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EDITOR:
As the El Dorado Hills fire chief, Brian Veerkamp has extensive experience working with the Planning Department, the public and elected officials. Add his experience on the Camino School Board and his leadership role as president of the School Board and community involvement; he has the experience needed to help the citizens of District 3 to find solutions to their problems.
Brian Veerkamp’s involvement in the community (including Kiwanis), both on the job and off the job, helps him understand the issues and frustrations the public has dealing with government to grow and build our community and make El Dorado County a better place to live. Brian’s family has been a member of this community for generations, giving him a historical prospective into what makes the community tick and understands what solutions work.
Contrary to public perception the Board of Supervisors only has discretion over less than 10 percent of the County budget, with over 90 percent originating from federal and state sources with multiple strings attached. Brian understands this process and its limitations. District 3 needs a representative that knows how government functions, the planning process, the General Plan, zoning ordinances, how they impact our roads, communities, agriculture and our “Quality of Life.” Brian Veerkamp has the experience to start representing us on day one, not spend his first year in training and learning the office.
BILL SNODGRASS
Retired El Dorado County Agricultural Commissioner
Camino
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
leeSeptember 13, 2012 - 7:23 am
But Richard Barb equals common sense.
WatchingSeptember 13, 2012 - 10:54 am
Mr. Snodgrass, I do not think it would take even a minute to figure out the job of the "Good ole Boy's" routine at the BOS.I feel we need fresh start with a non "GOB" for anything positive to happen in our county BOS. Barb has my vote and will hit the ground running , and hope others see this man as fit to help us not line his pockets with more money,favors and power. $250k per year pention from CALPERS? WOW !
voterSeptember 13, 2012 - 1:03 pm
Watching, help us know what to look out for by identifying the key markers you use to identify a 'GOB".
Sam MillerSeptember 14, 2012 - 12:58 pm
Watching, I would hardly say Brian is a part of the "Good Ole Boys." Being active in the community in the form of School Board among other things should not denote this type of attitude. By that logic, anyone who runs for office more than two or three times is a GOB, with the implication they don't have the communities best interests in mind. He has experience in local politics; that’s a good thing. He also isn't taking a salary for this position because of the aforementioned pension. If you have ever met the guy, you would know that he is a straight forward leader, with common sense, and the right ideas for the County. Also, why would you knock a guy for getting a pension that pays him well for his years of service? All that stuff is negotiated and approved by the County, funded by CALPERS. If you're going to try to cut him down, do it based on substantive issues, not straw man arguments.
Brian/Barb as seen by IndpendentsSeptember 14, 2012 - 7:55 pm
Mr. Snodgrass, give us a break, you know like the rest of us that the good ole taxpayers boys network is guiding young Brian as well as Richard Barb as they did Ray Nutting, Jack, John and somewhat Briggs. Barb can be up and running with out much effort, hes an experienced businessman and doing what you’re directed to do in return for their support and guidance doesn’t take much training. The question is; Why does your group have two candidates running? Is your party that fragmented, must make it tough on the elections Office.
voterSeptember 14, 2012 - 8:19 pm
B/B asb Indeps: Pls. explain how the elections office is affected.
EldoradoSeptember 14, 2012 - 8:41 pm
Bureaucrats cover losses by raising taxes. Businesspeople cover losses by reducing costs. Veerkamp is a bureaucrat, Barb is a businessman.
Phillip VeerkampSeptember 14, 2012 - 9:00 pm
Bureaucrats sit on their a$$e$ at desks and grow fat. Brian Veerkamp is a 54 year old winner of the Studebaker wheel barrow race at the county fair beating men half his age. I can’t say that qualifies Brian for the BOS, but it certainly argues against the “bureaucrat” theory.
Brain and Barb as seen by an IndependentSeptember 14, 2012 - 9:29 pm
Phil, go soak your head, you’ve done more damage to Brains efforts than Richard Barb has. Your comment about the Wheel Barrow race why’ll commendable has nothing to do with how the system works or how Brian or Barb will adapt to seating as a member of the BOS or how they will handle the special interest lobbyist when there’s a different of opinion. At that point its a matter of honor, not what big brother wants or needs and not what the lobbyist want, its what’s good a right for the people of El Dorado County and that’s a tough path to follow. The question then is; are these guys up to it?
Sam MillerSeptember 14, 2012 - 10:03 pm
Brian/Barb as seen by Independents, do you understand how the elections process in California works? I'm not going to explain it, that might take too much time, and that’s why two Republicans are running. This election is for county supervisor, not governor or president; having two folks from the same party makes it an election where you get to choose the lesser of two good candidates, not the lesser of two evils you may be used to. I would ask that you take the time to both go to both candidates websites, look at what they say, and then go TALK to them. Both candidates are good men, and are seen throughout the district regularly. They both have the community's best interests in mind. You'd know that if you talked with them. As for Brian being a bureaucrat; follow above suggestions. You'd realize he's not a bureaucrat but a servant of the people. He cares for this county, and wants it to run on common sense. He also understands the need to reduce costs of operating. If you spent five minutes talking to him, you'd see that. Finally, "Indpendents" is spelled "Independents."
Phillip VeerkampSeptember 14, 2012 - 10:35 pm
Brain and Barb as seen by an Independent - I place more faith in the intelligence of EDC voters than you. But if family enthusiasm proves to be a net negative then I will be proved wrong. We shall see.
Brain/BarbSeptember 15, 2012 - 9:31 am
Sam, thank you for the spelling and K-6th grade civics lesson, and thank you for not explaining it further. I did take your advice and reviewed each candidate’s web site, Ive known both candidates for many years and agree both good men. I've been a moderate Republican my whole adult life, at one time I even worked for John McCain and in years past Mr McCloskey, but I have differed with the Republican philosophy on several issues. One of those issues, women's rights Ive watched with interest for years. I feel no one, government or anyone else has the right to tell a woman what she can do with her body and was relieved when Roe vs. Wade became the law and unlikely to be overturned. I think the election between Brian and Barb may be a good example of how this one issue among many has divided the Republican Party causing it to have an identity crisis. Mr Barb is having ice-cream socials and similar events which I understand is code for no abortions for rape or incest, or possible death to the mother. I would guess he is on the right of the tea party agenda and his endorsements seem to confirm this. Brian on the other hand with his strong Christian faith, well Brain is the hope of keeping the old boy system gang of three votes alive in El Dorado County which is obvious by his endorsements. I would guess Brian is willing to follow the law of the land and the near majority of his party on the issue of women's rights. The new Republican Party not only has divide its self across American on this and other issues, but seems to have divided itself right here in El Dorado County. Maybe this is why your party has two candidates, its clear to me the Grand Old Party that my old Irish cop father loved for a lifetime is no more
Barb BrainSeptember 15, 2012 - 10:14 am
Brain / Barb: Does your spelling indicate a subconscious preference? (PLEASE don't get mad. This is just the Comments Section!!! You don't really believe voters check here before deciding how to cast their ballots.)
Brian/BarbSeptember 15, 2012 - 12:43 pm
No preference, just morsels subconsciously dropped for those who linger be on the perimeter in the dark waiting at their keyboards waiting to direct comments elsewhere. Any comment about the candidates or the identity crisis within the Republican Party.....