Chris Wright has pulled papers to run for District 2 supervisor in the June 5 election. With current District 2 Supervisor Steve Wilensky not seeking re-election for a third term, Wright will likely face Anita Paque and Michael Dell'Orto in the District 2 election. Others also may join the fray before filing closes.
A fourth generation resident of Calaveras County, and current resident of Rail Road Flat, Wright is locally grown. After working as a planner for the Mendocino County Planning Department, Wright returned to Calaveras more than six years ago to take the executive director position for the Foothill Conservancy; a post he holds to this day.
Although Wright is a first-time candidate, his expertise in agriculture and natural resources makes him no stranger to the issues of Calaveras County.
"During my time at the Foothill Conservancy, what has motivated me and kept me going is the community," Wright said. "And showing how the community loves this place. This recent campaign against East Bay MUD (Municipal Utility District) is a real example of where everybody from the left and the right politically came out in support of our river because it is such an asset to our community."
Having grown up in what he referred to as the "dark ages of the county," Wright wants to ensure the community continues to move forward. Wright hopes to facilitate that progress, with his rendition of the triple bottom line.
"My version of the triple bottom line is having a strong economy, healthy environment, and thriving communities," Wright said. "And those three work together to define a good way of moving forward."
Wright referred to the Calaveras Healthy Impact Product Solutions (CHIPS) as a program that embodies his triple bottom line. The CHIPS program in West Point is designed to curtail the communities' extreme fire threat while creating healthy forestlands.
"The CHIPS program has taken training programs for the long-term unemployed up there and put them to work clearing and thinning the forest," Wright said. "So you're restoring the natural function of the forest and at the same time providing products that can be used for chips and furniture."
According to Wright, the CHIPS program improves the environment, creates jobs, and helps the community by reducing crime and associated drug use.
"One of the reasons we have so much meth, is because there is nothing to do for people; there are no jobs," Wright said. "If you improve the economy you reduce the need or desire to get into drugs or crime."
With District 2 facing severe economic problems, Wright said the county cannot depend on a boom-bust cycle. Rather than attracting fast-food chains or department stores, Wright said District 2 should focus on building a local, sustainable economy.
"You don't need to bring in Wal-Mart to Moke Hill, because then you destroy the very essence of Mokelumne Hill and District 2," Wright said. "What you need to do is work on improving the infrastructure. You need a better road network and a better sewer network. You need more job training like the CHIPS program."
Wright is married to Ellen Davison and the father of two.
Alex George | Posted: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 9:47 am
