Joey Luiz is the youngest candidate in the field of District 1 supervisorial hopefuls, which he said gives him the advantage when it comes to understanding the county's younger voters. Courtesy photo.

Luiz said he was considering challenging the three-term incumbent when Robey let it be known he wasn't planning to seek a fourth term.

A field of candidates began to form almost immediately last summer when Robey made the announcement, although Luiz initially wasn't among them. He said he wanted to consider what the commitment would mean, and size up the field.

When Voris Brumfield decided not to run, Luiz – who called her a “pretty viable candidate” – decided to declare his candidacy.

At 26, Luiz is the youngest candidate in the race, which he said is an advantage for many reasons, not the least of which is his perspective on the unique needs of the county's young people.

“In the big picture, there's not a lot for our youth to do, and that was already something I was working on,” he said.

Youth-oriented issues are a No. 1 concern for Luiz.

He's put his concern for youth into action as a member of the Andy Johnson Skate Park Committee. His desire to help get the park reopened to Clearlake's teens and children after a closure for repairs late last year took him to Southern California. There, with the permission of his employer, Clay Shannon, Luiz drove a company truck down to fetch new surfacing for the park in order to save on high shipping costs.

More recently, he has signed on to work on an effort to build a safe house for the county's homeless children.

Luiz, who along with his two older brothers was raised by a single mother who struggled to make ends meet, said he can appreciate the fact that many of the county's young people may not have many privileges available to them.

He wants Lake County to be a place where other young people see a future for themselves and can expect to make a decent living.

That leads to another part of his platform for this year's race – improving the county's economic outlook and addressing growth.

Luiz, who works in the county's growing wine industry, said he sees more money and opportunity flowing toward Lake County in the next decade, which can result in a strong local economy.

He said he believes he knows how area residents and businesses want to see the county grow: avoiding sprawl, appreciating the area's rural character and preserving open space.

Those ends can be achieved through sensible growth, which doesn't open the door to every development out there and recognizes that not all growth is good, Luiz explained.

“We need to measure out exactly what developments are going to be beneficial,” he said.

That can be done, he suggested, by looking at what socio-economic groups such developments will serve and match that to what the county's overall needs are right now.

Development for services also will be critical, he said. Middletown and Hidden Valley residents have told him they want more services closer to home while, again, preserving the community's character.

Luiz said the county is in a unique position to manage its growth and become a tourist destination. He said continued emphasis needs to be placed on doing things right, and leveraging the county's natural beauty to attract visitors who can fire up the area economy by patronizing local businesses.

Lake County's incredible natural beauty is among its best assets, said Luiz, who in his day-to-day work meets many visitors who are impressed with the county and consider it “undiscovered.”

“I'm very optimistic about what this county can do,” he said.

He added that he's here to stay in the county. “I love it and I think it's definitely a treasure that will be something.”

Luiz already has tried his hand at advocacy at the state level.

In April, he and a group of intrepid local park lovers made their way to the state capitol to argue against closure of the county's two state parks, which was part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's January budget proposal.

The reception Luiz and his companions received from state budget officials was less that hospitable, but Luiz said it was a good learning experience.

Also on the trip was Supervisor Rob Brown, who Luiz said took the reins and didn't let officials get the upper hand. Those were important tips, Luiz added.

“I definitely feel a little more comfortable with what it takes to shake things up down there,” he said.

Whether elected or not, Luiz said he plans to regularly make such trips to meet with officials and legislators on important local issues to make them aware of what their actions mean to the community.

“We need someone who will go down there and fight,” he said.

Explaining both the differences and parallels between himself and Robey, Luiz said he believes Robey wants what's best for Lake County, and that's his approach as well.

But Luiz said they differ in that he feels Robey began to work too hard to try to please people, which distracted him from finding resolution to problems.

In making decisions, Luiz said he likes to see all the facts first and educate himself before sorting out a plan of attack.

Luiz said he's part of a generation that has had a loss of hope, but as a supervisor he believes his energy and enthusiasm for the county – what it has to offer and what its future holds – can help energize young people.

