Feb. 11, 2000 - Dist. 3 candidates air views on casino, Project 184, Hwy 50

By MEGAN MARSHACK, Staff writer

The Indian casino, Highway 50 through Placerville and hydroelectric Project 184 were among the issues discussed Wednesday by two candidates for the District 3 seat on the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors.

Carl Borelli and Kathi Lishman who sit side by side at Placerville City Council meetings, sat together again Wednesday night, but this time to debate who would make a better successor to outgoing District 3 Supervisor Mark Nielsen.

``You've got a copy of the instructions?'' asked Bob McGee, the moderator of the debate sponsored by the El Dorado County League of Women Voters.

``No biting, no scratching,'' Lishman quipped.

Borelli, a businessman, won the coin toss to open the debate with a three- to five-minute statement.

He talked about his 40-year history in the county, 24 involved with politics.

``The city of Placerville and El Dorado County have been very good to me,'' Borelli told the 15 attendees.

He said one of his big goals as a member of the Board of Supervisors was to unite people, not divide them.

``I'll meet anyone anyplace anytime,'' Borelli said.

He also talked about forming citizen advisory groups for various parts of the district, which includes El Dorado, Diamond Springs, Placerville, Smith Flat, and the Shingle Springs Rancheria.

He said he wanted to get the General Plan going ``as soon as possible.''

Another goal was to start a legislative liaison between the county and the state capitol.

``That's where the money is,'' Borelli noted.

He also talked about expanding the ``Jobs for Teens'' program that he founded, hooking up high school students with local businesses that are hiring.

And he advocated a ``business-friendly'' environment for the county.

``I want to see managed growth, MANAGED growth,'' he emphasized.

What was not debatable was both candidates' longtime devotion to El Dorado County.

Stylistically, it was interesting to observe that Borelli's emphasis was on talking with people to gain insight into problems and solutions, while Lishman said she wanted to listen.

In her opening statement Lishman spoke of the need for ``responsible representation at this critical time for the county.''

She said she has carefully studied what issues are confronting residents during her 12 years on the City Council.

``I don't have all the answers, but I love to find out information,'' she said.

``I have been consistent in what I stood for,'' she said.

Lishman, an elementary school teacher, said she feels well prepared to join the Board of Supervisors.

``The public wants good planning, they do not want gridlock,'' Lishman said.

She said the public has the right to expertise in spending their tax dollars.

``The public have to say what their priorities are for the limited tax dollars spent. That's important to me,'' she said.

Lishman, the former chairman of the county's Transportation Commission, who continues as a regular member, also talked of seizing the opportunity to obtain discretionary funds for road maintenance.

And she reiterated her opposition to the Board of Supervisors granting pay increases to county department heads, along with ``longevity'' raises for employees with out-of-county service.

In rebuttal, Borelli said he felt the county government should be run like a business.

``I wouldn't want to micromanage,'' he said, ``But I would watch it (money) carefully.''

The first question from the audience was for comment by both candidates on the proposed Indian gaming casino in Shingle Springs.

Borelli said he's met with several parties interested in the issue and felt two groups may go to court over building the casino.

``I'd rather not state my preference,'' he said, ``I'll wait for the votes (on Proposition 1A) to come in.''

Lishman said she was concerned about gaming in general in California but added, ``Casinos on Indian land is one thing. Casinos on land Indians have purchased is another,'' she said.

The candidates were asked how they would solve the traffic congestion on Highway 50 caused by the traffic lights at Spring, Canal, and Bedford.

``I'm for the drive-over,'' Borelli said, while expressing his concern for noise pollution.

Lishman said there were no good solutions at the present time.

``If Caltrans has to take out the curves, it's unclear to me how much of the town has to come out,'' she said.

Regarding the El Dorado Irrigation District's Project 184, bringing hydroelectric power and water for residents and businesses; Lishman said that's something EID has determined. Borelli said he supported the project.

Another question was what the candidates thought was the greatest power of the Board of Supervisors.

Borelli responded, ``Policymaking. It's the governing body.''

Lishman said, ``The power to empower the public. The public has the right to have an opinion on how their tax dollars are spent and being involved with the General Plan process.''

In conclusion Borelli, who also served three terms as mayor of Placerville, said his actions speak louder than his words.

``I will work with the county, I will work with the people. I want to be a real problem solver,'' he said.

Lishman read from her candidate's statement talking about prioritizing spending and her dismay at the inefficient use and waste of tax dollars.

She proudly said she sponsored and helped write Measure Y, the traffic controlled measure, which was approved by 61 percent of the voters.

She criticized what she called the ``insider group'' controlling the county checkbook.

``I believe we are long overdue for a change,'' she ended.

Yesterday, the current District 3 Supervisor, Mark Nielsen, said neither Lishman nor Borelli had asked for his endorsement for the non-partisan seat.

``I have received no request for an endorsement by either candidate. I had not planned to make an endorsement,'' Nielsen told the Mountain Democrat.