FOR D5 SUPERVISOR
Deep Roots, Dedicated Leadership
Issues
FIRE PREVENTION & PREPAREDNESS
I have so much respect for the work already being done across Amador County—from our local fire agency (AFPD), to CAL FIRE, the Amador Fire Safe Council, and our many Firewise communities.
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If elected, I’ll fight to bring more state funding and resources back to our county to build on that work, especially as it relates to helping our residents who need support creating defensible space.
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I also want to strengthen our working relationship with CAL FIRE, taking advantage of funding available through California Climate Investments to get more off-season prevention work done in Amador County, which is our best chance to reduce risk before the fire season starts.
PUBLIC SAFETY
The safety and well-being of our residents—and those who serve them in local and county law enforcement—is a top priority for me, and it should be for anyone serving as your Supervisor.
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Data shows that crime in Amador County is primarily driven by property crime and drug-related offenses, not violent crime, which means Amador County remains a safe place to live—and that is worth protecting.
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Public safety extends well beyond the county Sheriff’s Department; it also encompasses the operation of the jail, the District Attorney’s Office, the courts, and probation. Together, these represent a significant portion of every California county’s budget, and Amador is no exception. That is why it is essential that your representative maintains strong working relationships with these agencies—and with the Sheriff, District Attorney, and judges you have elected—built on mutual accountability and respect.
ROADS
During the 2009 financial crisis, road funding was reduced, Public Works and Transportation Department staff was furloughed, and Brian Oneto and the Board of Supervisors simultaneously approved an increase in their own salaries. (Ordinance No. 1686). Years of underfunding, missed opportunities for state and grant funding, lack of long-term planning and reactive repairs instead of prevention have led to a dire situation for our roads.
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Today, Amador County is responsible for maintaining more than 400 miles of roads, and nearly 40% are considered failing. At the pace we’re going, it could take more than 16 years to repair the roads already in bad shape, and by then a whole new group of roads will likely be failing too. That’s not a real plan.
We need to stop waiting until roads completely fall apart before fixing them. Preventative maintenance is cheaper, smarter, and better for taxpayers in the long run.
As County Supervisor, I’ll work to:
• Bring back the County Grant Writer position
• Fight for every state and federal infrastructure dollar available
• Support economic growth that helps fund long-term road repairs
• Focus on fixing roads before they fail
• Bring a construction industry mindset to county government
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Our roads affect everyone. Whether it’s getting to work, school, medical appointments, or home safely, this is basic infrastructure we should be able to count on. You can learn more about how we got here by reviewing the Civil Grand Jury Report linked below. Fixing our roads is not optional—it’s essential.
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AI DATA CENTER
In response to the concerns of many in our District about the proposed Data Center in Buena Vista, My opponent’s family owns the property being “leased” for both the biomass plant and the planned data center in Amador County. According to the California Secretary of State’s website, the Oneto Group LLC consists of Ben Oneto (Brian’s son, serving as CFO) and Rux Oneto (Brian’s brother, serving as CEO). Despite these clear connections, Brian has repeatedly downplayed his knowledge of the data center during both debates this election cycle.
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Although no permits have been pulled for the project at this point, information about the data center is widely available, with press releases and updates issued by its primary investor. Ironically, much of what we know about the project has come from Brian’s brother Rux, who has posted numerous comments defending the proposed data center on our campaign’s social media account.
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Given these circumstances, Brian will almost certainly be required to recuse himself due to a conflict of interest. Still Amador County residents should demand full transparency regarding this data center project and ask how it aligns with Brian’s 20-year campaign promise to “Keep Amador, Amador.”
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The residents of District 5 deserve a meaningful voice on issues this important to our county’s future. I share many of your concerns about how similar data centers have affected rural communities nationwide, and the potential impact it could have here. Ultimately, your supervisor represents you and should be counted on to vote in your interest.
BUDGETS & FUNDING
Amador County is currently facing a budget deficit of upwards of $4 million. Closing this gap in a way that protects public safety and creates a path to rebuilding our roads requires a real world understanding of budgets.
As your Supervisor I will work to shape a balanced budget, prioritizing community safety and our roads. Importantly I will focus on targeted economic development as a long-term solution. That means supporting business-friendly policies and putting our existing partnerships to better use with the Central Sierra Economic Development District, the Chamber of Commerce, tourism councils, recreation partners, and local stakeholders like the Amador wine industry to support and grow businesses, create jobs, and generate the sales tax revenue our county needs to move forward.
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Slogans like “Keep Amador, Amador” are great, but they need to be more than a slogan. We need a plan to balance our budget and preserve our community.
DISTRICT 5 ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Did you know that District 5 represents voters in the outlying areas of Ione, Plymouth, Fiddletown, River Pines, Amador City, Sutter Creek, Volcano, and Pine Grove? The size and scope of this district mean that residents across District 5 face notably different issues depending on where they live.
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Upcountry residents are rightfully focused on fire, fire insurance, fire prevention, and public safety. At lower elevations, concerns tend to center on land use, casino impacts, agricultural issues, and roads. Representing these different areas is one area where I believe our current Supervisor has fallen short. The lack of communication and representation across our district is something I hear about every day on the campaign trail.
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If elected, I will establish a District 5 Advisory Committee and hold quarterly meetings with constituents to report on items before the Board of Supervisors and to ensure I understand and represent you on the issues that matter most to your community.
TERM LIMITS
I’m sure we can all agree that career politicians are not a good idea at the federal level, the state level, or the county level. If elected, I would work to establish term limits for our County Board of Supervisors because being elected isn’t meant to be a career. Let’s make way for the next generation, new energy, and a renewed commitment to finding solutions for our county’s challenges.
PRESERVING AMADOR COUNTY
As a third-generation native of Amador County, I share with so many of you a deep love for what makes our community special—our open spaces, charming downtowns, and rich history. Preserving these cherished parts of our way of life is incredibly important to me.
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At the same time, our community faces increasing state mandates, regulations, and financial obligations, often handed down without consideration for our local capacity to meet them. These realities require us to find a balanced path forward—one that meets those obligations while protecting the character of the place we call home.
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I also believe we have real opportunities to strengthen Amador County in ways that support a better, more sustainable quality of life for our residents without losing what makes this community unique.
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I have spent my entire adult life serving on committees and boards, raising funds, and working hard to make meaningful improvements in our schools and community—from playgrounds and community gardens to historic preservation, honoring our veterans, and helping bring our cherished County Fair to life each year, showcasing what matters most to this community.
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I am seeking the role of County Supervisor to build on that work and continue doing what I believe is vital: preserving our home and its way of life for future generations.