Priorities

Safe communities are the foundation of a strong county. Public safety includes law enforcement, prosecution, wildfire preparedness, emergency medical response, and making sure every part of District 5 has access to the services residents rely on.

• Support law enforcement services. Mel will advocate for the staffing, tools, and resources needed by the Sheriff's Office, District Attorney, Probation, Fire, and other public safety partners to protect residents, respond effectively, and ensure accountability.
• Strengthen wildfire preparedness and mitigation. Mel will work to expand defensible space, home hardening, fuel reduction, evacuation planning, and partnerships with Fire Safe Councils, Resource Conservation Districts, Cal Fire, federal agencies, and local communities to reduce wildfire risk.
• Improve emergency response and EMS access. In rural and mountain areas, distance and response times matter. Mel will work to strengthen coordination, support emergency medical services, and pursue practical solutions that improve response capacity across District 5.

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Roads are one of the most common concerns Mel hears from residents. Safe, reliable infrastructure is essential for emergency response, school transportation, commuting, tourism, business, and everyday life.

• Prioritize maintenance of existing roads. Before we build more, we need to take care of what we already have. Mel will advocate for road maintenance to remain a priority and will work to ensure Measure T and other transportation dollars are used responsibly.
• Provide strong oversight of transportation funding. With flexibility in how transportation dollars may be allocated, accountability matters. Mel will ask the tough questions, review priorities carefully, and push for transparency in how road funds are spent.
• Plan for growth and rural infrastructure needs. From the Highway 41 corridor and Tesoro Viejo to mountain roads, bridges, drainage, emergency access, broadband, and private-road challenges, Mel will work to identify practical solutions, pursue outside funding, and plan ahead.

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The county cannot control every cost families face, but local decisions still matter. County government influences fees, services, permitting, infrastructure, trash collection, maintenance districts, housing policy, and the overall business environment. Mel believes residents deserve careful oversight of taxpayer dollars and practical decisions that support working families, seniors, small businesses, and property owners.

• Review fees, rates, and county spending carefully. Mel will ask tough questions about county budgets, maintenance district fees, utility-related costs, trash collection contracts, and service rates to help ensure residents receive value for the taxes and fees they pay.
• Support small businesses and local jobs. As a small business owner, Mel understands the impact of regulations, delays, insurance costs, and uncertainty. She will support policies that make county processes more predictable, reduce unnecessary barriers, and help local businesses succeed.
• Promote responsible housing and property ownership. Housing affordability is tied to supply, insurance, infrastructure, and regulation. Mel will advocate for practical housing solutions that respect community character, protect property rights, and help people live, work, and stay in District 5.

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