Mike has owned his business and practiced law here in the South County for 31 years. Mike knows how difficult it  is to succeed in business and that over-regulation and government intrusion many times forces businesses to close causing more job losses and unemployment. Mike will be an advocate for business and will be a voice of reason on the Board of Supervisors. He will work on ideas that will make it easier to do business in this county rather than harder, so as to create an atmosphere that will be conducive to business and job creation growth.

Water is the lifeblood of any community. The primary water source for the South County is lopez lake and groundwater. Even with above average rainfall this year Lopez is less than 60% full. The underground water is barely holding its  own with salt water intrusion a real threat. The City of Arroyo Grande has put a building moratorium into effect ( more jobs lost) due to lack of water. We need to be proactive to solve these problems. A plan to build a desalination facility that can serve our needs for years to come should be a priority.

Mike, a long time project leader for Huasna Valley 4-H shown here working with his son Joseph and his heifer project “lu lu”. Mike and his family have been involved with 4-H and the Junior Livestock Auction Committee for the Santa Barbara County Fair for many years. Mike says 4-H has been a great youth development program for teaching our youth how to be responsible and respectful leaders, leaders for our future generations.

Mike is an advocate for keeping the beach open for off highway vehicles as well as equestrian use as seen here with his daughters Michelle and Deborah( not in picture) on horseback at the beach in Oceano. Mike’s family has used the beach for many years for bonfires and youth gatherings and will fight to keep the beach open in the years to come.

Agriculture is the #1 industry in our county. Mike,  a ranch owner, seen here with vegetable farm owner Gary Kobara is a strong advocate for farmers and ranchers. The extreme environmentalists are constantly attacking agriculture. The latest attacks at the county level have to do with new proposed grading requirements, and a proposed temporary ag events ordinance. The county is also in the process of changing the land use ordinance that will take more property rights away from our ag zoned property owners. The air and water quality control boards are proposing new requirements that could literally put farmer and ranchers out of business. This has to stop. Mike will work hard to bring common sense into the argument and to help protect the viability of the family farms and ranches.

The willow road extension may soon be a reality if federal monies become available as expected. This will connect willow rd. easterly on to the freeway, go under the freeway and if funding is available on to Thompson rd. This will help relieve some of the congestion at Tefft St. and 101, but the completion of the extension of N.Frontage on to at least the willow rd. interchange and then beyond to los berros rd. will bring the greatest relief. Adding some on ramps on S.Frontage at Southland as well as off ramp at S. Oakglen should also be considered.