Russ Thomas, prior District 5 Supervisor, announced his candidacy for the District 4 Supervisor seat expressing a desire to once again serve the community of Copperopolis and to have the opportunity to serve the Angels Camp area.
Thomas, a resident of Copperopolis for 15 years, spent 30 years in the masonry industry. He holds a BA in Administration and has list of committees and commissions he has sat on or chaired dating back to the early ‘70’s. Most recently he has held the positions: Calaveras County District 5 Supervisor 2007-2010, Calaveras County Fish and Game Commission 2000-2006, Stanislaus County Planning Commission 1989-1995 (chairman 1992). Thomas said, “I bring the skills from those positions with me.”
When asked why he was seeking election Thomas stated “I feel my work for Calaveras County is not over…I would like to continue” what he started. The county “needs strong leadership…strong leadership can change the economic condition” of the county. Further stating that in order for a change, there must also be a change of attitude.
“People moved here because they liked what they saw” he said pointing to the need for a concise community plan – one which he states he and many others on the Vision 2020 committee delivered in 2001. The plan delivered in 2001 “was not my vision, it was the vision of the community. Focusing on elements of today with a future vision – to keep a small town atmosphere.”
His vision for the community would include some lake access to New Melones. “It would be a remarkably good thing for Copper and it would take a lot of pressure off of Lake Tulloch.” Thomas also stated that it was his idea to build a new bridge – O’Byrnes Ferry Bridge. That the idea to “retrofit was not acceptable, road conditions on both sides are dangerous and life threatening.” He also pointed to the possible use of the existing 500 acre CAM industrial facility as a possible future infrastructure “employment for many people” as a potential industrial use.
The current community plan has an approximate square mile “footprint the same size as Modesto.” Though Thomas states that the plan delivered in 2001 does not change the “visual environment” of Copperopolis allowing for plenty of open space and an approximate density average of “1 house per 2 acres.”
Thomas plans to hold many town hall meetings and possibly a bbq soon.
To contact Russ Thomas his email is info@russ-th, website russ-thomas.com.
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