Citing a history of community service and involvement in local organizations, Boulder Creek contractor Eric Hammer recently announced his plans to run for the 5th District county supervisor seat that will be vacated by Supervisor Mark Stone.
Hammer, a San Lorenzo Valley native and graduate of San Lorenzo Valley High School, has served on a litany of community councils and boards, including the county treasury oversight committee, the Boulder Creek Business Association, Mountain Community Resources, the Valley Women’s Club and Youth First, the group behind the former teen center in Felton.
“I come from a very active, strong environmental and social services background,” Hammer said. “Everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve tried to give something to that community.”
Stone’s plan to run for state Assembly, Hammer said, creates an opportunity at the right time for him, citing the increasing stability of the Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District, which he has served as a board member.
“I think it’s the right place to go, the right progression,” Hammer said. “I felt like there was an opportunity.”
Hammer said that, if elected, he would call upon members of the community to help identify the needs of the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley, as well as brainstorm sustainable solutions.
He cited a need to create a sense of partnership between cities and unincorporated areas within the 5th District.
“(Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley) are different areas, but they deal with a lot of the same issues,” he said. “People will come to you if you make yourself available.”
Hammer said one of the goals he would set as supervisor would be to work with the county’s planning department to change what he described as many residents’ negative view of the building permitting process, to make it easier for homeowners to get permits.
“I want to make it so every homeowner that is planning any kind of remodel will feel comfortable going to the county building for a permit,” he said.
He also pointed to a need to focus on protection of the district’s waterways and infrastructure.
Hammer enters a race wherein his opponent will likely be determined by a controversial vote of the present county board of supervisors, regarding redrawing the borders of the 1st and 5th districts through Scotts Valley.
So far, Hammer’s likely opponent would be Scotts Valley Mayor Dene Bustichi, but the redistricting plan, if approved, would render Bustichi ineligible to run in the 5th District, leaving the field unclear.
Taking a look at district lines, Hammer said, is something that needs to happen every so often.
“I think it’s one of those difficult issues,” Hammer said, “But I don’t see it as a political move, because I would hope the system works better than that.”
“Having a couple of strong candidates is what makes the election interesting.”
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