May 16, 2008

Church well-suited to field challenges facing county

Editorial

Supervisor Mark Church shows the experience and the insight needed to tackle the looming problems facing San Mateo County, particularly the need to provide services to residents while staying within a tight budget, which is why he has earned your vote in the June election.

Impressive as Church's credentials are, we remain dismayed at the relative silence from Church and the other county supervisors after officers detained Sheriff Greg Munks at a Las Vegas brothel about one year ago.

On a range of other issues, Church scores well. He has pledged to continue policies to benefit the less fortunate and played key roles in initiatives to create affordable housing. He also successfully promoted green business practices and green construction policies.

Perhaps more important, Church has an appreciation for the tough spending choices that await the winner of the June election. Supervisors are pursuing a health care initiative they hope will reduce the red ink at the county medical center, which is costing the county $72 million a year. Yet the new program would create new costs, as well. How will they be financed?

Furthermore the county is looking at bonds for new jail facilities, another bill that will have to be repaid. As the chairman of the Budget, Finance and Operations Committee, Church is well-schooled in these matters.

The county faces critical decisions and, after eight years on the board and a stint on the Millbrae City Council, Church has the know-how to make the right ones. He has earned a third term.