Supervisor Candidate Dave Pine Talks Pensions, Parks

Speaking to a small gathering of supporters at a home in Millbrae Thursday, county supervisor candidate Dave Pine said he would cut employee pensions and find creative ways to support county parks if he is elected.

Pine said his number one priority would be addressing the county’s $100 million shortfall.

“It’s going to be extremely difficult to get our expenditures in line with our revenue,” he said.

The San Mateo High School District board member suggested that the county should look toward sharing services with local cities, pointing out that the county provides law enforcement services to San Carlos.

The county should lead the effort to merge local fire departments, Pine said.

Pine also said he would take on public employee retirement costs. “I don’t think people can retire at 50 and get 90 percent of their salary,” he said.

Rather than layoff employees, Pine said he would rather have everyone take a 5 percent pay cut.

Pine is one of competing for the vacant 1st District seat in an all-mail election. Ballots are due May 3.

He said he has held about 40 house parties since his campaign started. Ann Schneider, co-chair of the political committee for the Loma Prieta chapter of the Sierra Club, which endorsed Pine, hosted the event.  

Schneider said Pine had the best grasp on how county environmental issues work and also brings an upbeat attitude.

“Candidate Pine had the most positive way of looking at things,” she said.

Pine said the county’s environmental responsibilities are considerable. He said he would have voted against , an office and housing project for developmentally disabled adults in Half Moon Bay.

He added that he is against a county proposal to close Flood Park in Menlo Park. The county could work with the city of Menlo Park and local sports leagues to keep the park open, Pine said.

Mary Alexander, who attended the event, said she came to see Pine after hearing that he received the endorsement of Congresswoman Jackie Speier.

Alexander said she was impressed by his manner and was planning on putting up his yard sign on her “lucky hedge.”

Jackie Schneider, who, along with Alexander, volunteers with the League of Women Voters, said she normally supports female candidates but in this race it’s less of an issue because there are already three women on the Board of Supervisors.

“He seems to care about the environment,” Schneider said.