Hi--I'm Lisa, and I have announced my candidacy for Mariposa County Board of Supervisors (District 1).

My name is Lisa Edelheit and I’m running for District 1 Board of Supervisor.I have lived in Midpines for the past 38 years with my husband, Charles, where we raised our son, a graduate of MCHS.I came to the area in 1985 for a summer job working for the Yosemite Park & Curry Co. and fell in love with Yosemite and Mariposa. I left the area to complete my college degree and returned the following summer after graduating with a BA from Michigan State University. I spent several months working and living in Yosemite Valley where I started my career as an employee advocate.

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I love Mariposa County and I believe I have the skills, leadership and experience to address the issues facing our County and help build stronger communities. I recently retired and now have the time to give back to my community. I have lived in Mariposa County for 40 years and feel so fortunate to live in and be part of this community. I met my husband and got married here, purchased and developed property, raised my son here and am committed to keeping Mariposa safe, and a place where our families can thrive for generations. It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to live in Mariposa with the rising cost of housing, insurance, gas, groceries, childcare, threat of wildfires, and lack of services in healthcare and eldercare. I’m committed to working with other agencies at the local, state and federal level to work on solutions to those issues.My 40 years living in Mariposa County and my career as an advocate focusing on working family issues makes me uniquely qualified to serve as the District 1 Board of Supervisor.

• Donate to my Campaign Here

Connecting our Communities

Yosemite National Park is our economic engine and Yosemite Hospitality, the concessionaire in the Park, is our largest private employer yet the relationship between the Park and the County is not as strong as it could be. One of my goals consistent with new policy from the Department of the Interior is to improve the relationship and build a stronger partnership between the NPS and other park partners. I will also work to build a stronger partnership with our school district, local businesses and our hospital.

Workforce Housing

We desperately need more housing throughout Mariposa County and I’m committed to finding solutions to make it easier and more affordable to build new housing by;
+Updating development codes and streamlining process for obtaining permits.
+Promoting Accessory Dwelling Units, tiny houses, RV hook-ups and other alternative forms of housing. +Exploring public-private partnerships.

Fire Safety and Homeowners Insurance

One of my top priorities is mitigating the threat of wildfires and working at the local, state and national levels to find solutions to address both the lack of access and affordability of homeowners insurance. For many residents the only option is the California FAIR plan which is limited in coverage and expensive. Some existing solutions I want to promote include:
+Developing more Firewise certified communities.
+Educating residents on home hardening and creating defensible spaces.
+Connecting residents to resources to assist with home hardening and reducing the risks of wildfires.

Public Safety

I am committed to working with local law enforcement and first responders to ensure resources are allocated to fill positions and purchase necessary equipment.
+I will work to update county codes that are enforceable and balance public safety with private property rights.
+I will work to address blighted and abandoned properties such as Muir Lodge and Whispering Pines that are an attractive nuisance and pose public safety concerns.

Roads

Maintaining and improving county roads is another top priority. I am committed to supporting Public Works and looking for additional revenue to maintain our roads.

Protecting our natural resources and preserving our rural lifestyle

Ensuring the Merced River maintains its wild and scenic status, protecting our watersheds and agriculture land is essential.

Growing our Economy

Though we are a tourist based economy we need to continue to attract new businesses that fit in with our rural lifestyle and reduce barriers that make it difficult for new businesses to open.
I would like to see the County work more closely with our schools to connect graduating seniors with local jobs and providing more opportunities for our adult children to remain and thrive in Mariposa County.

Art and Culture

Mariposa has a vibrant art and music culture that I’m committed to supporting and growing. I’m a regular attendee and supporter of the many wonderful festivals throughout the year that bring the community together and generate revenue. I support federal recognition of the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation and as an elected official will do what I can to advance that effort.

Recruit and Retain Quality County Employees

Mariposa County needs to remain competitive in salary and benefits to recruit and retain quality employees. Being a small county with no incorporated cities to share workload, our county employees have to take on more responsibilities with less money and resources. I would like to see less reliance on expensive consultants that typically do not live in Mariposa County and hire more qualified employees.