Santa Barbara County Supervisor, 4th District

Four-year term

Name: Joni Gray

Age: 65

Political party: Republican

Years in 4th District: 65

Elected offices held: Santa Maria High School District Board of Trustees, 4th District Santa Barbara County Supervisor

Work: teacher, Santa Maria High School and

Hancock College, administrative assistant for the 5th District Santa Barbara County supervisor, administrative assistant for the Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools, attorney

Family: married, three children

By Sam Womack/Staff Writer

Joni Gray says she is one of those lucky people who truly loves her job.

An Orcutt native, Gray has spent the last 10 years representing the 4th District on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, and is seeking a third full term June 3.

Her years in office, she said, have given her the chance to give back to those that have touched her life.

BThe people in my district are the same people who have guided me through my life and encouraged me through school, and I want to pay them back for all they have done,C Gray said.

Gray, 65, spends most of the week in her district, which includes Guadalupe, Orcutt, Lompoc and Casmalia, and said there are very few people in her district that live more than 15 minutes away from one of her offices.

BI love this job because I?m in the community all the time, and I get to stay in my own house,C Gray said.

During recent candidate forums, it was intimated that Gray does not spend enough time with her constituents listening to the real issues.

BI make it a point to attend as many community events as possible,C she said. BIt?s necessary to sense and see and hear what?s going on. That?s just not true.C

Gray was appointed in 1998, then elected to the post in 2000 and 2004. Gray is a registered Republican being challenged by former Santa Maria Police Chief John Sterling, who is also a Republican.

During her tenure, Gray has said, the county budget reserves increased from ,3 million to ,33 million, the county planning and development department has become more user-friendly, and she has opened an office in Orcutt, among other accomplishments.

Also, because of her seniority, Gray is on the California State Association of Counties board of directors, and serves as the treasurer. She is also the representative for California counties on the Department of Correction Facilities Advisory Committee.

With these positions, Gray said, she has brought Santa Barbara County to the front of the line for funding.

BThe money for the majority of our budget comes out of Sacramento,C she said. BI?ve spent some time in Sacramento and created a good network. Where money decisions are made, we?re at the table.C

As the county struggles through a tight budget, her goal is to Bfirst maintain the same services that are necessary to the county.C

BMaybe that?s not realistic at this particular time,C she continued. BSo if cuts have to be made, they should be where the least basic harm can be done to a county citizen.C

How the county can avoid those cuts in the future, she said, is to encourage more revenue-generating activities such as oil drilling and technical businesses by making the county application process more user-friendly.

BThe best thing a government can do is be user-friendly, so that when someone makes the decision to come to Santa Barbara County, they will be treated well and with the least possible hassle,C Gray said. BWe already have the best climate in the world; now we just have to make it easier to stay here.C

Gray noted the imbalance of jobs versus homes in the county, and said her goal is creating a place Bwhere the very richest and the very poorest can find a place to live.C

A healthy community is one where people are not worried about two-hour commutes, but are instead are coaching kids? teams and volunteering in the community, she said, adding that can be achieved through grants and working with developers.

As to why she thinks people should support her over challenger John Sterling: BBecause I?ve been at the job for 10 years and that pays off in knowledge of the system and how to get things done.C

She added that 3rd District Supervisor Brooks Firestone and 5th District Supervisor Joe Centeno have endorsed her, meaning that she is respected by her peers on the board.

Gray lives in Orcutt with her husband George, where they raised their three children, Samantha, Jason and Tim.