Meadow Vista's Houston challenges Kranz
County's District 5 now has two-candidate race for supervisor
Meadow Vista resident Bob Houston announced his candidacy Tuesday for the Placer County Board of Supervisors seat currently held by Bruce Kranz. Houston, 71, describes himself as a relative novice when it comes to Placer County politics but has more than three decades of experience in lobbying at the state level – first with Kaiser Industries’ government affairs unit and for the past 28 years as owner of Sacramento-based government affairs firm Corporate Advocates. Houston said he’ll work full time at no pay if elected. “I’m at a time in my life that will allow me to dedicate myself full time to the people of Placer County,†Houston said. “After five decades of business experience, I will bring civility, maturity and dedication to the Board of Supervisors.†Houston said he would not accept the $30,000 salary supervisors now earn annually. “I don’t need to this for a job or the glory,†he said. “I need to do this for the people of Placer County.†Houston and his wife, Arlene, have been residents of Meadow Vista for more than 30 years and recently marked their 50th anniversary. A Republican, Houston said he’s not running as part of “any political machine.†“I will be an independent and experienced voice for the people of Placer County,†he said. Kranz, who is completing his first term as supervisor for the sprawling eastern portion of the county, said that he expected a challenge in his bid for re-election. Kranz said that he’ll be emphasizing his work helping small businesses, protecting private property rights, fire prevention and public safety. “I think I’ve built up a good track record over the past three-and-a-half,†Kranz said. Supervisor Robert Weygandt, who represents the Lincoln area on the board, said that while Kranz endorsed his opponent two years ago, he’s chosen not to weigh in on the 5th District race. “He’s a colleague,†Weygandt said. “Obviously, we have differences but in my view, it’s not constructive to endorse against a colleague.†Weygandt added that even in his own district, it’s good to have a challenge for the incumbent because it forces elected officials to establish positions on issues. Houston should bring some positive attributes representative of his district and its values to the election, he added. The Journal’s Gus Thomson can be reached at gust@goldcountrymedia.com, or post a comment at auburnjournal.com.
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Let’s see? Kranz lives a stone’s throw from Houston, is closer to Meadow Vista in proximity; each share a Colfax zip code for residences but Houston resides in Meadow Vista and Kranz resides in Weimar/Colfax. Thanks to the USPO for Post Office Boxes. Kranz, you need to get a PO Box in every town/zip code you represent, so you can be a resident of “allâ€. Nice way to start out a campaign Mr. Houston. I am off to Foresthill to get myself a PO Box. A candidate from Foresthill has more significant issues than Meadow Vista anyway, and is perhaps more elect-able. My desire to support any one from Meadow Vista for Supervisor is minimal. I question that the motive for running is Asphalt related and not necessarily driven by a desire to represent all the issues of District 5; otherwise, why associate yourself with Meadow Vista when you are actually a Weimar/Colfax resident? Not real straight forward in your announcement.
Seems to me that were Mr. Houston trying to sneak onto the board because his only concern was the asphalt plant, that he might have been a bit more "stealth" about it. His openness makes your vitrole (definition: something highly caustic or severe in effect, as criticism) seem personal, premature and out of line.
Unless or until Mr. Houston shows he is unworthy of it, I say he deserves an open mind as a candidate.
Maureen, your comment is well received. I will keep an open mind. Now Mr. Houston can proceed with unfolding his platform and give Mr. Kranz a competitive campaign. I am not committed to either candidate and welcome qualified choices. I put the pot on the fire, you stirred it, let’s see if others will add to the recipe. Use this post as an opportunity to teach me who Mr. Houston is. Thanks.
I'm very interested in any opponent of Mr. Kranz since he accepted 15K from Royal Gorge LLC, AKA Foster/Syme developers, who are trying to get Placer Co. to approve 1000 new single and multi-family units smack dab on the top of Donner Summit. As one of those "Summit People," I have kept a close eye on Mr. Kranz and the view is not pretty. Funny how txrxyrd mentioned getting different PO boxes to establish residency. Imagine a developer testing the waters with two counties, Placer and El Dorado, since his property is bisected by the county line. Since Kranz of Placer was the better listener, the developers are focusing their early proposals on a development called "Lake Camp" which will be entirely in Placer Co. I have my doubts as to Mr. Kranz's objectivity in this case for obvious reasons.
I would certainly like to know Mr. Houston's position on the largest development ever proposed in the Donner Summit/Sierra Range area. Would he listen to environmentalists who wish to protect endangered species and the headwaters of two major rivers, the North Fork of the American, and the South Fork of the Yuba? Would he listen to current landowners who've been patiently waiting in line for water and sewer permits, or listen to the big bucks who want to move to the front of the line? Would he approve a community plan that's been discussed and streamlined for two years, or tell the multiple organizations involved there was no need for a community plan when a large developer was about to submit his own (Kranz's position)? Mr. Kranz isn't interested in listening to the locals - his constituents, no less - who are working to ensure the history and culture of Donner Summit doesn't disappear under a few tons of cement. I'm extremely anxious to learn more about Mr. Houston. Perhaps the Auburn Journal will post a website address soon.