Hastey ends speculation; seeks appointment

Brent Hastey, business owner and former Yuba County supervisor, is the latest to apply for the vacant seat on the Yuba County Board of Supervisors in District 1.

The seat, which represents the community of Linda, was vacated when Dan Logue was elected to the state Assembly. He will be sworn in today.

Hastey, 49, represented the community of Olivehurst in District 3 from 1993 through 2001. Supervisor Mary Jane Griego was voted in to replace him in 2001. Griego was elected for a third term in June.

Hastey said his previous experience on the board could be beneficial in this economic crisis. He said the county was going through a similar revenue shortfall 10 years ago.

Despite an economic crisis, Hastey said, public safety services such as fire and police, need to continue to be funded at high levels. Public safety is one of Hastey's priorities.

"As frustrating as it is, revenues are going down, not up," he said. "But we can't let up on public safety. We'd have to find other areas to cut."

Hastey joins John Black, Katy Ertmer, Andy Vasquez and former Supervisor Joan Saunders as applicants.

The vacancy is filled by appointment by the governor, and can take up to six months. Applications are accepted until an appointment is made.

Though he most recently resided in Arboga, Hastey said he and his wife are purchasing a home in the Edgewater community.

"When gas went to $4 a gallon, it started to make sense to live closer to town," he said.

Hastey, who was born in Linda, said serving the community is a lifetime commitment.

Hastey is currently a member of the Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) board and was recently elected to the Yuba Community College District board to represent Yuba County. He said he would resign the post if appointed.

Hastey has also served as a member of the Reclamation District 784.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Andrea Koskey at 749-4709 or akoskey@appealdemocrat.com