to live,

3. while supporting a healthy environment,

4. and a responsible, efficient government,

5. helping those in need,

6. providing recreation and culture, and

7. ensuring adequate infrastructure.

I agree with their conclusions but also think that a top Kern County priority must be deciding how Kern Medical Center will cope with massive changes in the way the federal government pays states and counties for mandated medical care. In the short-term, Kern Medical Center's financial picture is expected to improve. But it is just a short-term reprieve from a long-term sea of red ink to come.

In the early 1970's, I worked on a team to develop Kern County's Emergency Mental Health Services. This program won two National Association of Counties annual awards for its innovative cost effective approach to Emergency Mental Health Services and was recognized nationally by the American Psychiatric Association for the same reasons.

Since that time I have been involved in numerous innovative programs both public and private that makes me a unique candidate to help in this medical emergency. Kern Medical Center is a serious County problem. I was born there, have worked there in the past, am on Courtesy Medical Staff there, serve there as a Certification Review Hearing officer on Fridays, and I understand their unique medical and administrative problems.

I particularly understand our County's Health and Human Services which is a large part of the County's responsibility and budget. The people of Kern County need to know that there is a lot of tax money being spent for these services; 31% of the County's budget is Public Assistance like Veterans Services, Aging and Adult Services, In Home Support Services and the like and 15% of the County's budget is Health and Sanitation which includes Public Health Services, Mental Health, and Hospital Care.

- Mental Health $82 million

- Substance Abuse $16 million

- Public Health Services $23 million

- Hospital Care $37 million

- California Children's Services $7 million

In the 3rd District I sponsored and coached baseball teams at North of the River for 10 years or more even helping to build the baseball diamonds our children play on. I also learned to play baseball there in Little League in the 1950's. My uncle `Babe' Haddock was big on baseball North of the River even giving me my first baseball glove.

I went to Beardsley and Standard Schools. I was also a Boy Scout in Troop 5 (Oildale Troop). My children grew up and went to school at Norris Elementary, North High, Centennial High, and Liberty High School. We have attended church in the District and I have spoke at or taught classes in many of the places of worship in this District.

As a Reserve Deputy I have worked many of the streets of the District and County. There is a significant drug problem in our District and I understand law enforcement and rehabilitation better than any one running or on the Board. The out of control illegal drug business and activity that follows are personal to me as even my own mother was forced to move from her nice home in Oildale last year where she lived with her widowed friends for years because the drugs and thugs moved into and took over her neighborhood.

We need active law enforcement and more Police and Deputies on the street keeping our families safe. But, I also believe in the unqualified right of our law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms without the intrusive hand of government to protect themselves from these threats.

The William Thomas International Airport is in the 3rd District and is our port to the world and will be extremely significant to the future of Kern County. The infrastructure will have to be developed to interface with the world in a responsible manner that will also insure that our families of the future will benefit from this resource.

In the current best selling book, The World Is Flat, the author makes a point about the airline Jet Blue and its innovative approach to the airline industry. They utilize mothers at home to schedule tickets and flights which is very cost effective while also providing jobs that allow the mothers that want to the ability to stay home and raise their children. What about seeking Jet Blue's business here?

Our residents need good paying jobs so they can provide for their families. Responsible planned growth is the answer, not no growth. I grew up with very little as the oldest of eight children in Oildale and I am the living example of what an education can do for the residents of our District. This is also why I so strongly support the Assistance League, Operation School Bell, Bakersfield Rescue Mission, and Bakersfield West Rotary charities that help under privileged children. Bakersfield College is in the 3rd District and I also attended BC and CSUB, as well as, several other schools in the District.

New schools are being built and planned in our District and will need to coordinate with the County in terms of the required infrastructure of home development, roads, recreation, and shopping.

As a businessman I believe in the free enterprise system as the best hope for men and women to fulfill their economic hopes and dreams. We know that the free market is the most efficient and the least costly system to deliver the highest quality goods and services at the lowest price to the consumer. Free enterprise is also effective in the delivery of many services provided by government agencies.

Family is important to me. Community Counseling and Psychological Service' slogan is `Helping Families Become Families Once Again.' Our families need safe neighborhoods and good paying jobs that only happens when our economy is sound.

I support Property Rights, Agriculture, and Business because this is our American and Central Valley Heritage. These are the industries that do and will provide jobs for our children and grandchildren.

I am recognized professionally as a Psychologist statewide having recently served as the Chair of the Clinical Division of the California Psychological Association and am currently nominated as Secretary of their State Board of Directors. Locally, I have recruited and trained a number of mental health practioners to our community.

I understand the County bureaucracy also as a Builder and business owner. I am currently serving on the Bakersfield West Rotary Board as Vocational Service Director. I know what it is like to work hard, get sweaty and dirty, and feel good about what was accomplished that day because of this hard work. I have the working scars to prove it.

I know it is getting more difficult for builders and contractors to make ends meet, especially when they are taxed layer upon layer. Eventually these taxes are passed on driving up the cost of affordable housing we have enjoyed here for so long. We have to do something about this and soon.

I consider myself a `citizen statesman' as I have no political obligations except to the residents of Kern County. I do not aspire to become a professional politician and plan to return to my established businesses in the future. I understand how business works and government should work just as effectively. Kern County needs a different perspective on how to run the County.

I have worked with the government for a long time. Now I think I can help government change. I know the people of Bakersfield and Kern County. I have helped and listened to them professionally for years. I know what they want and need and that is why I have decided to run for Kern County Supervisor.

Dean Haddock