Jimmy Smith is currently a supervisor for the First District.

He was born and raised in Humboldt County. He grew up in Myrtletown.

His family has over four generations of roots in the county.

One side of Smith’s family helped set up logging camps on the Mendocino Coast. When asked what animal he would describe himself as, Smith said he was a work horse, because he loved to work and didn’t require much sleep.

The Eureka Reporter: What are some major accomplishments you made in this county?

Jimmy Smith: (The County) got through a difficult time because of good planning, when a lot of funding was diverted from the state a few years ago. We made it through that without huge layoffs. We were able to have the core services available for people. During that time, I had nine slides occurring on the road to Petrolia. We kept the road open so we could get people in and out and food.

ER: What is your background in public service?

JS: I was a businessman, owned my own fishing vessel for three-plus years. I worked part-time doing research work for arctic goose projects with Alaska Science Center and Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. I ran for Harbor Commissioner for District 1 in 1995, and was commissioner for five years. I ran (for supervisor) in a group of seven people who I grew to admire. I’ve been here for seven years.

ER: What are the top three issues you feel are most important in the county?

JS: The General Plan Update, because there is so much discussion about it. I’m going to say together as one is drug problems and homelessness. Trying to protect the regional economies and make sure we keep quality-of-life issues intact so we can recruit, retain workforces and educational systems. It’s absolutely imperative that we keep medical services here as part of that whole employment regional economy.

ER: What would you like to see in the County’s General Plan Update?

JS: We’re going to have to resolve some of the property rights issues – that’s at the top of the list. The housing and housing affordability issues. There’s been a lot of discussion about inclusionary housing, which I haven’t been a fan of. Transportation and how we can network with the cities. Also, how the spheres of influence of fire and water districts are coordinated.

ER: How would you help alleviate the methamphetamine problem in our county?

JS: I’m lucky I got to work on some projects in neighborhoods where we made a difference with methamphetamine. I worked on some films like “Life After Meth.” The (Speed Awareness and Prevention Network) — I’ve been a part of before I was in office. We got people in schools that are talking about meth. I think it’s made a difference with the younger age.

ER: What are the top three issues you feel are most important in the First District?

JS: One of my big concerns is I know our budget is going to get hit again. I’m worried about keeping the core services available to the people of my district. The economy is in a downturn. It’s going to take more to protect what we have and try to encourage growth. It’s going to be hard to get through what everybody wants in this General Plan.

CORRECTION:
In the question-and-answer interview with Humboldt County Supervisor Jimmy Smith published April 13, The Eureka Reporter reported that Smith was a businessman for 3 years, which is incorrect. He has been a business for 35 years.