Johnson declares he'll seek reelection

To the editor,
Dr. Edward de Bono once asked "If you never change your mind, why have one?"
I announced a year and a-half ago that I would not run for another term on the board of supervisors of Orange County. At the time I felt that was the right decision and until recently I continued to believe so. Now however, after much thought and much discussion with many citizens, I've changed my mind.
I am a candidate for re-election to the board of supervisors representing District 1.
Concerned citizens from many walks of life have urged me to make this choice. Repeatedly they have cited the economic hardships facing us and the newly imposed, radical and damaging land use ordinances. They have insisted that such issues call for experienced, forthright representation, and someone with a demonstrated level of understanding and identification with the working families of Orange County.
We face many important questions locally. After many years of moderate policies reached through community wide consensus, recently a small group of special interests, well organized and supported by out of county money, have pushed through several extreme laws.
Orange County's voters now have the chance to make it clear where they stand.
Do we want restrictive laws that cater to the desires of a few, or reasonable laws which respect the property rights of all citizens?
Will we broaden our tax base by being business-friendly and supporting economic development or will we continue to oppose all change, diminishing our prosperity and opportunity, while increasing the tax burden on homeowners?
Can we continue to make county government more responsive to the citizens or will we just accept the inevitability of burdensome regulation, bureaucratic red tape and nonsense?
Will we use long range planning to insure that public money is spent in the most effective way or will we be penny wise and pound foolish by making decisions that cost more over time?
Good government is a work in progress that demands constant tending. Laws, rules, regulations, and management memos don't insure good government. Only well informed citizens can do that by electing honest and dedicated fellow citizens to hold public office.
In his farewell address in March 1837 President Andrew Jackson said it best: "You must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing."
I look forward to the coming debate that will lead up to the election in November as the people of Orange County District 1 decide how best to "secure the blessing."
I respectfully ask for your support.
Mark Johnson