Robb Tucker for Nevada County Supervisor, District 2
I am about as local as local gets. My birth certificate literally lists my place of birth as a “Residence - Highway 49, South; next to Golden Chain Motel.” I attended local schools growing up and was part of the first class to attend all 4 years at the newly opened Bear River High School.
My grandfather and dad were both retired USAF pilots who flew in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. They put everything they had into developing Forest Springs Mobilehome Community in the early 1970’s and it eventually grew into one of the largest and most desirable senior mobilehome communities in the region. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University and a master’s degree from Wheaton College Graduate School, I took over the business from 2002 until my family sold it in 2020.
People ask me why we would sell a successful business after 50 years of family ownership, and my answer is the same reasons so many families and businesses are moving out of CA: high taxes, burdensome regulation, the threat of wildfire and insurance cancellations, ill-conceived government policies, etc.
The leadership in our State and their misguided priorities have made a mess of California: homeless policies that create more homelessness; crumbling schools; a failed criminal justice system; a stagnant economy; inadequate water and infrastructure; etc. You only have to look at places like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento; and the impacts of these failed policies continue to spread to Nevada County.
WE CANNOT ALLOW THE MISTAKES THAT HAVE CREATED CRISIS IN OTHER PARTS OF CALIFORNIA TO FURTHER IMPACT OUR QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN NEVADA COUNTY.
Nevada County is not like big cities. We need to develop policies that serve our community and stop Sacramento politicians from forcing their failed policies on us. We are a special and different place, and our policies need to reflect that. We need leaders on the Board of Supervisors who will stand up for meaningful solutions to issues that affect our cost of living and quality of life:
Public Safety
No priority should be higher for our local leaders than keeping our residents safe. I support investing in our Deputy Sheriffs and attracting high quality law enforcement officials to Nevada County. I believe we need to take a proactive, diligent approach to emergency preparedness and incorporate wildfire readiness into every aspect of county government and outreach. I believe we need to take a compassionate approach to homelessness while also ensuring accountability for those receiving services. Big cities across California have failed to address the homelessness crisis and we cannot allow those failed policies to spread to Nevada County. Lastly, I believe in working with law enforcement to control the cannabis industry and ensure illegal operators are shut down and brought to justice.
Crime is another example of state policies gone wrong. When we have people committing crimes who are then not punished, what we see on the news is totally predictable. As a member of the Board of Supervisors, I will work with the Sheriff and the District Attorney to make sure they have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.
Homeless individuals do not have the right to live on the streets, and our laws should be enforced so that the homeless are immediately taken off the streets and moved into transitional housing. If necessary, they should be provided services to address addiction or mental illness issues.
Small Business
As a lifelong small business owner, I understand how challenging it can be to open and operate a small business in California. At the county level, we need to do everything we can to clear red tape and soften regulations to give entrepreneurs and hard-working independent business owners the flexibility they need to provide for themselves and their families. I also believe that the county should play an active role in economic development and work to strategically advertise and attract new businesses to Nevada County that fit with our existing way of life.
Housing and Development
One of the most consequential long-term decisions a Supervisor makes is the approval of new development projects that shape the look, feel, and function of our communities over the course of decades. I support well-planned development and would use my experience in real estate and property management to ensure that residents are being advocated for in the planning process.
I also believe that housing affordability is a critical issue, and the county should be looking for opportunities to bring new housing units online that do not sacrifice the unique quality of life and natural resources of Nevada County. If we do not invest in new housing, future generations of Nevada County residents will have no choice but to relocate their families and businesses elsewhere. I reside in the Greater Higgins Area and as Supervisor would make sure that the area grows with adequate consideration of wildfire risk, traffic, and quality of life concerns.
Lastly, it is critical that we invest in water and broadband infrastructure and take full use of state and federal funds designated for infrastructure improvements.
Government Accountability and Fiscal Health
One of the most important responsibilities of the Board of Supervisors is to serve as a watchdog for taxpayers in county government. As a Supervisor, I will always hold county administrators and department heads accountable for the spending and fiscal situation of their respective departments. I will always seek an open, transparent, and accountable budgeting process that engages the community in establishing fiscal priorities. I strongly support annual, independent auditing to guarantee our dollars are being spent efficiently and as intended. I am generally opposed to new taxes and believe that they should only be considered when absolutely necessary and with voter approval. I strongly support Proposition 13 and keeping property taxes and assessments low and stable. In order to maintain the long-term fiscal health of county government, I believe we must vigilantly address unfunded liabilities, seek contracting opportunities where appropriate, always seek full reimbursement from state and federal agencies for pass-through services, and limit the growth of our workforce to just essential new additions.
I have a unique understanding of our community’s needs. As someone with extensive business experience and an understanding of the community, I believe I am uniquely qualified to serve this community on the Board of Supervisors. I grew up here, have owned a business here for decades, and I am raising my family here. I have seen a lot of changes over the years, some good and many bad. I am running for Supervisor to protect our quality of life in Nevada County. I want to make sure my kids have the same quality of life I had growing up. We need to retain and attract families and businesses. I want to make sure Nevada County remains a great place to LIVE, WORK, and PLAY!
I will stand up and fight against government overreach from Sacramento. I believe that, more often than not, government is the PROBLEM, not the SOLUTION. I believe in lower taxes, less regulation, and less government interference with personal and economic freedom. I will utilize my private sector experience, skills and relationships for the betterment of our community.
I am proud to have the support of numerous elected officials and community leaders from around Nevada County. Some of my key endorsements include: Nevada County Treasurer-Tax Collector Michelle Bodley; former Nevada County Treasurer Tax Collector Tina Vernon; Nevada Irrigation District Director Trevor Caulder; former State Senator Jim Nielsen; former State Senator and current Board of Equalization Member Ted Gaines; former Nevada County Supervisor Sue Horne; former Nevada County Supervisor Dan Miller; Nevada Joint Union High School District Board President DuWaine Ganskie; and the Nevada County Contractors Association.
With a lifetime commitment to Nevada County, experienced executive leadership as a local business owner, and a heart for service, I am ready to be the next Supervisor from District 2. For more information about me and my campaign, please visit Robbtucker.com.