Former supervisor challenging incumbent

Two men, both with plenty of experience, are vying Tehama County District 5 supervisor's seat.

Voters in that district will decide Tuesday who will represent them: incumbent Ron Warner or former Supervisor Burt Bundy.

Warner, 73, of Tehama, has served in the position since January 2005.

Bundy, 70, of Los Molinos, served as supervisor from 1981-93.

Retired from the Coast Guard and as a firefighter, Warner has lived in the area for 23 years, while Bundy, a farmer who owned a business for 16 years, has been here for 65 years.

Both men said they like working with people, which is one of the reasons they are running for office.

Here are the answers to a series of questions asked of both candidates:

What do you believe are the top three issues Tehama County is facing today?

Warner — "Number one for me is A.B. 109, which is sending people to the county who should be in state prisons, and we are having to find a way to house them as well as pay for them.

"Number two would be jobs, jobs, and more jobs. Trying to get businesses to move to Tehama County and create jobs is extremely difficult in this economy and that is what is hampering our job situation. That and state regulations which are ruining the job market throughout the state.

"My third issue would be water and trying to keep our water here in the North state. We have several groups trying to protect our water rights that the county has got to work with to protect water and agriculture in this county."

Bundy — "The economy would be my first issue. We have got to be prudent on how we operate the county during the tough economy. As the state continues to place unfunded mandates on us, such as AB 109, the county has to remain frugal in how it deals with what the state is dealing us.

"Jobs would be my number two concern. I really look at jobs as economic development. Our economy will grow as bring in jobs for our local residents.

"My third chose would be agriculture. It is so very important to Tehama County, and we need to recognize that fact and make workable solutions that fit for the county and the farmer."

What is your reason for seeking office?

Bundy — "When I was supervisor before I found it to be very interesting. Now that I have somewhat retired I decided it was a good time to come back and make a difference. I like to work with people. I have a lot of good experience and input in running the county."

Warner — "I have numerous project under way in the 5th District right now that I want to see completed, such as the roadway improvement project on Highway 99E in Los Molinos which is a $74 million project now in its second phase. There is also the Safe Routes to Schools project which has funding for Los Molinos Elementary School and I am working on funding for the high school. The third project is in Vina, which is a safety project to place more stop signs and crosswalks in the community. And of course I will continue to fight to keep the Los Molinos Library open."

What is your vision of Tehama County in the future?

Warner — "I still see it as a leader in agriculture with controlled development, but of course that all depends on the economy."

Bundy — "Most people are here, according to poll, because of the rural way of life, and I want to keep it that way. We still need to grow, no doubt about it, but that isn't the end all. What is important is that we continue to provide the rural lifestyle that is the reason people want to come here."