Tuolumne, CA — On Wednesday evening, the two candidates for District Three Tuolumne County Supervisor met for a forum held at the Tuolumne Library, put on by the League of Women Voters of the Mother Lode.
Incumbent Anaiah Kirk and challenger Tim McCaffrey gave statements and answered a variety of questions. Many of the answers focused on fire protection and the recent 3-2 vote of the board to amend the CAL Fire contract (closing Station 56) due to budget constraints.
McCaffrey stated, “It is the number one priority on my list that we have fire protection. We all just saw how Station 56 was closed. That was a tragedy in my mind. I just would not let that happen. I would find every way that I could to make sure that it was open.”
Kirk highlighted how the board has boosted fire funding over his time in office. He said, “Tim likes to bring up Station 56, but what he won’t tell you is that we doubled the fire budget. Doubled. And it is not with grant money, it is with money in perpetuity. What he also won’t tell you is that a lot of the fires start along roads, which is why we need to do more road funding.”
Kirk was interrupted by the moderator during that particular response and during his closing comments, because it was seen as a violation of one of the forum rules, “no personal attacks.”
Kirk also talked about one of his initiatives, priority-based budgeting, and pulling areas like fire and law enforcement out of the General Fund, providing their funding first, and then addressing other needs of the organization after.
McCaffrey spoke in favor of the concept of using contingency funds to keep Station 56 open, and there were counterpoints made by both sides about whether that would have been a viable solution.
Kirk said contingency funds are an “immediate stopgap if there is an emergency.” He cited using contingencies during the TCU September Lightning Complex Fire in Chinese Camp. There are also other emergencies that come up and need to be covered.
Kirk stated that there are three board members making structural changes in government, and “doing the hard work.”
McCaffrey said that he has been knocking on doors in the district, and there isn’t a person who is not afraid of a fire burning their house down. He also highlighted a citizens’ initiative looking into other funding options.
The culture of the county and the departure of department heads were also addressed.
Kirk praised recent changes and said, “There was a culture in the past where people got away with things,” and the board has been making “tough decisions” to “clean up the culture.”
“It has been a lot of hard work, but we are getting there,” added Kirk.
McCaffrey said he has been talking with department heads and other employees at the county, including some who have recently left. He argued that people are not leaving just because of money, but a “culture of fear.” He promised to communicate with employees to learn more about their jobs and the challenges faced, to improve the culture.
Both had positive things to say about Camp Justice, the county-sanctioned homeless camp.
McCaffrey stated, “Camp Justice is an amazing example of what success is, in working with our government and directly with the homeless in our community. The first thing that we have to remember is that those people who are unhoused need a safe place to go, and they need to be treated with dignity.”
Kirk praised how the project has evolved, and that accountability measures have been put in place. He said, “Camp Justice has come a long way…I don’t see it going away. It gives our law enforcement the tools to bring them there, and our county services can actually now provide services, and get them into housing.”
Asked about their Vision for District 3, Kirk highlighted public safety. He talked about growing up in Tuolumne County and being able to roam around safely. He said, “We still have a safe community, but it is not the same world.” He praised the local School Resource Officers, and “getting ahead of the culture” to let students know that deputies are there to help. Adding, “I want my kids to live in an environment where they can ride bikes and be safe,” and not have to worry about a meth user down the road giving them trouble. He also spoke about his opposition to cannabis cultivation (the reason he got into politics eight years ago) and the related issues it could bring.
McCaffrey said he wants to see a “District 3 that is thriving.” He talked about the need for a year-round economy, how some businesses have come and gone in Twain Harte over the years, and his desire to see more businesses move into empty storefronts there and in places like Tuolumne. He sees groups like the chamber of commerce and others celebrating and helping local businesses, and working together to thrive, so that is an amazing place to both visit and live.
McCaffrey talked a lot about tourism as an economic initiative where he would like to see more growth, and Kirk agreed, and also highlighted a desire to grow the timber and natural resources economy.
After earlier being cut off for referencing McCaffery by name during his answers, during closing comments, Kirk was interrupted twice more by the moderator. The first time for claiming that there were possibly thousands of dollars unaccounted for in “someone’s campaign,” and he has given them a week to fix it” before filing a complaint with the state. He was also stopped after referencing songs that the other “candidate” has written. Some notable heckling from opponents and chuckles from supporters could be heard right afterward.
The two will also meet up today for a debate (April 30 at 6 pm) at the Tuolumne Veterans Memorial Hall, put on by the Tuolumne Park and Recreation District.
Tonight (April 30), there is also a District Two Supervisor Forum put on by the League of Women Voters of the Mother Lode at 6 pm in the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors meeting room in downtown Sonora. The candidates for that race are incumbent Ryan Campbell and challengers Mark Brooks, Steve Green, Juli Healy, Diego Martinez and Rayanne Temayo.
Wednesday’s forum with Kirk and McCaffrey, which spanned about an hour, and was aired by Access Tuolumne (and can be found here).
