Ten candidates, including three incumbents, are vying for eight seats on the Valley Center planning group.
Issues in the election include the quality of planning; high-density development in the semirural community, retaining Valley Center's character, designing a fair community plan, and the proposed Road 3-A and a 3,000-unit development that had been associated with it.
The candidates:
Dave Anderson is a citrus grower. He did not respond to a questionnaire and declined to be interviewed.
Brian Bachman, 39, is a telecommunications project manager.
“I think my professional career lends itself to serving on the planning group,” Bachman said. “I have five children, and we'll be living here a long time. It's important to be involved. My volunteer work includes community service projects through the local Catholic church.”
Hans Britsch, 41, is a cactus farmer who has owned property in Valley Center since 1992. He moved there a year ago from Temecula.
“I got to know planning group members when a 3,000-home development was proposed to go in front of my home, off West Lilac Road,” Britsch said. “I'd like to give back to the community. I would represent the west side of Valley Center.”
Paul Herigstad, 56, is a licensed general contractor and an appointed incumbent. Herigstad said he has been a home construction manager in Southern California for 35 years. He moved to Valley Center with his wife 11 years ago so his children and grandchildren could have a rural lifestyle.
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Valley Center Community Planning Group
Panel: 15 elected members
Purpose: Advisory group to the county on planning and land-use issues
Election: 10 candidates seeking eight seats
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“A lot of problems revolve around growth,” he said. “Poorly planned high density, cookie-cutter product, lack of infrastructure and failing infrastructure have taught us what we don't want. When a good project comes along, government slows it down and (deters) economic growth. We need to expedite the process before more business is lost to other states and countries.”
Deborah Hofler, 39, is a veterinarian and an incumbent elected four years ago. She is secretary to the planning group and is active in the community with her children's sports and a nonprofit group called P.A.W.S., or Pets Are Wonderful Support.
“Valley Center is at a crucial point in its development. We need people who are willing to work hard to make sure that it grows into a town of which we can all be proud,” Hofler said. “I would like the chance to continue helping as I have for the past four years.”
Christine Lewis, 63, is a community volunteer. She said she was a member of the task force that recently removed a 3,000-home development from the general plan update board referral map, and has been secretary of Permanent Road District No. 63 for nine years. She is a retired high school teacher who has done public relations, marketing and special events for Escondido Chamber of Commerce.
“This is a crucial time for Valley Center,” Lewis said. “We must choose projects wisely to retain our country character. I will preserve as much agricultural land as possible and ensure that residents have expanded services and facilities.”
Ann Quinley, 65, is a professor of political science of California State University San Marcos and appointed incumbent. She is on the general plan update committee and is chairwoman of a second planning group committee.
“I'm running because this is an important time in the history of Valley Center, with the pressures to grow,” Quinley said. “Development has to be controlled so we get beautiful things.”
Rich Rudolph, 66, is a retired municipal attorney for Carlsbad who was a member of the planning group from 2001 to 2004.
“We need to actively participate in the update of the general plan for our community,” Rudolph said. “We are the target for development in San Diego County, and need to do everything we can to create the plan most protective of our country living. . . . I want to be re-elected to provide newer members with continuity with the work done in 2001 to 2004.”
Oliver Smith, 54, is an electrical engineer, an appointed incumbent and chairman of the planning group. He served on the Valley Center Fire Protection District board of directors for two years.
“I fought to get the 3,000-home specific plan amendment on Road 3-A in west Valley Center off the general plan update board referral map,” he said. “I ask for your vote to serve on the Valley Center Planning Group.”
Paul Smith, 55, is a building consultant and a journeyman plumber who said he has worked as a certified building inspector for the county and the cities of San Marcos and Carlsbad. He is also special-projects building inspector with the city of Escondido and has a consulting business.
“I am running for the planning group because the design and management of a fair growth plan is a top priority,” he said. “We need to establish and maintain a better relationship with the Department of Planning and Land Use and the Board of Supervisors.”
Julie Pendray is a freelance writer who lives in Escondido.
