May 31, 2018 - My wife and I plan to vote for Heather Bernikoff for Supervisor. Like us, she comes from working class roots and has worked her whole life for what she has. I think self-made people are hard workers, and that is what we need. She is approachable and responsive, two important characteristics in an elected official. Her values are rural values: small town, people helping people, each person responsible to one another. Those are the values I want when decisions are being made with my tax dollars.
I also want someone who will fight for the safety and health of Mariposa citizens. Heather has already proven she will do this. When she was on the Planning Commission and the issue of Conditional Use Permitting (CUP) came up in relation to large mines, she voted in favor of adding this local control in order to protect our health and safety. Like she said at the debate last month, we all need mined materials. She balanced this need with other businesses, like ag operations, and with human safety. Heather will work hard to balance the interests of everyone. Heather is fair. She will put the needs of the people of Mariposa County above self interests, always thinking things through, studying options, and above all, acting morally and ethically.
The Planning Commission position is a political post. Heather was appointed by former Supervisor Janet Bibby and re-appointed by Marshall Long. I think Marshall's removal of Heather from the Planning Commission after her vote in favor of CUP was the wrong thing to do. (Sure, all the Supervisors voted on it, because it is protocol, but it was Marshall's decision for his political post.) We needed someone with Heather's knowledge and with her integrity on the Planning Commission back then and even more so, we need her on the Board of Supervisors now.
Heather's commitment to this community and rural communities in general is unfailing. I loved reading the letter from Heather’s boss, Cassandra Malry, talking about Heather ensuring that rural California got their share of charitable funds. Fair is great, but Heather is tough too. I like that she doesn’t always take “No” for an answer. I want someone who is informed, asks important questions, and continues solving the problem to get to “Yes.”
I want Heather on my side. Heather has our back. Please join my wife and I in voting for Bernikoff for Supervisor on June 5 or on your mail-in ballot.
Josh Evans
Catheys Valley, CA.
Cassandra Malry's letter referenced above:
