Sutter Supervisor, 1st District: Wastewater center vs. finding efficiencies
Jeff Boone
AGE: 50.
OCCUPATION: Peach farmer, businessman.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Ran for board in 2008.
QUOTE: "To me, it goes back to the wastewater treatment plant. When all the building started taking place, we lost two major processors. We have to lure those processors back."
Ron Sullenger
AGE: 71.
OCCUPATION: Semi-retired peach farmer and businessman.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Making his first run for office.
QUOTE: "I hope to appeal to a level of common sense. There's frustration among the electorate. The times are tougher than they've ever been, and we have to find ways of doing more with less."
The two men vying to replace Larry Montna as the 1st District Sutter County supervisor don't disagree on the top issue: How to get the county's finances and budget on firmer ground.
Where Ron Sullenger and Jeff Boone do differ is their prescription for how to do so, along with what they feel will appeal to voters.
Boone said he is consistently asked about jobs, tax dollars and the county's future, and pegs his answer on one concept: A regional wastewater treatment facility for the county.
"The way to bring jobs is to make the sure the infrastructure is in place," Boone said, adding such a facility would lure agricultural processing companies and also help the county outpace clean water standards. "My idea is to get money into people's pockets."
Sullenger, who has farmed and owned small businesses, said his approach would be to more closely examine the county's spending and operations and find room for efficiency.
"Occasionally, opportunities come up when we can consolidate and save money," he said. "We must find a way to make suitable lemonade from a lemon economy."
The two men were the top vote getters in the June primary, out of a field of six who sought the seat, which came open when Montna chose not to run again.
Sullenger has received the endorsement of two other candidates from June, while Boone has the support of county employee bargaining units and several past and former city officials from Live Oak, which constitutes much of the district.
Both Boone and Sullenger said they're also committed to maintaining public safety, as well as expanding the potential for economic development in designated county corridors.
"I think jobs are the most important thing," said Boone, who like Sullenger, has farmed and worked in private business.
Neither man has served in an elected capacity before. But of the two, Boone said, he has the makeup to do a better job.
"At age 50, I have the energy, temperament and networking capability to make Sutter County succeed," he said.
For voters, Sullenger said, he believes the winning formula doesn't have to include political experience, but real-world knowledge and common sense.
"All I ever expect them to do is a fair evaluation of my experience and my opponent's experience, and in their evaluation, which one they believe has the best chance," he said. "To me, there are no sacred cows. That's what I'm trying to promote to people."
CONTACT Ben van der Meer at bvandermeer@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4786. Find him on Facebook at /ADbvandermeer or on Twitter at @ADbvandermeer.
