More Fireworks Ahead

The support of so many of our upcountry neighbors has been one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives here in Amador County. I am grateful for the friendship and kindness showed to me and my family over the last nine months of campaigning, which will far outweigh any election loss.

This was the closest and most interesting district election that anyone can remember, and we should all congratulate the two candidates that will move on to November. The final primary count showed Lynn Morgan (665) beating Ted Novelli (657) by 8 votes, and my 32% (603) turning out to be 54 votes short. In hindsight, it would have been easy enough for me to cozy up to at least one special interest group to have garnered 54 votes, but that was not the purpose of my campaign. The narrative was about representing one constituency: the residents of District 3, and offering them a stronger and truly independent voice on the Board of Supervisors. There are 603 upcountry individuals who took part in communicating this specific message and each one should take pride in having found the courage to vote freely, and not be pressured by outside interests.

Together, we were successful in shedding light on many upcountry issues such as fire hydrant repair, safer drinking water, lowering permit fees, transportation to medical services, updating the General Plan, and why a Dollar General does not fit in Buckhorn. Plus, we now have potential district resources in the further development of my new volunteer-based Pride & Beautification Committee and UpcountryInfo.com website.

As a footnote, I have always been supportive of the County leaders and their interests, but do not believe that they should continue their well-known history of unduly influencing district elections. When are voters going to get tired of those who do not live or vote in a district having so much influence over who gets to serve their local community? Many upcountry residents are beginning to question the appearance of having individuals and organizations going before the Board of Supervisors to have motions made and service contracts approved, while providing direct political support for these same elected officials. Residents are also concerned about the propriety of having fellow Supervisors making direct contributions to another Supervisor’s campaign. Many of us are questioning why these and other organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, Aces Waste Service, Volcano Telephone Company, Sheriff’s Department, Veterans’ Post, commercial real estate developers, and fireworks manufacturers are unable to remain politically neutral and find it necessary to extensively stump for incumbent Supervisors?

As much as I respect each of our County Supervisors and all of these organizations and community leaders, their influence clearly impacted this election. Furthermore, their outside involvement will continue to affect even a small number of votes that might be needed for any future candidate to overcome an incumbent Supervisor, which may be why an incumbent Supervisor has not been beaten in an election in Amador County in over 35 years!

Now the election is framed between Lynn Morgan and Ted Novelli, both of whom are allied with polar-opposite special interests. If you thought the primary was exciting, there are more fireworks ahead with Lynn Morgan’s campaign consultant Steve Wilinski’s political action committee, the Foothill Conservancy, and the Rate-Payers Alliance now having to battle against Ted Novelli and the Jackson establishment...

As a result, it will be difficult for me to endorse either candidate in this November election. I can only hope that the residents of District 3 will somehow benefit from the outcome.

As always,

Mike Spence