I am writing to offer a perspective on Jim Comstock’s campaign for supervisor. There have been some recent accusations that campaign support for Jim from the business community and large landowners might prejudice his voting record once he is in office. Since the Luchetti family is Jim’s single largest campaign contributor I thought it might be helpful to offer some perspective on any concerns that you might have as a voter.

The Luchettis have been next-door neighbors of the Comstocks since my dad bought our ranch from Jim’s dad in 1968, 40 years ago. During the last 40 years we have gotten to know Jim very well. We share a common values and beliefs about hard work, family values and a deep love of the land and the environment. There have been no efforts or attempts by either the Comstocks or the Luchettis to pursue the development of either of our properties because we share a deep commitment to the preservation of agriculture and the natural beauty and environment in Lake County.

This commitment extends to the community at large where we have worked together with the Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District and the Callyomi Water District in Middletown on the restoration and operation of water monitoring and supplemental water delivery systems aimed at preserving and improving the environment and habitat in Putah Creek. The ongoing effort by both families and the water agencies offers an excellent example of local ranchers reaching out and working with the community to plan for and solve complex and important water resources issues impacting residential, business and agriculture users.

Beyond ranching, water and agriculture Jim Comstock has served on the school board for 18 years. In a larger urban community this might not be as important as it is here in the south county. Our school system is one of the largest institutions, either public or private in our community. Through this experience Jim Comstock has dealt with some of the most challenging and sensitive financial, social and everyday practical issues faced by families in the community.

Taken together, Jim Comstock’s track record and experience cut across a broad range of issues and offer exactly what Lake County needs in order to balance residential and commercial development with preservation of agricultural and environment resulting in a better quality of life for all members of the community.

Jim Comstock is not a representative of landowners and businesses – he represents the whole of the community and has a demonstrated track record of walking the talk, in balancing stakeholder interests resulting in better outcomes.

As Jim has shaped his campaign I have personally had many talks with him about his platform and am convinced that the same values that I have come to know in him over the last 40 years will be brought to bear on his service to the community as Supervisor for the South County.

Peter Luchetti's family owns a large ranch near Middletown. He lives in Sausalito.

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