Sometimes the toughest choices voters face are for the public offices closest to home – the water, fire and community boards that shoulder important responsibilities with little fanfare.
As part of our commitment to a well-informed electorate, The San Diego Union-Tribune has posed questions to candidates for these offices, and has been publishing their responses in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 7 election.
Questionnaires were mailed in late August to every candidate. Not all chose to participate. We note the names of those we did not hear from.
When possible, we use the candidates' exact words, edited only for spelling, grammar and clarity. We trimmed statements only when candidates exceeded the space they were allowed.
For more coverage of the November election, go to signonsandiego.com.
Eight candidates are seeking seven seats on the Spring Valley Community Planning Group, an advisory body that makes recommendations to the county on land-use issues. Willis Conley, David Joseph Turgeon and Al Van Slyke did not return questionnaires. Here are the remaining five candidates:
Walter W. Lake
Retired Navy commander
Age: 76
Elective offices held: None
Community involvement: Appointed member, Spring Valley Community Planning Group, 1999-present; chairman, road and infrastructure subcommittee, Spring Valley Revitalization Program, 2005-present; 2nd district representative, Traffic Advisory Committee, county Department of Public Works, 2003-present.
College or post-high school training: U.S. Naval Academy, bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, 1953; U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, master's degree in electrical engineering, 1960.
Statement of candidacy: I would like to continue to serve the community of Spring Valley, and to use the knowledge and experience gained on the planning group over the past seven years.
What qualifications, attributes or perspectives would you bring to this elected position that your opponent(s) would not?
Being chairman of the transportation subcommittee of the planning group and a member of the county Traffic Advisory Committee gives a valuable insight into traffic safety issues throughout San Diego County.
What are the three most important issues in this race? What would you do to address each one?
Development: Conserving and protecting the remaining open space in Spring Valley and elsewhere in the county. This same issue addresses the provision of parks and trails throughout the county. The planning group is very active on this issue.
Housing: Providing affordable and livable housing in Spring Valley. An important issue involves controlling condominium conversions, which often eliminate affordable rentals.
Roads: Enhancing the safety of our roads and sidewalks by improving these facilities, particularly in the vicinity of schools and parks. Much of this effort involves obtaining funding through various government grants to effect needed improvements.
Lora Lowes
Substitute teacher, retired fire inspector
Age: No response
Offices: None
Involvement: Appointed member, Spring Valley Community Planning Group, 1992-present. I worked for a short time with Spring Valley Youth and Family Services Coalition.
Education: Oxnard College, associate's degree in fire technology, 1987; SDSU, bachelor's degree in liberal studies, 1997; SDSU, course work toward a master's degree in curriculum and education with a focus in science.
Statement: Since 1992, I have fought to stop inappropriate development within our community while encouraging businesses that provide jobs suitable to our community.
Qualifications: Resident since 1985. Have extensive knowledge of code requirements and plan checking. I know and understand zoning requirements. This job requires the willingness to work hard for no pay and little appreciation.
Issues: The county: Preventing the county from any more downgrading of the community with inappropriate uses, like the crematorium proposed for Olive Drive. The county is extremely oriented to businesses, disregarding people in the community. We need more community pressure on the Board of Supervisors.
Involvement: Getting more citizen involvement in the issues of the community. Develop more outreach and communication with citizens and encourage their involvement with us and the county.
Taxes: The county needs to pay more attention to our needs. Spring Valley pays more in property taxes than any unincorporated community in the county. We need the services that those taxes should provide.
Daniel Skiles
Health advocate
Age: 60
Offices: None
Involvement: Appointed member (2004-present) and chairman (December 2005-present), Spring Valley Community Planning Group; member, Spring Valley Citizens Association, 2002-present; member, Spring Valley Youth and Family Coalition, 2002-present; worked with public officials to advance policies to protect public health and safety.
Education: California State University Northridge, master's degree in clinical psychology, 1991.
Statement: I am a candidate for the Spring Valley Planning Group and Design Review Board.
Qualifications: As a member of the planning group for two years, serving as its chair for the past year, I have the experience necessary to carry out the duties of this office.
Issues: Code violations, traffic congestion and preservation of open space are issues that planning group members deal with on a regular basis. They are also among the issues that East County residents care about most.
Decisions that planning group members make can have a significant impact on these issues. By carefully considering land use and design review of community developments, they work to ensure the quality of life in the region.
They also can use their influence with public officials to advocate for the concerns of local residents. Current members of the group have a strong track record in this regard.
Fred M. (Mike) Stewart
Electrical engineer
Age: 43
Offices: None
Involvement: Appointed member, Spring Valley Community Planning Group, 2005-present; coach, Special Olympics, 2004-present; member, Murdock Elementary School PTA, 2003-present; member, oversight board for Proposition M school bond for the La Mesa/Spring Valley School District, 2003-present.
Education: University of Arkansas, bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, 1987; George Washington University, master's degree in engineering management, 1992.
Statement: I'm currently appointed to the planning group. I became involved because of concerns about some of the businesses and other projects proposed for Spring Valley.
Qualifications: As a resident of Spring Valley, I'm concerned about quality of life in the community. We need to balance the changes in the community. The residents need to manage that change.
Issues: Quality of life: Homes and businesses need to be good neighbors.
Promote open spaces and parks.
Safety: To support emergency services, the county needs a general plan for all antennas (cell phones, broadcast, fire/police/ambulance and others). That includes location, purpose and owner.
Marilyn Huntamer Wilkinson
Insurance agent
Age: 56
Offices: None
Involvement: Appointed member, Spring Valley Community Planning Group,two terms; chairwoman, county Parks Advisory Committee, 2001-present; vice chairwoman (2005-present) and chairwoman (1993-2005), Spring Valley Parks Advisory Committee.
Education: Course work, Grossmont College, 1968-71.
Statement: My biggest concerns in the county are preserving open space and trails and making sure that there are enough dedicated parks for the communities.
Qualifications: I've been an appointed advisory board officer for county parks since 1990.
Issues: No response
