Third District County Supervisor

Paul Pitino
U.S. Army Veteran, former Labor Union Leader, former school teacher
Current Arcata City Council Member

The Eureka Reporter sent a questionnaire
 to the candidates for County Supervisor.

Here are my responses.

1) How long have you been a resident of Humboldt County?  Where did you live prior to coming here?

I have lived in Humboldt County since 1993.  I  first was a renter, in several different homes, and then finally buying my home in 2000.  Prior to living here, I lived in Los Angeles four years studying for my Bilingual Teaching credential at CSULA and working as a Substitute Teacher.  From 1979 to 1989 I lived in Ukiah and Redwood Valley, in Mendocino County.  I lived in Sacramento for two years, and before that most of my life in the Los Angeles area. 

2) Where do you currently reside in the Third District ?

I live in Arcata on H Street, South of Samoa, what we call the "SOSA" district.  I have lived there for 11 years.

3) What is your current occupation?  What other types of jobs have you had?

I am a self-employed landscaper and Councilman on the Arcata City Council.  My term on the Arcata City Council ends November 2008.  From 1993 to 2000 I taught Junior High Spanish at Pacific Union School.  I was a  Millwright from 1979-1989 at Masonite Corp. in Ukiah, where I also served as Business Agent for Teamsters Local 624.   After graduating from CSULA in 1972 as an engineer I worked at various positions in the field of engineering, with a focus on Control Systems for very tall or large building projects.  I spent three years in the U.S. Army right after high school and before attending CSULA and Los Angeles City College.    

4) What is your background in public service?  

My entrance into public service was on the City of Ukiah Solar Access committee while living there.  I served on the City of Arcata Transportation Safety Committee from 1997 until 2004, when ran for public office and  was elected to the Arcata City Council.  I also have served on the Humboldt Transit Authority since 2004 and I am liaison to the City of Arcata Sister City Committee.  Currently I serve on the Humboldt County Association of Governments as part of the Policy Advisory Committee.   

5) What would you cite as your greatest accomplishments in Humboldt County and/or within your district?  

The first is being one of the core group of people that opposed  the Janes Creek West Development -- a massive, poorly-planned attempt to place over 900 homes in the Arcata Bottom area.

Second would be serving on the City of Arcata Transportation Committee for eight years and helping to bring to the City our Roundabouts, Speed Tables, Bike Lane Improvements and other traffic calming devices.

Third is getting elected to the Arcata City Council with a strictly no money grassroots campaign, and serving for the past term.

6) What do you feel are the biggest issues in your district and what will you do to address them if elected?  

I think poverty is one of the biggest issue in our county, in all districts.    

Starting with houseless individuals, we need to figure out how to provide safe shelter,  food, and sanitary facilities for a much larger group than is handled now.  Each community has resident houseless, that have chosen to live there in any way they can.  I propose we move away from the traditional ways of providing for this and look at low-cost, temporary solutions that can grow or shrink as our economic times change.

Another way of economic assistance to those who need it most is an enhanced  transit system serving more of the county, operating on all days of the week.  Included in this should be later night service during the week and on Saturdays.  I would look for funding partners for these services, partners whose employees also would use the services.

7) What would you like to see changed or improved at the county level?  

I think that County roads can be improved for the use of bikes, pedestrians, and motorized transit.  As an example: Old Arcata Road/Myrtle Avenue needs to be finished and we should look at Roundabouts at Freshwater, Indianola, and Jacoby Creek Road as part of the upgrades.

We need safe ways to bike from town to town in this County for Health, Economy, and the Environment.

A universal bus pass for employees similar to the Jack Pass at HSU would also be a good step to enhance morale, offer financial incentive, and get cars off the road.

8) What are your thoughts on the General Plan update?  

My first thought on the General Plan Update is get it done!  I think that the sooner the plan is adopted the quicker we can get the County moving ahead.  On an environmental basis, I really feel that Sketch Plan A is the best; however in certain areas I prefer the zoning of Sketch Plan B.  So I guess an adjusted Sketch Plan A would suit me.   We have a lot of comment and review time before adoption, and I will be zeroing in on the concerns I have during the process ahead.

9) What is the best way for residents to contact you or find out more information about your candidacy?

I can easily be reached at my home phone, 707-822-2556 or by e-mail at paulpitino@hotmail.com 

Both my home number and my e-mail address are right there on my website, at
 www.paulpitino.com

My mailing address is P.O. Box 4160, Arcata, CA 95518-4160.

Educate and let the voters decide!

Vote June 3rd for
Third District County Supervisor
Paul Pitino
Current Arcata City Council Member