ABSTRACT: Compiled from articles in The Carmel Pine Cone, the views of the candidates for City Council, namely Jason Burnett, Paula Hazdovac (incumbent) and Gerard Rose (incumbent), on significant issues, including CITY HALL, CARMEL FIRE DEPARTMENT & AMBULANCE, COMMERCIAL DISTRICT/BUSINESSES & ECONOMY and URBANIZED FOREST, are presented.
Candidates for City Council: Jason Burnett, Paula Hazdovac (incumbent) and Gerard Rose (incumbent)
CITY HALL:
Jason Burnett: Advocates a City Hall with “great employee morale” which would diminish the probability of city employees resorting to litigation. And for government “transparency” and “inclusive decision-making” at City Hall.
Gerard Rose: Characterized the contention that City Hall lacks transparency “as a red herring.”
CARMEL FIRE DEPARTMENT & AMBULANCE:
Jason Burnett: Advocates the complete and open evaluation of all options, including regional Peninsula-wide consortium, contract with the City of Monterey/other agency or a stand-alone department, prior to making a decision as to which option is best for Carmel.
Paula Hazdovac: Cites “public safety” as her “No. 1 priority;” stated that the City contracting with the City of Monterey for chief and administrative services is “efficient and cost effective” and “the firefighters seem happy.” She is satisfied with contracting with Monterey but advocated having City Administrator Rich Guillen “thoroughly research the issue and then bring recommendations and information to the council for consideration.”
Gerard Rose: As member of the Carmel Regional Fire Ambulance (CRFA) Board, Rose wants to see through its transition to city ownership which is anticipated to be within 6 months because he thinks he’s “uniquely placed to shepherd it through the next year, which I think will be a real challenge.” And “fire is something that’s going to have to be addressed sometime in the next 18 months, and I don’t think there’s anybody who’s more knowledgeable about the ins and outs of that than I am.”
COMMERCIAL DISTRICT/BUSINESSES & ECONOMY:
Jason Burnett: Advocates a “unified marketing effort” for tourist promotion with taxpayer monies allocated to the Chamber of Commerce.
Paula Hazdovac: Believes the elimination of employees in favor of outside contractors for cost saving purposes has been “vindicated” with the city on “solid financial footing, with healthy reserves.” She disputes allegations that the City and the Chamber of Commerce have a “strained relationship.” A supporter of paid parking, she stated that “officials need to reconsider that option.”
Gerard Rose: Advocates spending some of $10 million in reserve funds for infrastructure, such as law-enforcement communications systems, pot holes and the purchase of a beach cleaner like the Barber Surf Rake. And regarding infrastructure, “now is the time to invest in road improvements, retrofit the Forest Theater and figure out what to do with the long-closed Scout House.”
URBANIZED FOREST:
Jason Burnett: Advocates the aggressive planting of trees to restore the traditional forest canopy.
Paula Hazdovac: Satisfied with two part-time forestry workers for planting and watering new trees throughout the City.
Gerard Rose: Advocates hiring more people to plant and care for trees.
SOURCES:
McCloud, Hazdovac, Rose seek new terms as Burnett challenges, MARY BROWNFIELD, The Carmel Pine Cone, December 18, 2009
Burnett endorsed by three former mayors, MARY BROWNFIELD, The Carmel Pine Cone, January 15, 2010
Hazdovac touts experience, fiscal conservatism, MARY BROWNFIELD, The Carmel Pine Cone, February 5, 2010
Rose seeks third term, touts know-how, initiative, MARY BROWNFIELD, The Carmel Pine Cone, February 19, 2010
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