“I'm not going into it thinking politics is what I want to do,” he said. “I'm going into it thinking change is what I want to make.”

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smurf - well... Registered | 05-12-2008 09:58:02 sounds like a decent enough guy, but maybe some more hands-on experiance down at the BOS would help, as it takes a lot more than being on a few committees to have a handle on how to manage the county. There doesn't seem to be a big game plan here, and the BOS isn't the place to just "wing it", we need to see solid plans to deal with existing issues.

lenny - fresh and new... Registered | 05-12-2008 10:58:24 I love him. He's quick on the uptake, (having spoken with him on several occasions) and has the energy to do the job. He's calm and collected, not a reactionary. I see him as open and willing to listen before acting on behalf of this county. He brings with him a perspective of a younger generation Looking at the other candidites, Joey's the guy.... in my opinion

Donna Christopher - Nice to see the younsters Author | 05-12-2008 11:12:34 getting involved in local leadership & politics. His generation isn't the only one looking for hope, it's hard to find some daze.

lamar - Youthful Enthusisasm Is Needed Author | 05-12-2008 12:30:11 I really appreciate the fact that Joey Luiz is in the race. Rather than leave the county due to its lack of good-paying jobs, here is a young man determined to make a difference RIGHT HERE! And, he volunteers a lot of his time to make that difference. This county definitely needs more passionate people like Joey Luiz. In watching and listening to Luiz in various forums, I really do enjoy the man's sense of humor. It's not easy to find something to laugh about during these difficult economic times. But, Luiz has managed to inject some much-needed humor into the debates and lessen the tension.

kathologist - Refreshing! Registered | 05-12-2008 15:51:08 Glad to see him run because we need a variety of perspectives to make the wise decisions to carry the county forward. Being younger has advantages like not having so many preconceived ideas about how to do things or angles of approach. It would be good to have someone in that office who was willing to ask questions as well as make decisions. He is already making a difference by being part of the process

get smart - What a shinning example! Registered | 05-12-2008 16:16:45 Don't be too quick to dismiss this man! I find this mans involvement quite impressive and rather inspiring! Maybe he will bring to the board a new sense of integrity and honesty; being raised by a generation of hypocrites. Hopefully he has learned from the lessons of the past! I would urge each and every one of us; county wide; to contribute just ten dollars in support of helping this man in achieving his objective of becoming a member of the County of Lake Board of Supervisors. What a shinning example this man is for the next generation; by showing them that involvement is what it takes to effect positive change. Maybe his message of involvement will not be lost to the youth here in Lake County! Maybe they will see that involvement with county projects and activities are a viable alternative to drugs; alcohol and becoming sexually active before they are ready to take on the responsibility of parenthood. How sad it is that my generation has past on the message that the only way one can be happy; is by being entertained; spending money we don't have seeking our next thrill; while throwing money (tax dollars) at social problems that equally need our involvement along with the money (tax dollars) we are throwing at it! While a skateboard park is good idea; as is a water park or a soccer field; they are not the panacea for the underlying problems facing our youth of today. So many of our young today do not feel a sense of belonging to a community because the problems they are facing today are global problems.

James - Better than the other. Registered | 05-12-2008 19:17:12 No matter what he has not lied to me so he would be better than the lying bureaucrat Robey. The time will come you all will know what a low life he can be. I wish MR.Luiz well and good luck. Glad to see your back get smart. Semper Fi all.

smurf - winnuh? Registered | 05-13-2008 00:16:14 six votes to one, looks like a landslide! seriously kid, study-up for four years and come back with some solid plans instead of good intentions and an open mind, two out of three isn't bad but it's not as good as some.

rkreeves - Obama AND Joey? Registered | 05-13-2008 00:24:20 Oh Happy Day! R.

Dogman - he's got my vote Registered | 05-13-2008 00:40:33 He's a good guy, he has our vote.

James - Just maybe . Registered | 05-13-2008 11:27:35 We have come to know the lying bureaucrat Robey. When I saw him about my rights he wounted to know "Did I think I was special." No I'm not an neather is he, he forgot his oath. Just a lying bureaucrat.

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